THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF SCHEME

West Coast Times, Issue 12573, 19 August 1903, Page 2

THE PREFERENTIAL TARIFF SCHEME

(Received August 18, at 10.19 p.m) London, Aug 18 Chamberlain, replying to;A. S. Griffith Boscowen. member of the House r€t Commons for Ponbridge, who on behalf of the Tariff Reform League emphasized the tariff reform opponents' constant mis-statemen'a as to Chamberlain's proposals, said : — *• I never suggested any tax •\vha f ev*r oa raw materials such as wool and cotton. I belkve such a taxis en* tirely unnecessary for the purposes in view. Regarding food, there is nothing in the policy of the tariff reform I sub - mitted to tbe country which need increase in the slightest the cost of living of any family."

Ottawa, Aug 18

Lord S'.rathcona at the opening of the Congress of representatives Of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, at Montreal, emphasizd the importance of preferential tiade within the Empire and decl.ired tbis vraa accomplishable without any serious departure from free trade. Mdrtion of Ohamberloin's Dame was greatt-d with repeated cheering.

Lord Brassey, 'President or the Congress, briefly commenting on Chamberain's proposals urged his hearers to erqu:re exhaus-tively before acting adding an open raiod was the best prepara* tion for action.

The Congress discussed a resolution '•That the es'.f governing Colonies should pirticipate in the cost of Imperial defence and also an amendment that the Colonies excluaively provide their defence.

A compromise was reached in favour of a contribution to Imperial defence but that Canada thould adopt its own me* thod.