THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8036, 7 January 1905, Page 5

THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

(Received This Morning, at 12.55 a.m.)

Sydney, Last Night,

Mr Chamberlain has written a letter, replying to the Chamber of Manufacturers' invitation to visit Australia, and their assurances of continued support. He says that he thinks it would be premature to contemplate a visit until they are nearer a successful result in England. Agitation in the colonies ought to be followed by immediate action in England, and until they could promise that, it would be unfair to his friends and supporters that he should attempt to prematurely call forth an enthusiasm which would be succeeded by a reaction if the Mother Country did not immediately respond. He hoped, however, although postponed for the present, a visit might be possible before very long. He declared that when the English people were convinced that their kinsmen in tbe colonies desired commercial preference as a first step towards a closer union of the Empire, and they were prepared to meet the Mother Country in a mutually advantageous arrangement, he believed the people would insist on opening up negotiations with this object.