Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-22
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
British Legislators Discuss The Indian
Cotton Duties.
SIR HENRY JAmESs MOTION.
II In Defeated by n Vote of 3of to
Iog-The Matter of bringing About
Peace I'm the East-The Crisis in
Newfoundland.

LONDON, February 2i.-In the House
of Commons this afternoon Sir Francis
Henry Evans .UiberaD, member for
Southampton. asked that the papers In
reference TO the recent crisis In New
foundland be submitted to the House.
Mr.. Sydney Buxton. Under Colonial Sec
re,ary, declined to produce the papers al
the present time, and stated further that
they would mot be submitted until the
communications between the home gov
ernment and that OF the Coloney shouid
have been completed.
Mr.. Evans said THAT Implies that no
thing will be communicated TO the House
until the present grave distress has been
passed. This. / hope. will not be the case
as many members are desirous OF getting
information on the subject"
Mr. Evans then asked II Mr.. Buxton
would not reconsider his decision IN the
matter. Mr.. Buxton said he would IN
ouire whether IL would be advisable in the
public interest to supply the Information
asked for.
Mr.. Balfour was not present at TINS
evenings sitting, and efforts were maze
to prevent consideration OF SIR hehry
James's motion. Sir william Hafcouts
was approached on the subJse,, snu iiatly
refused TO delay matters, the government
he said, desiring an immediate a'sc"ss'o"
I'm the House on the question.
Sir Henry James introduced his motion
20 adjourn the House for the purpose OF
calling attention TO the Indian cotton
duties. ~. .,ar.
In support of the motion, he sald tnere
had always been a feeling In Lancashire
that an import-duty in India was a ieau
vyeluht TO the trade. lie then proceeded
to review the history OF Indian tarlns
since an early period Of the present cen
tury.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
Prior 10 the introduction OF the mo-
ton. Sir Edward Grey, replying 10 MI
Iabouchere, said the government hau
Gently sounded the governments Oh III.
Power. and the United States IN Tesaiu
TO the bringing about peace ueI"eeh
china and japan, and had received repiles'
They would not be published. however
In view OF the existing situation,
Sir Henry James. continuing, said thal
since lsSs. when the Indian import duues
were abolished, lndis's markets had re-
mained open. Under the iree marhees
IniiaS trade ntu boiAt va
driving Lancashire out ana INTO the
markets of japan and China. The new
dutv which had been levied upon cotton
would further embarrass Lancashire. Inc
government, he said, had peen IN
iuenced by the agitation OF Ansio-ih-
dian officials. not 10 much III iuNor
OF India as against Lancashire. IL was
an agitation against a trade wnieh hAa
lost more. through the fall In the price
of the rupee, than any otner iht.resI
IN the country. These officials had misied
The SECRETARY of state for India. who.
no doubt, had the best intentions, but mad
not consulted the practical merchants
and manufacturers. The result was tnat
the whole trade had been ignored. Inc
duties imposed in India had dislocated the
Lancashire trade. The counteracting ex-
else duty, which had been imposed IN
India, had proved 10 be really no protee-
ton TO British producers. while II had
created intense dissatisfaction In ihuia'
FowLER's REPLY.
Mr. Henry II. Fowler. Secretary OF
State for India. said that before Sir
Henry James charged him with having
sacrificed the interests OF England 10
| India he ought to have obtained better
proof of the correctness of anything he
| had mentioned in his speech. The CEN
sure of India in regard TO the excise
duty was equally severe with the cen
sure OF Lancashire Both had accused
him of sacrifsing their interests, India
TO Lancashire and the latter's TO India.
Both could not be accurate. He had done
what he thought was just to both "A
serious financial difficulty existed In IN
dia. and large deficit must be faced
Therefore, when the import duty was
proposed in fairness to both countries,
IL ..,ft n nffgatfinU aNptGH v.
FOR COMPROMISE.
Mr.. Goschen. Chancellor OF the Exchequer
i'm the last Salisbury Cabinet. advised the
public to think twice what effect the de-
cision about to be made would have In
India He felt, he said, that there had
not been sufficient cooperation between
India and the home government. The
debate ought to be followed by an earnest
and persistent effort to bring Lancashire
and Indian opinions closer. If the dlHer-
ence was only one of tariffs, a compro-
mise certainly could be obtained.
Sir William Harcourt. Chancellor OF the
Exchequer. said the government would
not hesitate for moment TO support the
decision required by the best interests
of India. regardless OF the effect on the
Liberal party He could only regret that
the House had been forced In this matter
TO consider a motion rendering necessary
what must assume the character or a
party vote. The government were
ready to meet the issue fairly and
sauarely and without delay IL de-
feated they would feel that there was no
cause for which they could fal' more
worthily. 1t would be a pity. hrwever,
II the vote should leave on the minds
OF the people Of India the lasting impress
sion that they could not hope for justice
from England.
In the division Sir Henry James's mo-
tion was defeated by vote OF 3oi TO l09.