New-York tribune., 1901-03-17
BRITISH BUDGET SCHEMES.
SUGAR REFINERs WORKING TO BRING
ABOUT \ CoUNTERvAILING DUTY.

SUGAR REFINERs WORKING TO BRING
ABOUT a CouNTERvAILING DUTY.
London March 16.-Whie 1T is now generally
understood that the new budget will include
tax on sugar. already forecast by Ihe As-
sociated Press, this by means satisfies the IN
f1uential private committee Of members or the
House of Commons which is working In the
British refiners' interests This committee is
still exertng much pressure on the govern
ment to bring about the introduction of coun-
tervailing duty, in addition to the halfpenny a
pound tax that reports say will be imposed on
sugar. While the government has not yet
agreed on the countervaiing duty. representa-
tive of The Associated Press was Informed by
a member of the committee referred to that the
committee has hopes of bringing the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. TO
it's way OF thinking.
The present agitation in France over the same
subject is being closely watched. and is pro-
viding powerful arguments for the British re-
iners.
When the budget will he brought in is still
secret. but it is scarcely expected until much
later in the session.
John Burns N. P. and Thomas Burt. NJ. p.
and other labor leaders comforting in re-
ga the feasibility of the proposed federation
of the employers and employees unions, to be
known as the National Federation OF Masters
Associations and Trade Unions. the objects be-
ing "to educate the minds of the employers and
employees concerning the grave responsibilities
which rest with them in respect to the expansion
Of British trade to devise means to meet foreign
competition to send joint deputations of capital
and labor abroad to inquire into the conditions
of other countries, and 10 provide federation
where employers and employees may meet on
the plane"
John Locke late Conservative candidate for
Devonport, who is the leader in the movement
has opened headquarters in London, and is re-
ceiving the support Of such widely different pub
lie men as the Duke of Northumberland. Robert
Spence Watson president OF the National Lib
eral Federaton Lord Grey Sir Charles Palmer.
Sir Christopher Furness. NJ p; Arthur Griffith
Bosca Wen NJ p. and many others Lord Rose
berry was approached in reference to the scheme.
but he replied he was afraid 1t was 100 am
bilious for him.
The preliminary work is being chiefly con-
fined the iron and steel trades, which.
through fears of nroads ny the American Steel
Trust. seem particularly anxious for some or
ganization which will present united front
Mr.. locke said to representative OF Ihe AS
soCated Press
II suppose it will take five years to get the
federation working. but l intend to persist. /
must confess to finding the greatest difficulty
with the employers. who seem strangely slow
in waking up 70 the necessity of strenuous steps
to meet foreign, especially American, compet-
ton.
with due respect to Lord Salisbury his ad-
vice 70 teach laborers French and German does
appeal to either the masters or the men |
have met as a solution. The problem daily grows
in seriousness
Mr.. Locke though a wealthy shpowner. is
devoting almost his entire time 10 the formation
of the federation. Lord Grey will likely be its
president.