The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-10

put ne peueVed the alternative policy
to be a greater evil. Having to choose
between two evils he would choose
the lesser and would support the bud
| get bill.
Now the Preferential Tariff.
Referring to the suggested preferen-
! tial tariff, the former chancellor of the
exchequer declare he yielded to no one
! IN appreciating the splendid work of
| Mr.. Chamberlain. No colonial secre-
| tary had ever done so much to bind
the colonies to the motherland or so
much to make the colonies feel their
| positlon and duties as part of the en-
pre- He wished. however, to know
whether Mr.. Chamberlain's opinion
was that of the united cabinet. The
| repeal of the grain duty appeared to
the speaker to be direct bar to the
! adoption Of preferential principles.
He therefore concluded that the
opinion OF the cabinet as a whole was
! the same with regard to the principle
! as When he was member of 1t he had
| opposed colonial preference in regard
! 10 wines, sugar and grain, and he was
convinced that matters could not last
| long in their present indefinite state
A continuance of the premier's attitude
OF suspended judgment was impossi-
! DIE. 1t was not fair to the members of
| the party whose constituents wanted
| Information The question was divid-
Ing the Unionists and making the OBJ
position happy family. Mr.. Cham
| berlain's proposals would do more to
dlsun1te than to unite the empire, and
II he persisted in them they would de-
stroy the Unionist party.
SUCH change could only be made
with the consent of the general opin-
| ION of the United Kingdom. Did Mr.
Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour really
think they had obtained such a general
assent? He appealed to them to re-
| consider their position. Sir Michael
| was repeatedly checked by the speak
/ er, and thus was unable to fully de-
velop his anti protection arguments
Richie Speaks for Free Trade.
Mr.. Richie, who made a general re-
ply, said the government thought there
should be an inquiry into the manner
of preferential tariffs, but he would be
surprised If the inquiry should show
any practical means of carrying out a
policy of preferential duties He ayow-
ed himself to be an out-and-out free
trader and added that with his pres
ent knowledgeN2e could not be a party
70 policy winch he believed win be
detrimental to the interests of Great
Britain and her colonies, and he be-
neVed that the inquiry, from which he
would not shrink would confirm his
present views. Mr.. Ritchie justified the /
remission of the grain duty and con-
tended that the millers and farmers |
had not benefited by the tax In his |
opinion the consumer had paid the |
tax, which had pressed most heavily |
On the poorest classes
Mr.. R1tchie's outspoked reputation
OF Mr.. Chamberlain's proposals caused |
an immense sensation in the Hobbies of |
the mouse. No such situation has /
arisen in the parliamentary world I
since the memorable split on the home |
rule Dill, and the keenest interest was |
manifested in regard to the possible |
developments
May Go to Royal Commission.
While Mr.. Ritchie's announcement !
gave rise TO fresh rumors regarding an |
early dissolution of parliament, accord |
ing to the best opinion that event is
not likely to occur before late in the j
autumn, or more probably next year.
Inc recent resignation of R. w E.
middleton, head agent of the Conserya- /
tive party, discounts the likelihood of /
such a STEP
1t was freely predicted this afternoon |
tnaI the government will re1egate the t
tnorny question of tariff preference to /
royal commission, which will fns1ra
time for full consideration Of the /
matter and for testing the growth of /
popular opinion
This direct attack on Mr.. Chamber I
lain by member of the government. /
WHO II IS oelleVed, must have spoken |
with authority, ELECTED loud cheers and
is considered even more innorta nj
IMAM MI. Rltch1e's denunciation as in |
dlcatlng that the majority in the cab
met is overwhelmingly opposed to any
system of preferential trade.
Inc debate was adjourned after |
severe criticism of Premier RaIfo11r,s
absence.
Extraordinary PreIiminaries.
Before the debate opened the mem
bers Of the government attended a /
caDlnet meeting at which all the min
listers were present, except Gerald Bal
who was i'll
Henry Chaplin, M. P, former presi-
dent OF the board of agriculture. and
the malcontent unionists were actively
engaged early in the day In and around |
westminster in rallying the supporters
OF Mr.. Chaplin's amendment to the
budget BILL which declares that the re- |
noVai OF tax on grain involves a need
less and injurious disturbance of trade /
and serious loss of revenue. without |
substantial relief for the consumers.
ana lnat II any taxes are removed it i
should be those levied on tea and other
articles of general consumption.
BEFORE the debate opened Premier
Bai1Our ascertained from John Red
mond, the Irish leader, that the Ma
CondllSC members of parliament would
support the government as against Mr..
Chaplin. The Liberal leader, Sir Henry
Campbel-Bannerman, had already an
nouneed that his party would also m
hold the proposal of Chancellor of
the Exchequer Richie to remit the
grain tax. This practically insured the
government from possible defeat at
the hands of it's own supporters. The
curious situation created the keenest
interest.
A Little Irish Pepper.
At the opening Of the sitting a lit |
tie excitement was caused by John
Redmond asking that a committee be |
appointed to inquire whether the ar
rest of P. A. Ntzhugh, member of par
lament for Sligo, on Saturday last.
under warrant for contempt of court
was not breach of privilege This
the speaker refused to do and John /
Redmond wound up the discussion by
loudly and ironically deploring the |
fact that Mr.. McHugh, who is now |
in Sligo Jail, would not be able to re- |
ceive King Edward when the latter |
visited Ireland.
The asking and answering of cues |
tons in the house followed and then |
Sir Michael Hicks Beach (Conserva |
tlve) invited the speakers decision as
to whether the opportunity could be |
taken of the debate on Mr.. ChapIin's |
amendment for a full discussion of |
the fiscal policy suggested by Mr.. |
Chamberlain, not for present but for /
future adoption. The speaker replied |
that he had concluded that it was |
not relevant to the budget bill. as the |
question OF preferential tariff rates
between Great Britain and her col |