New-York tribune., 1903-05-29
BRITISH FISCAL PLAN.
Continued from first page.

crown colonies and India, leaving this country
helpless in the hands OF other nations
With respect to tariff negotiations continued the
Premier if foreign countries were to be allowed TO
treat the British colonies foreign nations Great
Britain would be forced by patriotic interests and
regard for her colonies to retaliate. Canada, Aus
tralia InGa and New-Zealand were parts OF the
empire and it absurd that they shouio De
treated separate aggregations because lhes hau
self-government
The Premier added that if preference were given
to imports from the colonies. they would IN eh-
change mitigate the severity Of their hostile 'aris
against Great Britain
Mr. Balfour concluded with saying he did not
think 1t would be wise to tax raw materials anu
he did not know whether tax food would De
accepted or that the colonies would accept inc
proposed tariff notifications. He knew the u'u
tional objection ot the working classes 10 hoou
tax, and he aware of the opJecuohs Vi tti
colonies to abandoning protection. If these couiu
not be overcome, the plan collapsed 1t was not
true that the idea was started by MT. Ciaiipe
lain as q policy OF his own and without ooi''"
ton with his colleagues. He Cdr. BalIouf) was ia
agreement with him, and if his scheme or some
other similar scheme impracticable' the EN-
pire could not be brought to the same plane Vi
fruition as had occurred in the case of the uniteo
States
COLONIAL sECRETARY'S SPEECH.
After n question put by David Lloyd-Georse
welsh Nationalist in reply to whom MT. baiiou'
intimated that the government OiO IlOt pACEO"~ ~
deal with the question before the dissolution oA
Parliament Mr. Chamberlain expressed surprise at
the fact that his speech at Birmingham on May l."
had aroused such attention. 1t was, the Coiohlai
Secretary said absolutely the same in substance as
speeches delivered by Lord Salisbury and MT
Balfour There was absolutely no difference OF
opinion between himself and Mr.. Balfour. Although
nothing was now suggested In the nature OF a re-
versaI of British fiscal policy. 1t was cerIaih d
mandate must be given to the government IL 'he
suggestions that he had thrown ont were 10 oe C@l
ried into effect.
Mr Chamberlain wished make his own position
clear. He would do his utmost TO bring this ques-
IN all its bearings before the people Thus far
ne had only raised principle, and had not 1orHlu-
lated a plan. If there no change in the hscal
system the country would have to give up all nope
of closer fiscal relations with the colonies and must
abandon all idea OF securing at any time closer
political relations with them. II the government
received a mandate it would produce a plan. he
would call another colonial conference, put he
could not negotiate with the colonies before the
people had given the government mandate Every
thing would depend on what this country hau 10
offer. It inevitable If preferential duties were
the working classes would pay tnree-QuareefIs I b be
such tax it only fair that this money ana inc
piled to social reforms like old age pensions Such
tax not protective in intention but, incident
Referring the question Of protesting the s9l0
said repeated Representations had been made to
Germany in regard to Canada but he dld not @ see
what Germany could do meet the British views
until Great Britain was in position TO touch me
pockets Of the German people Was it not also CON
ceiyable asked Mr.. Chamberlain. that Great Britain
would have to defend her trade against unjust
competition such that of the trusts of America
and the Continent?' At present Great Britain was
the one open market of the world, and, therefore.
"a general dumping ground"
MI Chamberlain concluded with emphatic
sertion that he intended TO press the matter on
puhIic attention and said he prepared 10 JUS
tfv the taxing of food before the working classes
of the country.
After some further discussion the motion for the
Whtsuntide adjournment adopted, and the
House adjourned until June s.