The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-17
Accepts Presidency of the Free
 Food League
OPPOSES NEW DEPARTURE
Mir. Ritchie, the Late Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord George Ham, iton, Late Secretary for ln-
 dla, Also Join League.

London October 16.-The Duke of Dev- onshire, late lord president of the council. has accepted the presidency of the free food league which is organizing a cam paign against the fiscal policy of MT. Chamberlain and MT Balfour.
 This important move in the fiscal con- test developed tonight at the meeting of the parliamentary committee of tha league when a letter from the duke to Sir Michael Hicks Beach, MT. Ritchie's predecessor, as chancellor of the excheq- uer, accepting the proffered presidency of the league upon certain conditions, was read. The committee passed a resolution accepting the conditions, and this action was communicated immediately to the Duke of Devonshire.
 Object of League.
 In the course of the dukes letter ha said:
 T understand the principal object of the league is to oppose the new departure of the fiscal policy. which now has been definitely announced, and which includes the taxation of food imports from foreign countries and preferential treatment for
 
 on imported manufactured goods
 T understand that these objections do not involve opposition to the policy of the government, in so far as that policy is lim- tied to reserving to the government the right of proposing to parliament tariff legislation for the purpose of negotiating commercial treaties, and the mitigation of hostile tariffs''
 Continuing, the Dukelot Devonshire rs- fers to the desirability of restraining the strongly protectionist tendencies mani fested at the recent conference at Shef- field" and says the duty of combattine before the country the doctrines of the tariff reform league shoald not be Jeff entirely to radical members of the Cob den Club.
 MT. Ritchie. the late chancellor of thd exchequer, and Lord George Hamilton. late secretary of th. treasury for India, have also Joined the league.
 Lord Gochen Speaks.
 London, October 16--Lord Goschen whc was chancellor of the exchequer in Lore salisbury's second administration, deliv- cred strong speech in London tonight against the taxation of food. He pointed out that France and Germany had be-
 
 risen rapidly with the Agrarian demand. with the result that in Great Britain the price of wheat was about seven shiIlings less per quarter than in Germany. and from to 12 shlllings below the price in France.
 He said there was no doubt that such taxes were paid by the consumer, and as Great Britain was dependent upon for eign supplies for four-hfths of her food requirements. as compared to Germany, which took one-third of her food supplies from foreigners; and France, which took but per cent it would be most inadvis able thus to tax food.
 With regard to the prospect of work. men being better paid under the proposed plan, Lord Gosehen pointed out that wages in Germany were 20 per cent lower than in Great Britain while 1t was pre- posterous to suppose that the small tax of two shillngs on wheat would benefit the agriculture of Great Britain
 Strengthens Free Trade Party.
 London, October 16.-The Duke of Devonshlre's adhesion to the free food league is regarded as greatly strengthen ing the free trade party. The liberal papers today point out that 1t Is a repeti- ton of 1886, when the Duke. on separating from MT. Gladstone, tried to remain in parliament. but was eventually absorbed by the conservatives. So now the Duke of Devonshire and his unionist folio wers will be unable to maintain an independen. attitude of supporting the government ex- cepting on it's fiscal policy. but will be compelled by the force of circumstances to fall into line with the liberal free