The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-07
Was Given Great Ovation a!
Monster Glasgow Gathering
A PRACTICAL PROGRAMME
Would Reduce Duty on Tea and Coffee, and
Tax Manufactured 6OOds, Wheat, Dairy
Products, ETC.

Glasgow. Oct 7.-Epoch-making ana
revolutionary. perhaps, in principle. bul
mild and gentle in its proposals. was the
great tariff speech delivered last night by
ex-Colonial Secretary Chamberlain TO an
almost breathless audience, whose atu-
tude typifed eager curisosity OF the whole
British empire. Glasgow's largest hall
seats about 5000 persons. but 5000 tickets
had been issued. Therefore the house was
packed four hours before the time set for
the meeting.
When Mr.. Chamberlain finally appeared
they gave him such a greeting as showed
that he was already in complete posses
sion OF their sympathies. They cheered
him to the echo. they sang Hail TO the
Chief and Hes Jolly Good Fellow"
and then cheered again until the ova-
ton became overwhelming.
NO CAUSE FOR ALARM
After all. Il was simple discourse. and
the practical program that Mr.. Cham
berlain formulated will scarcely alarm the
country. After having first denounced
the American tariff rs an abomination he
proposed tax OF two shillings per quar-
ter on foreign wheat, no tax on wheat
from British possessions. no tax on corn.
a tax on -four sufficient 10 give prefer
ence 70 the miller I'm order to revive an
ancient industry and a general tariff
averaging ten per cent on manufactured
goods and hve per cent on foreign meat
and dairy products except bacon.
II was Mr.. Chamberlain's argument that
the effect of his program would not in
crease the cost OF living which was re-
ceived with the greatest enthusiasm. He
suggested the remission of the whole or a
portion OF the taxes on tea, sugar and
coffee. which, he held, would more than
offset the new taxes on food. even If all
the latter fell on the consumer. which he
protested would not be the case.
THE EXPORT TRADE.
Adducing statistics, Mr.: Chamberlain
contrasted the moderate increase of 7h
per cent In the export trade of Great
Britain and the increase OF 30 per cent
In her population since 1872 with the enor-
States and Germany. and he asked how
the country could expect TO support It's
growing population with It's trade practi-
cally .stasnant for 30 years. He pro-
''On the other hand. the protected coun-
tries, which you have been told, and i
myself one time believed. were going rap,
idly to wreck and ruin. have progressed
infinitely better in proportion than our
selves. and instead OF, as Golden be-
lieved. our remaining the workshop Tor
our manufactures abroad. while the pro-
tected countries are sending more and
more OF their manufactures here, Thus
our manufactured exports from Eloom,-
600 I'm 1872 have gradually dwindled TO
G73. 500 900 in 1902. to the protected coun-
tries OF Europe and the United States.
MOST VALUABLE OFlALL..
''In the same period our exports to non
China and South America. have pracu.
cally remained unchanged This loss OF |
trade 10 the protected countries has not
been noticed hitherto because during the
rfraA fn
have increased In ratio TO coun-
the loss and are now more /
than our trade with the whole
Of Europe and the United states together. |
Our colonial trade, in fact, Is the most
rapidly increasing. important andvaluable |
OF all our trade. Meanwhile the foreign |
exports to the United Kingdom have risen |
from fsS,ooo.ooo in 1872 to slie,ooo,ooo In |
1902
II have made these figures clear. II is |
plain that our imperial trade is essential |
to our prosperity. II 1t declines or falls !
TO increase in proportion TO our popula- |
ton and 10 the loss OF our foreign trade. |
then we shall sink into fifth-rate ma
tion. We have reached our highest point
and am not certain but that some OF my
opponents regard that with absolute COM
placency. / have the misfortune TO be- an
optimist. do not believe In the setting
OF the British star, but then do not be-
lieve in the folly OF the British people"
READY ~ hEClfhoCAIE.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he believed that
the colonies ARE prepared to meet US in
return for a very moderate preference.
already enjoy. and would also arrange
heir tariffs I'm the future In order not TO
Itart Industries In competition with those
llready I'm existence In the mother coun-
ry. and not only would they enable us 10
etain our trade with them but they |
would give US preference on all trade |
lone with them by our foreign competi- |
ors"
He believed that II was only by a COM
nercial union and reciprocal preference
hat they could lay the foundations OF n
ederation OF the empire TO whioh they
III looked as a brilliant possibility. He
Wished TO repeat explicitly that he did
Tot wish 10 tax raw materials used I'm
British manufactures. Therefore. IL was
'yident that II they wanted 20 prevent
separation there must be a preferential
TAX on food.
NO TAX ON MAIZE.
With regard to his plan he would state
y briefly. He proposed 10 put n low
outy. not exceeding two shiiings 4s
oenuD quarter. on foreign corn, but
none on corn from the British possess
eions- he proposed no tax on maize
paruy because n formed the food OF
vhe or the very poorest among the
popuiauon and partly because N was raw
.'aeerlaa as feeding stun. He proposed
corresponding tar on nour. ana he
wou'o give special preference 10 the mil
Ter, with the object Of re- a.t. htt.kas.
one OF our ancient industries and of NE.
venting rtch from the country 20 a..
town. and Also placing corn. orral snS
feeding stufs more cheaply within ,ha
possession ~ the farmer '"e
A small tax % about per cen. IN Co.
eign meal and dairy products woula v.
Imposed, excmoing bacon. which was the
fion. Lastly. he proposed 10 give a .,n
etanfiai preference 90 the oolonie. ~,
wines and fruits.
The annual meeting OF the Rhode Island
Veteran Citizens Historical association
VIII be held tomorrow afternoon In the