The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-24
ChamberIain's Tariff Policy Repudiat-
ed in Parliament.
SENSATIONAL DEBATE III H0US.

All That Was Lacking In the Colonial
secretary's RCIt Was !he Preml.r's
Official Utteran. Tho. 1he rabinet as
Whole Refused 10 Adopt His Views
-Government Insured Against Defeat.
London. The rumored resignation o.
Colonial Secretary Cham berlain is the
most startling development of the pro-
posal of the Chancellor o. tue EXche-
auer,, Mr.. Richie, to abolish the corn
tax, the debate en- which kent the
House of Commons packed and SPELL
bound until midnight. Even if Premier
Ea,four persuades Mr.. Chamberlain to
remain in the Cabinet the Colonial Sec.
retary's preferential tariff program is
hope.essly showed under, and his intiu'
ence as q political power in Great Bri.
tain at least temporarily eclipsed.
Premier Balfour ascertained from
John Redmond, tine Irish leader. that
the Nationalist members of Parliament
would support the Government as
the bill which denounces the removal
Of the corn tax as q needless and injur-
ious disturbance Of trade and serious
loss of revenue. The Liberal leader,
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, had
already announced that lis party
would uphold the proposal of Mr.. Rit-
chic to remit the grain tax. This prac-
tically secures the Government against
defeat by its own supporters.
In the discussion in the Commons Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach declared that the
corn tax was successful. although un-
popular. He had heard the proposed
repeal with surprise and regret. The
tax was necessary. because Of the
growth of expenditures against which
he had protested.
"Had my protests been received with
more sympathy" he said amid loud
cheers from the Opposition, II would
not now be speaking from the Treasury
Bench"
Chancellor of the Exchequer Ritchie
announced that lie would be unable to
support Colonial Secretary Chamber
lains Zollverein scheme. He said:
"The question of colonial preference
has been brought forward by the Colo
NAL Secretary. The Prime Minister'S
attitude Of suspended Judgment in this
matter is impossible. I am opposed to
the principles and policy Of the Colo.
nial Secretary. believing they will do
more to disunite than to unite the cm.
pire" loud Opposition cheers).
"Those members of the Government
who have spoken for protection have
spoken for themselves alone" conlin-
ued Mr.. Richie. GAIL that has been
said on the subject was that it should
be discussed and inquired into. I am
an avowed free trader. and cannot con.
ceive of any system in which prefer
entail tariff would be practicable as at
present advised. I cannot be party
to a policy which in my opinion would
be detrimental to both England and the
colonies" (GTear Opposition cheers).
Mr.. Ritchie's marked opposition to
Mr.. Chamberiain's pan created SEN
sation in the !obbies. and gave rise to
rumors that there would be an early
dissolution of Parliament. Those best
informed, however, think that this will
not occur before the late fall.
1t was the general opinion in the
lobby OF the House Of Commons that
the entire question of tariff preference
will be submitted to 4 royal commis-
sion. which will be charged with test
ing the growth Of popular opinion on
the matter.