New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-17
CHAMBERLAIN'S PLAN
Ii TRADE INVESTIGATION.
Committee of Thirty to Report on
Al Lines of Industry.

Leeds. Dec. 16.-Joseph Chamberlain ed-
dressed two large audiences here tonight, max
ing the last speeches of his fiscal campaign for
the present year From the time of Mr.. Cham
berlain's arrival in Leeds the enthusiasm was
tremendous. ana many demonstrations were
made in the streets. The appearance of Mr..
Chamberlain on the platform accompanied by
Mrs. Chamberlain and a number OF prominent
North Country men and members of the House
Of Commons was the signal for applause which
continued for many minutes. The first speech
WAS made In the Coliseum and was listened to
by thirty-dve hundred persons. and similar
number attended the overflow meeting held az
terward IN the Town Hail. which was altogether
inadequate 10 accommodate the great crowd
seeking admission
The feature of Mr. Chamberlain's speech at the
Coliseum was his announcement that he had
been forming a committee TO make inquiries
among the various branches Of trade at home
and abroad. II would consist OF about thirty
business men of the highest standing. and it
would begin soon. subcommittee would be
formed 10 deal with each branch OF trade and
10 take exhaustive testimony, meeting twice
weekly until their work was finished. When the
reports were completed. Mr. Chamberlain said.
he expected TO be in a position to formulate
tariff bill which would not only3ester imperial
trade but which would enable Great Britain to
give trade advantages TO those who were pre-
pared to render her similar favors. Mr. Cham
berlain said:
We have gone long way in the direction Of
forming a commission. not official commits
sion. but nOn-potical commission of experts,
10 consider the present condition or imperial
trade and TO find remedies for its defects. This
commission VIII comprise the leading represen-
tatives Of every principal industry and every
group OF industries. 1t win consist of represen-
fatives from India, the Crown colonies and the
great self-goVerning colonies il VIII invite be-
fore il witnesses from every trade and industry,
and after hearing all OF them TINS commission
viii frame a model tariff measure. When the
government is ripe for action a tariff bin will
be presented on which the public will have every
opportunity Of expressing its opinion
The rest Of Mr.. Chamberlain's speech was
largely a repetition of his former arguments.
He said the country was at the parting Of
The ways, and posterity would never forgive the
government il il lost the slightest chance Of Sc
curing what was actually needed by the nation.
IT was not a question of party policy, he said,
and while ii was not question of free trade it
was a near approach to it, Mr. Chamberlain
spoke sarcastically Of the Free Fooders. who. he
said, had gone TO the bottom of an inclined plane
with the Home Rulers and the Little Englanders,
and he wished them Joy In their company.
Referring TO yesterdays elections in Lewisham
and Dulwich, Mr. Chamberlain said that even
the Duke OF Devonshire's encyclical did not pos
sess pontiheal authority. He said that even
Charles T. Ritchie, former Chancellor Of the
Exchequer. not entitled to more authority
than was to be derived from the fact that he
had for few months been under the influence
OF the permanent officials Of the Treasury.
Referring to the alleged difficulty of convinc-
tng the colonies, Mr.. Chamberlain said:
Send me as ambassador to the colonies with
full powers. / am perfectly willing to risk my
reputation being able not merely to satisfy
the colonies, but also TO secure from them equal
measures in return.
This challenge was greeted with ringing cheers
and cries of I'VE Will
In conclusion, Mr.. Chamberlain said he adj
Vocated the splendid isolation" Of the mother
country and her colonial children family,
standing together through good and through i'll.
This might be a dream. but they had the power
10 make il a reality.