The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-16
CALLS TARIFF PLAN 4 GAMBLE
VJSCOUNT GOSCHEN rs OPPOSED
TO CHAMBERIAIN.
Subject of Preferential Rates for the
Colonies Discussed in House OF Lords
Foreign Secretary LansdOWnc Tells
of German Threats OF Tariff war.

Foreign Secretary LansdOwnc Tells
OF German Threats OF Tariff war.
Spcetol Cable Desp1fh 10 THE Sun
LONDON. juno lj.-ln the House Oh Loros
this evening Viscount Goschen uIlbe raj
UnionistD arose to direct attention TO inc
declarations Of the Government on the
subject OF preferential tariffs lie eA-
pressed the belief that Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain had the strongest cohN!c-
ton in regard to the issue hn would p'aos'
before the country. Niscount GoschtN
asked for free discussion of the question
all around. and fair play. He urged u at
those who disagreed with the views ED
nv the majority OF the Ministry should
not be considered disloyal.
He asked the House to consider whet her
n was wise to tie the hands of Great Bri h,n
and tho colonies in manner when "tAlli
affect their treasures and Englands' IL
Great Britain entered into such an arrai tRe-
ment and ultimately found it neces' ary
to revert to free trade. they would lave
TO co to theScolones and ask them to- re-
lease England in order to free the people.
As to the argument that wages wo''d be
increased under protection. he said that
remained to he proved.
Referring to the scheme for old-age pen
sions, yiscount Goschen pointed out t',at as
moro food was received from the CO Cnies,
the less would be the tariff receipts Irom
foreign countries. Consequently the
amount Of money would he dim!lnH1ed IN
quantity while The liability for pensions
would be increased and could never be
stopped. He described the whole scheme
as a gambe--a gamble with the food OF the
people. He expressed the hope that the
Duke of Devonshire. Lord President of the
Council, would tell the House that in this
gamble he would take no hand.
Mr.. Balfour, Viscount Goschen added,
had promised a two-years truce for in
ouiry. Should any event preciptate
dissolution of Parliament before then no
mandate would be asked from the country
on this question until the inquiry was con-
cllded Ii the Ministers should ask for
such a r,andate he would do his utmost
TO secure a refusal,
Viscount Goschen concluded by stating
that the statesmen of Great Britain must
endeavor TO realize the fair dream OF CO.
ment.d empire without tamperinG with the
food OF the people.
of State for Foreign Affairs. followed Wis.,
count Goschen, His speech revealed
leaning toward retaliation or protection
against trusts He did not conceal the
fact that differences OF opinion existed
in the Cabinet He declared that no Min
lister was definitely committed to Mr.
Chamberain's policy.
Lord Lansdowne made two statements
of considerable importance, the first being
that in the course of the negotiations with
Germany, in reference to the latters dif-
ferential treatment Of Canada. Great Britain
had understood that Germany was likely
to raise still further her tariffs against
Canada in retaliation for the Dominion
having increased its duties against German
goods, and the second being that
Germany had intimated, not OBJ
ec,lrey, that If other British colonies
followed Canada's example in giving pref
erence to British imports then. despite
he fact that Great Britain opens her ports
vide to German imports. the Kaiser's
Government would probably withhold the
most favored nation treatment from Great
Britain herself
That, said Lord Lansdowne. raised
most serious situation. and it alone Justified
a thorough examination OF the question
OF making special arrangements for ma
tional trade between the mother country
and her colonies.
Lord Lansdowne admitted that the bur-
den Of proof rests with those who propose
a change He said the difficulties of de-
yisine a new scheme were great but COM
mercial prosperity was not everything
He added:
I'VE are among the commercial nations
like an unarmed man who goes into room
among men each of whom has revolver
in his hand We ought to buy large re-
volver and let everybody ses it and realize
that it is larger than any other. Our mar
ket is the greatest in the world, and threat
10 close it to any class Of goods could not
be ignored
Indicating the possible lines OF action,
Lord Lansdowne suggested careful
scrutiny of all British commercial treaties
which have to be renewed, with the view
of adapting them 10 the requirements OF
the colonies. As to retaliation. the i'm
portation of bounty.fed sugar would be
prohibited in the future, and other cases
of unfair competition might be treated
similarly. 1neTe "tIc siSt's .iido o'i'oi
countries were ready to discuss such ques-
,ions in a reasonable spirit.
Speaking generally. Lord Lansdowne' :
attitude and proposals can be described
as being the same as Mr. Balfour's.
Tho Earl of Jersey, formerly Governor
of New South Wales, argued that prefer
entail tariff would net be beneficial either
10 Great Britain or Australia.
Lord Balfour of Burleigh. Chief Secretary
for Scotland declared that he was not
opposed to an inquiry, but he expected
little therefrom.
Earl Spencer. leader Of the Opposition,
reiterated the views of his party az given
In the House of Commons.
The Duke d vonshire, Liberal peer
concurred in the opinion that the burden
of proof lay upon Mr.. Chamberlain. He
did not object to an inquiry, but declared
that the first and dominatin question was
what economic ect food tax would
have upon the whole trade and industry
ofthe country, internal as we'll as external.
Ii the scheme were proved to BE- eco
nomically sound it might be expetient
but if ii could only be purchased by di-
minishing foreign and home trade by the
starvation. hardship and discomfort OF
the British people, then he could conceive
no means more swift for the dissolution
OF the empire.