The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-11
Details of the Debate.
lBy the Associated Press

10y the ASSOC1dOSu 1T6SS.J
London, June 9.-The approach of the
first serious parliamentary brush in the
free trade and protection fight filled every
seat in the House Of Commons this after
noon. Before facing the situation which
must largely place them at the mercy Of
the Liberal and Irish votes, the members
of the government attended an important
cabinet meeting.
Henry Chaplin Conservative former
President of the Board of Agriculture, ard
the malcontent Unionists, were actively
engaged in ralying the supporters of Mr.
Chaplin's amendment to the budget bill
which declares that the removal of tax
on grain involves a needless and iniuri-
Gus disturbance OF trade and a serious
loss of revenue without substantial relief
for the consumer
Before the debate Premier Balfour as
certained from John Redmond, the Irish
leader, that the Nationalist members of
Parliament would support the government
as against Mr.. Chaplin. This with Lib
eral support practically ensures the gov
eminent from possible defeat at the hands
OF It's own supporters.
The curious situation created the keen
est interest
was confined to the grain tax
Mr.. Chaplin warmly attacked the Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, to whose inaptl.
tude, he said, they owed their present nc.
markable position. In repeating the grain
duty, Mr.. Chaplin said Mr. Richie had
made an irretrievable mistake For a
moment he appeared to have prevailed
over Mr.. Chamberlain. but his triumph
would be short lived. Mr.. Chaplin said the
ministers had thrown away a weapon
which would have helped them to carry
out the new fiscal policy TO which Mr.
Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain were COM
mitted.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach said he was
opposed to Mr.. Chaplin's amendment, al
though he sympathized with the latter's
objection to the repeal of the grain duty
but he belevbed the alternative policy
TO be a greater evil. Having to choose
betweena two evils he would choose the
lesser and would support the budget bill.
Referring to the suggested preferential
tariff, the former Chancellor of the Elk
chequer wished to know whether MI
Chamberlain's opinion was that of the
United Cabinet The repeal of tho
grain duty appeared to the speaker to be
q direct bar to adoption of preference
principles. He therefore concluded that
the opinion of the cabinet as whole was
the same with regard to these princi
pies when he was a member of it.
Mr.. Richie. who made a general re
ply, read carefully prepared statement
The government, he said, thought there
should be an inquiry into the matter OF
preferential tariffs, but he would be
surprised if the inquiry showed any prac
tical means of carrying out policy oil
preferential duties. He avowed himself
to be an out and out free trader and
added that with his present knowledge
he could not be a party to policy which
he believed would be detrimental to tbs
interests of both Great Britain and hel
colonies and he believed that the inquiry
which he would not shirk would confirm
his present views Although he was pre-
Guided by the speakers ruling from dis
GUESSING preferential tariffs he might SAY
in behalf of himself and his colleague