The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-10
LIVELY COMMONS DEBATE.
me Germ Tax ami Chamberlain's Tarin
Plan the 0ui,tects.

Special Cable Despatch 10 THE SUN.
LONDON, June 9.-The House OF Commons
vas crowded to-day in expectation OF the
debate on the amendment to the budget
proposed by the Right Hon. Henry Chaplin
(Conservative), formerly President OF the
Board OF Agriculture, The motion Of Mr.
Chaplin, who Is an avowed protectionist. is
an amendment to the Finance bill declaring
that the remission OF indirect taxation-that
is. the registration duty imposed on corn
in 1sO2-involves a needless and Injurious
disturbance TO trade and serious loss OF
revenue.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach Conservative,
formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer. asked
the Speaker if it would he in order. on the
second reading of the Finance bill. to
discuss Mr.. Chamberlain's preferential tarih
plan, not for the present, but for future
adoption between the colonies and this
country. Would IT, Sir Michael asked. be
in order to discuss this policy on the amend
rnent of Mr.. Chaplin or on the main ques-
ton?
The Speaker said he had considered this
question anxiously knowing the interest it
had excited. He had concluded that such
discussion was not relevant to the Finance
bill; therefore it was not in order The
question Of the merit OF preferential duties
in no way arose on the Finance bill, and the
ordinary rules of debate must therefore be
followed
Chancellor Of the Exchequer Richie
formally moved the second reading Of the
Finance bill
Mr.. Chaplin Immediately arose to sup
port his amendment. He declared that the
situation was unusual. Observation-Disclosures
UNPRECEDENTED. Three months ago no one
would have dreamed that the Government
would propose a repeal OF the corn duty.
The proposal had been received with ridi-
cuIe and contempt in some quarters and
with dismay and disgust by innumerable
friends of the Government.
The situation thus created. MIR. Chaplin
said was due to the inepttude OF single
Minister and to the inaction OF the Cabinet.
II was masterpiece of statecraft, an effort
Of financial genius, to place the Chancellor
Of the Exchequer on pinnacle that would
make him sure OF fame but not Of the kind
that he anticipated The pinnacle would he
monument of human folly.
Mr.. Chaplin said that on the other hand
the Colonial Secretary had precipitated a
movement for which neither he nor his
party was prepared. he lMr Chaplin
Secretary was to increase the trade and
commerce Of the mother country with the
colonies as much az possible, and for that
purpose to secure the power OF retaliating.
~, that was a weapon the Government
was throwing away by repeating the corn
tax.
Mr.. Chaplin concluded by moving his
resolution declaring that the remission OF
the corn tax would involve needless dis
turbance OF trade and a serious loss
81 revenue. and that il remission OF in
direct taxation was necessary it ought to
be in reduction OF the duties on tea and
other articles of general consumption,
great shout OF welcome went up when
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, formerly Chan
ccelor Of the Exchequer. and father Of the
House. rose. For thirty-four years con-
sec'itively he had addressed the House
from one OF the front benches. and his ex-
!'ana'ion Of the cause OF his separation
from the Cabinet and consequent return