BRITAIN’S AWAKENING.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 905, 1 June 1903, Page 2

BRITAIN’S AWAKENING.

PREFERENTIAL TRADE. -TIME NEEDED FOR NATION TO GRASP THE ISSUES. Ey Telegraph—Press Association — Copyright. Received 1.17 p.m.. May .41. 'l'll,' newspapers re-echo Mr Balfour's advice to thresh out the great j issue iu a scienUtie spirit, and not to haw a vehement re statement, of the old formula. Mr Balfour's and Mr Cliainberiain's speeches are almost the sole topic in business, manufacturing, and slapping circles.

Mr Balfour's statement that there would he no attempt to deal practically with the question before next general election is welcomed, from a feeling that ample time is needed to enable the nation to grasp fully the issues involved. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Journal appeals to every Chamber of the United Kingdom to give careful and dispassionate consideration to the question from every standpoint.

](, declares that u is tin- .most important problem ever submitted to tile c-ountry. The annual meeting of tlu 1 Pock Laborers' Society of Liverpool resolved that tlie ptoteet ion foreshadowed liy Mr Chamberlain was a most mischievous and dangerous policy, and was against the physical Workers’ best interests, ami ursine; the Trades Unions Congress to organise vigorous opposition. OPINION IN SOUTH AFRICA. ISIIMAUL MUURIMAN. By Telegraph—Press Association — Copyright. Received a. 12 pan., iUay "1. CAPi : TOW N, May 30. Air .1. K. Alemman, speaking at Capelown, said that the colonies hail for two centuries been bound to Britain by trade letters leading to the establishment of the United States—the destiny mentioned in Mr Balfour's speech. Mr Chamberlain asked the Umpire to declare liseal war against the world. Mr Chamberlain’s ideas presaged the Umpire’s downfall, which would calamitously affect the world. lie did not believe that trade preference would benefit the colonies, and assuredly it would he ruinous and disastrous to Britain.

OPINION MAI) 10 IN GlO KM ANY. CHANGING Til 10 TUNIO. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. BIOKUN, May T*. Berlin newspapers predicted that Mr Balfour would repudiate the utterances of Alt' Chamberlain at. the earliest opportunity. They are now profoundly impressed at finding that Mr Chamberlain was no “ free lance,” and that Air Balfour and Mr Chamberlain were alike thoroughly in earnest.

The majority of the newspapers are almost dumbfounded. Their comments now show a suavity of tone, amounting almost to meekness. The National ZeUtiug says that Mr Chamberlain's ideas lack a linn basis, and the Motherland and colonies as a family representing union, was as yet. only existing politically in AllCham her lain’s imagination. The Kreuz Zeitung declares that a tariff war will bring Britain into conflict with all non-British countries. 'l'he agrarian organs alone are not surprised at Mr Balfour’s attitude. They declare that they consistently predicted that. Britain would become Protectionist.

FKCMTRADKKS NOT CONVINCKI) liy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. Received 1.17 p. 11 1., May .11. LONDON, i\lay 30. Sir idd Wyid firry, speaking at- Oxford, expressed himsilf vehemently hostile to Mr Chamherlain’.s policy, which would, he declares, mean ruin lo Britain’s prosperity, and the hreak-up of the Kmpire. Freni,ratio was more, than ever necessary to the Motherland’s population. The bonds with the colonies might, he drawn closer by forming an Imperial Council to maintain a continuity of the policy, and develop the. trade routes The lOmpirc could he united far better by ships than tariffs. Mr Chamberlain had at Home the old missiles ready for a general elec t ion. If he had his way “ Protection ” and “ Hmpire ” would soon he synonymous terms.

A SPLENDID SPEECH. LONDON, May 29. In 1 lie House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain continued bis speech.

Ho said that if free trade was so rigidly adhered to as to render a counter attack upon foreigners impossible when they attacked our colonies or ourselves, then that intention should he announced so as 1o enable the. colonies to understand file situation. Such an announcement would put an insurmountable obstacle in the way of the closer fiscal relations with the colonies. The hope of such relationship might then he abandoned. The idea of establishing closer political relations might also be dismissed, and a united Empire would be beyond the bounds of possibility. If Hie people gave a mandate, he would call a colonial conference. The terms then offered would depend upon what we could give Hie colonies. It, was possible to make preferential arrangements benefitting both. The workers must be convinced that I hey would be recouped the tax on food by extra wages, social reforms, old age pensions. .Such a change in the fiscal system would convince Germany oi the impolicy of attacking Canada, and enable us to defend our trade against the unjust competition of gigantic American and German trusts. The House has adjourned for the holidays.

In Ihe House of Commons, Lord Crantjourne slated that Germany alone differentiated against Canada, owing to the preference she gate to British products. The newspapers recognise the magnitude of the fiscal issues raised. -Many Unionist organs earnestly, but cautiously, discuss it. staling that the subject demands full study. The Liberal organs are strongly opposed to the new policy. Ncaely a hundred Conservative Commoners are taking the opinion of their constituents by a plebiscite of the resolutions. AMERICA M OPPOSITION. NEW YORK, .May 2!). Mr Chauneey Depew, interviewed with reference to .Mr Chamberlain’s policy, declared that it was a shrewd election move. England would never endanger 75 per cent, of her

trade wilh the rest of the world for the sake of 2d jn-r cent, from the colonies.

1-1 ■ Armour, head of the great moat packing liriu, interviewed at Chicago, said that if Britain wanted high-priced beef she would gel ji by taxing beer imports. Thm would tie less serious ifir American packers than for Kngland. who needed American products more than America needed British trade. A CANADIAN OPINION. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. OTTAWA, Al y 2W Air Ross, Premier of Ontario, -peaking at a citizens' banquet to i.ord .Minto, declared that Britain . ai policy was irrational and anomalous It: still has a trade policy for Britishers. and a distinct policy for she rest of the world. Imperial unity was a dream—a phantasy of the imagination.