12 DECEMBER 1903, Page 3

Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Leeds on Wednesday, dealt shortly

with the various matters, other than Free-trade, which are part of the Liberal programme, and at considerable length with Mr. Chamberlain. "The time was coming when, if an Englishman said England was prosperous, he would be called a Pro-Boer. If, however, anybody wrote telling of a trade which was doing badly, he would very likely be called 'one of our leading experts,' and have his letter sent to the Times with Mr. Chamberlain's imprimatur." The most valuable part of his speech was that dealing with the opinion of the Colonies. Were we sure, when we heard of Colonial resolutions in favour of preferential trade, that they meant the same thing as ourselves? "It is plain that their idea is to increase the duties against the foreigner, but not to diminish duties against the British producer." Mr. Chamber- lain's proposals would do nothing to promote the unity of the Empire. "They meant the Colonies dragging us into Pro- tection, and this would bring in its train heart-burnings and disappointments."