On Friday, May 15th, Mr. Chamberlain addressed his con- stituents
in a memorable speech. In the form of suggesting the matter for discussion, he urged, with all the resources of his matchless political eloquence, that we should unite the Empire by according to the Colonies some system of pre- ferential fiscal treatment, and that they should reciprocate in kind. We have dealt with Mr. Chamberlain's proposals else- where, and will here only quote the most significant po-rtion of his speech:—" Mr. Cobden did not hesitate to make a treaty of preference and reciprocity with France, and Mr. Bright did not hesitate to approve his action; and I cannot believe if they had been present among us now, and known what this new situation was—I cannot believe that they would have hesi- tated to make a treaty of preference and reciprocity with our own children. Well, you see the point. You want an Empire. Do you think it better to cultivate the trade with your own people, or to let that go in order that you may keep the trade of those who, rightly enough, are your competitors and rivals ? "
