BRITISH POLITICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7727, 22 February 1909, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Por Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON, February'2o. Mr Austen Chamberlain's amend--1 ment to the Addrees-in-Reply, insisting on the need for fiscal reform, was defeated by 276 to 107 after a debate extending over two days. The Unionist Free Fooders and Nationalists did not vote. The Opposition made no definite proposals beyond Mr Wyndham's suggestion of a tax on meat, wood and wheat of two shillings. Mr Balfour demanded consideration for the producer besides the consumer. He said that he had never believed that fiscal reform would eolve the whole problem of unemployment. The country depended on manufacturers and the present system aggravated the unemployment'in the skilled trades. They must abandon the idea of the country placing a protective duty on one particular commodity. They were necessarily at a disadvantage in a neutral market. The colonies ardently desired Britain to imitate their fiscal example. Preferences would give freer trade with the colonies. It would be disastrous if the colonies gave preference to other countries against England. Great interest was evinced as to whether Mr Balfour's speech would •show him on firm ground with the tariff reformers. Newspaper comments indicate that they mostly consider that he still lags behind. Mr Winston Churchill's speech in closing the debute was rbieflv notable for disapproval of the allegations that capital wns leaving the en? n; try in unusual volume. He reitenred that retaliation might occsisionsUi.v be ■■•caorted to.