SPEECH BY BALFOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 258, 6 November 1897, Page 5

SPEECH BY BALFOUR.

EDUCATION.

THE EUROPEAN CONCERT.

BRITISH POLICY IN INDIA.

Imperial federation.

LONDON, November 5. Speaking at a Unionist demonstration held at' Norwich, Mr Balfour said the Education Bill had worked without any friction. If it failed he warned the Nonconformists that he was unable to see how the arrangement of 1880 could continue. The compromise arrived at in chat year had rendered the co-operation of the Board and VoluntarySchools possible. Referring to the European concert he believed that it had prevented a general conflagration, and has secured autonomy for Crete, as well as saving Greece from being compelled to transfer her people to an alien rule.

The Government did not, he said, desire to add to their Indian responsibilities. Their object was to secure their present possessions, and they were unable to agree to a policy of retirement. The tribesmen who had risen in rebellion had not given any hint that a breach of faith on the part of the British had occurred.

He was surprised at the views on Imperial federation expressed by Lord Rosebery. He regarded them as a slip of the tongue, likely afterwards to be withdrawn. He was not aware of any reason why Great Britain should consult foreign nations in the matter. When forming their tariffs foreign nations did not consult Great Britain. Each community decided for itself, and had an absolute right to arrange its commercial federation, as for example, the German Zollverein and the American tariff. Continuing, Mr Balfour said the main object in knitting the members l|the empire together was one which would certainly conduce to peace and not war. It would secure the world's peace, and strengthen the Empire. With a nation buttressed by concessions to national demands, and with an independent policy executed in the spirit of conciliation and brotherhood, both these desirable ends could be accomplished.