MR BALFOUR'S REPLY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11692, 19 September 1903, Page 8

MR BALFOUR'S REPLY.

Mr Balfour replied on the 16th:—"I agree with you that tfio time has come for a change in fiscal canons, whereby we have bound ourselves in our dealings to other Governments. It seems paradoxical for you to leave the Cabinet at the moment when others are leaving it disagreeing on this very point. Yet I reluctantly admit there is somo force in the arguments based on your special personal relations to preference. You have done more than any man, living or dead, to ibring home to the citizens of the Empire the consciousness of their Imperial obligation and the interdependence of tho fragments whereinto the Empire is divided. I believe you are right in holding that interdependence should be expressed by commercial equality with political and military relations. I believe with you that closer fiscal union between the Motherland and the colonies would be good for both, and that if based on fitting terms, the advantages will increase as the. colonies grew in wcaltn and population. If ever there were any differences between us they merely related to the practicability of the proposal requiring colonial limitation in all-round development of protection, and the Motherland's part establishment of protection, in giving preference to important colonial products. 1 say nothing about the limitation. But as regards preference, involving taxation, however light, upon foodstuffs, I am convinced with you that opinions are not yet ripe. The reasons are discoverable in past battles and recent political misrepresentations. I am deeply concerned at your inability under the very special circumstances to remain a Minister, but I do not venture to raise an objection, and if you think you can best serve the interests of Imperial unity by freely pressing your views on preference in an independent position, I will not criticise vour determination. The lass to the Government will be great indeed, but the gain to the cause you have at heart may be greater still. If so, what can I do but acquiesce?"