TARIFF REFORM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12970, 25 November 1907, Page 7

TARIFF REFORM.

LOR© CROMER APPEALS FOR UNITY. LETTER FROM THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrieht. IX3XDON, November 22. Lord Cromer, during hia speech at the dinner tendered to him by the Unionist Freetrade Club, remarked that 'he "honed the majority of Liberal freetraders would not advocate an impracticable old age pensions policy, or ©no leading to the same goal the tariff reformers sought to attain. Never was thero a time when unity of action among tho moderates was more necessary. Sucth unity was difficult to expect, however, until the lesson of a general eleotibn bad been applied and ie riff reform hcd been definitely laid hi the shelf. The Duke of Devonshire, in a letter, nys the party's main work is to strenuously, oppose Homo rule, and 3ertain ill-considered end more or less Socialistic measures, the eliief objections whereto are economic. Ke kMb:—"The party's influence- in tfais work would be greatly impaired by the re-adoption of the fiscal policy repudiated at the Jast ejection." "The Times" twits Lord Cromer with borrowing 'Mr Balfour'e opponente' epithet "protection" for tariff reform. "The. Times" admits that it hie preached toleration to ths tariff reformers, but says am unoondifrionel surrender ie impossible. The journal urges lihe tariff reformers to adopt the defensive, and adds:—"We administer Egypt under international supervision. There is no analogy between Egypt and Great Britain." 'The Times" continues: "If w© dire 'not use at Home for defensive purposes the machinery freely used by all other nations, offensively and defensively, wihat is tlbe good of talking about our fleets? Can it be seriously argued that we- aie uneblo to enter into arna'ngomonts with the oolkmiies without stirring up universal animosity P From an Imperialist, these are strange docttrrnee." "Tihe Tribune" saye Lord Cromer apeaks with twofold weight. He is a great financier and expert in Oreat Britain's .foreign relations. Otiher Liberal newepipers are silent.