IMPERIAL QUESTIONS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14563, 14 January 1913, Page 7

IMPERIAL QUESTIONS.

BRITISH TARIFF REFORM,

THE UNIONISTS' POLICY

Thero is at present on a visit to Christchurch Mr W. H. Kidston, a cousin of Mr Bonar Law. the Leader cf tho Opposition in the Imperial Pariinir.ent. Scon by a representative of "The Press" Mr Kidstoii was prevailed upon to give his.views on a number of questions of vital importance to the inhabitants of tho British Empire. TARIFF REFORM. Tho recent cabio messages relating to the Uuiouists's policy in regard to tariff reform wero brought under his notice. Referring to one message which gave tho information that -Mr Bonar Law had staled that before a preferential tariff scheme was brought down tho overseA British dominions would bo .consulted, it was suggested that this might bo interpreted to mean that Mr Bonar Law desired to throw upon tho British oversea dominions tho responsibility of deciding whether or not food taxes should be imposed.

Prefacing his reply with the statoment that in tho absence of a fuller report of Mr Bonar Law's remarks than that contained in tho cable message, it was diilieuit to deal as fully with the matter as ho would wish, Mr Kidston said:—"l do not think that was in Mr Bonar Law's mind at all; ho would not seek to put such a responsibility upon the oversea British dominions. I gather that what was in his mind was that be recognises that no tariff could be framed that Mould not afreet everyone overseas and every country, and that the dominions, being a portionuot" the Empire, tho party would naturally like to consult them. That seems to mo to be a business proposition, and Bonar Law is lirsfc and foremost a business man, thoroughly trained. If you are intending to adopt a policy that is going to have sonio effect on tho members of tho Empiro overseas they ought to be called in and consulted. Tney will have to be consulted sooner or later, and they may as well bo consulted first as last. But I am quite sure he would not ask the dominions to take tho responsibility off tho shoulders of tho British Government. Ho is a bright, strong man, very clear-headed, very able, possesses an acute mind, and ho is a very frank and honest man. Unless he can lead his party along the lines that he thinks are right, he is just the son of man to step out rather than trim. I am rather inclined to think that Mr Jesse Coliings is right in his view of tho matter as set forth in a cable message in this (Monday's) newspapers. If tho Unionists trim and cut their policy «t will lead to tho bursting up of the party. A largo number—a majority— of tho party is in favour of the tariff reform for which Mr Chamberlain and Mr Bonar Law stand. 1 know thnt when I attend any large Unionist meeting in Glasgow or elsewhere it seems to mo that the subject of tariff reform interests more than any other. References to it are listeued to with the intensest interest, and aro cheered, giving one the impression that tney aru keen for it. There is no doubt that the question is a most complex ono, but tho taxation o f ioodstutrs is held up a good deal ah a sort of bugbear. Look at the result that followed ironi tho imposition of a tax on grain after the Boer war. The tax did not ra.se the price of wheat or increase tho cost of bread; and the curious tiling was that when tho tax was taken oif the price of wheat went up, indicating that the matter is one oi supply and demand. 1 think- that the tariff could bo adjusted scientifically so as not to bear heavily at all on tho mass of tho people. As a matter of fact the British peoplo aro being taxed very heavily at present on many articles that cannot bo produced in England. If Great Britain got her food supplies from British Dominions oversea, :n tho course of time those dominions cou'.d supply all we want, and in my opinion the price of foodstuffs would very quickly adjust itself, and Argentine, Russian, and other suppliers would have to drop their prices or they would have to pay the duty. The laiv of supply and demand would adjust matters very quickly."

THE IRISH QUESTION. Referring to the Home iiule Bill, Mr Kidston expressed the opinion that he did riot think it possible to get past tho Ulster question. He was present, as a delegate from the West of ScotI land, at the demonstration in "Belfast [in April last, and saw the inarch pa&t of tho Ulsterinen, 150,000 or 200,000 strong. "They were earnest, deter-mineel-looking men," ho said, "and when one saw them one felt that here was fwmething you cannot got past— these men won't have Home Itulo uuder any consideration." The North of Ireland, he continued, is the most pro-p roils part of Ireland, contains thj inuustrini portion of txie country, and pays quite half the revenue. Ho couid not see how these men could allow themselves to be ruled by men whose whole aim is separation. Yet Sir Edward Carson and others who thought with him were termed anarchist's and re&tls, bcc.uise they will not allow themselves to bo put out of the Union, because they jrre standing for the King and tho Flag. Ireland has not changed (except in one respect) , since Gladstone's time, when ho told Parnell that the object of the supporters of Home Rule was tho dismemberment of tho Empire. The one respect in which Ireland is changed is that she is more prosperous owing to the policy of the Unionist Party in the matter of providing facilities for Irish farmers to become the owners of their farms ; but the Nationalist Pmty did not seem to like to see the people becoming contented, and forced the Government to turn out Sir Horace Piunkett. who was doing grand work in Ireland for 00-oprration and for agricrilturo. Already about £103,0Q0X0J has-been advanced to help Irish f iniers to become the proprietors of their own farms, and it i* estimated that double that amount will be* required. Howis that total to bo repaid if the Nationalists get control of things? asked Mr Kidston.

THE UNIONIST LEADER. A sited for some remarks regarding Mr Bonar Law's characteristics Mr Kidiiton said: "I have known Bonar Law for fort.v years—since he was a boy. I used to sec him practically every day at business in Glasgow anil for many years we lived at the same place. He is a very able man, and his thorough business training is of great assistance to him in his present position of Loader of the Unionist Party. There are too few business men connected with the control of the British Government, and more men of Bonar Law's stamp are wanted. He has been accustomed to deal with questions in business and to make up his mind quickly in regard to them. He is very smart, and puts his fingpr.rerv quickly on the spot. He is a very widely-read man, highly cultured, and a man who has trained himself from his youth for the work he lias now got in hand. As a young man he was a member of a parliamentary debating society in Gln:»£ow, and always had an eye on politics, and has taken a keen interest in political.questions. He always intended to go into Parliament when the opportunity piesented itself. And he has. got- good grit—there Is no mistake about that—and he is a very , simple living man." OTHItfl POLITICAL QUESTIONS. In the course of some further remarks Mr Kidston eulogised the work oi the Houso of Lords, contending that that. House has never set itself "'against

the ascertained will of tho people. Its meiuOe.'-snin coiuuined a large perceaiJge of very able men. His own opinion was that there, is just as much ability, and perhaps xnorw, in the Lords as in tho Couui.oiis. Certainly tho members oi tho iiou&o. of Louis woro not elected, nevertheless they used their position faithfully, and gave their ultimate voice ia favour of the wish of tho people when that wish had been made clear. liecent legislation had emaseulalod the House of Lords, and the necessity existed for a good strong second chamber.

As a strong Unionist and Jmnerialist. Mr Kidstoa is very much in favour of universal military service, and believes that, it would be a grand thing for the young men of Great Britain, and wou.d improve their physique, discipline and morale.

Tho necessity for tho representatives of tho British constituencies possessing a more intimate knowledge of Great Britain's oversea dominions, Mr Kidston thinks is great. He would, if he possessed tho necessary power, shut up tho House of Commons for a year, after granting supply and leaving Ministers to administer only, nnd send members on a tour of tho Empire. the people ot Great Britain, including their Parliamentary representatives, are. far too insular in their ideas, is Mr Kidston's opinion. He a.so strongly holds that an attempt should be made to inculcate true patriotism in tho minds of the youth of the nation. Not jingoism, ho explained, but real solid patriotism —tho realisation of their relation to tho Empire, nnd of their duty to take their part in its affairs.