MR. BALFOUR ON TARIFF REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 199, 16 May 1908, Page 10

MR. BALFOUR ON TARIFF REFORM.

WIDER TAXATION. WOULD WELCOME PREFERENCE FOR . 'ME .EMPIRE. In tlie House of Commons on March 3i Mr. Balfour gave the clearest statement of lii's views oil Tariff Reform that ho has made since Mr. Chambevlain begaii his great campaign in 1903. . Mi-. Balfour's vidws were drawn forth iii an exciting debate following a. resolution proposed by Mr. Mond, tlife Liberal M.P. for Chester. Mr. Mohd'S resolution was'as follo'wii.:— • "That, ill.tho opinion;bf tliis Hbtisc, any attempt to broaden the basis of taxaiibn by placing small import duties on a large number bf articles is opposfed to all principles of sound finance,; wasteful, and uneconomical as 1-egards collection,' disturbing : and harmful to indtistry and commerce, would tend to raise the price of all the taxed articles to. consumers, and, in practice, wouldlead to. the imposition of high tariffs of tho. samG .character as those : iii force in protected countries." ,

Liberal members b'elofr tlio gangway ironically cl-eered Jlr. Balfolir, wiio spoke next. • "Let us consider this Subject," lie, said, and at biicp. scoffing applaiiso catao ffoni ahiong tlio Radicals. Mr.' Bdlfour was staggered. Ho turned .to , Mri Alisteii Chamboriain by his bide. ";Who is' it?" ho. asked in a ■'stage ; whisper.- The Liberals laughed, llr. Balfour recovered his, equanimity. " I believe, whether you like it or not; you will be driven to widen the basis of taxation. "STRENGTH OP THE EMPIRE." . "It is that increase (of Customs duties Which I; should advofcate . oil fihaiieial grounds, and. financial groiiiids alorie, hiit which I sliOitld welcome and. doubly welcoiiie if I wero. offered a chance of making those, arrangements': with' our " Colonies to which Impersonally lbok forward as a great source bf ,strength to . the Eiilpirc.". Mr.. IlilfOur sit down amid tlio' clamoroiis cheers of his. party. , It was six minutes ,to eleVen, and "Mr. Ruiiciman, the yoiiiig Secretary.-' to tho Trbasiiry, had "but. thosb, six minutes to reply: for the Government.'" Ho raised a. storm. ~ .:.'" I- gather,'' he said, "that Jlr. Balfour haS; committed, himself • to, a general tariff.' 1 The Liberals broke -into a thunder of applause. ..- ' ; .

'.Mr./Balfour sprang to his- 'feet and "was greeted, with , uproarious shouts. ■ 'J I' certainly liavo / committed -myself to , a very Wide ..increase in tho basis cf. taxation." ' JOYFUL- UNIONISTS. There were jubilant hovyls, from the: Liberals, "'and/. Mr. Runciman said thfit 31r. Balfour's words meant a general tariff. "Ho lias comhiitted hiiiisdlf to' tho ■ system which goes-., by., the. name .'of Goloiiial preference. (Great Unionist cheers.) Not ono single ; mdiiiber • of. the ..partj/ .besido.' hiiji. .'regards that. phingd' With ; any-. .disapproval, v (Rijliewed- applause.) The right lion; gehtldmim liims'elf does hot deny it;" . r - v-;.v-j ' Mr.' Runciman paiised. ' Mr. Balfour did ndtVrabvc..' Unionists- cheered; Liberals dnec.red back 'dbrisivdly.; ..■'"'Ho, lias .coininitied himsejf,'' cried Mr. Runciman, .through Colonial, prefqtcncb id food taxes." Again tho Liberals cheered dxulfcingly. ■ Wd ■■ view .that' fiiilll stbp.with tlio ' : utmost -sktisfabtioni"-..' Liberals ; aiid (Unionists.;- tried ' which could olicfer tlib lqudiist. •'■. , -" Wo/kiio.w no# cSacfcly.'?-wlierq wb .are'.'! V,Hear, hear; hear •hear," cridd Sir; Aiistbn Chamberlain, :ilrid thb Unionists .joined with him . jri joyful-shouts.- After that \3amo tho division, ivhbn the resolution was carried by 250 votes to 91. ' ■ v . \-.v