TARIFF DEBATE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 122, 23 May 1908, Page 5

TARIFF DEBATE.

IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

KEIATIONS WITH THE

COLONIES.

A MOTION WITHDRAWN.

B/ Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyright. LONDON, 22nd May.

The tariff debate in ths House of Lords was continued by Lord Avebury (banker and scientist), who declared that, if all the world were Protectionistj England would still be wise to remain Fi-eetrade. Lord St. Aldwyn (formerly Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, and at one time Chancellor of tho Exchequer in the Unionist Government), disagreeing with the thorough-going partisians on either side, declared that something must be done to improve our relations with the colonies. The feeling in favour of preference was growing both in the colonies and in -the Motherland. No wise Government could neglect the movement. He would not shrink from departing from strict Freetrade to obtain, if possible, closer relations with the colonies. Lord St. Aldwyn added : "The Liberal Government was blameable for not offering atj the last Imperial Conference to subsidise fast oceaYi services in return for a lowering of duties on British goods,- such lowering to extend to similar goods from rival countries. This wbuld have been in accordance with Freetrade, ' and Britain would have been able to beat,, in what it manufactured, any other country in the colonial markets. ' '

After reviewing the practical difficulties involved in a policy of Imperial preference, Lord St. Aldwyn declared that a change of fiscal policy, if made, ought to be based not on tho action of perhaps a fleeting majority whose decision might be reversed later — thus dealing a blow at the ties of affection and good will binding the Motherland and the colonies — but upon strong sentiment representing the feeling of the •whole country. ,

Lord Lansdowne (Unionist Leader) declared that owing to the Government's negative attitude at the Imperial Conference,^ the colonies had begun to travel their own road. The Fyanco-Can-adian commercial agreement was the first stage of that journey. The Earl of Crowe, Secretary for the Colonies, said it was impossible .to consider the question of colonial preference in a vacuum. It was part of a change so far reaching that its effects were hardly calculable. Its adoption might mean a leap into the ravine of Protection.

The motion in favour of tariff reform — moved by the Duke of Marlborough — was ultimately withdrawn.