CONVERTS TO PREFERENCE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 106, 8 May 1907, Page 2

CONVERTS TO PREFERENCE.

Press Association.—Copyright. London, May 6. Messrs W. Hayes Fisher and R. A. Yerburgh, who were among the followers of Sir Michael Hicks-Beach in urging in 1903 the need of cartious enquiry and resolutely objected to protective taxation on imports of food, now write to the Times that the preferential case submitted to the Imperial Conference lias so far strongly impressed them that they preferred to recognise ;that a moderate corn duty would not infringe the sacred principles and may be an instrument of the greatest Imperial unity. The Times, in a special article on the preference debate at the Imperial Conference, says Mr Asquith's tone was frankly that of a local particularist prepared to consider practical proposals for the improvement of the channels of inter-Imperial trade, but apparently he does not realise it is the duty of the country rejecting proposals whereon all others are agreed to formulate counter proposals. Lord Stanlefy, a Unionist freetrader, joins Messrs Yerburgh and Fisher ou the question of preference.