TARIFF REFORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14223, 20 November 1909, Page 7

TARIFF REFORM.

ALTERNATIVE TO BUDGET.

MK. BALFOUR'S SPEECH. By Telegraph.—Press Association.— Copyrii

London, November 18. Me. A. J. Balfour, concluding his speech at Manchester, said: "The only practical alternative, and I am talking about practical politics as we know them, to r tariff reform is the Budget, which will be disastrous to every great industry, and a combination of bad finance and muddleheaded socialism."

"Lord Lansdowne," he added, " asks the Lords to take such action as will compel the constituencies to be consulted before they commit themselves \o the schemes. I, at all events, at heart believe the Budget inimical to the interests of the poor. ; ■ Whatever is the issue of that trial, Lord Lansdowne is abundantly right." (Cheers.)

Most newspapers agree that Mr. Balfour made a great speech, but comment severally from party standpoints. The Liberal organs incidentally argue that no guarantees are forthcoming concerning assurances respecting the cost of living.

Mr. Walter Kunciman (President of the Board of Education), speaking at Hull with reference to a rumour that the Government might consult the Lords in regard to what taxes should be collected during the interregnum, said that the Government would have no dealings with the Lords on finance.

THE COMING STRUGGLE.

LIBERALS NOT AFRAID.

(Received November 19, 10 p.m.) London, November 19.

Mr. R. B. Haldane (Secretary for War), addressing the Eighty Club, saids that the Marquis of Lansdowne from the watch tower had given the signal, and Mr. Balfour had trumpeted a frontal attack.

"We accept the challenge," he said. "No quarter is asked and none will be given. (Cheers.) Cabinet is absolutely, united as regards the Budget. Let us stick to what is within the four corners of that great Bill. - ' -

"It will be the idlest "waste of time to speculate upon the result of the great fight. We intend to concentrate ourselves on winning it.' The. issues of the election will be free trade and the Budget.

"I would remind my hearers that Mr. Balfour, at Sheffield, in 1903, declared I?hat in his view of public opinion as it was he could not lead a party which committed itself to taxes on food, and," added Mr. Haldane, " I have no reason to think that public opinion in the country now is different. We shall see whether the party has got any further in that . direction.".

Concluding, Mr. ; Haldane expressed himself as hopeful of the "result of ' the coming struggle.; . :>'

BATTLE AGAINST THE LORDS.

PRICE OF .NATIONALISTS'

SUPPORT.

{Received . November 19, 10. 25 p.m.)

London, November 19.

Mr. John Redmond (Leader of the Irish party in the House of Commons), speaking at Dublin, declared that if the Nationalists were to take a vigorous part in the battle against the Lords, they must have Mr. Asquith's # official declaration that Home Rule would be one of the issues for the elections. PRICE OF BEER, ■».'.".... AN ELECTIONEERING DODGE. London', November 18. The brewers have reduced the price of beer. Radical newspapers assert that this is an electioneering dodge. ' ■'• -.'■ -■ "