PLATFORM OF UNIONISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14807, 10 October 1911, Page 7

PLATFORM OF UNIONISTS

■ .... ■ . ~. A STRONG SECOND CHAMBER POLICY OF TARIFF REFORM, By Telegraph.— Association —Copyright. London, October 8. In a speech at Haddington Mr, Balfour explained his/attitude on the Parliament Bill. He said he' did riot* desire to see- the /House ° of ! Lords made less ;•/efficient/than the Bill effected, or/, the King's prerogative ; further dragged into the mire.Mr. Balfour doubted" whether the smaller, successors of :^"Gladstone would succeed in _ perfecting Home Rule where the vmastermind nad failed, or would carry it by. any'legitimate constitutional means.- '_.- ' The Radical idea' of. social reform, he said, was revolutionary, and did not benefit anyone. ;.■ He;/ instanced the National ■ Insurance BUI, which, if carried, would probably cause the decay of the friendly societies and the > trade unions. He credited the Government with riot' desiring such a result. -'- ""-■'. '•'■"■ ..-' -'— ■'' „\~.']

The Unionist policy of the future, said: Mr. Balfour, ; would be to ■ strive to build up a strong second chamber, free of coercion. He hoped that the- people ; would approach ?i tariff reform :in a similar spirit to that which had animated Canada over reciprocity. .' - • '_ ;, ; '-_ , The .whole future of the.-Empire,; he added, was bound" up with tariff reform. ■ Britain' was faced with the fact that the dominibhs were, bargaining with foreigners, and it was, therefore, impossible to expect them to continue the present policy' of preference. '_ "' ' /'/-"V.