THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6493, 13 April 1908, Page 5

THE FISCAL PROBLEM.

POSITION IN BRITAIN

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER WARNED. LORD CUBZON’S SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 12, 4.20 p.m.) LONDON, April 11. Tho “Standard” warns Mr Asquith (Prime Minister) against pursuing old ago pensions, sin no tho next Government would have to destroy free trade to discharge the financial obligations of the scheme. In his speech at Basingstoke (a brief report of which was cabled yesterday), Lord Curzon said;—"Regarding India, which might conceivably suffer more from retaliation than it oould gain from preference, it is to our interest that her interests should not be sacrificed in any coming change. Her revenue tariff is so useful and lucrative that no party in India would consent to part with so useful a means of negotiation. It has been used more than once to threaten reprisals on foreign nations.” The Liberal Government, Lord Ourzon said, had events in train to disturb many things, but had not shown any tendency to upset the tariff in India. Such a tariff must, and onght, to come in England. The Radicals were driving the country thereto, and there was promise for the future which the Unionists must redeem. The Liberal party wore acting as wot nurses to an offspring whom' they affected to repudiate and disown.

“If we got such a tariff for revenue purposes, X cannot for the life of me, continued Lord Curzen, “ see why we should not have a tariff—after consultation with the colonial Governments .for strengthening the ties of the Imperial connection, and also for utilising to improve trade and secure better employment for the workers. The more the money question is probed, the more those sections of tho party which at present support tariff reform, but are mutually separate, will be drawn together. "Whatever we do, let us not adopt proscription. We are unable to afford to estrange such men as Lord Salisbury’s two sons. That would bo unthinkable. Our policy should bo one of reconciliation, not reprisals.”

“ OURZONISM ” DEFINED,

broadening the basis of TAXATION. PROTEST BY THE “DAILY NEWS.” LONDON, April 1 1. The "Daily News” says:—“Lord Ourzon stands for a large modification of the fiscal system. If Ourzonism is rot exactly Balfourism to-day the chances axe that Balfonrism will be Ourzonism to-morrow. Ourzonism is not protection or retaliation. It is a specious proposal to broaden the basis of taxation, for revenue purposes only; to keep free-traders within the Unionist party; and to relieve the wealthy from taxation to provide funds for social reform.” The “ News ” protests against broadening the basis of taxation, because that would raise the cost of living to the poor.