UNIONIST PROGRAMME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6996, 9 December 1909, Page 7

UNIONIST PROGRAMME

A GENEEAL TARIFF | ON DEPORTED MANUFACTURES AND CORN. PREFERENCE TO THE COLONIES. Br Tel 3graph—Press Association— Copyright (Received December 8, 10 p.m.) LONDON, Deoember 8. The "Birmingham Daily Post," one of tho leading Unionist organs in the provinces, publishes the outline of a scheme which it is believed will be adopted by tho Unionist Cabinet if the party is successful at the forthcoming elections. This provides for the establishment of a general tariff on all goods not deemed raw material. There is no intention to havo multifarious rates, which would throw open tho dooT to Parliamentary intrigue and lobbying.

The principal duties enumerated are: On imported goods on which little labour has been oxpended 5 per cent. On goods nearly finished 10 per cent. On goods completely manufactured ... 15 per cent. On foreign corn ... 2s per qr. Substantial preference will be granted to colonial corn, but possibly not the whole of the 2s per quarter. There will he three scales in each of the throe rates of duty on manufactured goods, but the maximum will remain m abeyance for two years to give time for friendly negotiations with foreign Powers. It is estimated that the tariff will produoe £16,000,000 to £20,000,000. ABOLITION OF LORDS' VETO HOW WILL THEI LIBERALS BRING IT ABOUT? The Free Church Council is urging a thousand local councils in England and Wales to take strong local action in favour of the abolition of the power of veto exercised by the House of Lords. Mr Walter Long, M.P., ex-Chief Secretary for Ireland, and other politicians emphasise the absence of any indication how the Liberals propose to abolish tho Lords' veto. "A DELIBERATE INSULT" TRADES UNION CONGRESS AND THE LORDS. The Parliamentary Committee of tho Trades 1 Union Congress has issued a manifesto, which declares that the Lords have never voluntarily done anything to promote the interests of the masses, but, on tho contrary, have protected every abuse, supported every privilego, persistently and consistently delayed reforms, and are a menace to political freedom. Tho rejection of the Budget was a deliberate insult. The manifesto urges the abolition of tho House of Lords. LIBERAL-LABOUR PACT TERMS OF AGREEMENT MADE PUBLIC. The " Daily .Mail " says that the general basis of the pact between the Government and tho Socialists is now clear. Whero a Labour member is in possession ho will bo unopposed, and where a Liberal is in possession tho Labour leaders will rofuso funds to enable the Labour nominee to fight.

The "Mail" adds: "Labour candidates have been withdrawn from 'Lid Glanmorgan, Stalybridge,, Midlothian, Barkston Ash, , Rotherhaan, Crowe, ißast Carmarthen, (Coventry,' Plymouth, and East Northants."