THE BUDGET BATTLE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7026, 14 January 1910, Page 5

THE BUDGET BATTLE.

OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN HOW PRESENT TREATIES PENALISE BRITAIN. FOREIGNERS FAVOURED. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, January 13. Mr Balfour, loader of the Opposition, in an election address at Glasgow, said the system of treaties under the present fiscal regulations always telb against Britain. "Though every treaty nominally gives equal rights," he declared, "'things are so managed that the goods we are specially qualified to produce are subjected to heavier duties. Unless the British Foreign Minister has the same weapons in negotiation which others possess, it is folly to expect .to receive justice from the European Chancelleries. " The country is beginning to realise how much wo are gaining by the Imperial preference extended by sister States more far-sighted than ourselves." NO PROTECTIVE TAXATION. Mr A. Bonar Law, in a speech at Dulwich, declared that no one proposes protective taxation on foods. Mr Chamberlain mentioned two shillings a quarter on wheat. " Our critics rejoin that Germany started with small duties," said MiLaw, "but thej' forget that in Germany, France, and America, the agricultural population controls politics, while political power in England is in the hands of the towns." FREE TRADE BROKEN DOWN. Lord George Hamilton, formerly Secretary of State for India, in a speech at Ealing, said the present Government had destroyed tho, free trado systom, iand had so mismanaged ■national finance by remitting taxation and piling up expenditure without tho means of meeting it that the. old free trade, system was impossible. STRENGTHENING THE NAVY. Mr Walter Long, who was a member of the last Balfour Ministry, declares. that if. the Unionists were returned to power and found the Navy deficient they would take the country into their confidence, and ask it to make the necessary sacrifices. ; ' AN ADMIRAL'S PROTEST. Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, formerly Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station; protests against the Unionists representing the . Navy as weak. He 'adds that tho Navy is quite equal to the two-Power standard. " BROADENING THE BASIS." MR BALFOUR'S OLD, OLD STORY. (Received January 13, 11 p.m.) I LONDON, January 13. I Mr Balfour, .speaking'at York, favoured broadening tho basis of taxation. ■ By that means.it would be possible to get the money necessary for, the State's needs with far less friction. A small duty on corn, 'with pre- | feremce te the colonies, would dimmish [ rather than increase the cost of bread.. " Taxation on the necessities of life shall not be proportionately increased," declared Mr Balfour. "To that I pledge myself. PROTECTING FOOD AVENUES. " Wheaten bread, tea, and tobacco are necessities, because they belong to the standard comforts upon which our people rjghtly insist. It is futile to talk of a ' cheap' or a ' dear' loaf without seeing that the trade routes along which our food comes aro guarded by an invincible fleet. The Government have admitted facts which have condemned them as naval administrators." ; ■ ELECTION; ITEMS' "■•■.;■■ LONDON, January 12. The Earl of Rosebery,- in a letter wishing success to Mr Harold Cox, who is standing as an Independent ■ candidate for Preston owing to his disagreement with ' the Government's Budget policy,, declared that there was no place where independence Was more ■needed or more rare than the House of Commons. " Independence seems to me," said Lord Rosebery, "the most crying . political need of , the hour." Lord Rothschild has apologised to Mr Lloyd George for misquoting , a speech delivered by him. In his quotation Lord Rothschild had inferred that the Chancellor : had ; spoken of " the prospective expulsion of Jews from the country if tho Unionists were successful at the elections."