UNIONIST LEADERSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13518, 15 February 1906, Page 7

UNIONIST LEADERSHIP.

MR BALFOUR STICKS TO RETALIATION. Press Association—By Telegrapli—CopjiigJil. LONDON, February 13. (Received Feb. 14, at 8.38 a.in.) Mr linlfoui', speaking at a complimentary dinner to Sir E. Clarke and the Hon. Anthony Gibbs, members for the City of London, said that Die city declined to regard the result of the general election as any reason for modifying its attitude towards fiscal reform. Tile need for retaliation was increasing, not diminishing. He refused to admit that it wis impossible to realise ii policy of retaliation unless a general tariff was necessarily a part of his scheme. His policy was designed to diminish the burden of the hostile tariffs imposed on British industries, to aid in preserving the neutral markets still regaining to us, and to preserve in the self-governing colonies some branches of industrial enterprise/ where we might be allowed to compete on equal terms. It was a policy intended to mantain or increase foreign markets for British manufacturers. Protection was not an attempt to keep or to increase foreign markets; it was an attempt to keep the, home market against the attacks of unfair and unequal competition by foreign countries. He (Mr Balfour) declined to reject a duty on corn or a general tariff on principle. It was purely a question of expediency. Cohdon did not object to a shilling duty on corn. Even if extravagance drove Sir H. Canipbeli-Unnnerman to a general ad valorem tariff, such was not inconsistent with Freetrade. Why should the Unionists quarrel over methods, when the opportunity of legislating must be postponed for some (possibly for many) years? There was no precedent for a party out of power disclosing the details of its programme. Moreover, be did not exclude from the party those differing from him only on questions of method, -He iifiked tlm parly to forget small differences of detail, and to stand united in the face of possibly rash or foolish attempts tn deal with great" constitutional and social issues. The tariff reformers are somewhat disappointed, but accept Mr Balfour's leadership of the party. They urge the need of reorganisation and the formulation of a constructive policy. The Daily Mail claims that the speech is by fav Mr Balfour's clearest utterance, and that it removes all danger of dissension among the party.