THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 19

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

<t» LIBERALS AND HOME RULE. SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN. THE TARIFF REFORMERS. THE HALF-SHEET-OF-NOTEPAPER POLICY. LONDON, April 11. The Duke of Devonshire, addressing the Unionist Freetrade Club, declared that the Tariff Reform League's proposals controverted every principle that Freetraders ever held, and) that the Government's more moderate proposals controverted the essential principle that Freetrade was the guiding principle of our fiscal system, and that there s-houlri be no departure therefrom except under very exceptional circumstances. The limitation of the fiscal freedom of Great Britain and her colonies must weaken the unity of the Empire. He legretted that the most successful caniuldates at the recent elections were more or less committed to Home RuLo. If, hcu cvei . the cause of legislative union were .^eiiously threatened means- would be found to close the lanks of the Unionists, so as to off.er united opposition to Home Rule. April 13. Mr Chambeilain, at tlie annual meeting of the Liberal Union Club, advocated a mutual defence alliance between Britain

t and Japan. He still regarded Home Rule | as a serious danger. Germany's commer- j cial treaties were likely to prove injurious s to Britain, who was w.eaponle&s and unx able to protest. The necessity for meeting the wishes of the colonies was daily more evident. If we refused to discuss matters j of gr.eat interest the colonies would be x discouraged andi turn to other suitors who were less pedantic and superstitious. lhe meeting, believing the time has come for completing a refoim of the fiscal system, approved of 31r Balfour's ilan- ' Chester speech on January 26. April 14. A secret meeting of 150 tariff reform members of the House of Commons unani1 mou&ly adopted Mr Chamberlain's statement of policy, and appointed a depula- ' tion to wait on Mr Balfour to-day, it is 1 understood, to express adhesion to Mr Balfour's half-sheet-of-notepaper policy in liis speech at Manchescer. It is expected this will produce an excellent effect on the Unionists. ■ Mr Balfour, ar Manchester, said he desired .such an alteration of the fiscal system 1 ao v.ould give freedom of action, impossible 1 while bound by the maxim that no taxation should be imposed except for revenue; ho desired closer union with the colonies, which might produce great and growing commer1 oial advantages both to the colonies and the Mother Country, the difficulties to be re- ] ferred to a colonial conference unhampered by limiting instructions ; he did not desire to ra'=e home prices for the purpose of aiding home productions.