TARIFF REFORM

Southland Times, Issue 17232, 31 December 1912, Page 5

TARIFF REFORM

A DELICATE PROBLEM. (Bjr Telegraph.—Pres* Association.— Copyright). LONDON, December 20. The Daily Telegraph has joined forces with the London provincial Unionist press in urging that the next election should not be obscured by the question of food taxes. The Observer urges Unionists to unflinchingly insist on a united Empire. Mr Bonar Law's speech has been somewhat misunderstood, and equally Inexcusably had been misrepresented. Anything In the way of preference will be to the advantage of the Empire. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN’S VIEWS. Mr Austen Chamberlain, writing to a correspondent, says it is obvious that consultation with the dominion will he necessary before dealing with details of preference. lie says : “We have no more pretension to fix colonial duties tlimi the dominions have to fix ours, but 1 believe that a commercial union would be mutually advantageous. I belive an agreement could be arranged when tile Unionists are in power." The Spectator says that the latest estimates of Unionist members and candidates anxious to press for food taxes shows that they are reduced to a bare handful. PRESS COMMENTS. LONDON, December 29. The Daily Telegraph, after quoting the opinions of Australian newspapers, declares Mint the dominion's objection to the onus of an unpopular decision raises serious problems. The Unionist leaders would be the first to agree that this was no time for Imp* rial misunderstanding. They ought to make it clear that in the propose*! conference no dominion would be asked to express an opinion in favour of hood duties in Britain. If the duties were necessary to the Imperial preference scheme Mien Britain should freely offer them. Mr Bonar Law proposed to seel-: a mandate. but overwhelming Unionist opinion favours ratification after introduction by an appeal to the country. The Unionists’ first duty was to fight (lie next election upon the Government's political profligacy, and anything detracting from that course ought to be eliminated.