BRITISH POLITICS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11554, 15 February 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

London, February.l 3. Petitions'have been lodged against the return of Viscount Castlereagh, for Maidstone'; aud G. L; Williamson, for Worcester. Mr J. Wason,lndependent Liberal, has been re-elected for Orkney. Mr Hardie is Chairman and Mr Shackleton is Deputy Chairman of the party of 29 Laborites. Messrs McDonald and Henderson are the whips. Mr Balfour, speaking at a coin pi i- _ mentary dinner to Sir E. C'arke and Mr Anthony Gibbs, said the city declined, to regard the result, of the elections as any reason for modifying tho attitude of the Unionists towards fiscal reform. The need of retaliations was increasing, not diminish-... ing. He would refuse to admit that it was impossible to realise a policy of retaliation unless (a general tariff, was necessarily a part of the scheme. - His policy was designed to diminish the burden of hostile tariffs imposed oh British industries', to aid in preserving neutrarmarkets still remaining to us, and to preserve in the self - governing colonies some branches of industrial enterprise where we may be allowed to compete on equal terms. It was a policy intended to maintain or increase foreign markets for British manufacturers. Protection Was not an attempt to keep or increase foreign markets. It was an attempt to keep the home markets against the attacks of fair or equal competition" from foreign countries. Entering into details,' Mr Balfour declined to reject the duty on corn as a general tariff on principle. It was a question .. of expndiencj', and Cobden had not objected to a shilling duty on corn.

Lv«.u if extravagance drove Sir 11. I'annerman to a goneral ad valorem tariff, and if if wo,* not "" ' . ...» an Opportunity of joigslating must be postponed for Rome years, possibly many*/ There Was no precedent of a party out of Wifrei: .di3c_o*tin.* tb» MUm bl ItS JipSJrd.Hitie: Moreover, i}b wdiild ..riot exclude, . froni ,the pßrty tboue, dj her->i-.g froni :him...on Questions of pethod,.. ;He t .osk,e<jl .jthe part*' to jorgat shiaLl differences of detail and ptnnd as a united force. Possibly rash or foolish attempts 'had been made to deal with great constitutional and social issues. Tariffist opinion is somewhat disappointed with Mr Balfour, but the party accept Mr Balfour's leadership. They urge the need of reorganisation," and the formation of n constructive policy. The "Daily Mail" says that by far Mr Hal four's clearest utterance removed all danger of dissension. ]