THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12546, 24 May 1909, Page 2

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

COLONIES AND TARIFF REFORM. MR BALFOUR'S VIEWS. [Press Association — COPYRIGHT.] Received May 23, 4.30 p.m. London, May 23. Mr Balfour," addressing the Women's Unionist and Tariff Reform Association at St. James' Theatre, declared that there was a universal impression among all classes m all parts of the country that tariff reform had got to come, and was coming. It was impossible to continue piling direct -taxation on small sections of the community, and heaping direct taxation on one or two articles of general ..consumption. _If thus inevitably driven to some kind of general tariff., it would be folly not to iise it in safeguarding our trade and uniting more closely >. the colonies.. The present system ■cannot be maintained, and if abondoned it must be in the direction of a system enabling us to do what the colonies ask. Ho urged the necessity of sympathy and imagination in regard to Imperial finance and Imperial policy-. He dwelt upon the vitality of Ibho necessity imposed upon the Enipiro b,\: forces slowly but surely shaping themselves in- various parts of the, world, to organise itself.in the consciousness of the common needs, destinies and perils of the Motherland. - She must show the colonies that she has -a sympathy with their aims and methods which goes beyond : the mere production of units, in a feeling of common interest ivith everybody engaged in commercial and industrial . work. Ho r«lclo<l V "Tlao colonies dcraonstraie ' their desire for a. fiscal union of Empire. Are we, when, driven to adopt a system lending itself to preference, going to. refuse tile ' preference within our reach? It would be national madness to pursue such a policy and I do not believe the country will pursue it." ' .