IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12904, 15 February 1906, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE LABOUR PARTY.

MR WASONS ELECTION. .United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, February 13. Mr Hardie lias been elected chairman, and Mr Shackleton deputy-chairman by twenty-nine Labourites. Messrs Maedonald and Henderson are the Whips. ; Petitions have been lodged against the return of Viscount Castlereagh for Maidstone, and Mr G. L. Williamson for Worcester. Mr J. C. Wason (Liberal), formerly member for Selwyn in the New Zealand House of Representatives, has been re-t.'ected for Orkney. MB BALFOUR. BEFORE LONDON ELECTORS. DANGER OF DISSENSIONS REMOVED. LONDON, February 13. Mr Balfour, speaking at a complimentary dinner to Sir E. Clarke and Mr Anthony Gibbs,.said the City declined to regard the result of the elections as any reason for modifying the Unionist attitude] towards fiscal reform. The need for retaliation was increasing, not diminishing. He would refuse to admit- that it wr.s impossible to realise a po.icy of retaliation unless a general tariff was necessarily a par:, of the scheme. His policy was designed to diminish the burden of* hostile tariffs imposed upon British industries; to aid inpreserving the neutral marke;s still remaining to us; and lo preserve, in the selfgoverning colonics some branches, of industrial enterprise, where we may be allow e.5 to compete on equal terms. It- was a policy that. was intended to maintain or :nciea>e foreign markets far British mnnufac«»!er-. I'rateciion was iv:t an attemj-;- ;-"> '.vert <•-.- increase foreign markets. 1; was ai: .■»;. tempt i" keep the Home market :3:<--:•(tacks of unfair or u::cuual vumpe'.ition irctn foreign comr.vUs. j:,ir> >U~Tails. Mr Balfour devV.r.c I i:< rcj»«.-t t-.e «lv.iy on corn or a gentrai tariff c:s prinvipit. li v.\-.* a <!'cstion •"" e:.j •; v'.-lv-icn <':■] w. tbjt.:. ;.; ;: >i'.i'.;';r.£ oaty o:: Kvi . :"f extravagance drove Sir" It. C.m; i»r"s '■'•rnnennan lo a rerersl r.-l v.v..»r<-« t.-..:"'. r, !is was rut j»:fon"=:stvri; v.-.'.h frv.*"jai;r. Why should TViiosris;? otir.rrs! jr,f. thuds when the r-]>p*-rit:r.;:y of k;:;<-ia:i-;r •nust be postponed for st.jnc -cms. pessibiy mauy? There w.is no precier.t for a pjrjy out of power disclosing ?".e details of its programme. Moreover, ! » woutd r.of «•

dude from the party Uioms differing from! him an quc*lioon of method. He &»ked lb© \ party to forget sm£l difference* of ddUil and stand with a- united fa«* against p»*. sibly rash or fooluib attempt* to deal wSib! great constitutional and social iwru«.f.. I

Tariffite opinion* are xotnewbal disappointed, but accept, Mr Balfour* Jcadcritfaip of the party. They urge the need of reargaui*ation and the formulation of a constructive policy. The " Daily Mail" war* the *peoch is by far Mr Balfour* clearest utterance, and remove* all danger of dMwenwon.

OPENING OF PARIJAMEST.

Received 12.15 a-tn.. Fcbraarv Win. LONDON. Febrnarv 13

Parliament was opened by Royal Comminion. Mr Lowiher was unanimoßKiy elected Speaker.

Tlie City Liberal Association have rtsolved cot to oppose Mr Balfour. The Postal Servant** Association haw been officially recognised. The Labourites took seat* below tie gangway, on the Opp«riii<m side, and »c*r the Nationalurt*.