THE FISCAL QUESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9092, 23 November 1907, Page 4

THE FISCAL QUESTION.

LORD CROMER'S VIEWS.

PRESS CRITICISM. /r. -7 United Press Association — By Electris Telegraph— Copyright. (Received November 23, 7.34 a.m.)

LONDON, November 22.

Lord Cromer,, continuing his _peec_( at the dinner given in his honour bjl the Unionist Fkeetrade Club, 6aid-t_al{ he hoped that tlie majority of the; Liberal freetraders would not advocate an impracticable old age pension policy,! or one. leading to the same goal tha. the tariff reformers seek to attain* 1 There never wae a time when unity and action on the part of the Moderatewas more of a necessity. It was diffi*: cult to expect until the lesson of * general election was applied and tariil reform definitely laid on the shelf. f

The Duke of Devonshire,' in ia lejtt__y says that the party's main work i^ strenuously to oppose Home Rule ami certain ill-considered and more or le__| Socialistic measures, the chief object tiens to which are economic. He added. that the party's influence' on this worH would be greatly impaired by the re-] adoption of the fiscal policy repudiated!! at the last election.

The "Times" twits Lord Cromei. With borrowing Mr Balfour's tippak, nents' epithet of " protection " for tariff reforms. The "Times" admit* that he preached toleration to the tariff reformers, but unconditional surrende* was impossible, and the " Times " urges tariff reform to stand on the defensive, and adds: "We administeß Egypt under international supervision. There is no analogy between Egypt and Britain." The "Times" continues:-^ "If we dare "not use at home ior __*

fensive purposes the machinery freeljf used by all other nations of--__dv__j! and defensively, what is the good of talking about our fleets? Can it h4 seriously argued that we are unable tof enter into arrangements with ova colonies without stirring vp 1 univereaj animosity? From an Imperialist, thes* are strange doctrines."

The "Tribune" says Lord Cromer speaks with two-fold weight. He is- a great financier and an expert in Britain's foreign relations.

The other Liberal newspapers ar_ silent. . . : '