THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7967, 19 February 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1906.

After considerable discussion Mr A. J. Balfour has been elected leader of the Unionists, and he will, no doubt, lead that party in the British House of Commons, for the result of the election to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of the Hon. A. G. Gibbs, one of the members for the City of London, in Mr Balfour's favour, may be regarded as a foregone conclusion; in fact, the possibility of Mr Balfour being opposed is unlikely. It.would seem, from recent cables bearing pa the question to whiph we have referred, that there are many among the "Tariffltes" who would prefer to see Mr Chamberlain ia the position now occupied by Mr Balfour,

but, unfortunately for their desire, real and whole-hearted reformers as the Tariffltes may bo, in numbartuey are few, even in comparison with the greatly diminshed ranks of the Conservative party, and it has been deemed advisable to throw in their lot with the Conservatives by adhering to them, although the party is out of office, and will certainly bo so for many years, upon thw condition of Mr Balfour, practically, accepting "Ohamberlainkni." # * # * * The wisdom of the step seems doubtful, and the reasons that actuated those who have taken it have certainly not been well explained iu the cables. Mr Balfour's views, or opinions on "Chamberlatnism" are, it seems to us, most logical and clear, and his ability as a statesman ia certainly not the poorest in the world by any manner of means but, it would seem, that neither the acaeDtation of Mr Chamberlain's doctrine, nor his ability as a statesman, is snfflioeut to make it desirable, from the Tariffltes' standpoint, that he should be made the leader the "the party." Mr Balfour belongs to a party, and is closely associated with a class in Eaglaud, both of which have for many years past been moving "backwards." It is scarcely necessary to remark that that party is the Conservative party, and that class the aristocracy. Tariff reform is not a party policy—great as the question may be, no Parliamentary leader bould appeal to the country with a policy consisting of but a single plank. Moreover, in order that be may carry out his reform with the greater freedom Mr Chamberlain has of late years disassociated himself to a considerable extent from the Conservative Party ; in fact, as will be remembered, he even sacrificed high ministerial rank that he might throw the whole of his energy into the struggle for tariff reform. t * * * * * One rather fails to see the necessity for the Tariff Reformers to. be closely allied with any particular political party. For instance, a member of Parliament can be a Nationalist and a Tariffite (as some of the Irish members are), a Labourite and aTariffite, or a Conservative and a Tariffite. The Labour party have adopted the attitude that they will assist the f Government when they can, and oppose them when they deem it necessary, and it would seem possible that some such policy would be found advisable in the case of the Tariffltes. In Mr Chamberlain they have a leader of great ability, and it is difficult to see what else was wanted, save recruits for the ranks, and these oer„ainly will not be obtained through au alliance with a party wbioh has been bp.dly beaten and is most unpopular ia the oountry. Mr Chamberlain 's policy is really designed to improve the condition of the working classes, as a whole, more than'other classes of people; but, of course, the adoption of the reform that be urges wuuld, in his opinion, prove a blessing not only to.England, but to the whole of the Empire. If the opinion of the Conservative party is that they are going to get back into power "on the 1 backs" of the Tariffites, and this would seem to be the reason of Mr Balfour's "large." adoption of Ohamberlainism, there is some cause to 'wonder why the Tariffltes have encumbered themselves with the unnecessary burden of the Conservative party.