Fiscal Reform.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXV, Issue 3943, 23 November 1908, Page 2

Fiscal Reform.

London, November 21

Mr Arthur Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, speaking at the meeting of the National Union of Conservative Associations at Cardiff, declared that fiscal reform was no remote ideal, but that all movement of thought, all political forces, all the trend of economic speculation, were alike driving up to a great change in the fiscal system. "The time is not far distant," he said, "indeed, it is within the vision of all, when the great policy I have advocated will be turned from an ardent hope into a practical reality, knitting closer the Imperial bonds, steadying the whole industrial machine, mitigating unemployment, safeguarding great interests against the combination of increasing industrial efficiency, backed by the unscrupulous use of hostile tariffs by every commerical country in the world." "A momentous change was approaching," he continued, "when ere long Unionists would be recalled to power. They would then carry out a constructive policy of giving effect to these principles."—Prolonged cheers. Mr Bonar Law M.P., moved a resolution declaring the Associations viewed with profound satisfaction the progress of fiscal reform. He expressed hearty support of the policy which Mr Balfour announced at Birmingham a year ago. The motion was carried unanimously. Earl Cawdor was elected next president of the Association. Fifteen hundred delegates are present at the Conference. London, November 22. Lord Lansdowne, at Manchester, commenting on the Government's finance, declared that the country was confronted with a position of the utmost gravity from which it could not be extricated without great national effort. The exigencies of the financial situation were driving us to tariff reform, which would contribute to the greater solidity of the Empire.