THE FISCAL AMENDMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 41, 17 February 1905, Page 5

THE FISCAL AMENDMENT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyrtgtxt.)

LONDON, February lfi.

Mr. Asquith moved his amendment to the Address-in-Eeply as follows: "That aa the various aspects of the fiscal question have been fnlly discussed for the last two years, the time has come for submitting the issue to the people without further delay." He said that Mr. Balfour's determination to defer the general election was astonishing, since the Government and the policy of 1900 had all gine, and the by-elections had expressed the country's discontent. He urged Mr. Balfour to abandon his opportune taciturnity, and state clearly whether there was any difference in principle between his fiscal policy and Mr. Chamberlain's. What was meant exactly by the doctrine of retaliation? If the Colonial Conference met, would the British representatives be empowered to entertain a scheme involving the taxation of food? The existing intolerable confusion was menacing the Empire's industries, and could only be removed by a prompt appeal to the people. The controversy could not go on simmering. The real issue was between preference and non-preference, and between taxation and the free admission of corn, flour and meat. Let the people decide.