BRITISH POLITICS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13336, 30 January 1909, Page 9

BRITISH POLITICS.

TARIFF REFORM,

A UNIONIST PLEA FOR MODERATION. ,

Units- Press Association—By Kleotrio Tele_r_ph—Copyright-

LONDON, January 2S.

The Marquis of Londonderry (a member of the last Unionist Ministry), in a speech at Belfast, warned tho Conservative Unionists that if tho extremists were allowed to place their fiscal views to tho forefront, overlooking the dangers of Home Rule, tho result at the ne_t election would bo serious to tho Party, and full of danger to Ireland.

In his last letter to thei "Sydney Morning Herald," Mr Lucy says:—"it will surprise loOkers-on from without to learn that within tho Unionist Parliamentary ranks there is a cabal whoso purpose it is to get rid of their esteemed leader. It is composed chiefly of protectionists, who aro di_sati—Sedi with his shilly-sliallying on the tariff question. Mr Balfour can regard these machinations with indifference. He won his way to tlie leadership by sheer force of capacity and character. Ho will retain it for the simple but sufficient roason that tliere is no other in tlie party capable of filling the post*." Tho views of the "Spectator" (tho ablest and most uncompromising of the Free Trade journals) on the prospects of Tariff Reform are significant. It confesses that an immediate dissolution would' suit it exactly. "Tho almost oertain result would be tho return, of the Unionists with, a smail majority, or else tho retention of powor by the .present Government with on© still smaller. In either case, moderato opinion would hold tbe balance- and' prove the chief influence in the* Government. As Unionist Free Traders, nothing would please tis better than to soe a Unionist Government in power with a majority too small to make it possible for them to destroy our Free Trade system. If, on the other hand', there is no dissolution, and this Government continue in office for another two years, it is as certain as anything can bo im politics, tliat there will be another 'land-slide,' and tho Unionistwill be returned with a large and! compact majority, which must moan the overthrow of Free Trade."