FISCAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 438, 22 February 1909, Page 5

FISCAL REFORM.

AMENDMENT DEFEATED. MR. BALFOUR EXPLAINS iHIB. POSITION.- : ATTITUDE OF THE COLONIES. (OX TELEGRAPH—rIIESS ASSOCIATION—COrYttIOHt.) (Rcc. February 21, .4.45 p.m.) V .-...'.. London, February 20. " Mr. Austen Chamboriain's ainondment to the Address-in-Eeply was defeated after a debate, lasting two days. - Tho voting was as follows:— . . .■;•:•. : ••,'.■.,. ;■". '-, .■'. Against the amondinoht .*. :27_6. - . For the' Amendment ■ ,■'..'/ ' ..^lO7 .' '.-. . Majority against -...,... 169 ';.. The amendmont oppressed regret .that the Government had failed ''.to recognise thegravity of.the state of trado and unemployment, and emphasised tho need for fiscal reform, in order /to promote the growth and. stability of -Home trade, to negotiate for the mitigation of foreign tariffs, and develop Britain, 8 oversea trade by preference within'the Empire. ..;;'• ■■' ' , ... .; , / .... .'.-- ■ The-Unionist Free Fooders; and the Nationalists did not vote. • .'■'■.: The Opposition put forward no definite proposala.'beyond Mr. suggestion to tax meat; wood, and wheat (two shillings a'quarter). .I ' ■ : . /.■ ; ; ../ : -.•-;.■ ■~' Mr. Balfoiir demanded consideration for the producer besides 'the: consumer.: ; He'never, believed that fiscal; reform'.would solve the whole problem of unemployment. The counr' try •depended[ on its jmaivufacturers; ;but" the present system aggravated unemployment in skilled.trades. : - : ..,•'..:,.> -.;._. '■■ • .■:• ' "Wevmust," ; he said,: "abandon.the. idea of. the country placing .a; protective duty on any one particular at :a. disadvantage in neutral, markets, ..the : colonies 'ardently ■ •desired:;; that.; ''Bngipnd; should /imitate their-fiscal/example.;.:Prefer-ence, would give freer trade with the colonies.' ■It -would be.;disastrous if tho oolpnios- gave' proforence -to other, countries ! against Eng-. land.''./;.;:. ,;' ; . : -.- '■';..• y - yy^--/';)':'\ -' i :/' : Great: interest was .'shoWn 1 '.as. /to. .whether Mr. Balfour's speech would shbw. him ;to be on/•. .firin ground wifJh- ■■ jie. tariff; reformers. The newspaper comments; indicate .that they mostly consider that he still lags behind.; :.; MrV ; Churchill's./speech in .closinp; : ;:tho;de^ : bate was-.chiefly notable' for. its disapproval of the allegations' that .capital" wasyleaving the. country in'; unusual / volume.. He.vroiteiv dted'the assertionithat'retaliation might oc-cftsipnally-bo' resorted, to.; v. ';■/■' ';■' :.:;v'