FISCAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 457, 16 March 1909, Page 5

FISCAL REFORM.

RETALIATION. MR. CHURCHILL EXPLAINS HIS VIEWS. A "VERBAL COVER" FOR PROTECTION. (nr TW.EGKAPH—PIIISS? ACSOCHTION—COrtRIGHT.) (Rec. March 15, 9.53 p.m.) London, March 15. Mr. Winston Churchill, who, in discussing tho fiscal question recently, stated that retaliation might be resorted to as "an occasional weapon," has written to "The Times" explaining his views on this point. Ho says that his speech at Manchester, on June 15, 1904, contains his views on retaliation. He concludes his letter with the statement that the Tory policy of retaliation is merely a convenient verbal cover for the much larger policy of real protection lying behind.

[Mr. Churchill h<i3 been subjected to a good deal of heckling over his statement respecting retaliation. His general position is stated in a speech at Manchester on April 15 last:—"Ho thought Lancashire would be truo to the great principles of economic truth, and would show that she was still a convinced supporter of freo imports and o£ no taxation except for revenue. ]

THE NEW FRENCH TARIFF. BRITISH FREETRADERS' ATTITUDE. (Rec. March 15, 11.13 p.m.) London, March 15. Tho "Standard" states that Ministerial Fieetraders aro endeavouring to persuade Mr. Churchill, as President of the Board of Trade, to conclude a commercial treaty with France on the basis of a mitigation of the proposed French tariff, Britain in return promising that r.o fresh duties shall be levied on Frenah imports for live years. AT LASTI MR. BALFOUR'S CONVERSION. (Rec. March 15, 11.35 p.m.) ' London, March 15. Mr. J. Chamberlain has congratulated the Tariff Reform League Executive on tho fact that Mr. Balfour has for the first t-imo acknowledged tho league's service. Wr. Chamberlain's letter is the sequel to Mr Biuiour s speech as a guest at a function arby the Tarift Reform League, as recorded yesterday.]