REVENUE AND TAXES

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 515, 24 May 1909, Page 5

REVENUE AND TAXES

FISCAL PROBLEM. BALFOUR'S PLEA FOR PREFERENCE. DRIVEN. TO A TARIFF. (Nt Tii.ieniPii—rnitss absochtion— cprimonT.) (Rec. May 23, 4.30 p.m.), . London, May 22. Tho Leador-of the Opposition,Mr, Balfour, delivered aq address at St. James's Theatro, under the auspices of the Women's Unionist and Tariff Reform Association. System of Taxing tho Few Must Fall. Mr. Balfour declared that thoro was a universal impression among all classes in all parts of tho country that Tariff Reform had gofc to* come, and it was coming. Hβ continued:— It is impossible to continue piling direct taxation on a small section of tho community and heaping • indirect taxation on one or two artiolosof general consumption; If wo ■ aro thus inevitably driven to eome , kind of general tariff, it is folly not to uso it ia safeguarding our trado and unitjng the Motherland'. more closoly with tho colonios.; Tho present system cannot bo maintained. If it is abandoned, it nvuet bo in thodircotion of a system enabling you to do what the colonies ask you to do. Preference Within Reach. Hβ urged the necessity of sympathy and imagination with regard to Imporial finance and Imporial polioy, Ho dealt with tho vital nooossity. imposed on the Empiro, by forces that woro slowly and surely shaping selves in various parts'of tho world, to organise itself in a consciousness of common needs, destiniee, and pnrils. Tho Motherland must show tho colonies that sympathy with their aims and methods which goes beyond tho more production of a certain number of ships, guns, and sympathy arising out of tho feeling of, CQmmoft interest with everybody ongaged in the oommeroia! and in-, dustrial work of building up the Empire. Mr. Balfour added: . ; -

The ookmioa demanstrato thoir dcsire.for a fiscal union of;the Empire Aro wo, when, driven to adopt a system lending itself to preference, going to refuse the preference within our reach? It would be national madness to pursue -snch a polioy. I do not bohdvo that tho country will pursue it,

"BLEEDINC OAPITAL WHITE." COMMONS' DEBATE. ' : ■ V;' DEFENCE OF FREE TRADE .FINANCE. london,:'May 21v>' During the discussion in tho House of Commons on the death and resolutions, Mr; Oi J. O'DonneU, Liberal momborfor Walworth, that ho-was for tho first time voting 'against tie Gotfernmont, hbcauso ho would be no party to blooding capital.• white. • .'""',' ■ ■. ;•■ Mr. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, emphasised tho fact that the real danger of tho schomo was the graduation, and the temptation it afforded to increasingly tax. tho few. Mr. Lloyd-George, Chanoollor of tho. Exchequer, maintained tiiat tho Budget Trae:fair to. all olassas. The money spent on social reform, ho said, would inorease the efficiency of the capital of the obuntry. ';■ i ..:' . V