A NOTABLE CONVERSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2695, 15 February 1916, Page 5

A NOTABLE CONVERSION

"SPECTATOR" URGES IMPERIAL preference;. Ut Teleffraph—Press Association—CoDyriuht London, February 13. The "Spectator's" conversion to preference is arousing comment. That journal thus justifies it: "We feel most strongly when we consider not only the gallantry with which" overseas Britons have fought for us, but that, they are generously bearing a large portion of our burdens. _ We must, if only by way of compliment and as a salute of gratitude to. these men of our flesh and Llcod, givo special welcome to their goods at our ports. Preference for tilings grown within the Empire will include meat and wheat, which we desire to tax very lightly, though it will be necessary to raise some revenue' from them. When the war is over the need for a tariff will remain, but tl.cre will be no, necessity for restrictions on trade beyond that. No Free-trader will raise objections to colonial preference, so long as it is propeify and wisely worked. Tho Free-trader's ideal will not be merely to give preference t') the colonies by halving the tariff, but to trade absolutely freely. Then the . Free-trader, and - the Preforentialist will indeed march hand in hand."