A GREAT SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1012, 3 October 1903, Page 2

A GREAT SPEECH.

THE PEIME MINISTER- ON THE TARIFF. PALLIATIVE OFFERED, BUT NOT A SOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.51 p.m., Oct. 2. London, Oct. 2. Mr Balfour addressed a gathering of 5000 at the Drill Hall, Sheffield. Earl Derby presided. Mr Balfour received a tremendous ovation. Ho made an eighty minutes’ speech, exclusively dealing with tariff reform. Ho said the subject was not new, but its exceptional prominence at I this moment was due to a great speech by a great man. (Cheers.) There were many contributory causes. The war brought us into closer and rnoro conscious touch with our great Colouial Empire. The Colonial Premiers had categorically and explicity emphasised the question. All parties were growing uneasy on the condition of trade, as speeches, pamphlets, articles, and technical education prior to Mr Chamberlain’s Birmingham speech proved. The speech fell on the ground already prepared. Germany’s attempt to penalise Canada intensified the feeling of our helplessness in negotiations, strengthening the conviction that tariff attacks can only be met by tariff replies. The past sixty years had killed the reputation of Cobdenite prophesies. Cobden’s ideal contained great elements of mobility, but instead of the world being commercially oue without artificial barriers, the sontimeut of nationality had received an accretion of strength nobody in Cobden’s time could have dreamod of. We have been dreamers while wall tariffs grow, dividing nation from nation, our colonies, our own flesh and blood, the very sinews of the Empire that is to be, building one vested interest after another under a system of protection. When that roached a logical conclusion it makes it as t hard for the Motherland to export to them jas to other foreign countries. The only attempt made to hinder that state of things was a successful treaty with France. Cobdon and Gladstone then utilised certain taxes which, at tho time, were quite ready otherwise for repeal on their merits, for the purpose of obtaining concessions from Franco. I find that thoro is no economical distinction between retaining for diplomatic purpose a tax you would otherwise repeal than putting on for the same purpose a tax unimposed. (Cheers.) The evil of high tariffors had been allowed to grow by us and the colonies to a point probably excluding a complete solution. Any attempted solutiou, as far as he was able to see, would involve the taxation of food. His remedy was incomplete, even if tried in its integrity, but it cannot thus be triod because tho country cannot tolerate a tax on food. Nevertheless a palliative would strengthen the Ministry’s hands. Tho foreigner would be greatly helped to do us justice if he know that behind our request for fair treatment was a mothod of exacting it. As rogards retaliation against others to bogin with, high tariffs would enable reductions to be made. We might begin at the other end with low opecial duties, something to give foreigners which they would value, something to take away which they would regret. Receivod 12,50 a.m., Oct. 8. •» Mr Balfour continued : You will not get the great commercial nations to abandon protection. I foar you will not get tho great self-governing colonies to retrace tho steps we, without remonstrance, permitted them to take. They have, and must always retain, fiscal autonomy. I described tho evils. Asked the remedy, it is my duty to advise tho party whereof for the moment I am chief. I will answer that I know of no-cure, •inasmuch as the evil has gone too far, but . I know a palliative, which I am here to recommend. Mr Balfour here warming to his subject, his utterances bocame more strenuous. He was cheered on expressing a determination to give the party an unmistakeable load.

On an interruption, “ What about Joe?” .who was again cheered, Mr Baliour, continuing, said : I aun asking facilities for better bargaining. My fundamental request is that the country give the Government, from whatever party it is drawn, freedom to negotiate with other nations on an equality of the freedom deprived by no force of circumstances or foreign pressure, but by our own pedantry and conceit.

Mr Balfour’s corollary that ho did not think opinion was ripe for taxation of food was received in deep silence, contrasting with the loud approval of his words, “ But I believe the evils of taxation of food within narrow limits are exaggerated beyond anything reason or logic can justify.” Received 1-20 a. 111., Oct. 3. Continuing, Mr Baliour said : “ I desire to reverse the fiscal traxllition prevalent for the past two generations, and to ask you'to delete the doctrine'that taxation must be for revenue alone.” Addressing an overflow meeting, Oie said : The Motherland’s bonds to the colonies must be real and substantial equally, with sentimental lie has been content to leave the question open, hut neither his colleagues in the Government, nor the House of Commons, nor the country, would tolerate that view. They determined that he give a lead—give it unworthy leadership. lie had tried to lead, and he meant to do it. He added emphatically : “As one hound to advise a great party regarding the official policy of taxation of food, it is not at present within the limits of practical politics.”

OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Received 1.20 a.m., Oct. 3. London, Oct. 2. The Times says that enthusiasm increased in exact proportion to the approximation of Mr Balfour’s attitude to that of Mr Chamberlain’s. Other journals say that there are indications that he would be supported the whole way. The Financial Times states that next election will turn on the whole question, not half. The Standard complains of the vagueness of the language, apparently theoretical approval of preference. It adds s It ought to ba known whether Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain are acting on converging lines. The Daily Nows says there are indications that the cause of freetrado must rest with the Liberals alone.

Mr Ritchie has informed tho Daily Chroniclo that he was not aware of Mr Chamberlain’s resignation until two days after sending in his own.