BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1365, 28 January 1905, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

BALFOUR’S REPLY TO MORLEY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 11.45 p.m., Jan 27. London, Jan. 27. Mr Balfour, addressing his constituents, replying to Ms Morley’s challenge to summarise his fiscal views on a sheet of note paper, read half a sheet as follows : “I desire alteration to secure freedom of action,"which is impossible while holding that no taxation should be imposed except for revenue; freedom to strengthen our hands in negotiation with the hope of lowering foreign hostile tariffs that may enable us to protect fiscally independent colonies desiring to give uk preference, and bo uaefui in checking importation of goods, bouncy fed or tariff protected, sold below coso price here ; a desire for closer commercial union with the colonies in all its best modes. This particular mode was intrinsically of great importance, received much colonial aupporo, and was likely to produce great and growing commercial advantages go the colonies and Motherland, promoting freer mutual trade. Hence she proposed conference would be unheunpored by limiting instructions. There was no desire to raise houie prices for. the purpose of aiding buiile p o'/uedooe. Mr id a four, p- oc •- •U- -.rf-iupti J-aisod 80-.* dilficuiu s »i Id • M■ •S' e = rL-uink-u ,uoy vov* d b iyj ig.-..* Cj iarow la iaue Ol *uc O-Jiuii-oa Gilo proposals ujo colon es Luadcj lot closer commercial union witu cne MoDUerlaud. 'There would be equal difficulties in SonGh Africa. NoGhing was more unsealing chan the advenG of men denounciag war as unjast or embarrassing than that the garrison should be controlled by the men whoso phrases about tho croops during war would never be forgotten and never forgiven. The success of Chinese labour has converted British workmen in the Transvaal previously most adverse. He predicted that fib© Liberals would not abolish Chinese. He emphasised in replying to Sir H. Campbell Bannerman, that while the Government obtained a working majority, they would continue to conduct tho business of the country.