BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1429, 13 April 1905, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

THF FISCAL QUESTION.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, April 12. The Duke of Devonshire, addressing the Unionist Freetrado Club, declared that the TariS Reform League’s proposals controverted every principle Freetraders ever held. The Government’s more moderate proposals controverted the essential principle that Freetrade was the guiding principle of our fiscal system, and there was no departure therefrom except under very exceptional circumstances and limitation. The fiscal freedom of Britain and' the colonies must weaken the unity of the Empire. He regetted that the most successful candidate at reoeDt elections had been more or less committed to Home Rule. If the cause of legislative union was seriously threatened mesas would be found to close the ranks of_JJninnists. —u—i/ Ouei un«im«~vt»t»ußrnon to Homo Rule.

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE

By telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Beeeived 11,52 p.m., April 12. London, April 11. _ Lordßalfour of Burleigh moved a resolution questioning the Government’s action re the Colonial Conference. He insisted on full information, whether it would be an ordinary free, unfotterd Conference, or held for a special purpose. The Duke of Marlborough reiterated Mr Balfour’s public declaration. He. declared the Conference would be free and unfettered, and would be asked to discuss whether the idea of closer union on commercial or any other basis oonamended itself, and if so what was the precise manner it could be carried into effect. He believed they should communicate the results to the Colonial Governments. The sohome would not be considered binding on Britain until submitted to the electors. An animated debate arose, Lord Halbury denouncing it as an unreality. Lord James of Hereford said it was unfair to bring Colonial representatives under falsa pretences. Lord Lansdowne said; that it was useless for us to ask the colonies to abandon their ideas on which their financialj and industrial system was constructed. , It was useless for the colonies to ask ub to adopt a scheme of protection. The Conference would consider whether, within these limitations, it was possible to derive material arrangement beneficial and that would please as a whole. Lord Goschen sarcastically congratulated the Government on deferring discussing the fiscal scheme until after two elections. Lord Bosebery said the Conference was a red herring acrnss Mr Chamberlain’s inconvenient path. i The motion was negatived without division.