BRITISH POLITICS

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1631, 20 December 1905, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS

the fiscal question.

I3y telegraph,. Press Ass’n, Copyright London, Doo 19

Mr Balfour, addressing 4000 Unionists at Leeds, said ho did not wish to augment, but wished to diminish the differoncos of tbo patty on the fiscal question. His policy bed ne t prejudiced tbo quoslioD. Protection might bo light or wrong. Ho bolievod with tbo section of tho party which was for Freolrado and not for P tection. His views on rotaliat'o i and fisoul un’on of tho eolen’os were absolutely oontiitont with Fr.t trade, and not loss consistent with tbo views of those favoring seme return to tho polioy preva'oi't in America and o'sotvbofr. Lrd Bo.eb ry seemed to think a fi od status quo »1 no real'y embodied tho doctrino of Freotiale, but Freetrade was t ot a virtuo practised as a man praet sis hono:ty. Wo praettm Froettalo when wo do tho best to maintain and make othors acoopt it. B.tah» - tion is a polioy wborcon there is no dtforonoo of principle among Unionises. They ougbt not to allow Pi'utrction to intorforo with this or otbor poriioas of fiscal reform. Preferooca touches a higher note ti au any other. Noboly would douy that if it wore possible to obtain permanently Freetrade with tho colonies for a micro-* eoapic lax on foodstuffs there would be a gain to all oonoerned. Frootrado would admit tho benefit of it in a question of degree and motbod, Tho colonios had not yet advanoed a plan. Moreover, the duty on corn was only a very partial solution, as there were many of tho colonies whoDce corn was net imported. There were many Imporial oommeroial aspocts which a free conference a'one would reveal entirely, instead of isolated elements. Meanwhile, thoy bad bettor suspend judgment. Homing would endanger tho Imperial idea more than the raßh introduction of on insular idea. . Mr Balfour declared that protection was intu’ar or nothiog. It was alien in essence and spit it to tho Imperial idea. He did not deny that a general tariff was a convenient starling point for dealing with the foreigner, but we bad no goneral tariff and did not require a tariff, protective or non-protective. It was a question of suasion. Threats wore at the background of all men. Mr Chamberlain had dono most to foster the Imperial idea and had taught us not merely to talk about but to feel tho autonomy of the Empire.

PREMIER TO SEEK FRIENDSHIP WITH GERMANY. HOME RULE QUESTION.

i'y telegraph. Press Ass’n, Copyrigl Received 9.21 p.m , Deo. 20. Berlin, Deo. 20.

The Tagoblalt states that there are indications that Sir H. Campbell Bannerman will initiate a diplomatic discussion of difforecco3 between Great Britain and Germany, and make relations friendlier. It adds: “It is understood that Prioce Von Bulow congratulated in particularly warm terms Sir H. Campbell Bannerman and Sit Edward Grey, whose replies were equally friendly.” King Edward and the Kaiser have latterly expvesssd a wish that everything should be-done to remove existing discord London, December 20.

The Daily News’ Berlin correspondent says the rumors that Sir H. Campbell Bannerman is taking official steps in the direction of better relations iB of rather doubtful authenicity. Received 9.34 p.m,, Dec. 20. Mr Arthur Ponsonby, the Premiers’ private secretary, a candidate for Tauoton, addressing the electors, said that Home Rule a 3 introduced in 1886 [and 1892 wa9 dead. No one ho bad met in the Liberal party favored either Bill. Mr Asquith, speaking at Queen’s Ha'l, emphatically denied that Sir H. Campbell Bannerman would covertly pursue a po'icy leading fo separation and dismemberment. The Liberal majority would be resolutely determined to maintain paramount authority in the Impstial Parlia* ment, but within those limits to ee.k to improvo the Liberals’ administration in Ireland. He conelndol by appealing for a united, strong, independent majority.

iveceivea u.tta p m.f xoec. au.^ The c-xecutivo committee of the Unionist Freetrade Club resolved that it was the duty of all unionist freetraders to do their utmost to prevent the country or party adopting a policy involving a general protective toriil and preferential iaxat;on of goods. Sir H. C. Baunorman, acknowledging a resolu'ioo passed at a great meeting under tie auspices of the Merchant’s guild of Berlin, reciprocated the desire for the establishment and maintenance of friendly feeling between British and German peoples,