BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8743, 18 February 1907, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

Defence of the Empire. Mr Balfour’s Policy. Press Association—Copyright. London, February 17. In the House of Commons, Mr Harold Cox moved that it is desirable that the Colonial Conference discuss the importance of the colonies more fully participating in the cost of defending the Empire. Mr Balfour said Jhey ought not to treat the matter in a bargaining spirit. . He did not believe the naval estimates would be diminished by a farthing if they lost the self-govern-ing colonies. While the colonies, through their Imperial connection, acquired great strength and security, yet the connection also involved them in some dangers, owing to the Empire touching world polities at many points, not directly concerning the colonies. It was impossible to seriously ask the colonies to vote money which somebody else would spend, and a more possible proposal would be to arrange a treaty, under which the colonies would transfer their troops and ships to Imperial control in the event of Imperial complications, though he earnestly deprecated even pressing that. While not abandoning the hope of closer political relations between the Motherland and her colonies, that ideal was not now in sight. The loose organisation of the Empire bad advantages and disadvantages, but he was sure it was better to rely on voluntary assistance than attempt to give it a rigid involuntary character. We got more out of colonial loyal voluntary patriotic enthusiasm than we would out of any hard and fast organisation. (Cheers.) The Hon. Winston Churchill described Mr Balfour’s speech as inspired by profound political wisdom. Though the services the Motherland and her colonies mutually rendered were very great, it would be wrong to draw invidious comparisons respecting contributions and the benefit of reciprocal interchange. The Empire was no business proposition, but was based on the principle of the family, not a syndi cate. The Motherland declined to haggle or bargain with her children respecting the precise amount of military contribution or commercial treaties. Without the colonies, we would still be compelled to maintain the fleet. While deprecating any hard commercial bargain, he held it was the colonies’ duty to contribute as occasion arose to their own common defensive needs, “We make no demand whatever. They give voluntarily, and we accept gladly. We are content to wait for the solid broadening harvest of future years.” The amendment was withdrawn. London, February 16.

Mr Balfour, addressing a meeting of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations, declared that he saw unmistakable signs of a coalescence of Unionist views in the direction of a safe, sound, sober policy of fiscal reform, based on the grounds of the absolute necessity of enlarging the basis of taxation. There was also, he said, vital need of safeguarding the great productive industries of the country against unfair foreign competition, a need of a wider foreign market, and a need of securing the great colonial market of the future. Mr Balfour declared that the Government had no constructive policy, and to conceal this lack they therefore threatened the Lords. But the Government were not possessed of the moral position to enable them to revolutionise our historic constitutional institution. The press generally applaud Messrs Balfour and Churchill’s policy of Imperial defence. The Butter Bill. London, February 17. In the House of Commons Sir Edward Sfcrachey introduced the Butter Bill, which was read a first time. It is understood the Bill embodies the Select Committee's recommendations.

Press Comment,

The Spectator declares that if Government grants old age pensions it will require a tariff, which will mean the betrayal of the cause of freetrade, whether such an eventuality is intended or not.

The Times, commenting as regards the remoteness of any central Imperial political organization, says that Mr Baifour went further than was necessary since the principle is already recognised in the periodic conferences which might become continuous instead of intermittent. With regard to the question of defence the Times declares there might be common consultation ensuring a uniform plan and co-opera-tion. Shipping Legislation,

Mr Lloyd George, speaking at the Chamber of Shipping banquet, expressed a hope that uniform shipping legislation would be adopted throughout the Empire.