CONVERTS TO PREFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8806, 7 May 1907, Page 2

CONVERTS TO PREFERENCE.

Press Association.—Copyright. London, May 6. Messrs IV. Hayes Fisher and R. A. Yorhurgh, who were among the followers of Sir Michael Hicks-Bcach in urging in 1903 the need of cautious enquiry and resolutely objected to protective taxation on imports of food, now write to tho Times that tho preferential case submitted to the Imperial Conference has so far strongly impressed them that they preferred to recognise that a moderate corn duty would not infringe the sacred principles and may bo an instrument of the greatest Imperial unity. The Times, in a special, article on the preference' debate at tho Imperial Conference, says Mr Asquith’s tone was frankly that of a local particularist prepared to consider practical proposals for tho improvement of the channels of inter-imperial trade, but apparently bo does not realise that it is the duty of the country rejecting proposals whereon all others are agreed to formulate counter proposals. - Lord Stanlefy, a Unionist freetrader, joins Messrs Yerburgh and Fisher on the question of preference.