IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 4, 30 December 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

TARIFF REFORM. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) (Received 8.0 a.m.) ; London, December 29: The Daily Telegraph has joined forces with the London Provincial Unionist press urging that the licit election should not bo obstructed by the question of food taxes.' : ; ■

The Observer urges Unionists to unflinchingly insist upon a united Empire. Mr Bonar Law’s speech has been somewhat misunderstood,: hiid equally inexcusably misrepresented; r Anything in the way of preference will be of advantage to the Empire. (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, December 29.,.

Mr Chamberlain has written to.; a correspondent in Australia, and says: “It is obvious that a consultation with the Dominions will be necessary., before dealing with the details of preference. We have no more pretension to fix colonial duties, thaii ,thb Dominions have to fix ours, but I believe that a commercial union' Would be mutually advantageous, and I believe an agreement could be arranged, when Unionists are,in power.*' The Spectator says the latest estimates of Unionist members and candidates anxious to press for food takes shows that they have’been reduced th a bare' handful.

correspondent in Australia, and says: “It is obvious that a consultation with the Dominions will be necessary- before dealing with the details of preference. We have no more pretension to fix colonial duties, than ,tH$. Dominions have to fix ours, but I believe that a commercial unionf WhliM be mutually advantageous, and I, believe an agreement could be arranged, when Unionists are,in power.*' The Spectator says the latest estimates of Unionist members and candidates anxious to press for food takes shows that they have" been reduced t® a bare handful. (Received. 9.30 a.m.) London, December 29.,The, Daily Telegraph, after quoting the opinions of Australian newspapers declares that the Dominions’ objection to the onus of an unpopular decision raises serious problems. Unionists leaders would be the first to' agree that this was not time for Imperial misunderstanding. They ought to make it clear that in the proposed Conference no Dominion would Be asked to express an opinion in favour of food duties in Britain. . 'ilf the duties were necessary to an Imperial preference scheme, then Britain should freely offer them. Mr. Bonar Law proposes to seek for a mandate, but there is an overwhelming Unionist opinion that after db® introduction by an appeal tt) the country the Unionists’ first duty w,as to fight next election upon the Gbvemment’s political profligacy, and anything detracting from that' court®.