Fiscal Reform.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7840, 5 June 1905, Page 3

Fiscal Reform.

pROMftfENT STATESkBN SPEAK (Received June 4, 4.56 p.m.) LONDON, June 3. Mr Balfour,, addressing the National Union C&nsert-ative Association at the Attfcrt Hall, regarding the Colonial Confei'ence, said that unless the Unionists were returned to power at the next elections the whole plan oi reference on the fiscal question for a, .double election would collapse.. A new situation would be created under new conditions- He asked, Would, the Opposition, if returned, treat ,wit!f contempt the expressed wish of the colonies, and without examination or consultation reject their overtures? 'Be, at any rale, ,was plptfe«f, if the in the event of their return to power treated the ■fUestion Imperially,, that he would not follow their example and treat it as a party instrument. Besides the unity *of the Ifittgdom, Unionists were entrusted FHh lie great cause of Imperial .defence on the great ideals of closer union with the colonies, and, with the refornTof the fiscal system, jvhich Was no longer fitted for our needs. Protectionists and free traders, were all supjly ot one mind thatj their interests would, ho furthered by. some power to negotiate effectively. >"Why k in heaven'e name," he asked, "*'not "agree upon it?' : ■ June 4, 5.7 p.m.) LONDON, June 3. Sir Henry Campfijell-Bannerman, 6peaking at Oxford, declared it w a si a solemn farce for the Colonial Premiers to confer while Mr Hajfour : was unable to say he spok© with the nation's authority. The Libera's Would faithfully and zealously follow Lord Lansdowne's foreign policy. ' Sir Edward (!rey, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs,, speaking at the Eighty Club, referring to the Colonial Conference, said the Colonies ought to be told the truth that taxing the Motherland's food was cm unsafe basis of Entire* Everything short of complete freetrade (Without the Empire in the way 0 f fiscal adjustment would prove not £ boad ot union but th» contrary.