BRITISH POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8051, 15 February 1906, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

PARLIAMENT OPENED. MR BALFOUR NOT OPPOSED BY LIBERALS. Received 16,12.15 a.m. London, February 14. The City Liberal Association has resolved not to oppose Mr Balfour. The Postal Servants' Association has been officially rocognised. Parliament was opened by Royal Commission. The Right Hon. J. Lowthor was unanimously elected Speaker. Tho Laborites took tlieir seat* below tho gangway on the Opposition side, near the Nationalists. THE FISCAL ISSUE, SPEECH BY EX-PRIME MINISTER.

London, February IS. Mr A, J. Balfour, speaking at a complimentary dinaer to Sir E. Clark# and Mr Anthony Gibbs, M's.P., said the City declined to regard tho result of the elections as any reason for modify, ing its attitude towards fiscal reform. The need for retaliation wag increas. ing, nol diminishing. "I refuse to ad. Mit that it is impossible to realise a policy of retaliation unless a general tariff is necessarily a part of tho scheme. His policy was designed "to diminish the burden of a hostile tariff imposed on British industries, and to aid in preserving the neutral markets still remaining to us, and to preserve in the self-governing colonies somo branches of industrial enterprise where we may be allowed to compete on equal terms. It was a policy intended to maintain or increase foreign markets for British manufacturers, Protection is not an attempt to keep or increaso foreign markets; it is an attempt to keep tho homo market against fair or equal competition from foreign coun. tries." Entering into details, Mr Balfour declined to respect a duty on com cr a general tariff, on principle. It was a question of expediency. Cobden did not object to a shilling duty on corn. Even if extravagance drove Sir H. Campbcll-Bannerman to a general ad valorem tariff, this would not be inconsistent with free trade. Why should the Unionists quarrel over (bo methods when their opportunity for legislating must be postponed for somo years, possibly for many Y There was no precedent for a party out of power disclosing the details of its programme. Moreover, he did not exclude from tho party those differing from him on luestions of method. He asked tho party to forget small differences of detail and stand unilcd to face tho possibility of.rash or foolish attempts to deal with great constitutional and social issues.

Tarifßte opinions are somewhat dis. appointed, but the Tarillites arc prepared to accept Mr Balfour's leadership of the party. Tiioy urge the need of reorganisation mui (Le formation ot a constructive policy.

[ The "Daily Mail" says it was by far Mr Balfour's clearest utterance, and that it removes all dauger of dissension. Mr Keir Hardic is chairman and Mr Shackletoii deputy chairman of the party of twenty-nine Laborites. Messrs Macdonahl and Henderson are tho Whips. Petitions have been lodged against the return of \ iscount CastlereagU fop Maidstone, and Mr G. L. Williamson for Worcester, Mr J. Wason has been re-elected for Orkney.