BRITAIN'S FISCAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 99, 24 May 1909, Page 2

BRITAIN'S FISCAL POLICY.

"TARIFF REFORM MIST COMK'' M'EIXTI BY MR. HALKOUH. I'UEFEI.KXCE WITIIIX THE EMPIRE; Received May 23, 4.30 p.m. London, Murch 23. u\li-. A. J. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, addressing the Women's Unionist and Turin" Reform Association at St. James's Theatre, declared that there was n universal impression among all classes in all parts of the country that tarilV reform had got to come, and was coming, it was impossible to continui idling direct taxation on small section of the community, heaping directlaxali»n on one or two articles of general consumption. If they were thus inevitably driven to some kind of general tariff, it would be folly not to use it for safeguarding our trade and uniting move closely the colonies and ourtelves. The present system, he said, cannot be maintained, alul, if abandoned, it mutt be in the direction of a system enabling us to do what the colonies ask. He dealt with tbe necessity imposed on the Empire by the forces slowly, surely shaping themselves in the various parts of the world, to organise itself in the consciousness of common needs, destinies and perils. The Motherland, he said, must show the colonies that sympathy with their aims and methods which goes bevoml the mere production of a certailn number of ships, guns nnd units, in feeling a common interest for everybody engaged in eommercial and industrial work. Tic added that the colonies demonstrated a desire for fiscal union of the Empire. Are we, he asked, when driven to adopt a system lending itself to preference, going to refuse the preference without our reach, It would oe national madness to pursue such » policy , and he did not believe the country would pursue it.