A CONSERVATIVE GATHERING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7967, 19 February 1906, Page 5

A CONSERVATIVE GATHERING.

~ THE POSITION BETWEEN ATESSKS BALFOUR AND CHAMBERLAIN. NO COMPROMISE ARRIVED AT. LONDON, February 16. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, ex-Premier, presiding at a moeting of 650 Peers, Commoners, and defeated candidates, at Lnnidowne House, the town residence of the Marquis of Lausdowne, recommended reorganisation throughout the coun try, aud a closer understanding between the Conservative central offloaa. Success he declared, depended on a united constructive policy and the maintfuance of Unionist principles. The Duke of Norfolk, in moving a vote of confidence in Mr Balfour's Jea'lership, appealed for such efficient criticism and opposition to attacks on principles in the House of Commons, as to enable the Lords when necessary to exercise their constitutional duty. Colonel Saundorson, member for North Armagh, seconded the motion. The Duke of Devonshire saw no reason, if a modus vivendi on the fiscal question could be devised for the lifetime of the present Parliament, why tbey should not aoo together in reasonable harmony. Mr Balfour's speech, on Monday, at the banquet to the City members implied that methods wero open to discussion till the time for practical action arrived, but correspondence disclosed that compromise would not be satisfactory to Tariffites, Retaliators or Freetraders. Mr Ohamoerlain replied that to shelve the question of tariff reform for five years would sound the death-knell of the policy and the party. He denied that the decision come to by himself aud Mr Balfour was a compromise—it was a definition. Viscount St. Aldwyns (formerly Sir Michael Hioks-Beaoh) supported retaliation and an open Colonial Conference. He admitted that the definition did not commit the party to a general tariff or a tax on corn, but he asked for fair play for those who were unprepared to commit themselves ou the latter point, Mr Balfour informed Lord Hugh Cecil that he did not interfere with the constituencies' choice cf candidates, but if he were asked for bis advice he would prefer a candidate not offering a divided allegiance. The motion of confidence in Mr Balfour was carried unanimously with enthusiasm.