IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2615, 24 September 1909, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

GREAT SPEEGH BY MR. BALFOUR.

A TRENCHANT INDICTMENT OP

THE BUDGET

United Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, Sept. 22. Mr Balfour’s speech to-night at Bingley Hall, Birmingham, is eagerly awaited. Mr Joseph Chamberlain listens to the delivery by means of an electrophone installed; at Highbury. (Received September 23, 11.10 p.m.) . LONDON, Sept. 23. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, leader of the Opposition, addressed a gigantic gathering in Bingley Hall, Birmingham. Ten thousand persons were present at the meeting, including 2300 representatives of Unionist and Conservative Associations in the AXidlands. Fifty thousand applications for admission were received. Peers, members of the House of Commons, and candidates filled the platform. Many ladies were present. There was a scene of indiscribable enthusiasm when Mr. Balfour entered with Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain.

A MESSAGE FROM JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN. Mr. Austen Chamberlain read the following messages from his father: “I hope the Lords will see their way to force a general election, and I do not doubt what the answer will be. Mr. Asquith seeks to represent the Budget as an advantage to the working man. [ cannot take this view. The Budget is the last effort of free trado financiers to find gj substitute for tariff reform and Imperial preference. It ij avowedly intended to destroy the tariff reform movement, which T believe to be the necessary remedy for the present want of employment. The Budget will supply us with money, but deprive us of work. Therefore you have to choose between tariff reform, which assists trade, increases employment, and secures a fair contribution to the revenue from foreigners using our markets, and the Budget, which casts fresh burdens on our trade, hampers our industries, and taxes the commonest comforts of our people.” Mr. Balfour declared that the letter just read showed that Mr. Chamberlain was able to give them his matured thought on a great political crisis. Mr. Balfour said that the view that the Budget was a poor man’s Budget was that of a fanatic. If they could abolish poverty by abolishing riches, the social reformer’s task would he easy. He continued: “Any foOl can destroy wealth. Mr. Asquith has initiated doctrines which carry, by implication, the whole socialistic creed. The Budget was not a continuation of the traditions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer during 60 years. It masquerades in old clothes, but they don t fit. If you want to know what the bulk of the supporters of the Budget are thinking, don’t go to Mr. Asquith, or to those he intended to placate last Friday, but go to the candid utterances of his more important colleagues. Mr. Asquith’s version of the Budget was intended for drawing-room use. It was very different to that given in. the street corner oratory of his bustling colleagues.” (Received September 23, 11.30 p.m.)

“SOCIALISM GONE MAD.” Mx. Balfour continued: “Socialistic folly cannot go further than it has in the hands of the present Government. With regard to land, the modern Radical Government says, ‘Let us abandon small land-ownership and only give a small lease ownership.’- That seems socialism gone mad. Security is the very essence of industrial success. You cannot confiscate the property of A without making B tremble in his shoes. It is no use to pass philanthropic legislation if the poor are more injured by the manner you obtain money. You have mobile capital, international capital, ready to move to Amerca, Germany, or England. If he gets his interest it matters little to the capitalist whether he gets it by giving employment in America, Britain, or Germany. Is it all one to the workers of this country? That is the problem you have to consider. I think it is the root the crucial -point, the essential knot, of this controversy. What wo want is business. The policy which gives business is the policy for ie poor man. The rich can laugh at any Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“THE OLD FISCAL SYSTEM HAS BROKEN DOWN.” “When in Birmingham, two yeajs ago I pointed out that, owing tot o pU-sTof expenditure, tl.e need ol finding money would bring home to every thinking man the necessity or an alteration of our fiscal system • Ttat prophecy has come true, ihe oklsjstern has broken down. The old fiscal machinery must be scrapped. It nm intolerable that, while America and Germany were allowed to forge weapons by which they were going to withdraw from our sphere of commercial influence our own colonies, we shotild- sit with folded arms and, hiding behind antiquated formulae, refuse to look the facte in tbe face. (Received' September 23, 11.55 p.m.) Mr Balfour continued: “I confess that I look with amazement, not unmixed uith contempt upon those who, with -perfect equanimity, face a situation which, if allowed to continue, will build up great communities su-rrounded by .own tariff walls, against which w<© will beat in vain, and will see colonics, depend- ■