IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2709, 13 January 1910, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

SPEECHES OF POLITICAL LEADERS.

United Peess Association —Copyright LONDON, Jan. 11.

Mr. Birrell, in a speech at Bristol, ■described an Empire tariff 'reform scheme with preferential treatment of the colonies as sheer madness. It would 'be, he said, rank folly to abandon the present policy, which had made the (Country so prosperous. He favored the disestablishment .and disendowinent of the English Church. ./ ' Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Edinburgh, condemned the recent attempts to create a panic about the possibility of war with Germany. The increasing •of the naval expenditure had produced no coolness between tlie two Governments, but doubtless had an effect on the press and public opinion, resulting in a certain amount of anxiety regarding the future. Eventually some agreement of a perfectly voluntary nature might be arrived at. In time the German programme would be completed, and there would be an ascertained proportion between the navies of the two ■countries, which might put the rivalry in naval expenditure at rest. Mr. Balfour, speaking at Aberdeen, said that -the inumber c<F landlords ought to be greatly increased. Small holdings could not prosper without the stimulus of ownership. Referring to tariff reform, he declared that the producer might be considered more than the consumer. The money invested abroad was not wasted 1 , but Britain benefited far more by the production due to British capital employing British labor.

Mr Haise, a Liberal candidate, is hurrying from Afghanistan to fight for the Bristol West seat.

An active campaign on behalf of Mr Will Crooks is proceeding at Woolwich, pending his arrival from Australia.

MR. LYTTELTON ON COLONIAL PREFERENCE.

(Received January 12, 9.15 p.m.)

LONDON, Jan. 12

Mr. Alfred Lyttelton f speaking at Wolverhampton, said that Australia’s business with Britain amounted to £7 5s nor head annually, compared with 13s' 3d for the United States, and os 9d for Germany. Germany, with' a population of 60 millions, did business amounting to 29 millions sterling with Britain, while Australasia, with- a- population equal to that of London, did 20 millions sterling. The sole obstacle o the closer knitting of the Empire in commercial bonds was the belief that colonial preference involved taxation. He was fully prepared to admit that, in order to get effective preference, there should be a low duty, not upon colonial wheat, but on foreign. The Fear that this would increase the price to the people was groundless. What determined the price of bread was a sufficient supply of home and colonial wheat, and sufficient competition to keep down the price. The wheatgrowing area of Canada alone was sufficient to supply the consumption of the whole world. In addition, Britain had reserves in India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Further, lie believed that the United States would pay the revenue a, substantial sum in order to have the privilege of continuing to supply a portion of the British market. “THE TIMES” ELECTION FORECAST. (Received -January 12, 11.55 .p.m.) The “Times,” summarising every constituency, forecasts \134 Unionist gains, three Liberal gains, and 88 doubtful contests. It adds that the Unionists will probably gain 17 seats in London. A FREE TRADE SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. Mr. Asquith, speaking at Ipswich, replied to Mr. Balfour’s Aberdeen •speech. He said it was vital to maintain a perfectly open market whereby Britain was better able to overleap tariff barriers than countries adopting retaliation. The enormous industrial advance of Germany was not due to tariffs, but to education and organisation.