New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-14
BALFOUR GAINS SUPPORT.
AID FROM HICKS-BEACH.
Sir Michael and the Premier Speak,
at Bristol.

Bristol. Nov 13.-Premier Balfour was the
principal speaker at a dinner here tonight to
celebrate the anniversary of the birth OF Ed
ward Colston the philanthropist. He devoted
himself principally to the fiscal question, but dld
not advance any new arguments.
Mr.. Balfour spoke appreciatively of Joseph
Chamberlain, who, he said, had given UP every
thing for what he considered the good of the
British Empire. He admitted that the tariff
like the navy, might be abused, but said he
could not see why that consideration should par
the government from using either wisely.
new situation, said the Premier, had arisen
since the present fiscal policy Of the British
Empire had beer established, and further de-
velopments of world conditions were sure to fol-
low It Seemed to him little short of lunacy If
they not only did not the present situation
but if they did not prepare themselves for the
dangers which were foreshadowed
Sir Michael Hicks Beach followed the Premier.
The appearance of the former Chancellor OF the
Exchequer on the same platform with Mr.. Bal
four, although he had declared himself a free
trader, aroused considerable interest and Curl
osity. Sir Michael explained his attitude by &C
cepting as the true diagnosis Mr.. BaIfours be-
/ lief that the present Government had still two
or three years of life in which much useful work
was possible, and by admitting that great injury
had been done to British trade by the protec-
ZIONIST policies of foreign countries.
Sir Michael said he was prepared to accept the
policy Of Mr. Batour laid down in the Premier S
speech at Sheffield He was opposed to both
nlegitimate cheapness and illegitimate dearness
through the operations of tariffs and trusts but
he favored the securing and the maintaining OF
natural cheapness. Sir Michael thought the
government ought TO be armed with the weap-
ons of retaliation. II the choice had to be be-
tween standing on old lines or a genuine change
of fiscal policy he preferred the latter.
In conclusion, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach con-
tended that the question before the Unonist
party was not the authorized programme which
he had steadfastly opposed, but the policy OF
the Premier, and he thought that they should
now patiently await the governments proposals
and strive for unity.
On his arrival at Bristol to-day an address
of welcome was presented to Mr.. Balfour, in
reply TO which he declared it was the intention
of the government in the face of all the difn-
culties raised by the opponents OF the proposed
new fiscal policy which made necessary new
conditions under which the industries OF the
country would be carried on, TO pursue the pain
he had marked out, mot bound by WORKOUT
formulas which had meaning and reality Sixty
years ago, but whose meaning and reality had
been changed by the changing circumstances Oh
the time"
Edward CnIston was a distinguished philan-
thropist who was born on November 10, 17oS. He
founded hospital free school and other chart
ties at Bristol and his birthday anniversary has
been celebrated by the Dolphin Society (Conserva-
ffveo since I749; the Anchor Society UberaD since