The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-06-11
Balfour's Speech.

Balfour's Speech.
It was 1920 o'clock tonight when
Premier BaIfOur sprang to his feet 10
reply 10 the taunts Of the opposition
and appeals from his own party.
The premier was loudly cheered- he
had scarcely begun TO deal with Nj.
Chaplin's amendment before he was
Interrupted with a hurricane Of ap-
pIause at the entry of Mr.. Chamber
lain. who had been absent hitherto
throughout the evening The colonial
secretary dropped into his accustomed
place The house was now packed
with peers. members Of the house and
spectators as it has not been since the
days of home rule In whimsical VEN
Mr. Balfour explained that the onIy
reason that the corn tax was put on
was because the government wanted
moI=ey, and the only reason II was
taken off was because the government
wanted money no longer
Premier Was Vehement.
Reverting to the charges Of vacciIa-
ton made against him. the premier
took on a tone of unusual vehemence-
He declared that he himself. though
a believer in free trade (Which state
ment met with loud applause), did not
regard it as a fetish and ne had an
absolutely open mind regarding the
necessity for any alteration IN Sys-
TEN which was founded to suit cOndl-
tions of fifty years ago. He refused
not only to make a statement Of any
finality upon such an important ques-
ton. but he also refused to compel MS
colleagues to conform to standard OF
opinion upon which he himself had an
open mind
He admitted that differences of opin-
ion existed within the cabinet. but these
were not serious enough TO cause the
resignation of any member
Present Conditions.
Mr.. Ba1feur made an imprisoned plea
enforced by the preCedeutS Of friction IN
Mr. Gladstones ministries. for allowing
the premier TO retain an open mind upon
a question 50 difficult and so superior TO
any party issues The speaker did not
believe the COEntry would ever return 10
on food was ever imposed without the
full assent of the working classes Ihey
were confronted however, continued the
premier. by three great phenomena-huGe
tariff walls against the United Kingdom,
the growth of trusts and the desire OF the
colonies for closer fiscal union with the
mother country. These factors could not
be ignored He maintained that the
method of starting a public discussion
was the only way to deal with these pne-
nOmena. though he did not commit HIM
self to Mr.. Chamberlain more advanced
programme
Could Not Be Ignored.
II would be folly and rashuesS, he said,
tc interfere with the great system which
had been III operation for so many years
without the most careful examination ana
without due regard for history and the
traditions of the past. while at the same
time they could not ignore those new
problems which the ever changing race
of industrial life presented for decision
and the action of statesmen
This uonCOmmittaI speech and appeal
made with all the elOquence and mag
nptiSn which MI. BalfOur yields 50 sue
cessfulIy for an open mind in the cabi-
net, brought forth constant cheering
throughout Mr. Chamberlain sat beside
the leader Of the house beaminS with
satisfaction
Bannerman's Reply.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, the
liberal leader briefly replied. appealing
for an opportunity for the public to more
fully discuss the issue raised He said
one member of the government was pre-
pared to make q revolution in the COM
tryS fiscal system. question on Wnlcu
the next general elections should be de-
cided. This appeal elected no response
on the part OF the government The
to vote against Henry Chaplins amend
ment. the general comment being Bal
four has saved Chamberlain
The colonial secretary. himself JubiiaHt,
said: Our friend, the enemy, IS non
pluSSed this time.
With the exception of some irritable
comments. the uniOniSt party Is CREAMY
relieved by the outcome OF the DEBATE
all the members expressing gladnesS tlat
the crisis is passed. at the same time De-
lieving that the same cabinet could not
long continue to embrace such opposition
on the fiscal policy of Great Britain as
that of Colonial Secretary Cr1n berlaln
and Chancellor of the EXcheGuer hitchle-