New-York tribune., 1909-01-17
TRIPLE TARIFF SYSTEM
LOWEST FOR COLONIES.
Commission to 4dUiSe Ma1iDlunp
and Minimum Schedule.
Especial by French Cable to The Tribune.

London Jan 16.-Walter Long starts to-day
for South Africa, his health. as well as arthur
BaIfours. having been broken down his
leaves Austen Chamberlain and George Wynd-
ham On guard, with Bonar Law behind them'
while the Liberals are renewing Their attach
While the opposition is not well otcered' II Is
bringing forward a fresh stock OF ammunition
The Tariff Commission has provided strong re-
port or the condition of the engineering trade.
with practical evidence OF the necessity for a
change OF fiscal policy. This closes an elaborate
series Of Investigations relating to special in
dustries The commission viii sum up the
results in a final report and recommend an all
around tariff as the policy urgently required Tor
revenue purposes, for defence and for the revival
OF commercial and productive interests.
II is not yet settled whether uniform percent
ages on all manufactured goods will be favored
but 1t is fairly certain that the commission VIII
sdvise the introduction of triple tariff system
with the lowest schedule for the colonies and
maximum and minimum schedule for foreign
imports There will be no lack of ammunition
for tariff reform, but there is no general stan
for conducting a vigorous campaign The
sunslterns are doing effective service without
generals in command to inspire enthusiasm
The government will have a fresh supply OF
Blue Books when Parliament meets. A report
from the Poor Law Commission is hoped for
and one from the Coast Erosion and Ahoresta-
ton Commission. already out, has a practical
bearing on the question Of unemployment since
the commission is virtually united IN taYorlns
systematic measures for the reclamation OF
waste land and the restoration OF the forests.
u IS a unique report. of far-reachng Importance
which must involve legislation There is no evi-
Ssence that the subject Of contTibutory aid from
workers sick funds or the invadity Of pensions
Is under serious consideration in any ministerial
office YET il is a safe inference from Winston
Churchill-s birmingham speech that social re
forms viii be continued If the government re
mains in Office after the budget is produced and
the Lords do not venture to reject it.
The ministers are not borrowing unnecessary
trouble over the future. The Prime Minister Is
brooding in silence over the risks Of general
election Sir Edward Grey is salmon fishing IN
Joerthshire. Mr.. Lloyd-George is amusing him
self at the Riviera, Mr.. Birrell is exchanging
scrid Jokes with Lord Dunraven over the Irish
,ronosal 10 make Gaelic a compulsory subject
for rnatricuIation in the new Roman Catholic
university and Mr.. Churchill is spelling for a
fight without being allowed to sound his war
cry Land taxing and not bread taxing.
While each party is challenging the other to
bring on a general election, neither Liberals nor
Tories are prepared or anxious for an appeal to
the country this year. Yet an election may
come suddenly. Conditions in India seem to re-
Quir. he presence Of Lord Kitchener for an IN
definite period. since he has originated and car
ried out the system Of massing the British forces
instead of scattering them. Yet he is not likely
to remain for more thar six months in command
CT the army. The War Secretary Mr. Haldane,
has q scheme for the formation of an imperial
general staff and wants Lord Kitchener TO or
ganize It. The latter is entitled to a long hoh-
day after his prolonged service in Egypt South
Africa and India, and has planned a leisurely
tourney TO Australia China, Canada and Amer
sca But he is reported to be willing to take up
Mr. Haldane's new work and create an efficient
staff for the empire. l. y. +.