On Friday, May 156, Mr. Balfour told the deputation of
Members of Parliament and representatives of various agri- cultural and other associations that the Government intended to stand firm in the matter of the relief of the people's bread from all taxation. After pointing out how the Corn-tax, owing to its being a tax on feeding-staffs, injured the farmer, Mr. Balfour declared that the great protest made against the tax randered it impossible to regard it, as it was hoped it might be regarded, as a permanent part of our fiscal system. If Protection was ever reintroduced in this country, it could not be by a side-wind. It must be done consciously and openly. Mr. Balfour then went on to speak of Free-trade in the abstract. We need not, however, follow him here, but will only deal with what he said as to the Colonies and a closer union. Apolitical union was not possible just now, but if a fiscal union should prove possible he would look upon its consummation with unfeigned pleasure. "If that were done [i.e., a fiscal union) a trifling duty upon food imports might be part of a general system." But such a movement must come, not from one or two industries, "but from the conscience and intellect of the great body and mass of the people." Till, however, such a general' agreement•was'reachext it was nieless
to maintain a tax which would be the battledore and shuttle- cock of opposing parties.
