It may be taken for certain that the Government mean
to establish Imperial Preference, and under the new conditions we have no opposition whatever to offer. Tariffs that were undesirable once will now be required for revenue purposes, and it is only right that such reductions of tariffs as are feasible should be made In favour of our own kith and kin. As a matter of fact, under the new conditions Imperial Preference gives hostages to Free Trade. Under Imperial Preference the lighten- ing of tariffs is recognized as a good in itself, and the lightening which is made in the first instance in favour of the Dominions can'gradually be exercised in favour of the nations most closely allied with no. The removal of all unnecessary tariffs is the ideal at which Free Traders will always aim, and at which the-system of Imperial Preference will give them the right to aim.
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