The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-06-25 00:00:00

THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW
TREATY WITH FRANCE.

The Times (in a leader) looks upon the whole bar-
gaining process as inconsistent with our position as a
free trading country. The settlement of our tariff is
properly our own affair. If we lower the duties on
French wines, or on any other French goods, we ought
to do so because we wish to benefit ourselves as con-
sumers. France is not a free-trading country, and
does not profess to be, She may proceed, therefore, in a
different way from ours in agreement with her own
principles. The puzzle is to find a common ground on
which a bargain of any kind can be concluded between
countries which thus differ. We can make a treaty
only by some sacrifice of principle on our side. The
treaty must be worth the sacrifice ; it must insure, in
some part, the reality of free trade if this country is to
consent to it. If it does not do this we had better at
once look facts in the face, give up the idea of a com-
mercial treaty, consult our own interests, and cease the
attempt to trick our neighbours into a doctrine which
they will not accept, and which we are practically
denying by the very means which we are using to
make it pass current. Every one is remarking how
little progress the world seems to make in the direc-
tion of free trade. Of the great countries of the world
all are protectionist but our own. All are desirous to
increase their trade with foreign countries, but with
an added belief that they gain only by what they
export. A one-sided foreign trade is not possible for
any nation. If France closes her markets to England,
she will by her own act do all she can to close the
English market to herself.

The Times, in its City Article of Tuesday, says :

"In the event, which now appears probable, of the
French treaty nQgotiations falling through, the ques-
tion will necessarily arise whether a prolongation of
the existing state of things is to be arranged for, say
for another period of six months, to give time for
negotiating a new treaty after the French elections; or
whether this country, as regards its export trade to
France, must be prepared. after November next, to
come under the general tariff. As regards the former
alternative, there appears to be some doubt whether
the Executive G'overnment in France has power to
make a treaty of the kind without consulting the
Legislature, and whether, if it does consult the Legis-
lature, the necessary consent will be obtained. The
contingency of our coming under the general tariff
after November next thus becomes one for which our
trading and manufacturing interests should begin to
prepare. It is possible there may be a satisfactory
treaty or a prolongation of the existing state of things,
but as matters are going now the contingency of no
treaty at all ought certainly to be provided against. In.
the end, we have little doubt the effect of France apply-
ing its general tariff will be to promote a free trade
propaganda in that country. The consequences to
French industry in general of a check to the export
trade from France to England will be serious. But a
certain period may have to elapse in which the export
trade from this country to France which has grown up
under the treaty of 1860 and subsequent treaties will
also be subjected to serious inconvenience, if not
worse.

Petitions are being extensively signed in all the
large trading centres in England, praying that "no
commercial treaty with France be concluded without
the public has had an opportunity of considering its
provisions; and that under no circumstances shall any
treaty be concluded without containing a stipulation
enabling Great Britain to withdraw from the same
after one year's notice."