The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-23

Iucid Expis..sien OF . Tvuiy xneeps,As.s
Journsl.

bsucId explanation OF = Truly InNeDen1Hnt
JournaL
Prom ne Pos. Erpre.s
A correspondent has sent us the following
inquiries;
WI yon kindly answer the following questions and
!. England man fro ~ ,r.ds ss so a,nas
Does England impose tax upon any articles import
II so viii You pleas. state what articles,
.. What is meant bv Free Trader"
The phrase FREQ Trade" has three mean
inRs.
The first may be called the natural meaning.
as 1t depends upon tho Specification OF the two
simple words that make up the phrase. It's
trade without limitations or restrictions: and
tho best example OF It, perhaps. Is tho trade
between the States OF our Union.
The second meaning is historical. and It
covers certain political struggles for right
to trade in particular commodities or with
particular countries without interference. For
instance. the contest for free trade in Ireland
In the last century was struggle for freedom
to trade with the colonies, and for freedom to
sell or buy certain commodities. such as wool.
The contest for Free Trade and Sailors
Rights" In this country In 1912. to take an
other illustration. was protest against the
restrictions put upon our commerce by Great
Britain and France. on the plea OF belllgerent
rights. and against the right Of search assert
ed BY the former.
The third meaning Is that technical and
| economical one which our correspondent. no
doubt. asks to have defined. Lot us take two
standard authorities. The Century Diction-
airy defines free trade as follows: "Unre-
| stricted trade: especially. trade or commerce
between different countries free from restric-
tions or customs duties: in narrower or
| more common sense. International trade
FREQ from protective or dlscriminative
duties; trade subject only to such
| tariffs and regulations as arc necessary
for revenue and police" The Encyclo-
pndia Britannica says: Tho phrase Is
| technically used to designate such CONNER
cal intercourse between any particular coun-
try its colonies. and foreign countries, as
gives the maximum Of facilities for reclpro-
| cal exchange. and in the least degree at.
tempts to make fiscal system. the means
for stimulating and assisting domestic in
dustry by protective enactment" The theory
OF free trade as applied by its advocates to
shaping tariff favors the levying OF duties.
for necessary revenue only. on those COM
| modities not produced or not produoible in
the country. and the admission Of all others
| free.
6. Is England free trade countv7
Yes. The legislation carried out by Sir Rob-
Cru 1851 from lo4Z 10 lS4o Is regarded as the
foundation OF q free trade system. 1t repealed
| direct prohibitions against certain imports:
| It made hundreds Of articles to be used in
| manufactures and the arts free: It reduced
the duties on foreign manufactures that como
into competition with homo manufactures;
| and 1t admitted all manner Of agricultural
| produce at a nominal and fixed rate. We
| think 1t is not too much to say that every
vestiee Of protection has been swept away
| einoe.
s. Does England impose a tar on any articles
imported into her countrv2
Yes. Last year Great Britain raised from
| Custom House duties f1e.479.471., Next to
the excise. which brought in 224. Tx. OF. this
was the largest contribution to the national
revenue. The stamp tax contributed s13.413.-
941. and the income tax f13.143.o32 The
whole internal revenue was 1884 POT. as
compared to f19.478. AL customs revenue
1. Dso. 1iH you please state what articles3
| We have not ct hand an official list. but the
best available one. no doubt will serve. Whit
takers Almanac for 1892 gives tho following
articles charged with Custom House duty and
the revenue on them for last year: