Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-09-24

COnCtIulH- BotH INC hihSNSih ~
empire-even the whole commercial
world.
A few months ago, Mr.. Chamber
lain, who is well up toward the front
in British politics, publicly outlined
system of mutual tariff arrange
ments between Great Britain and her
colonies which he defended as not only
promising good economic results but
as tending to knit the empire together
to make it an empire in more than
name only.
AT present, as is well known, the va
rious British colonies scattered over
the globe are virtually self-governing.
They raise their own revenues as they
please and all of them, we believe,
maintain protective tariffs not only
against other nations, but against
England herself. Save Canada, which
shows her slight preference, England
gets no more advantage in the mar
kets of her colonies than do outsiders.
1t is only by paying the same customs
dues and then underselling her com
petitors that she secures colonial
trade.
On the other hand, Great Britain
herself permits free trade in her own
home market, save certain schedules
intended solely for revenue producing
purposes And she, too, shows no
more favor to the products Of her own
colonies than to those of America,
Germany or France.
Chamberlain thinks this is alto
gether wrong He would have a
uniform system throughout the en-
pire-a tariff wall against the outside
world and free exchange within, or
else a reciprocal arrangement by
which the colonies enter the home
market at an advantage over foreign
ers, while the colonies extend similar
favors, The purpose is to save
British trade for the British empire.
Mr.. Chamberlain's scheme, when
proposed, met with storm OF dissent.
The British Isles are strongly attached
to the theory Of free trade. II has
been their policy since 1886 and
under it they have grown vastly in
wealth and commerce. Especially do
the common people look with dis
favor on any project that means more
expensive living. which might follow
the enactment Of any form Of protec-
ton.
In fact, Great Britain has been
anchored to tree trade so long that
no significant portion OF any political
party there favors protection The
present ministry is Unionist, mostly
Tory. Whatever protection senti-
ment there is lies on the side Of the
government. The Liberal opposition
is free trade to a man. SO are
or have been-the great body OF
Liberal Unionists and the Tories
proper.
When Chamberlain outlined his plan
and soughtto make il a government
measure, even the cabinet disavowed
it. Premier Balfour seemed the most
inclined to indorse it, but he has lately
come ont with different scheme
which pleases neither Chamberlain
nor the free traders He wants to let
the colonies alone, but TO have Great
Britain herself establish a system of re-
taliatory tariffs for her own protection
and advantage on manufactured arti-
Giles. Instead of opening the home
market TO all corners freely. he would
show favor only to those who treated
England likewise; others would be
taxed as they tax English importa-
tions.
The breach between Balfour and
Chamberlain is so wide that the latter
prefers to leave the cabinet and seek
endorsement from the people. The
other members got out because, as tree
traders, they win not stand for even
limited protection.
The prospect is that an appeal viii
soon be made % the country. British
elections DO not take place at stated
times like ours, but only when very
important issues arise and a new min
istry is to be formed OF the old one en-
dorsed. The Liberals have been pitt
fully weak OF late years, but the exist
ING crisis gives them hope.
Great Britain is not in an altogether
happy economic position. America
and Germany are pressing her hard
industrially, and the balance Of trade
is ever and increasingly against her
She cannot get into their markets OF
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