Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-09-15

Ic Makes the Mistake of Mixing U
Protection and Reciprocity.

Protection and Reciprocity.
The London cable Of July 20 brings
he news that MS the result Of its pro-
iractcl investigation Of industrial con-
,,itions the tariff commission OF man
ufncturt.s and business men appointed
by Joseph Chamberlain several months
ago has submitted report embodying
the conclusion that the decline OF the
British iron and steel industry Is due
to the fact that the manufacturers OF
America and Germany have secured
control of til" home markets by means
of high tariffs an , an organized system
regulating their export trade; that they
are in Il POSITION 10 dump their surplus
products on the British and other mar
kcts irrespective Of cost. and that the
dumping could not be carried on except
for the British system Of free imports.
The commission expresses the opinion
that the situation can only be rem
edicd by system of tariffs arranged
rs follows:
"A general tariff consisting OF low
| scnlc Of duties for foreign countries
admitting British wares on fnir terms.
"A dincrCn;ial tariff, lower than the
general tariif. 70. the colonies. giving
adequate pr ference to British manu-
| features aud framed to secure freer
trade within the British empire.
"a maximum tariff consisting OF
comparntivo.y higher duties, but sub
| ject to reduction by negotiation 10 the
| level of the general tariff"
The report. which is signed by fifty
eight COMM -sioNcrs. Is very bulky and
gives the evidence of British manufac-
turers, the evidence given before the
L ted Sta cs Industrial commission
on iron and steel industries, the organ
izaton and working of German kartcls,
a vast amount of statistics, etc.
1t would seem that Mr.. Chamber
lain's tariff commission has taken
narrow and imperfect view of the gen
eral subject Of protection and that our
British cousins have much to learn
before they are able to compre-
hend protection in It's full purpose and
scope. 100 mitch is undertaken at one
time. Instead of presenting to the
British mind the plain question of so
Z,
the home producer the benefits of tho
home market By the adoption OF tariff
rate that would make 1t impossible for
foreign producers to dump their sur
plus on the British market, which
would have been an excellent start
along the right road. the Chamberlain
plan is nccdl"ssly and unwiscly COM
plicatcd by Il scheme Of preferential
and retai,atory duties. 1t would be
better, VIC think. 10 do one thing Ut "
, lime. to "co slow and learn to peddlo.
The immediate dilemma is the success
'ul invasion Of the njtcd Kingdom
Nv foreign competitors. The immca.G;,
solution should be how to shut OF
mis- injurious competition ana give
British labor employment. Tbs &C.
omplish"I. a large part Of The diia
ulty will have been removed. The eN
ncricnco OF Ne United States under
,dcquatc protection should have b"'i
sufficient 10 demonstrate beyond qucs
ton that tic preservation OF the home
market is the first great step TOWARD
the gaining AID holding of foreign
: markets.
The British need of protection ms {
means Of rcviring British industry /:
taken for granted by the Chamberlain
T. commissions There is no doubt tina
y such n need exists. ard there ought It
i be no serious difficulty in impressln'
that fact upon the British mind. 1t Il
TO be feared, however that MIR. Cham
q bcrlain has bitten off too large chunl
Il Of the fiscal question when lie under
Il takes to revive British industry and b.
" means of preferential and rctaiiator.
tariff secure Il tight grip on colonia
I trade ell at one operation. He Is ask
I ing "A great deaf when he asks tn
u British uouplt TO swallow so large AM
Z so complicated Il proposition at singl
{ gulp.