Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-08-26
CHAMBERLAIN'S PLAN.
| He Makes the Mistake of Mixing Up
| Protection and Reciprocity.


Protection and Reciprocity.
The London cable of July 20 brings
the news that as the result of its pro-
tracted investigation of industrial con-
ditions the tariff commission of man
ufacturers and business men appointed
by Joseph Chamberlain several months
ago has submitted q 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 the home markets by means
of high tariffs and an organized system
regulating Their export trade; that they
are in n position to dump their surplus
products on the British and other mar
kets 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
edied by a system of tariffs arranged
as follows:
"a general tariff consisting of a low
scale of duties for foreign countries
admitting British wares on fair terms.
"a differential tariff, lower than the
general tariff, for the colonies, giving
adequate preference to British manu-
features and framed to secure freer
trade within the British empire.
"a maximum tariff consisting OF
comparatively higher duties, but sub
iect to reduction by negotiation to the
level of the general tariff"
The report. which is signed by fifty
eight commissioners, is very bulky and
gives the evidence of British manufac-
turers, the evidence given before the
United States industrial commission
on iron and steel industries, the organ
ization and working of German kartels,
a vast amount of statistics, etc.
1t would seem that Mr.. Chamber
lain's tariff commission has taken a
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-
bend protection in its full purpose and
scope Too much is undertaken at one
time. Instead of presenting to the
| British mind the plain question Of so
/ changing the fiscal system as to insure
! the home producer the benefits Of the
/ home market by the adoption of a tariff
/ rate that would make it 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 ncedlessly and unwisey COM
plcated by a scheme Of preferential
and retaliatory duties. 1t would be
better, we think, TO do one thing at a
time, TO go slow and learn to peddle."
The immediate dilemma is the success
full invasion of the Lnited Kingdom
by foreign competitors. The immediate
solution should be how to shut out
this injurious competition and give
British labor employment. This ac-
complished, a large part of the dill
Guilty will have been removed. The eX'
perience of the United States under
adequate protection should have beer
sufficient to demonstrate beyond ques
ton that the preservation Of the home
market is the first great step toward
the gaining and holding of foreign
markets.
The British need of protection as &
means of reviving British industry i:
taken for granted by the Chamberlain
commission. There is no doubt tina
such Il need exists, and there ought t
be no serious difficulty in impressins
that fact upon the British mind. 1t Il
to be feared, however, that Mr.. Cham
hprlai has hittpn off tOO large n chIul
of the fiscal question when he under
takes to revive British industry and b!
) means of preferential and retaliator,
tariff secure tight grip on colonia
! trade all at one operation. He is ask
t ing great deal when he asks tn
British people to swallow 50 large anC
so complicated proposition at singh