Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-01
CHAMBERLAlN'S PLAN.
ne Makes the Mistake of Mixing up
Protection and Reciprocity.

ne Makes the Mistake of Mixing I'm
Protection and Reciprocity.
The London cable Of July 20 brings
the news that as the result OF its pro-
traeted investigation Of industrial CON
ditions the tariff commission of man
ufacturers and business men appoi-ted
by Joseph Chamberlain several months
ago has submitted a 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 a 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 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 10 secure freer
trade within the British empire.
"A maximum tariff consisting of
comparatively higher duties, but gb-
ject 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.
II 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 10 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 tariff
rate that would make II 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 needlessly and unwisely com
plicated by a scheme Of preferential
and retaliatory duties. II would be
better, we think. 10 do one thing at a
time, 10 Ego slow and learn TO peddle."
The immediate dilemma is the success
full invasion Of the United 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 diff
Guilty will have been removed. The ex-
perience OF the Oulttu ClaAto uAAdel
adequate protection should have been
sufficient 10 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 a
means Of reviving British industry Isl
taken for granted by the Chamberlain
commission. There is no doubt that
such a need exists, and there ought to
be no serious difficulty in impressing
that fact upon the British mind. Il is
TO be feared, however, that Mr.. Cham
berlain has bitten of too large a chunk
OF the fiscal question when be under
takes TO revive British industry and by
means Of preferential and retaliatory
tariff secure a tight grip on colonial
trade all at one operation. He is ask.
ing great deal when he asks the
British people TO swallow so large and
so complicated a proposition at a single
gulp.