New-York tribune., 1908-02-14
THE UNIONIST REVIVAL
Tariff Reform AmoEg GloUemakers
Hints for americans.
London, February ).


stranded high and dry where their wrecked
Marty could never be set afoat; but the water
hss been steadily rising and there ia
vorsble Indications Of their restoration TO power.
Two seats have been in Md-Devon and
South Hereford by outspoken. consistent advo-
cstes &c Mr Chamberlin's tariff policy; Mr..
S-o4lding one OF the most advanced Unionists
in sscai policy IS contesting Worcester against
a Free Trader from Manchester. and every by
election finds the Conservatives prepared with
a. uncon1pronlising candidate to make direct
snpeai for popular support on the main issue OF
TIE necessity for complete change in the sys
-e-- ,.f obtaining revenue for national purposes
ard social reforms.
Before the general election Mr.. Balfour in his
anxiety TO prevent the breaking up of his party.
zes undecided and vague in his leadership The
marty is now united on the tariff question as
the main constructive issue and Balfourism is
good enough Chamberlainisn 70 suit the extreme
P-otectionists. Free Traders the defen-
s,ve IL showing that II is possible TO finance old
age pensions by direct taxation, and the tariff
-efo-rners are marching on
American protectionists can renew their youth
=, listening to the arguments in these English
rv-electfons Points which they laid stress
thirty or forty years ago are raised in what IS
sill Cobden's England with cogency and Vivac-
s-v as though new truths had been discovered
n worcester Mr.. GoJIlding is repeating what
rsed 70 be said by tariff advocates in America
namely that cheapness IS not the only thing IN
The world and that il is more important TO keep
working people employed in home Industries
thaa i is TO be sacrificing everything to the
consumers farthing.
re is asking them whether it is an advantage
- have prices shade lower if they out Of
-ro-x 2 good part Of the year and unable to
es-n living wages The argument has increased
force from the local conditions Worcester IS
-be centre of industries once prosperous but
nov declining. The porcelain works brickyards
sra iron foundries hold their ground. but the
-sr,eries have been closed. owing to American
connection. milling with its by-products, has
zfsa7Deared from the Severn and Terne valleys,
The hop industry has been ruined and the manu-
<sct--re Of gloves has fallen of
CIdcirle American politicians who remember
RE controversies raised over the defence Of
C;lcve-sviIle and its industry would be highly
entertained by the speeches now TO be heard IN
Worcester = In their time the loudest outcrles
ra--e from tourists returning from Europe, who
had been buying cheap gloves in England ana
considered II iniQuitous that the general BODY
of consumers should be taxed for the sake OF
h,il5ing up q rival industry in America III
Worcester. where there were a hundred glove
factories half century ago. there are now not
he'd II the district letters are read from Glow
e-Svf-Ie 10 show how prosperous the American
t,sus--- has become since il received adequate
-s-f= r~oYecrior The duties were taken OF III
England Is far back as 1850, and gloves have
bazn steadily falling il price; but German and
E-a7-r manufacturers have taken possession
Of The trade and captured the English market
When The Manchester Free Trader addresses
working people outside the few remaining 1ac-
tories and seeks 20 convince them tnat cheap
-ass K 7-e greatest blessing under heaven, and
-har in spite Of high foreign tariffs they are still
e---fo-ed II. making gloves for export they are
e--7+s-io IN expressing their dissent ard disap-
---vs- T--Derience has shown them that expert
r-1rsh gloverlakers have no defence against
r5ear4- Continental labor, and that they are
either half employed OF out Ct work altogether
.z--=A -rev have lost control OF the home mar
ker IS vel as their grip upon foreign trade
On This question q employment that tariff
refo--re-z like AIr. Goulding. one OF MI ShaEn-
rersf--z most trusted lieutenants- are laying the
.-,-zez- stress. The argument has driving
to-,a when the horde Of. unemployed is steadily
Increasing in The United Kingdom and Free
TO-. s7,-a----7enr does not know what TO do
--=-- - certainly the army OF the unemployed
* - likely 70 diminish so long as foreign couh-
--5az -ro-=cr their own markets and send their
z.-rl-e stocks Of manufactures 10 England ana
81 --=u inevitably increase II Liberal ministers
.-o-.e4 in 47snciug old age pensions At he eX-
,,s-ze ~ +rrar7a raxpayers and of nlillonaires,
-sz--r or dead. ard in converting the Kingdom
mo : refuge for European paupers-
II C-o,Iding as tariff reformer stands tor
he Broadening Of the basis OF taxation 20 1adt
--e-z VIII be resources for the defence II the
nu--e market and for the expansion OF over
sess "a de through reciprocity with the colonies
s-z --se-o-=a-fo-s with and retaliation against
foreign countries. He advocates changes of the
4s7s- system which VIII help TO keep working
ueor1e sr,rioved and 10 prevent their becoming
> r-a~rz 71pon ratepayers. and when social re
firms ara ro be financed he would obtain the
-7or4-- ny revenue tariff. 10 which foreign man
,,<so-v-z-s would steadily contribute
v-hs.5e- ne Worcester seat is carried Ipr
ts-ff reform OF for Manchester Cobdenisna the
Conservative party after a prolonged 1elnorai-
szfrz struggle Is now committed without reserve
- E- cham berlain's ideas The party Is deh-
-j-ar,, 7Ie6ged 70 take up the tariff question
.ber = returns TO power Stragglers who haVt
oprosz5 This constructive policy viii find II eX-
rre--e~ difficult II not impossible, 10 secelVe
nominations from the regular organization i'r
he next general elections. The Unionists have
tie mass of their followers benlno lleil' Ailu
e-e steadily making converts. as the trend u
the rv-eIectiors now unn1istaka dlScIo7es-
rtfea corozrr7,crize policy that appeals strong
y m i-lperiaIists anxious to bring the colonies
irto closer relations with the mother country
sr6 M less forcibly 10 taxpayers oppressed ny
The crushing weight OF direct levies upon tnen-
L also enables T-nionist candidates, like MT
csopfs5re- n meet working people on their own
ground IA talk about the necessity for Keeping
them fully employed rather than sWartns OF
cbesDe~ workers 2 broad and TO show how easily