New-York tribune., 1908-05-17

went heavily against him at the last general
elections, and the Liberal government comes in
the trustee of Free Trade. The Asquith
Ministry now finds working England equally
critical and suspicious Can old age pensions
and other social reforms be financed under Free
Trade? That IS the question for which min
isters must provide a practical solution. II
there are resources remaining under the pres
ent fiscal system for giving organized labor
what it wants. there is likely to be a rapid con-
version OF the masses to tariff reform. Ministers
perceive this. and are committed irrevocabIy TO
social reforms. which will involve a vast in
crease of national expenditures.
While taxpayers are appalled, by the prospect.
Free Traders under no illusions respecting
the trend of government social legislation. They
fear that while it may help ministers TO remain
in office by prolonging the coalition between
Liberalism and labor, it Will inevitably lead to
a reverson TO protection A small beginning
may be made with pensions under the existing
tariff, but sooner or later there will be an en-
largement Of the system. and the money re-
quired for it can come only through the broad
ening OF the basis Of taxation. The wedge NAV
not go far into the green tree. 1t will be driven
deep into the dry tree The cost of pensioning
the superannuated will increase with cr1uula-
tive force from year to year the lists are en-
larged and the sef-respect and thrifty habits Of
the working class are undermined by the nom
cohtributory system If the bulk of the expense
falls upon local taxation. rate PAYERS will bs
heaFHy purdened. and income tax payers will be
IN open revolt If they have to supply the annual
grants Indirect taxation by means of a general
tariff will be the natural alternative for inada-
qua1e sources OF revenue under Free Trade
Liberalism, with its costly social reforms is
likely to bring about tariff reform with a r,,sb
oio-Iashloned Cobdenites, who hold and freaIv
express such views of the governments no1iciss
ana thelr probable results. not satisfied with
ilusive attempts OF Liberal journals to expIain
away Or JOHN brunneTs plea for government
aclioh Ior the benefit of industries and COM
merce They consider that he was merely re-
peahns phrases of Mr.. Loyd-George and that
"hile ne dld not mention bounties for fscilitat-
ing proouctlon exchange or export ne had i'm
mind government Intervention of some kind b,-
which artificial conditions would be created
They hold that the interests OF consumers will
not be promoted by the administration or ,.ur.
In favor OF producers and traders and that the
cheapening of transport by the deveIopnent OF
waterways and the naturalization of RAILWAYS
or any other expedients for making Free Trade
more pusinessllke and wholesome. will be at the
cost OF The main body OF taxpayers. Doctrfnaires
REJECT tnese proposals as fatal compromises
They insist that trade must be left TO Regulate
itself under private enterprise, free competf.ion
and unrestricted imports. Any departure From,
oldtime Cobdenisrn they consider protectionisr,
in particularly mischievous and insidious form,
They Will not hear OF so dishonorable a BETRAYAL
OF the Free Trade cause! They assert With great
force that IL would be more reputab Bile for tn
Liberals TO propose a constructive policy It5
MIR. Chamberlains for uniting the states or III
empire. defending the home market SUPPLYING
British workers With employment and largely in
creasing the Treasury receipts than TO stimulate
and foster Industries by artihciaI and costly
methods
No foreigner can look while these discus
sions are in progress without being convinced
that the end OF Free Trade is close at hand
Liberalism must finance social reforms. or il
will lose the support of Radicals and working
men, and when the cost of old age pensions and
other schemes is tecSoned immense increase
OF revenue must he provided and it is not easy
TO see how that can be done by a general
tariff. The resources of Cobdenisu have been
exhausted higher tarin really seems neces-
sary. II social reforms To he taken up de.
liberately and scientifically The Uuicni,t PARTY
Is nov under pledge to supply this broader reve-