The Detroit times., 1909-03-18
DEMAND FOR TARIFF
IS GROWING IN
ENGLAND
HALFouR DECLARES THAT THE
uNioNIsT GOVERNMENT MUST
SOON TAKE UP THE QUESTION
OF TARIFF.

LONDON, March ls.-This has been
u week of agitation of the subject ~
fiscal reform" as the proposed sub
stitute OF protection for free trade -
euphemistically termed
The most important speeches have
been made, one by the premier. Mr..
AsQuits, who delivered powerful re-
ply 10 the charge that capital Was
being driven out OF the country by
the free-trade policy. and one by the
Hon. A. J. Balfour on Friday, in which
the unionist leader declared that
tariff reform, in other words protee-
ton. is the nrst plank IN the unionist
platform ana the first matter to which
amy Unionist government must adj
dress itself Mr.. Balfour had never
gone go for before.
While il is undoubtedly true that
there has grown up In England, as
result OF the prevailing depression In
trade and the increasing volume o.
poverty, strong body OF public opin-
ion favorable 10 the abandonment or
the free-trade policy which has pre-
vailed for two generations, II is by no
means certain that protectionl5t ma
jority will be returned TO parliament,
or even that the tariff question can be
made the dominant issue in the next
general election.
The correspondent has been at some
Lains TO ascertain the views OF lead
ing statesmen on the subject. These
AIRED Verse anti iHeoheiHstve. Eord
Ayebury says
There are several subjects OF i'm
mense Importance nov before tue
country. and | 40 In not think II pos
sible 10 say confidently which. II any,
viii be OF paramount Importance III
the next general election. As great
er part or ireland insists on placing
home rule In front We. in Great BritaiA
shall be forced 60 do the same. In
some part. however. as perhaps, IN
Lancashire the contest probably Will
be fought on the free-trade issue.
Protection a Fallacy,
My impression is that large mum
bers of our Countrymen have been
captivated by spurious idea OF pro
tecting native industries. Those, how
ever, who have looked underneath the
surface realize that, though no doubt
certain industries might be fostered,
IL could only be al the expense OF the
community AT large | don't think
the country will return protectlonist
majority AS Unionist deeply re.
greet that Our organizations are for the
most part committing themselves TO a
policy which In my judgment. Will
greatly initiate against our success.
Duties must raise prices ana make life
more expensive and difficult. ! cannot
believe that the workingmen vii! ap'
prove policy which Will certainly
raise prices on the chance OF rise in
wages"
John A Bright. son OF the famous
anti-corn law agitator, says:
Il think that the agitation for tarir
revival has made some Roadway III the
southern counties and among various
manufacturers. who feel foreign com
petition. Each one wants his own
trade protected. but he doesn't want
to pay more for what he boys. Lar
cashire and Yorkshire. which have
nothing but loss 10 expect from protec-
tive duties are for free trade.
II do moi think that there will he n
rrotectionist majority in the next gen
eral election. In the towns the tariff
levivers preach duties on articles
tariffs which would raise the price CT
bread aud meat, In the country they
preach daties on wheat. bacon, eggs.
butter and meat. bu. not on manu-
featured articles. which the country
people buy. Varying propositions are
necessary to humbus different
classes"
Many on other Side.
Many members OF the house, how
ever. hold the opposite opinion. FOUND.
Ing their belief on Their estlessness or
the country under the fiscal system
which they regard rs responsible Tor
the present depression. AS a matter OF
fact, there is little sign that the coun-
try is convinced OF the virtues OF pro
-tection.- some evidence mat II -
In The state OF mind OF me SICK WHT
who isw Ming to take any pill in the
hope OF getting better
Sir Felix Schustor, one of the lead
ing economists OF Europe and posi-
bly, most fully representative OF the
views OF fnanciers I'm London. regards
the idea OF protection as most vicious
as applied To England, and cannot be
lieye thai the country will accept H..
This financiers point OF view is that
England can only retain strength. i'm
portance, and prosperity by safeguard
ing her position as the worlds banker
and carrier, and continuing to carry on
world. wide trade with the fewest pos
sible restrictions
Sir Felix is very much Interested. Dy
the way. in the subject OF banking
center Ie hopes for the sake of Am.
erica that IL mag be q long time before
New York DeCUmeB the worlds chief
money market He would regard such
an event as a sure sign of degeneration
of America and Americans, Of exhaus, a.
ed resources and energy The devel.
opment of American resources. ne
said. should absorb all American sur
illus and capital for many years to
come.
Sir Felix added that money had no
business TO be cheap in the United
States.
circumstantial Evidence.
W.. nasead In tho courap OF an