The Detroit times., 1909-03-18
DEMAND FOR TARIFF
IS GROWING IN
ENGLAND
6ALFoUR DECLARES THAT THE
UNloNlsT GOVERNMENT MUST
SOON TAKE UP THE QUESTION
or PROTECTION.

LONDON, March lS.-This has been
a week or agitation or the subject oi
fiscal reform as the proposed suo-
stitGte Of protection foI free trade Is
euphemiStically termed
The most important speeches nave
been made, one by the premier, Mr.
Asquith. who delivered a powerful re
ply Ia the charge that capital was
being driven out of the country by
the free-trade policy. and one by the
Hon. n j. Balfour on Friday, N which
the Unionist leader declared that
tariff reform, in other words proteo-
tlon. is the first plank IN the UnionisI
platform ana the first matter 20 which
any Unionist government must ad'
dress itself MI. Balfour had never
gone SO FOR before.
While II Is undoubtedly true that
there has grown UP IA England, as a
result of the prevailing depression III
trade and the increasing volume OF
poverty, 4 strong body OF public opin'
ion favorable 10 the abandonment OF
the free-trade policy which has pre-
vailed for TWO generations, it is by no
means certain tnat a prOtectionist ma
jority will be returned 10 parliament,
or even that the tariff question can be
made the dominant issue in the next
general election.
The correspondent has been at some
pains TO asce rtain the views or lead
ing statesmen on the subject, These
are diverse and inconclusiye. Lord
Avebury says.
There are several subjects OF i'm
mense Importance now before the
country. and | do not think IL pos
sible 10 say confidently which, II any.
will be OF paramount Importance In
the next general election. As a great
er part OF ireland insists on placing
home rule In front We. in Great Britain
shall be forced to de the same. In
some part. however as. perhaps, IN
Lancashire. the contest probably will
be fought on the free-trade issue.
Protection Fallaey.
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 fosterel,
II could only be at the expense OF the
community at large. ! don't think
the country will return a protectionis.
majority. As Unionist | deeply re-
greet that our organizations are for the
most part committing themselves to u
policy which. in my judgment, will
greatly initiate against our success.
Duties must raise prices and make life
more expensive and difficult I cannot
believe that the worSingmen will APP
prove a policy which will certalniy
raise prices on the chance OF rise in
wages"
John A. Bright. son OF the famous
anti-corn law agitator. says:
II think that the agitation for tariff
revival has made some Roadway In 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 buys. Ian
Cashire and Yorkshire, which have
nothing but loss to expect from protec-
tive duties, are for free trade
Il do not think that there will be 9
prot ectionist ma iority in the next gen.
eral election In the towns the tariff
reyiyers preach duties on articles
made there but do not mention tho
tariffs which would raise the price OF
bread and neat m the country they
preach duties on wheat. bacon. eggs.
butter and meat but not on manu-.
featured articles. which the country
people buy Varying propositions are
necessary TO humbig different
classes
Many on Other Side.
Many members of the house, how
ever. hold the opposite opinion. found.
ing their belief on the restlessness OF
the country under the fiscal system
which they regard ~ responsible for
the present depression. AS a matter OF
fact. there IL little sign that the coun-
try is convinced OF the virtues OF pro
lection. but some evidence that IL Is
In the state OF mind OF the sick man
who is willing 10 take any pill in the
hope OF getting better
Sir Felix SChustor, one OF the lead.
ing economists OF Europe. and posi-
b1y MOST fU11y representative or tuD
views OF financiers i'm London. regards
the idea OF protection as most vicious
as applied 70 England. and cannot be
ueNe lnat the country VIII dtttpl IT..
This financier's point OF view is that
England ran only retain strength, i'm
portance and prosperity by safeguard
ing her position as the worlds banker
and carrier. and continuing 10 carry on
worldwide trade with the fewest pos
sible restrictions
SIR Felix is very much interested, 10y
the way. IN the subject OF a banking
center !Ie hopes for the sake OF Am
erica that II may be long time before
New York becomes the worlds chief
money market lie would regard such
an event as a sure sign OF degeneration
OF America and Americans. OF exhaus'
cd resources and energy The deVel'
opment of American resources, he
said should absorb all American sur.
plus and capital for many years 10
come
Sir Felix added that money had no
business to be cheap in the United
States.
LOCATES FATHER
AETEP of WEARS