New Britain herald., 1916-03-31
ENGLAND TORN ON
 TARIFF QUESTION
Bonar Law Strong Advocate Of
 Protection for Britain

l of the government, Mr. Mckenna, directs fiscal policy and frames tariff legislation and MT. Bonar Law, Min ! ister of Colonies, have given an idea of the government attitude on the agitation which has been sweeping Manchester, Birmingham and the great industrial centers, for a com plete oVerturning of British policy giving free open markets for foreign goods, and the inauguration of new policy of tariff restriction. Elements Opposed.
 The two ministers represent the two extremes of sentiment within the governm ent on this fundamental question of British policy, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer beIong nging to the Golden element. strongly at tached to the traditional doctrine of open markets, and Bonar Law rep resenting the later element which took up Joseph Chamberlain's cam upaign for protection of home indus tries. Each has made an address re- gently, showing how both sides of the government approach the. same conclusion that the war has changed everything and has opened the way for new economic policy. The two ministers differ however, in one re- spect, MT. Bonar Law holding that in the change to a tariff basis i've must begin on a new basis and put aside all preconceived ideas, while MT. McKenna maintains that pro- posed tariff changes will be the re- of 9 lightment from the war, rather than a surrender of old ideas.
 About Free Trade.
 "I believe,' said MT. Mckenna, that upon the great issue which once divided the nation Gree trade) prob ably the opinions of most of us re- main unchanged. But it does not follow, because upon that great is sue the stand where we stood before -basing our opinions, each according to his own lights, on theoretical prin- ciples-that there is not a very large field for common agreement between us. It does not follow, though trade may be free. that the help of the government should not be given to assist our traders. We are prepared. and we have already shown in way which I am not yet able to state VIC are prepared, 10 give the assistance of the government to the development of foreign trade in or der to ensure that those rivals who are now our bitter enemies shall not have the control of foreign trade which they have enjoyed in the past.
 "I do not fear that the spirit and resources of our manufacturers and merchants and bankers will fail us. n act hoc 1o; that the government has not given the assistance in distant parts of the world which was rendered by other governments in similar circum- stances. It may be that the policy which is right at one time is not right at another. And it may be that we have to learn that the policy of government assistance becomes nc cessary to procure the development of what you might call the master trades and to secure the extension of our commercial influence through neutral countries I hope that wis dom may come to us all and that in true spirit of give and take we may get to a complete understand. ing"
 Law Favors Protection.
 MT. Bonar Law was more specific on putting aside old ideas and begin ming a new policy. He said:
 q am under suspicion one one point of view (prOtection.) and the Chancellor the EXcheQuer is under suspicion on the other point of view Gree trade.) But I am sure all will agree that now everything has chang ed, and that we must begin on a new basis and put aside all precoA- ceiVed ideas.
 "I remember reading a book by a German economist. in which this passage occurred: 'Wherc would be the German sugar induSrY. the tex tile, the iron industry. now created throughout the German empire, with out the rich English market always ready oreceive our goods? On the back of free trade England we have tried to grasp the trade of the world world.
 "That was before the war, and now we recognize the truth of it. One thing is sure, whatever else happens the resources of the British empire will never be exploited as they have been in tthe past
 With these two responsible min isters. representing the two shades of view in the government, agreeing that st change is in prospect, and differing only as to whether this change sacri- fees old ideals, there seems little doubt that the change itself will take form as a government measure rad;- ! cally departing from the old doctrine 1 of free open markets The extent of the change. as affecting the United l States and other neutrals, is not vet indicated. but the Morning Post gives | it's view of what the change should l be:
 Scientific Tariff.
 eve favor a scientific tariff con-