PROTECTION AND EMPLOYMENT [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—As
a reader of the Spectator of thirty years' standing, will you allow me to say how disappointed I am in the attitude you adopted with regard to any form of assistance being given to industry in this country, either by safeguarding or anti-dumping duties for revenue, or any attempt which is made for " Freer Trade Within the Empire," as evidenced particularly in your attitude in the article referred to above ?
To anyone who has travelled throughout the Empire and seen the revolution in trading methods that has taken place there in the last few years, and in the neutral markets, such as South America, it is madness to assume that we can carry on for ever under the antiquated conditions and outworn economic theories of sixty years ago to meet the fierce com- petition and protective methods employed by all Continental countries, and the United States of America.
It is quite evident that some method must be found of
nursing back to health our basic industries if they are ever to regain their position in the world markets, and fortunately this is becoming evident at last to more than one political party, as proved by the recent report of the Economic Committee of the T.U.C., in which they emphasize the bar- gaining advantage which a Commonwealth Group could exercise, and foreshadowS the possible necessity for an extended measure of protection against foreign countries while main- taining free trade within the Empire, provided reciprocal preferences are arranged with the Dominions.
If the people in power at present were logical in their policy, or honest in their intentions, an agreed policy could be effected to-morrow, as the Liberal Party has ceased to count as an effective political force, and the divisions in the Unionist Party are of degree and not of principle.—I am,
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