17 JUNE 1899, Page 2

Mr. Chamberlain, who also spoke in the debate, chiefly occupied

himself with an exposition and defence of the general policy of placing countervailing duties on bounty-fed goods. He added, however, no new argument, and had to rely upon general assertions that he was a better Free-trader than his opponents, and upon an appeal to authority,—necessarily conjectural, for how can we really know what Cobden or Adam Smith would say in regard to present events P Mr. Chamberlain, we note, did not attempt to deal with the essential point of the whole matter, the question whether it is expedient to alter our present fiscal policy of keeping a free and open market in England and allowing all men— subject to the needs of the Revenue—to sell freely all they have to sell.