The Tariff Commission have a positive passion for anon- ymity.
The names of their expert witnesses are generally concealed behind the letters of the alphabet, and Mr. Hewins, their chief official, has not yet seen fit to give his authority for his statement about the alleged Liberal pact with the Rand magnates in regard to Chinese labour. The Standard of Wednesday contains a further instance of this becoming modesty. A letter purporting to be from the president of a German Chamber of Commerce to a leading English manufacturer was sent this week to several Free- trade papers. The gist of the communication is that this altruistic German, much though he fears Chamberlainism privately, feels himself bound by his conscience to tell his English friend that it is the only policy for England. The letter was also sent to the Standard with a covering note, betraying that it came from Mr. Hewins, who added that he saw no necessity for his name or that of the Tariff Commission appearing in connection with it. Both the German president and the English manufacturer are anonymous, and Mr. Hewins desired to share the same privilege. It is difficult to see what the Tariff Commission hope to effect by these curious communiquis. Can the reason be that they consider the opinions better than the holders of them ? Surely they must recognise that no one is likely to be convinced by nameless letters, not even impressed with their own imprimatur.
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