[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] Sra,—There is a reply
to Sir Conan Doyle's motor-car problem that I should like to bring forward. He says that it is this transaction (the purchase of a motor-car), or similar transactions, infinitely repeated, which accounts for the sum of £100,000,000 spent on manufactured articles sent into this country. Let me assure him that this is not so, as the bulk of this money is spent, not for amusement, but with a view to the earning of profit. I will give an instance. Having some deep' borings to make, I bought and brought over to this country American oil-well boring machinery. My object was to win the salt required in a chemical works where salt forms the basis of the manufacture, and this I was able to effect at a considerable saving in preliminary outlay. The cost of this boring was in'the proportion of ls. 4c1. to the 20s. which I had been paying previously, and should have had to continue paying had we been living under Protectionist instead of under Free-trade laws. It will be an evil day for British trade and manufactures should ever the purchase of the tools or machines best suited for their development and carrying on be hindered or prevented.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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