* * * * The concerted effort of various industries
during the past fortnight to demand some form of Protection has been very noticeable. The demand comes not only from agriculture but from the wool industry at Bradford, where it is said that French competition can no longer be borne, and from the silk, leather, lace and other trades. The Safeguarding of Industries Act, of course, affords an excuse for a reassuring argument that there is no attempt to revive the Free Trade and Protectionist controversy, as such. All that is asked for is a reasonable measure of security such as the framers of the Act foresaw might be necessary. All the same, Protectionists are again pricking up their ears, if not optimistically raising their heads. The Liberal Party is, of course, quick to see an opportunity to improve its position. It remem- bers that politicians who have supported Protection have always suffered for it, and it knows that there are no more telling cries in the constituencies than " Cheap Food " and " Low Prices." The Asquithian Liberals are pre- paring a Free Trade campaign for the autumn. All these facts deserve most careful attention.
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