The criticism of this speech was begun by Mr. Alexandet
on behalf of the Labour Party. He brought heavy guns to bear on the results of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. In regard to the Colonial markets, he pointed out that the Dominions do not now produce food and raw materials alone. They have their secondary manu- facturing industries. We applaud their enterprise which should add to their own wealth, to the wealth of the Empire and of the world. Mr. Alexander believed that this would entail our having Imperial agreements parcelling out markets. Mr. Lloyd George later on spoke frankly of our trade with the Empire being important, but less important than our foreign trade, and said that so long as we take the Empire's products on the present scale we need feel no obligation to offer special advantages beyond our excellent custom. He rightly expressed astonishment at the apathy with which the country accepts the dangers of our present economic position.
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