THE FISCAL VERDICT.
['r0 THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Do you really think the Fiscal verdict in the recent elections was as decisive as you hope P It does not appear so to the majority of combatants -with whom I am acquainted. One and all write : "The Fiscal question was most popular, and interest in a change increased from day to day ; the Opposition did all they could to divert attention from it." That certainly is my own experience. I welcomed the candidature in Central Sheffield of the secretary of the Free- Trade Union. That promised an absolutely straight fight on a straight issue. With one momentary exception, I never said one single word, or ,issued any docum ent of importance, not bearing directly upon the necessity of reforming our absurd and hypocritical system of levying the second largest Customs revenue in the world upon articles of food and popular use which cannot be produced in the tailed Kingdom, and letting all competing articles in free. He, on the other hand, seemed to steer clear of all fiscal argument. I read every reported word he uttered, and found nothing to answer save-an oft-repeated oracular declaration that imparts are paid for by exports. He never attempted to account for the excess balan ce, exceeding 230,000,000, over and above exports, freight, and interest on foreign investments. Nor was his issued literature more enlightening. It mainly consisted of imaginary cartoons of Chinamen undergoing various forms of torture, for which be sought to make me responsible, and "leaded" recitals of the claim established by my votes to a top place on the political black list. If the Free-Trade Union delegate was reduced to this kind of argument to meet a real Fiscal Election, how little faith it can have in its dogma. No, Sir ; the General Election is no triumph for free imports. For a time, I admit, they will continue. British labour-employing capital. British mechanical skill and raw material, will seek fields of profit under fiscal protection in foreign lands because they are denied at home. Non-employment will in- crease. But a hundred and fifty out of a hundred and fifty- three Unionist Members will resolutely plead for change under the leadership of Mr. Chamberlain, supported by forty-four per cent. of the total votes recorded in the ballot-boxes. Nor, if the Clarion and other organs of another nine per cent. of the electors accurately express their views, will they want for allies of ability and activity.—I am, Sir, &c., C. E. HOWARD VINCENT.
As we have said elsewhere, we do not intend to open our columns henceforward to a rediscussion of the Fiscal con- troversy. Roma locuta est. Out of respect, however, for Sir Howard Vincent, always an honourable and sincere foe, we print the above. We may point to his letter in confirma- tion of our fear that Mr. Chamberlain is busy trying to build up a Protectionist-cum-Socialist party. The complete ignoring of Mr. Balfour's existence is significant.—ED. Spectator.]
Previous page
