PROTECTION AND THE SOCIALIST . GOVERNMENT.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Mr. Harold P. Cooke, in your issue of September 6th, indicates that the probabilities are that the present Socialist Government, if it survives until next year, will bring in Protection. That would not be in any way surprising. For is not Protection a form of Socialism ? No one has yet very clearly defined Socialism. Its very dreary. vagueness constitutes a certain amount of attractiveness. Whatever is not known generally with many types of mind becomes more fascinating than what is fairly well exemplified. But roughly one might say that dependence on State assistance or State
interference is the main ingredient of- Socialistic doctrines. Protection clearly comes within this circle. In Australia, where Protection has fairly run amuck, Socialistic experiments are in full swing. There are such things as State railways, State banks, State coal mines, State shipbuilding yards, State wool pools, and State wheat pools. At one time there were State bakeries and State butchers' shops. Here in Great Britain you have the peculiar position of the Conservative Party opposing the present Administra- tion because it is Socialistic and at the same time supporting Protection which is Socialistic. Inconsistency has its charms sometimes, but it is certainly hardly a matter for wonder that a great- number of people desire to know what really are the principles of the Conservative Party.—I am, Sir, &c.,
AUSTRALIA.
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