FAIRTRADE V. FREETRADE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1668, 21 September 1887, Page 3

FAIRTRADE V. FREETRADE.

The following letter is published m the " Western Morning Newß," a well-known English journil : " It may possibly interest soma of your render^ to hear what a Canadian, speaking from a 12 years' experience m that country, haß to say on th question The writer of the letter from which tho extract is taken U connected with pne of the largest Canadian wholesale iirms, and is therefor, speuking from practical experience of tho purchasing ability of Canudians, and has an intimate knowledge of our own manufacturing districts, as well as those of France, Germany, a^d Switzerland. In a recent letter he says :— 4 Business here this spring has been eveiytl.ing that could be wished for and the prospect for the fall is equally good. English peoplo terribly abuse our protective tariff, but we know what is good for ourßalves. I have seen the country rise from groat depression to a period of groat prosperity, and the principal cause has been our protective tariff It amuses Canadians to road the opinio s of English papers, as many of them aro entirely ignorant of the factß ' Contrast this picture of trade 4 all that could be wished for ' with our own depression m all branches of trade, and the question will at once arise, ' If protection can do so much for Caoadian trade, why should it n--t prove an equally potent lever io reviving our own languishing or expiring industries ?' One faot is certain , fairtrade wi'l never enter the region of practical politics until 'he working man can bs convinced that it will ensure him 1 what tens of thousands cannot now findconstant employment and a fair day's wage.'"