CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS' POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 280, 24 November 1903, Page 5

CANADIAN MANUFACTURERS' POLICY.

LONDON', November 23

Dr. Alfred -Marshall., Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge Lniversity, in a letter to the Unionist Free Food League, admitrf that the changes in half a century in the economic conditions of the Western world Imve been immense, and not wholly to Great Britain's advantage. He adds: '•Tliiitv years ago 1 was convinced that protection, if it could be worked honestly, and wisely, might on the whole benefit countries at a certain stage ot industrial development. That induced me to inquire whether free trade was wholly right for England. I have pursued'the inquiry ever since, and have gradually settled down tl the conclusion that the changes during the last two generations have greatly increased the havni which would be done to England by even a moderate protective policy, and free trade was a more vital necessity to England now than when it was adopted." OTTAWA, November 23. Mr G. A. Drummond, president of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, outlined the position of the association as regards preference as follows: —"We favour a general tariff aproximate to that of the United States: also reciprocal trade with the Empire, with preference to the Motherland. 11l order to make the existing preference of real value, the basis 6f Canada's tariff must be raised with a view to transferring to the Motherland many orders which now go to America and Germany; but a minimum tariff must afford Canadian producers such protection as will enable them to maintain wages and the standard of living on a parity with those of the United States."

LONDON. November 23. Mr Chamberlain, in the course of his speech at a luncheon at Cardiff, said he believed that his proposals would put wa«es in the workers' pockets and restore some of the lost industries of the country. "Give us industries which we ought to have," Mr Chamberlain exclaimed, "but we must look beyond material benefits inasmuch as the nation's greatness is not measured by the income tax or the number ox cheques received at the clearing Louse. Omit Britain has been the greatest of. kingdoms heretofore, but the clays oi kingdoms have gone. We are dealing with the Empire, and the Empire cannot fulfil its groat, position unless supported and fortified by the co-operation of the children across the sea. They wilJ not inevitably support us unless wr me as ready as they are to make sacrifices for the greater interests coming

into v'cw. Mr Chamberlain subsequently addressed 3000 workers at Newport. He contrasted Mr Asquith's optimism with ' Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's quotation in his recent speech that onethird of the population was on the verge of hunger. "My ideal," added Mr Chamberlain, "is full employment and fair wages for every industrious man. The allegation that fche increasing inilux of foreign goods to Britain and the decreasing exports to protected countries is due to the employers' want of enemy and the. workers' want of intelligence is based on ignorance, if you discovered an invention enabling you to make steel cheaper than other countries, those countries would raise their tariffs. Thus those who had crawled in under the new invention would quickly crawl out again." Mr Chamberlain, in the continuation of his speech, ridiculed his opponents' fears of the results of meeting foreign protectionists on their own ground, and cited the successful abolition of the sugar bounties. He dwelt upon the German newspapers' threats v'th reference to Canada's preference to the .Motherland and German fears regarding South Africa and Australia. South Africa and New Zealand, he said, had given replies, and othera were going- to follow. He applied the lessons of dumping to Newport, adding that Mr Lysa'ght had informed him that of the steel dumped at his works 03 per cent, came in foreign vessels. Dumping also occurred in the colonies. We were not safe in colonial markets he said, unless we arranged to secure British trade in Imperial mnrkets. His opponents' statement that the colonies had not responded was a slander; not a day passed without his receiving letters from colonial statesmen and others, including manufacturers' associations in Australia, assuring him of reciprocal support. They were entitled to believe in their future: when they grew to manhood they might prove children who were almost giants compared with their parents. They were not afraid to stand alone, "but," he added, "I am convinced we will meet them in the

spirit they v.'ould show us." A resolution expressing high appreciation of Mr Chamberlain's, services, and thanks for hi,-; speecli, was carried with enthusiasm.