16 FEBRUARY 1924, Page 11

MR. BALDWIN'S LEADERSHIP.

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Sia,—With reference to your leading article in the Spectator of February 2nd, headed "Mr. Baldwin's Leadership is Socialism's Opportunity," I am forcibly impressed with your description of Mr. Baldwin as "not merely a whole-hogger in Protection, but what may be called a super-whole-hogger." These words call urgently for either explanation or withdrawal. From Mr. Baldwin's speeches at Plymouth and elsewhere we Devonians gathered that his policy might be described as the advocacy of tentative and temporary Protection of certain carefully chosen industries. This differs toto ado from total and "whole-hoggish Protection "—if I may be allowed to- borrow your masterful diction. The influence of

the Spectator is admittedly strong and far-reaching, and suoh comments cannot be -allowed to pass without criticism.

—I am, Sir, &c., M. A. OxoN. Exeter.

[We referred, of course, to Mr. Baldwin's super-whole-hog theory that it may be necessary to restrict our exports—the theory- referred to by Mr. Gourley in the letter below.—En. Spectator.]