CURRENT LITERATURE.
SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
(Under this heading ice notice such Books of the week as hare not been reserved for review in other forms.]
What is a Bounty ? By Lord Farrer. (Cassell and Co. 3d.)— We welcome with sincere satisfaction this able contribution to the controversy on the sugar question. It shows bow absolutely impossible it is to discriminate against so-called bounty-fed goods. Bounties are given in so many different ways, direct and indirect, that the most minute investigation is required to run them to earth. For example, irrigation carried out at the public expense, artificially cheapened railway rates, or subsidised lines of steamers may prove most effective bounties. It must be remembered also that bounties are by no means confined to sugar. There are plenty of other commodities that obtain Government aid. The moral to be drawn from these facts is clear. Our only safe course is to keep a free and open market, and let all mankind come here to sell without let or hindrance. Let us accept cheap sugar, cheap food, and cheap products generally, without wrangling with the importers, and harrying them with inquiries as to how they come to sell so cheaply. Those who feel the truth of this proposition instinctively, but want facts, figures, and arguments to support the faith that is in them, cannot do better than turn to Lord Farrer's pamphlet. It affords in clear and vigorous language just the arguments needed by the Free-trader when engaged in controversy with his oppor:ats.
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