17 OCTOBER 1931, Page 15

THE IDEAL TARIFF

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—Will you allow a quite undistinguished, and, therefore perhaps typical, man to say what he thinks on this question ?

It seems to me that tariffs will be good if they bring more work to our factories and working men, but bad if they increase the price of the commodities made in the factories. Actually the price ought to be reduced, for if the factories get more work it is plain that the overhead charges for each article will be less. It follows then that tariff charges should be applied with discretion, and that there should be provision, preferably automatic, to take them off if any attempt is made to profiteer by raising prices.—I am, Sir, &c.,