[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—In your issue of
June 8th your correspondent, " J. W. D.," makes the following statement : Free Trade, other things being equal, will produce greater wealth, &c.
Would " J. W. D." be good enough to state what he means by " wealth " ? Presumably he means money ; and, if so, may I draw his attention to the poet's stanza :-
" Ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay. Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, A breath can make them as -a breath has made. But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied."
Isn't that exactly what is happening even to-day under Free Trade ? A million or so unemployed and decaying, all of whom could be at productive work, if we did not employ so many abroad making things we can make ourselves.
It is hoped " J. W. D." will reveal his identity, as state- ments over initials carry very little conviction.—I am. Sir, &c., Lyddington Manor, Swindon. CECIL WILSON.
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