MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S FISCAL SCHEME.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—There is one point of interest in connection with the fiscal question which I have not seen dealt with in your columns. Mr. Chamberlain advocates preferential treatment by means of differential duties. This cannot in any way diminish the total volume of trade, neither can it diminish the supply of imported produce. Surely, then, the effect is to substitute British or British Colonial sources of supply for that of foreign• nations, with advantage to our capital and labour, and without any disadvantage to the British consumer. So long as British and Colonial sources of supply are free of duty, no differential duty can be recovered from the consumer. I think this can be proved, but I should like to read the views of your journal on this point.—I am, Sir, Ste., [The duties will not help the Colonies unless they raise prices here. If they raise prices the consumer must feel the burden.—ED. Spectator.]
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