THE NEW PATENTS ACT.
[TO TOR EDITOR Or Till SPECTATOIL" J
SIR,—Mr. Davenport (Spectator, September 19th) criticises in a kindly way my conclusion that the new Act is a distinct advance in the direction of freedom of trade. He sue that the foreigner• could prevent the manufacture of his patented ar•ticle in England " by the simple process of making it at home and selling it without hindrance or import-tax in England." But he overlooks the fact that it was the protec- tion given by his patent that enabled him to make that process effective. Under the new Act we say to the foreigner:— "If you ar•e to be protected by your patent, you must not restrict the manufacture to your country; you must meet us half-way, and give greater freedom by allowing the manu- facture in this country also ; if you fail to do that, we must give complete freedom to manufacture here by taking away your patent." If the result is to pay more cash for English labour, that is not in itself proof of protection.—.
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