FREE TRADE AND LOW WAGES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—May an ordinary citizen, who is honestly trying to find his way through the fog of fiscal controversy, seek enlighten- ment on one point from some authority on Imperial Trade ?
All parties appear agreed that it is highly desirable that we should sell more of our goods to Canada and Australia ; and also, many add, to the Argentine. If we do sell more of our goods to them we must take more of their money in payment, and their money consists chiefly of corn and meat and wool and fruits and metals. If we are to receive more of these goods from Canada, Australia and the Argentine we must consume more ; that is to say, we must raise the standard of living of our people. How, therefore, can the present tendency to reduce wages be reconciled with the general desire to export more of our goods to these countries ?—I am, Sir, &c.,
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