THE DOMINIONS AND PROTECTION [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin, —In our news cables Sir Herbert Samuel is reported as follows :
" He added that ho should like, without unfriendliness, to ask Why. if Britain admitted Dominion Agricultural products free, the Dominions should not admit British manufactures free?"
The answer is quite simple. Because Britain must have cheap food and the Dominions must have diversity of occu- pations -for their young people. -The policy of protection in the Dominions can be justified on this ground alone. The really crucial problem whether protection can be effec- tively afforded by any other means than by tariff has not Yet been seriously tackled out here on the plea of financial xpediency; -though it is the only way in which we can get free trade within the Empire.—I am, Sir, &c., 17verstone, Tasmania. Oct. 17th. I. VERNON GRIFFIN.
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