5 FEBRUARY 1927, Page 18

IMPERIAL TRADE

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—The State Regulation of Trade is urgently needed. The illuminating articles by Mr. Robert Boothby, M.P., clearly show our great national need for throwing over the old policy of laissez faire which has handicapped us too long. We need wise organization on a national scale, and adequate measures (tariffs or no tariffs) to place our greatest industry (agriculture) once more upon its feet. You will be doing the country immeasurable service by pressing home the urgent need for this. I have come to think that Sir Frank Fox is right. A tariff does no harm where the home production (as of wheat within the British Empire) is a fair proportion of the whole consumption.—I am, Sir, &c.,