5 JULY 1884, Page 11

Mr. Henry Fowler (M.P. for Wolverhampton) also made an interesting

speech on the real danger lest a certain section of the community should be bitten by Protectionism. He believed that a considerable section of the Tory Party is in favour of a big Zollverein between us and our Colonies, under which both parties would enjoy " the maximum disadvantages of Protection and the minimum advantages of Free-trade." He also thought it not impossible that the agricultural labourers would be dazzled by the promises of the Protectionists ; and held, therefore, that the Cobden Club has a great deal of energetic work before it, if it would thoroughly inoculate the new constituencies with the principles of Mr. Cobden.