The Fiscal debate was continued on Tuesday by Mr. Boner
Law. His criticism of the profligate finance of the Govern- ment was sound and reasonable, but also, we may add, exceedingly easy. He met the description that had been given of him as a thoroughgoing Protectionist by declaring that he did not take exception to the word "Protectionist" if the Chancellor of the Exchequer understood what it meant. He had no desire to make any change in our fiscal system which would have the effect of causing everything to be made in this country whether this country was suited to its manufacture or not. Upon which we may remark that if this country is really suited to the manufacture of an article, that article is certain to be manufactured here without any help from Mr. Boner Law or any other Protectionist. If it is not suitable, we had better not try, as Mr. Boner Law himself admits, to establish its manu- facture here. Mr. Bonar Law went on to point out that he was not a Protectionist in the crude sense of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's own Patents Act. Under that Act, for the sake of getting additional employment in this country, the right hon. gentleman was going to compel all the articles protected by it to be made in this country, whether this country was suitable or not.
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