In his own case, Mr. Arthur Chamberlain went on to
explain, he had to compete with manufacturers who, like himself, depended on a Swedish product. But this could be imported in two forms, one much nearer the finished product than the other. "If I could get a Protectionist Parliament to admit Swedish billets free and tax hollow blooms, I should ruin all my competitors who depend on the hollow blooms, and make more profit than ever I could hope to do under present condi- tions." On the other hand, if his competitors turned the tables on him, his company would be ruined and its men dis- charged. -Under Protection, in short, "men would not be elected to Parliament to carry out national reforms, but to
serve certain industries Manufacturers would meet together and discover where they had common interests,—' Get a tax put on that for me, and I will get this taxed for you.' The nation would suffer, individuals would become enormously rich, and the work-people would be the sport of chance." It should in fairness be added that Mr. Arthur Chamberlain, while vigorously condemning Protection, deprecated the dis- cussion of his brother's proposals before they had been definitely formulated.
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