While this branch of our trade had diminished, our trade
with our Colonies had increased. But this trade was already seriously threatened by foreign tariffs, and would (unless we reformed our fiscal policy) go the way of our export trade. Finally, the condition of the home market, though it indicated a constant tale of progress and increasing wealth, was equally unsatisfactory. To the objection, " We are so prosperous," Mr. Chamberlain somewhat impatiently replied : " I am not talking of absolute prosperity. I am talking of tendencies." The "scientific tariff" he proposed would, in the first place, enable us to protect. our home market against unfair competition; secondly, it would enable us to deal on equal terms with protected nations; and thirdly, it would bring the British States throughout the world into more intimate union. His opponents, Mr. Chamberlain con- tinued, were still as confident as ever that he was a madman ; but they were coming nearer to him all the time. They found the doctrine of unexampled prosperity would not hold, began to whisper "Retaliation," and to admit, as Sir William Harcourt did, that " dumping " required serious consideration. Mr. Chamberlain was in his best fighting mood, and laid about him with impartial vigour. The patriotism of those who opposed him was "equal to wrecking a Government, but it could not rise to the height of making an Empire."
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