Free trade
Sir: The writer of 'A Spectator's Notebook' (March 8) rightly says that the City Editor of the Evening Standard and Mr Thomas, former City Editor of the Guardian — the latter of whom now campaigns for Common Market entry 7 "should be explaining to their readers that the great issues before us are, as they have been for 100 years, Free Trade and Tariff Reform in different clothes.'
In my pamphlet entitled 'Save the Pound — Save the People' of which over ten thousand copies have been sold since July last, I put forward the Free Trade case as being the alternative to Common Market entry. It is very relevant to the maintenance of the value of the people's money.
Mrs Thatcher appears to recognise Part of what is required. Mr Wilson and Mr Joel Barnett likewise appear to recognise that government and local expenditure have to be severely controlled and the volume of money in all its forms limited. Both parties will Ultimately have to appreciate also that if the volume of money in circulation has to be limited the value of that limited amount of money must be allowed to increase. That can only be done by restoring to the people the right to buy their food and all else from the cheapest market and from the soils, seasons and climates of the whole world instead of being limited in considerable measure to buying from and facing the hazards of the northern temperate zone. Only such a policy can arrest inflation. It is also the only policy that can restore the competitive power of British industry and thus make it competitive against overseas manufactured imports. If the Labour Party adopts this policy it can be in Power for a very long time. On the other hand, we could see the revival of the Liberal Party. The basis for that suggestion may well be seen in a half page advertisement published in the Liberal News on March 4. That advertisement came from a new Liberal organisation oPPosing Common Market membership. It is entitled 'Liberal No to the Common Market Campaign' headed by Dr Roy Douglas and puts forward free trade and honest money as the alternative to the Common Market. The response I am told has been most remarkable both from Liberal Associations and individuals and has caused consternation in the Liberal leadership. It could provide the basis for a great Liberal revival attracting supporters from both the Labour and Conservative Parties.
S. W. Alexander President Free Trade League, 44 Speed House, Barbican, London EC2
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