Coming to Imperial Preference, Mr. Asquith accepted the challenge which
he said had been thrown down, and called on all Liberals and Free Traders throughout the country to resist to the utmost the proposals " for what is called Imperial Prefer- ence." He admitted that regarded as financial expedients they were a " trumpery affair," but " they are not a trumpery affair from the point of principle and of precedent. Trivial as they appear, they are intended as the pioneers and precursors of a fully planned system of Imperial Preference and Protection." Not by following after Protectionist will-o'-the-wisps, he declared, was national wealth to bo created. The only way was by honest finance, by economic expenditure, by scientific education and research, and by the subordination of the interests of special classes to the good of the community.
Previous page
