A FREE-TRADE PARTY.
[To TIM EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—The article " Words and Deeds " in the Spectator of March 11th should make every Free-trader realise the serious responsibility laid upon him at the next Election. Your advice not to be misled by " cunning phrases and verbal Tabbies " cannot be too strongly emphasised. • But let us not forget that though the acknowledged followers of Mr. Chamber- lain in the House may be small, the number of those with strong Protectionist leanings is large. And let us also not forget
that the leader and exponent of Tariff Reform is an opportunist of the highest order. Let us suppose the Liberals come into power at the next Election with a majority of say 100, in which there must be a large element of Irish, and probably of Labour, Members. It is not beyond the wit of man to conceive the possibility of Mr. Chamberlain making a bid for one or both of these sections, and so ousting the Radibal Government. Where would the few Free-trade Unionists—if any be elected—be then? Absolutely powerless! Suppose, moreover, this should happen in the Colonial Con- ference year, 1906, the representatives of the Mother-country would then be selected by the victorious Protectionist party and offered every inducement to bring about • Preferential tariffs. It is imaginable that even taxation of corn might be put forward in such an alluring guise as to capture the country. Are you, Sir, not trusting too much to the Free- trade Unionists saving the country from such a disaster, and bringing back the Unionist party to Free-trade ? Many very sound men are of opinion that nothing but a united Free- trade party composed of Conservatives, Unionists, and Liberals can save the country "once and for ever" from the awful danger of Protection,—a party which would have the respect not only of the people of this country, of India and the Colonies, but of the world at large. Difficulties I admit there are, and many, but none which I believe could not be over- come, are not worth trying to overcome, when such a tremendous
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