The Annual Conference of the Devon Liberal Federation at Barnstaple
was addressed on Tuesday by Mr. Asquith. He complained that Mr. Chamberlain had made no serious effort to meet the criticisms on his policy, but had contented himself with misrepresentations. His diagnosis had been proved to be false, and his medicines had not the effect he claimed for them ; how, then, could the country safely follow him ? Mr. Asquith took the case of the tinplate industry, and showed how it was the strongest possible instance on the side of Free- trade, since in spite of hostile tariffs it had a greater market both at home and abroad than ever before in its history. He challenged Mr. Chamberlain to name an industry of any magnitude which had been ruined by "dumping." He was ready enough to admit that all was not well with our com- merce, but the real cause was to be found, not in our fiscal policy, but in imperfect education and adherence to antiquated methods. "Let us not be led away, under the guise of patriotic or Imperial sentiment, by appeals to the combative instincts of the British race." Protectionism is, indeed, but Jingoism in a cruder form.
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