SAFEGUARDING OF INDUSTRIES
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Could any Free Trader desire a more damaging expo- sition of the Safeguarding Industries policy, now being so relentlessly applied, than that given by the Minister of Agrii- culture, Colonel W. Guinness, in his speech at Bury St. Edmunds ? He is reported to have said to the farmers :-
" We cannot either by the safeguarding of industries method, or by any- other form of protective tariffs, increase our food taxes: How could we hope to stand on an election platform and appeal to the people on a policy of dearer food for the benefit of one sectioq of the community ? '
This is an excellent definition of Protection, and of the utmost value coming from a member of the Government. The country therefore has to realize that the policy now being pursued by the present Government in the interest of political supporters must inevitably result, not only in famine prices, but increase enormously in every direction the cost of National Liberal Club.
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