[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:9
Sin,—I must demur to your assertion that paper-makers "viould naturally like" an import-duty on foreign paper, and, as a paper-maker as well as a Free-trader, I am glad there is no probability of the adoption of your suggestion that such a duty should be tried as an experimentum crucis. As a Free- trader, I cannot admit that any sound conclusions as to the merits of Protection could be drawn from the Tesults of the protection of one selected trade. The possible temporary advantage to that trade might be mainly due to the fact that while one trade was protected all others were left unprotected. Such a result woulrl not prove that the protection of all trades would be advtzttgeous to all or any. As a paper-
maker, I strongly object to being made the subject of a dis- turbing and dangerous experiment. Nothing could be worse for the stability and prosperity of a trade than a period of Protection if followed by a return to open competition. With reference to the large increase in the imports of foreign paper (from 40,822 tons in 1887 to 189,522 tons in 1901), allow me, in reply to your correspondent "Fair Competition," to point out that this increase does not necessarily mean "a corresponding and unavoidable surrender of business by out , own paper-makers." The fact that the exports of paper have Increased during the same period from 41,054 tons to 52,412 tons, and still more the fact that the imports of paper-making materials have increased from 378,042 tons to 674,760 tons, prove that no such surrender has taken place, but, on the contrary, that far more paper is made now in the *United Kingdom than in 1887.-1 am, Sir, &c., T. H. H.
[We can print no more letters on this subject, but must add that our correspondent is of course quite right from his point of view in rejecting our proposed painful experiment— or shall we say reductio ad absurdum ?—suggested for the benefit of our clamorous contemporaries who are so eager to abandon Free-trade. If we must have Protection, we should like them at any rate to receive the first shot —ED. Spectator.]
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