The Economist goes on to state a very awkward dilemma
for the Government
" One of two things must happen: either the spoon-fed industry will prove a complete failure, in which case the taxpayers' money will have been uselessly squandered; or, if it thrives under Pro- tection, it will exert its growing influence to ensure the continuance of the artificial conditions which it enjoys. . . . Why the sugar and tobacco growers should be able to squeeze the British taxpayer is a mystery which neither the Chancellor of the Exchequer nor the Tariff Reform League has so far been willing to explain. But we shall want to know particulars before the next Budget."
The Economist ends by a humorously pathetic appeal to the Cobden Club and the Free Trade Union to " use their influence to check this dangerous infringement of principles, the defence
of which is their raison d'are. Both these influential non- party institutions would suffer a severe loss of prestige if it could be said that they refrained from speaking out in defence of an elementary principle for fear of embarrassing the Government of the day." Finally the Economist expresses its belief that " there is a large body of Free Traders who will insist upon straightforward action if the existence of the new protection is brought clearly before their notice."
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