5 DECEMBER 1903, Page 30

MR. CHAMBERLAIN AND TINPLATES.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Is not the most effective answer to Mr. Chamberlain's Welsh speeches to be found in an article in the November Nine- teenth Century from the pen of the gentleman whom he cited as his authority on tinplate matters ? Mr. Gilbertson therein lays it down distinctly that "the margin of profit" on tinplates has always been very small since the passing of the McKinley tariff." If Mr. Chamberlain succeeds in taxing and enhancing the cost of the tinplate manufacturers' raw material, does he not put that small profit in jeopardy P—I am, Sir, &c., "Cambria Daily Leader," Swansea. THOMAS REES.