On Wednesday Mr. Chamberlain made his long-expected speech at Luton.
The earlier part was filled with the usual mixture of jeremiads over the condition of industry and agriculture at home, and of declarations that our relations with the Colonies had entered upon a critical stage, and that if we did not draw closer together we must neces- sarily drift apart, and our great Empire fall to pieces. What were the remedies suggested for such a state of things ? His opponents suggested education; but this was but a pill to cure an earthquake. What was wanted was a change in our system. He could not help thinking that if Mr. Cobden were among us now he would say : "When I advo- cated my policy, it was a policy that was good for my time. I did not rely upon the policy of my grandfather, and I am surprised to find that my descendants should be relying upon mine ! " After an incursion into the question of the straw-plait trade at Luton, Mr. Chamberlain returned to agriculture, and seasoned his remarks with his usual joke about jam and pickles. "Even jam and pickles will not save the farmer now." He did not want to go back to the bad times before the abolition of the Corn-laws, but merely to impose a moderate duty of 2s. a quarter on forehrn
corn, and 5 per cent, on all the other various products of the farm. "It is not a tax, it is a toll." When people came to Luton Market they had to pay a toll. Why should not the foreigner who came into the British market pay a toll also ? This is not Protection, but justice.
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