I was told last night that I objected to this

, ^^ff^ °^j system because it was going to do something for our

discontent. Colonies. No, I object to it because I object to

protective taxation, especially on food, and because I

object to sowing what I believe to be the sources of evil and trouble

and discontent and quarrelling between our Colonies and ourselves. I

find nothing in these proposals of Mr. Chamberlain which should induce

las to change the great fiscal policy under which the condition of our

;ountry has enormously improved, and the wages of our working class

bave increased, in their average amount and in their purchasing power,

nuch above the wages of the corresponding class in any country in

Europe, and which has also given them shorter hours. I believe that,

n changing that policy for such reasons as are suggested to us, you are



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taking the first step in a course fraught with great evil to this countl'y.
Why, we hear a great deal about Protection. There are many advocates
of the State adopting Protection. I wonder whether one of these
gentlemen, from Mr. Chaplin downwards, ever considers, when he
wants to make a private purchase for himself, anything but how he can
get the best goods that he wants in the cheapest market ? You will
not add to the wealth of the people by raising the prices of commodities
by taxatibn. You cannot increase employment in this country by
lessening the total capacity of the people to buy, or by attempting to
interfere more than the necessities of your revenue compel you to
interfere with the freedom of trade.
