SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY 79 



Nor is it clear that the shipbuilding industry 

 would really suffer if the import of manufactured 

 goods into Great Britain were reduced in quan- 

 tity. As that import fell off, the import of raw 

 material required for the manufacture of goods 

 at home replacing those no longer imported 

 would require the same number of ships as 

 before, for raw material is at least as heavy 

 as the goods made from it. 



It appears certain then that, if Great Britain 

 chose to cease the importing of most of the 

 manufactured articles on her import list, she 

 would still have as much employment as she 

 has now for British sailors, and she would also 

 still be able to keep going her great shipbuild- 

 ing industry. But this is because she already 

 has, and always must have, the foreign trade, 

 which, to a country with shipping, gives more 

 employment than a home trade of the same 

 magnitude. 



Thus, if trade were free, the home trade would 

 in some cases be more advantageous, and in 

 others less advantageous, than the foreign trade. 



