Fortunes for Farmers 



restrictions . The only reason why New York does 

 not receive the lion's share of Canada's and South 

 America's trade and traffic are these same restric- 

 tions. London thrives thereby incredibly. 



These enormous financial and commercial in- 

 terests will fight for their lives against Protection, 

 and then, under Protection, against the farmer. 

 They may not win the first battle, but I see no 

 reason to believe that they will lose the second. I 

 do not think that the farmer has the slightest 

 chance in a political struggle with the manufac- 

 turer and the Labour Party. Rather we should 

 compromise and look around before committing 

 ourselves blindfold to Protection. Meanwhile let 

 us get ready, sharpen our swords and count our 

 numbers before we rush into battle. Let us be 

 prudent first. 



It seems that farmers ought to consider alter- 

 natives. For instance, it would suit us much better 

 if the nation would retain Free Trade and allow us 

 a slight preference on a sliding scale. This has been 

 suggested, and would not raise the price of food- 

 stuffs, on the average. 



But if Protection comes, we might still try for 

 some such sliding scale (which I shall presently 

 explain), because there is a fair chance that the 

 other interests might agree, and it would ensure 

 a continuous profit on our operations. The sliding 



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