APPEXDICES. mi 



quarter; and that you would have a 'natural protection' of 

 something like ' 10s. 6d. a quarter,' due to the cost of 

 freight and transport from foreign countries. What are 

 the facts? The 'natural protection' which was to take 

 the place of legislative protection has disappeared ; it 

 does not amount now to more pence than Mr. Cobdeu 

 thought it would shillings. The pric3 of corn has gone 

 down till it is about 26s. a quarter, at which price it 

 cannot be produced at a profit. Mark this ! At the same 

 time, the price of bread has not fallen in anything like 

 the same proportion.* (Cheers.) Now, in the face of facts 

 which are quite different from those which were antici- 

 pated, is it not time to ask for a reconsideration of the 

 scheme? ('Yes.') Are you not justified in claiming the 

 same justice for your industry which the Government has 

 promised for manufactures? Is it possible that either the 

 farmer or the labourer can be satisfied with the existing 

 fftate of things? As to the farmer, I am pretty well aware 

 of what answer he will make. In April, 1902, a duty, a 

 moderate duty of a shilling, was placed upon corn. It had 

 no effect upon the price of bread. It could not be eaid 

 to have given any substantial advantage to the farmer. 

 But he welcomed it ; and if he welcomed that, still more 

 is he likely to welcome the much greater advantages that 

 I promise to him. (Cheers.) I do not believe, however, 

 that I have to preach to the farmer. It is rather to the 

 labourer that I have to address myself. 



The Laeoueer's OproaTUNiTT. 



" And the first thing I say to him is this, that now, 

 as never before, he is being consulted as to this matter. 

 Free trade was carried into effect without any reference 

 to the agricultural labourer. He had no vote. He was 

 of no importance. Nobody thought it worth while to ask 

 his opinion. But now he is in a different position. He 

 has the vote ; he can make his voice heard ; he can carry 

 elections in many counties. If he is not convinced, if I 

 cannot convince him that what I am proposing is to his 



*Eeaders should particularly note that fact. 



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