THE "CHEAr" LOAF CRY 137 



slightest substratum of truth in it, yet it has served its purpose 

 so well among a certain section of voters, who will not think 

 matters out for themselves, that the Liberal party still endeavour 

 to win votes by its aid. 



So much light, however, has been thrown upon this simple 

 question by writers and speakers of many political denomina- 

 tions, and the price of bread itself offers so fitting a reply to 

 the " Big " and " Cheap " loaf pretenders, that tlie wonder is 

 there is a single individual in the Kingdom foolish enough to 

 believe there is anything in the cry save its utter meretricious- 

 ness. 



A Common Dodge of Free-traders 



One of the commonest dodges of those who, for personal or 

 other considerations, buttress Free-trade, is to tell the people 

 that if they want cheap bread they must give up growing their 

 own wheat and let others grow it for them, and then let it come 

 into their ports duty free. By such means, they are told, they 

 are bound to secure a lig and cheap loaf, much more cheaply, 

 indeed, than in those countries which grow their own corn and 

 put a duty on imports. 



This " Cheap Loaf " cry is, however, an old electioneering 

 ruse, and much was made of it even in Cobden's time. 



Mr. Jesse Collings, in his book " Laud Keform," has a good 

 deal to say on the subject. Here is one reference to it — 



" During the Corn Law agitation the question of bread was ever 

 to the front. A general impression was given that, by the repeal of 

 the Corn Laws, bread was to be more plentiful and much cheaper ; 

 but it is a noticeable fact that the actual price of hread which ruled 

 duriuix the contest was rarely, if ever, alluded to. The cry of 'Cheap 

 Bread ! ' was used for political purposes then, just as the cry of the 

 ' Big and httle loaf ' is being used now, and was equally false." * 



Mr. Collings now refers us to the prices of wheat and bread 

 prevailing before and after the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846, 

 so tliat the reader may judge for himself as to the value of this 

 much used Cheap Loaf cry. 



" The following table shows the relative average prices of wheat 

 and lircad for a ])oriod of years immediately preceding and directly 

 following the beginning of free imports : — 



Wheat per Best Quality 



Quarter. Bread per loaf. 



Average price for 7 years, 1842-48 . . 54/10| 7M 



„ 1850-56 . . 55/6| lld.\ 



* " Land Reform," the Right Hon, Jesso Collings, p, 337. 

 t Ihid., p. 338. 



