A BRIEF EXAMINATION OF FREE-TRADE RRINCIPLES 299 



can afford to ignore the pressing exigencies of life ; nor are 

 they proof against those temptations which touch self-interests. 

 The C^nited States wanted a comparatively small commercial 

 concession. " Certainly," says our Free-trade Government, " but 

 give us something in return ; reduce your duty on some of 

 our goods which you buy from us, and we will take certain 

 duties off some of the goods you send to our country, a small 

 bargain to serve some personal interest, and lo ! Keciprocity 

 becomes the guiding principle even of a Government which 

 professes to be the avowed champion of what is, by misnomer, 

 called Free-trade — Verh. Saj). ! 



With these instances before us, is it not true that in spite 

 of their Free-trade 2^^'ofessions, Liberal Governments are quite 

 as ready to sacrifice their princii)les to their pockets, the 

 moment they want moucy, as their })olitical opponents are ? 



Is it not true that despite their much vaunted cry of Free- 

 trade, and their declared belief in its princii)les, they can no 

 more help taxing the food of the people than they can hinder 

 the return of the equinoxes ? 



Without prejudice it may safely be asserted that Free-trade 

 will not stand the wear and tear of everyday life, nor can 

 Free-trade Governments resist sacrificing their principles to 

 party interests ; while it seems indisputable that, even if they 

 do regard Free-trade and a " Free breakfast-talde " for the 

 working classes as the non plus ultra of the Free-trade 

 principle, the fact that they have failed for the last fifty 

 odd years to give the idea material form, proves that they 

 have not, at all events, the courage of their convictions. 



It would seem, then, that the term " Free-trade " is both 

 elastic and illusory and, therefore, incapable of exact definition. 

 It is not, in its application to matters of national economy, or 

 in its general operations, so easily definalde as a great science 

 should bo, and indeed, as the economical system of our country 

 onust be, before it can be readily understood and appreciated 

 by the people. 



Because it is not possible to determine the principles of 

 Free-trade by the methods of their present-day application, 

 and because Free-trade is built up on theoretical economical 

 propositions which are neither determinable by, nor capable 

 of, practical demonstration, it therefore becomes necessary to 

 ask some Free-trade authority to furnish certain examples 

 of the abstract principles of Free-trade which might then be 

 reduced to the more intelligible — Convretr furm. 



With this object in view " The Free-trade ^Movement"* has 

 been selected as one of the most up-to-date works on the subject. 

 * G. Armitagc-Smith, M.A., 1907. 



