A FEW UGLY FACTS.
I have said that facts are against your idol, let me advance a few
of them:--
(1.) The prophecies made by the originators of free trade have
proved to be false.
(2.) England stands alone as a free-trader. Free trade, at the
present time, is either an English, or a barbarous custom.
(3.) France made a partial trial of free trade, but has drawn
back and refused to continue the commercial treaty.
(4.) Increased wealth,--due to improvements in science, steam,
and electricity, although dishonestly claimed the work of free
trade,--has been shared by all civilized nations.
(5.) Protectionist countries have made _greater relative advance_
in prosperity than England.
(6.) The exceptional prosperity of the years 1871-73 was due to a
partial _suspension of free trade_ caused by the Franco-Prussian
war.
(7.) The rise of wages in England,--dishonestly claimed as the
work of free trade,--has been shared by Protectionist countries.
(8.) The statistics of decrease of crime and pauperism--claimed
as the work of free trade--are fictitious and misleading.
(9.) Protectionist America is passing Free Trade England by “in a
canter.”
(10.) Protectionist America contrasts favourably with Free Trade
Canada.
(11.) Canada having lately departed from free trade principles,
is satisfied with the result, and clamours for more protection.
(12.) The Colony of Victoria, which has departed farthest from
the principles of free trade, is the most prosperous of the
Australian Colonies.
(13.) Free Trade Ireland contrasts unfavourably with
Protectionist Holland, which has every natural disadvantage.
(14.) The agricultural industry of Ireland has been destroyed,
and Ireland ruined by free trade.
(15.) The manufacturing industries of Ireland, which flourished
under protection, have become extinct under free trade.
(16.) English agricultural industries are rapidly being ruined by
free trade.
(17.) In the last eleven years, about 1,200,000, acres have gone
out of tillage in the United Kingdom, and about 7,400,000 acres
are lying fallow.
(18.) Numerous farms are untenanted, or let at nominal rates.
(19.) The loss to the agricultural classes within the last few
years has been estimated at £150,000,000.[2]
(20.) Many English landowners are realizing what they can from
the wreck, and investing the capital in Protectionist America.
(21.) English manufacturing industries are, for the most part, on
the high road to ruin.
(22.) Silk industry is nearly extinct in England.
(23.) Cotton and woollen industries are struggling hard for
existence.
(24.) Iron industries are said to have lost £160,000,000 in four
years.
(25.) Protectionist countries have outstripped England in
relative increase of commerce.
(26.) The accumulation of wealth is increasing more rapidly in
Protectionist France than in England, in spite of a disastrous
war, a heavy war indemnity, a civil war, and an unsettled form of
Government.
(27.) Land cultivation is increasing in Protectionist France and
decreasing in Free Trade England.
(28.) The relative increase in the production of iron is greater
in Protectionist countries than in England.
(29.) The relative increase in general manufacture is Greater in
Protectionist countries than in England.
(30.) The working classes, by whom free trade was carried, though
nominally free-traders, are practically extreme protectionists.
(31.) The working classes, whenever they have obtained
predominant influence, have become protectionists.
(32.) “The revenue returns continue to exhibit a stagnant
tendency _under all the heads which are considered tests of
national prosperity_.” (Telegraphic Summary of News, _Civil and
Military Gazette_, December 7th, 1883.)
(33.) “It is predicted that, unless Freight rates to India
speedily improve, a considerable number of steamers now engaged
in the trade will be laid up.” (_Civil and Military Gazette_,
December 7th, 1883.)
(34.) “Gloomy predictions are uttered about the immediate future
of our iron-trade. Few fresh orders are coming in, and stocks
are consequently increasing in an alarming manner.” (_Civil and
Military Gazette_, December 7th, 1883.)
(35.) “Again it is alleged that the principles of free trade,
which have been adopted in this country, have tended, in a great
degree, to produce the disastrous results which we have at
present to contend against, and which present a gloomy look-out
for the cotton operatives of this country.” (_The Mail_, December
19th, 1883.)
(36.) “It is the intention of the leading men among the cotton
operatives to move next session for a Royal Commission to enquire
as to what extent, if any, we suffer from foreign competition,
and _what bearing our system of free trade_ may have on the
question.” (_The Mail_, December 19th, 1883.)
Before I proceed to substantiate the facts above given, I wish to
clear the ground by a few axioms which I think few will venture to
dispute.
FOOTNOTE:
[2] By Mr. John Bright.