Chapter VIII: Reasons for Mr. Chamberlain’s Defeat
19th Century George Hamilton EnglishMr. Chamberlain invites 42,000,000 of Englishmen to fine themselves for the benefit of the 12,000,000 inhabitants of the self-governing Colonies; and these 12,000,000 do not elect the members of the House of Commons.
The Colonies protect themselves against England; Mr. Chamberlain is deceiving himself when he talks of Free Trade within the Empire, for the Colonies will remain Protectionist.
The Colonies will never allow the United Kingdom to dictate their Customs policy for them.
On its side Parliament will never allow Canada, Australia, and South Africa to dictate the fiscal policy of the United Kingdom.
To give any real advantage to the Colonies the duties on food and raw material would have to be heavier than Mr. Chamberlain would dare to propose.
If the duties are light, the bounty which he promises to the Colonies “to cement the Empire” is insignificant and of no avail to open Colonial markets for English goods.
The City would as soon cast half of English credit into the sea by adopting bimetallism, as consent to run the risk that bills on London should cease to be the international medium of exchange.