The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 56
"Fair Traders." — Leaflet No. VII
"Fair Traders."
Leaflet No. VII.
1. | Is it true that the labouring classes are better off now than they ever were before, in times of commercial depression? |
2. | Is pauperism declining? |
3. | Is the volume of our trade actually increasing, although manufacturers and merchants are still suffering from that overproduction which deceived so many people a few years ago as a sign of great prosperity? |
4. | Are the manufacturers of industries of other countries, say the United States and France—where a Protective system prevails—not in a far worse state than ours? |
5. | Have both these nations virtually lost their ship-building and ship-owning trade to our great gain? |
6. | Is more tonnage turned out in the yards on the Tyne than in all France? |
7. | Have the American cotton spinners and weavers been driven out of nearly all the markets of the world by unprotected British manufacturers? |
8. | Have wages in New England fallen forty per cent, in ten years? |
9. | Are the working classes in many American manufacturing towns at this moment not presenting every sign of poverty and wretchedness? |
10. | In all countries under the Protective system is not the commercial depression greater than in this country, and increasing) |
The only reply to each of these questions is "Yes!" and the answer is conclusive against any change in our laws, except that which would give us a free breakfast-table, and abolish all duties on food of whatever kind.
W. E. Baxter.
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