ABSTRACT

First published in 1904, this volume emerged during a split within the Liberal Unionist Party over Joseph Chamberlain’s advocacy of Protectionism through Tariff Reform. Having originally broken with the Liberal Party over Home Rule in 1885, 1904 saw some Liberal Unionists return to the Liberal fold. The authors here constitute those departing Liberal Unionists in a multifaceted rallying call for Free Trade in the face of Protectionism. Their articles, on subjects such as Shipping, Agriculture and Engineering, assess the implications of Free Trade with a focus on each author’s specialist industry. The authors unanimously declare in favour of the system under which, they maintain, Great Britain developed unparalleled prosperity and taught other nations her industrial success. In the process, they demonstrate that trade cannot improve whilst fettered and focus on the potential for real improvements through Free Trade.

chapter I|14 pages

The Woollen and Worsted Trades

chapter II|11 pages

The Iron and Steel Trades

chapter III|27 pages

Machinery and Engineering

chapter IV|15 pages

The Cotton Trade

chapter V|12 pages

The Coal Trade

chapter VI|15 pages

Shipping

chapter VII|13 pages

The Hardware and Allied Trades

chapter VIII|18 pages

Agriculture

chapter IX|13 pages

The Pottery Trade

chapter X|9 pages

The Chemical Industries

chapter XI|10 pages

The Money and Stock Markets