ABSTRACT

It has now become necessary to lay clearly down the economic principles on which the doctrine of Free Trade is founded, and to show that the results of Free Trade, so far as it has been tried, have been beneficial to the community as a whole. The authors present here the fundamental reason for Free Trade. Things required for man's life and comfort should be produced wherever the circumstances are on the whole most favorable to production. This is thoroughly recognised within the bounds of a single nationality. The rejection of the more prominent names connected with the movement has created a feeling that, as far as the present Parliament is concerned, the cause has not advanced. No Fair-Trader imagines for a moment that protective Victoria will relax all her tariff, and only impose on British manufactures what it may suit New South Wales to impose.