ABSTRACT
The discussion of the desirability of a protective system is, in strictness, only one part of a general enquiry into the relations of the government of a country to its industry and trade. What kind and degree of interference with private enterprise in the development of the resources of a country is desirable? This is a subject of too great scope to be handled within the limits of this chapter, so that the reference to it will be confined to a few general considerations. The broad principle, that those whose livelihood depends on their success in discovering, and putting into practice, the best forms of industrial organisation and the most profitable resources to which to apply their energies, are the more likely to succeed the less they are interfered with by officials of the government, may be accepted as a starting-point. So far as it applies, it rests on the reasonable assumption that men will do more to secure gain or avoid loss for themselves, than to benefit, or to protect from injury, the community of which they form part. Consequently they are more likely to discover for themselves what offers the best prospect of profit, how values may be produced sufficient to more than offset the expenses of production, than are the officials, who act on behalf of the government, to discover it for them.
