ABSTRACT
May I remark that Mr. Chamberlain has a curious viewwhich I think is singular to himself-of the part which figures ought to play in an inquiry of this kind ? He said at New castle, “ No one denies my facts; all they can do is to quarrel over my figures.” To me, I confess, the distinction between facts and figures, in a connection of this kind, is entirely a novel one. For instance, when the question is, as it is, whether our trade during a certain period of time has increased or decreased or remained stationary, there, surely, you have an arithmetical problem which can be determined, and deter mined only, by the evidence of figures. Or, take a still more striking illustration. Mr. Chamberlain tells you at Newcastle that when he has removed three-quarters of the duty on tea, you will be able to buy as much for a penny as you could previously buy for twopence. Great, ladies and gentlemen, are the marvels, magic are the miracles, of Protectionist arithmetic. Why, by removing a portion, or even the whole of the duty, the selling price of a commodity like tea should be reduced one-half, I should be glad if Mr. Chamberlain would explain. We have to content ourselves with the reflection that, while facts are facts, figures are not facts, but only illustrations. With this preliminary caution, let me proceed
for a few moments to an examination of Mr. Chamberlain’s proposals.
