ABSTRACT
The ideal of welding the empire closely together is one that appeals strongly to our sympathies, but there must be other ways in which practical effect can be given to this, without involving ourselves in the indefinable risks and unknown costs which would be entailed by a total upheaval of our whole business fabric and an entire reversal of our fiscal system. The materials used by the machinery and engineering trades would necessarily advance in price in a similar ratio. Thus the coal and coke used for producing iron, steel, and other metals, or for driving power, would be advanced to cover the increased cost of miners labour and the other enhanced rates incident to the costs of production and delivery. The general consensus of opinion amongst authorities in this country appears to be that a much heavier tax will be essential in order to make the scheme operate in the direction aimed at.
