PROFESSIONAL PHILAN THROPISTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 124, 22 November 1932, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL PHILAN THROPISTS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—There are but few of us who do not look at economic questions from 4he personal viewpoint, i.e., how it touches the pocket nerve; the most tender of all sensitive spots. Many try to hide this natural selfishness under a cloak of altruism: the good of the other fellow. If "the self interest is borne in mind, as it should be, but little harm can be done, except maybe in the possible swaying of petty politicians —it there are any such—who, with ear to the ground, listen for the shuffling feet of voters. Irankly, as a manufacturer, I believe in tariffs, sufficiently'protective to cover the extra cost of wages and conditions and I would remind those who have read history that for over four centuries breat Britain was strongly protective and built up the strongest Empire known: whilst in less than a century of free trade she is in difficulties. The importer for the same reason as mine—.self interest—advocates free trade but he attempts to hide the selfishness by emitting altruistic "ballyhoo" (pardon the slang; result of viewing foreign movies). It manufacturers here want to prevent deportation as undesirables, they must make noises like the thud of heavy votes dropping into ballot boxes. It is strange that no-one ewes aloud for an inquiry into importers' profits. Because the importer buys his goods abroad, often at low cost oi labour, and too often at dumped prices why is he to be exempt from critical inquiry as to what he gets out of the consumer? Then the down-trodden farmerpoor chap—has just had another half million voted for his assistance, and with 600 instructors constantly on the road to tell him what to do, and how to do it, he is still grousing, and wants an inflated exchange which he says will benefit the local manufacturer; not himself'■ of course The apparently frantic importer will just put his usual profit on the landed cost, and the farmer s wife will buy just the same "because it. is imported/my dear." In the picturesque vernacular of the New Youne -wouldn't, that just slay you."—l anvetc* . -: ; , <LOCAL INDUSTRY.