SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE ON FREE TRADE

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1460, 10 November 1881, Page 4

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE ON FREE TRADE

.Spe vicing at Sheffield on September 2nd, Sir Stafford Northcote spoke as follows in reference to the commercial policy of England :—: — It is quite possibles that the refusal by France to renew the Tieaty of 1861 may biing about some reconsideration of the policy then adopted with such applause by the present Prime Minister, just as events in lieland have led to the re-open-ing of the Irish legislation of 1870. That is the question of the commercial policy, upon which it is necessary we should enter with the greatest caution, and with the greatest delicacy. You know perfectly well how much England has at stake in regard to her commercial policy. You know that these things are not to be disposed of by mere formulas or abuse. It is not enough to tell the people that if they take difFerent views from those of tin I " present day they are only fit for a lunatic asylum — (hear, hear), You know that the question of our commercial policy is materially affected by the introduction of the system of treaties in 1860, which set aside the first great measures of free trade whii^h we parsed some fifteen years before. At th'it time the idei which piov.uh'il was that it was only ncce->sarv for us to hold out our hsmd to other countries a. id that all the fault liy upon (iieif But nil, and th it thrro was no f.mlt iinywhoio 01-o That is a favourite doctnnp, by the by, ju-tnow — (hvishter). The idea w.is that it would only bo necessary for us to go on, and everybody el-e would thiow open their porN, and would desiie true freedom of tnde throughout the woild. 1 have been a fiec tiador. and I am ri fiee nailer now, but I desire free trade, univeisal and fair — (cheers), and that tins country will not be placed m a false position towauls foreign countnes in her dealings with them on that matter. Remember, however, how very complicated and how very difficult those questions are. Remember how much is at stake, and that you must move cautiously m the mattei. 1 have no trust w hatev er in leaving the present Government to administer and settle this ! question of the treaty with Fiance — (heai, heat) I believe we have got into a false position there altogether, and that the case is one on w Inch the Government ought to consult the House with leqaid to the position which we occupy, and the I mejaiiies winch it i^> necessary for us to taku in Older to secuie the full development of the vauous br inches of industry in this countiy — (bear, bear).' Peihaps they m.ij not think it desirable to do so ; but if they do not. I know that there are moil in the l.mks of tlio Consultative p.uty who aie detei minud tabling the matter foiw.ird, and we shall have a caiehil LOii.suleiatiOn of the subject — (heat). I aw .nt that discussion, and I think weouyht all to be anxious, as far as uooiil)!c, to collect infoimatiou, and to ciideavoi to c'oar oil! 1 views upon some ot tlie puiblcni'i that v\ill have to be submitted to that body, or discussed in some foim oi othci. I am veiy well awaie that a little v Inle ago tlieic was a \eiy simple explanation always ieady to be offered for any commercial differences in England. Theie was that wicked Beaconrffiold Government!— (laughter). And now we must consider the matter fiom a diffeient point, and we must endeavor to come to some rational answer to it — (hear, hear). We are asked what is the position which the Conservative pas ty are now occupying m Pailiament and in the countiy ? Aie we, as some of our opponents say, a emshed, a defeated, a downtiodden paity ?— ("No," and cheers)— or have we still a little of the true British spiut left m us? — (hear, hear). And are we prepared to use all the power which we possess to louse the spiiit of our countrymen to its ancient level ?— (cheers). I sometimes think when I hear the toast of ' The Aimy and Navy ' proposed, th.it I should like to say a word against that which has now become a very popular featuio, and J daresay a very usetul fpatiuc, in our military system — the autumn manoeuvres. I object to the autumn mancuiivres on this giound, that we are always tiying to teach our soldiers wlion they are beaten. If you pee your adversaries on higher ground than yourselves. }ou must consider you are beaten and £>ive up the game — (laughter, and hoar, hear). It is a very bad lesson for us, and I am quite convinced it is a losson which won't at all suit the Conservative paity — (cheers). Our autumn manoeuvres ought to be of a \eiy different character — (hear, hear). Now that we are set free fiom attendance at Westminster, it is the time for us to put ourselves into closer relation with our friends in the country — (cheers) — to offer them any advice that wo think can be of use, and to receive from them advice, information, and encouragement ; and I will venturo to say that thine is no place from •which that advice and encouiagoment can better proceed than fiom those who m lam addressing this evening — (cheers). We have done our be^t under the circumstances in which wo aro placed in the Houso of Commons — (cheers)— and wo have not been altogether unable to influence the course of legislation and of action. You have been leuiiuded that wo stood up when we thought it our duty to protect the' House against what would have been in our judgment a piofanation of the oath of allegiance—(cheeis)—and though we were a miserable minority — (laughter) — and though we were opposed by a great majority which had such implicit confidence id its leader, still the sense of the House, evoked by our challenge, proved to be on our side —(cheers). We have supported the Government by every means* in our power in those portions of their legislation in which they have had to stand against umeasonable conduct on the part of the liish members ; but we stood up against them, and not unsuccessfully in many details of the great measure which has now been passed, and which, by their own admission, has been much improved by the criticisms and amendments of both "louses of our Legislature— (hear heai ). Of the Conservative party in the House of Lords I can only speak with pride and satisfaction. The country has been charmed with the temper and cour.ige and judgment and eloquence displayed <rhen the great measure I refer to came into the House of Lords, an 1 when the members took their stand against what waR not legitimate and essential in the bill. I believe thjt the conduct of the House of Lords, V ough disapproved of by a number of fanatios, has in the main been thoioughly approved and sustained by the national opinion — (cheers). We have done our duty, or tried to do it, in the House of Commons, and they have tried to do theirs in the Upper Chamber, It remains for you, the people of this country, to do your duty ia the organization of your constituencies, and in preparation for the time when you may be called ,uppn to return other members to . Parliament. Very much is at stake in respoot to the prosperity of the Empire j

very much at stake with regard to the right of property and with regard to the maintenance of order and security and even of life— (cheers, and hear, hear). Depend upon it, this is a time for courageous and confident action. Ido nob wish to oveir.ite the dangers to which I refer, but I do not wish to underrate them. We must stand up like men. The woik con be done amongst ourbelves by hearty and self-sicrificing organization, and I believe that Sheffield especially wi 1 occupy the place which it occupied at the last election— (cheers). — North British Agricultui ist.