Page:Bearing and Importance of Commercial Treaties in the Twentieth Century, 1906.djvu/23

 We are frequently reminded of the higher national necessity of fostering our agricultural industries and making this country less dependent on supplies from overseas.

Germany has just dealt with this question; but she is in a different position from us as regards her food supplies. She would have to depend on her territorial neighbours, if her American supply were cut off, as it probably could be even by France. To make Germany, in the main at least, self-dependent for the elementary food of her rapidly-increasing population is a matter of the deepest import to her statesmen; but it is a matter for them, not us. 'On the other hand, we hear often enough that our stupendous Navy is indispensable for the assurance and protection of our food supply. No doubt it is; but if one of the advantages of duties on wheat and meat would be to increase the production of both at home, it would be interesting to know if these taxes on the food of this country would save us any expenditure on battleships. I have never heard it suggested that it might. There are other reasons, however, connected with the question of taxing food and thereby increasing the cost of production in our own industries which bring me to a great new departure and method which, like many other great departures and methods, has originated in Manchester.

Practical business men must often remark the tendency among politicians to attempt solutions of economic problems en bloc: to find a remedy of general application instead of trying to itemise the difficulties and deal with each item separately. Surplus stocks of goods no doubt do End their way to the British markets and force down