The house of Industry : a new estate of the realm

TAXATION A TRADITION 35

Just now we are talking a great deal about wheat. Canada is asking us to put a duty upon wheat with an Empire preference. On the other hand, Russia is sending us wheat below current market prices. For some reason that I cannot fathom, this is regarded as an unfriendly act. If my baker will kindly reduce the price of his bread, I hasten to assure him that I shall not regard him as an enemy. Nor will some tailor who will receive an order for a suit of clothes to be paid for out of my saving on bread. Yes, by Jove! I won’t wait for a suit. I will buy a shirt, to the lasting benefit of the depressed cotton trade. Unlike the last straw on the camel, the shirt, presented to me by my baker, may save the textile industry from collapse !

If in being, what would the House of Industry do when posed with this question ?

It might say to Canada that in consideration of our buying Canadian wheat—no question of tariffs arises, for the House of Industry has full powerswe propose to pay in part with agricultural machinery. Canada answers: “‘ Thank you, very much; but we have our own agricultural machinery, some of which we are actually selling in England in exchange for your excellent woollen goods. Nothing doing in that line. This is business, not sentiment, you know.’’ The House of Industry then offers to Russia agricultural machinery, textile machinery, boots (the best in the world) in part payment for her wheat. “ All right,’’ answers Russia, ‘‘ subject to some adjust-