to make a thorough study of these questions than other people, as for instance the Germans, or are we too lazy?  Free Traders make fun of a scientific tariff, but why should science be excluded from the domain of fiscal policy, especially when the necessity of it is so vigorously and so justly impressed upon us in every other field?  It is not only the War Office which has got to get rid of antiquated prejudices and to open its eyes to what is going on in the world.  Our financial departments might reasonably be asked to do the same, and they are quite equally capable, and I have no doubt equally willing, to respond to such an appeal, instead of leaving the most thorough, the most comprehensive, and the most valuable inquiry into the effects of import duties, which has ever been made in this country, to a private agency like the Tariff Commission.

I do not think it is necessary for me to point out how a widespread tariff, besides those other advantages which I have indicated, would strengthen our hands in commercial policy.  In the first place, it would at once enable us to meet the advances of the other States of the Empire, and to make the British Empire in its commercial aspect a permanent reality.  To do this it would not be necessary, nor do I think it would be right, to exempt goods from the British Dominions entirely from the duties to which similar goods coming from foreign lands are subject.  Our purpose would be equally well served by doing what the Colonies do, and having two scales of duty, a lower one for the products of all British States and Dependencies, a higher one for those of the outside world.  The amount of this preference would be a matter of bargain to be settled by some future Imperial Conference, not foredoomed to failure, and preceded by careful preliminary investigation and negotiations.  It might be twenty-five, or thirty-three, or even fifty per cent.  And whatever it was, I think we should reserve the right also to give a preference, but never of the same amount, to any foreign country which was willing to give us some substantial equivalent.  It need not be a general preference; it might be the removal or reduction of some particular duties.  I may say I do not myself like the idea of engaging in tariff wars.  I do not believe in prohibitive or penal tariffs.  But I do believe in having something to give to those who treat us well, something to withhold from those who treat us badly.  At present, as you are well aware, Great Britain is the one great nation which is treated with absolute disregard by foreign countries in framing their tariffs.  They know that however badly they treat us they have nothing to lose by it, and so we go to the wall on every occasion.