9
has afforded me greater solace during the arduous labours of the last four years than the intelligent appreciation with which my followers have adopted my slightest suggestions. This has often appeared to me extraordinary. It is only the other day I suggested
THE MANUFACTURE OF JAM
as the panacea for agricultural ruin. The word jam was scarcely spoken than the parable was taken up over the whole country; the fiery cross itself could not have circulated with greater rapidity. Jam was the one subject thought of, dreamt of, talked of, in every Liberal household in the country! Jam, especially strawberry jam, was accepted as an emanation of the spirit of Liberalism; the Caucus issued instructions about jam; and now I see my friend Sir Thomas Farren defends the foreign sugar bounties, and excuses the ruin of our own sugar-growing dependencies, solely and entirely on the imperative necessity of getting cheap sugar for jam. From what little beginnings do great results often spring; who could have supposed that my simple praise of jam would result in planting the standard of Liberalism in every nursery in the Kingdom. But such is the case; through jam, and by jam, we have secured the suffrage of that sweet tooth that we know is common to us all. The hearts of mothers and nurses, as well as the hearts of little children, yearn towards us, and even the very face of the infant in arms, when swallowing his concealed Gregory, is dimpled with joy as he recognises the sweet presence of the Grand Old William of the jam pot. (Prolonged cheers and laughter again and again renewed.) As you know, I do not read the newspapers, but I am told that during the last four years there has been a considerable
FALL IN MANUFACTURING WAGES.
And I am particularly reminded that, at Sunderland, the glassmakers, on strike, have asked to be allowed to return to work at the rate of wages paid in Belgium! This is, indeed, an unexpected triumph for Free Trade! Another proof of the infallibility of my friend, Mr. Giffen! Hitherto the Belgians have been able to produce glass cheaper than we have, and have undersold us in our own market. They will do so no longer. This fall in wages will not only enable us to compete with them in our own market, but if the fall is continued, as I think we may reasonably hope it will be, it will enable us to compete with the Belgians in their own markets, in spite of the 40 per cent. protection they enjoy. What a future does not this open to the true political economist! We shall hear no more of producers drinking champagne, and feeding their dogs on beef- steaks! But we shall, instead, welcome the consumer's milennium, a long day's work for a short day's pay. But there are pessimists who will never be comforted, do what we may. We have piped to them, but they will not dance! We have brought wages down to the Belgian level; wheat down to 32s. a quarter; New Zealand mutton down to sixpence per pound; but yet they are not happy! What more do they want?
"EMPLOYMENT,"
I hear some one say. Employment, of course, but employment in remu-
