(32.) “The revenue returns continue to exhibit a stagnant tendency _under all the heads which are considered tests of national prosperity_.” (Telegraphic Summary of News, _Civil and Military Gazette_, December 7th, 1883.) (33.) “It is predicted that, unless Freight rates to India speedily improve, a considerable number of steamers now engaged in the trade will be laid up.” (_Civil and Military Gazette_, December 7th, 1883.) (34.) “Gloomy predictions are uttered about the immediate future of our iron-trade. Few fresh orders are coming in, and stocks are consequently increasing in an alarming manner.” (_Civil and Military Gazette_, December 7th, 1883.) (35.) “Again it is alleged that the principles of free trade, which have been adopted in this country, have tended, in a great degree, to produce the disastrous results which we have at present to contend against, and which present a gloomy look-out for the cotton operatives of this country.” (_The Mail_, December 19th, 1883.) (36.) “It is the intention of the leading men among the cotton operatives to move next session for a Royal Commission to enquire as to what extent, if any, we suffer from foreign competition, and _what bearing our system of free trade_ may have on the question.” (_The Mail_, December 19th, 1883.) Before I proceed to substantiate the facts above given, I wish to clear the ground by a few axioms which I think few will venture to dispute. FOOTNOTE: [2] By Mr. John Bright. CHAPTER V. AXIOMS FOR JUGERNATHIANS. _Axiom._ _Action of Free-Trade._ (1.) The object of political Free trade attaches more economy is to increase importance to consumption than the wealth and power to productive industries. of a country.[3] (2.) The riches or power of a country is in proportion to its produce.[3] (3.) _Industries_, or the produce Free trade destroys the sources of the land and labour, of employing productive are the REAL WEALTH labour. of the country.[3] (4.) The requisites of production are Labour, Capital and Land.[4] (5.) Parsimony, not industry, Free trade promotes consumption is the immediate source rather than parsimony. of increase of capital.[3] (6.) Capital is wealth appropriated Free trade is rapidly driving to reproductive capital to Protectionist employment.[4] countries. (7.) Industries are limited by capital, and cannot be created without capital.[5] (8.) Increase of capital gives employment to labour without assignable limits.[5]