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list2-第65部分
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gradually to produce them itself。
Bounties are objectionable as permanent measures to render the
exports and the competition of the native manufactories possible
with the manufactories of further advanced nations in neutral
markets; but they are still more objectionable as the means of
getting possession of the inland markets for manufactured goods of
nations which have themselves already made progress in
manufactures。 Yet there are cases where they are to be justified as
temporary means of encouragement; namely; where the slumbering
spirit of enterprise of a nation merely requires stimulus and
assistance in the first period of its revival; in order to evoke in
it a powerful and lasting production and an export trade to
countries which themselves do not possess flourishing manufactures。
But even in these cases it ought to be considered whether the State
would not do better by making advances free of interest and
granting special privileges to individual men of enter prise; or
whether it would not be still more to the purpose to promote the
formation of companies to carry into effect such primary
experimental adventures; to advance to such companies a portion of
their requisite share capital out of the State treasury; and to
allow to the private persons taking shares in them a preferential
interest on their invested capital。 As instances of the cases
referred to; we may mention experimental undertakings in trade and
navigation to distant countries; to which the commerce of private
persons has not yet been extended; the establishment of lines of
steamers to distant countries; the founding of new colonies; &c。
Chapter 27
The Customs System and the Popular School
The popular school does not discriminate (in respect of the
operation of protective duties) between natural or primitive
products and manufactured products。 It perverts the fact that such
duties always operate injuriously on the production of primitive or
natural products; into the false conclusion that they exercise an
equally detrimental influence on the production of manufactured
goods。
The school recognises no distinction in reference to the
establishment of manufacturing industry in a State between those
nations which are not adapted for such industry and those which;
owing to the nature of their territory; to perfectly developed
agriculture; to their civilisation; and to their just claims for
guarantees for their future prosperity for their permanence; and
for their power; are clearly qualified; to establish such an
industry for themselves。
The school fails to perceive that under a system of perfectly
free competition with more advanced manufacturing nations; a nation
which is less advanced than those; although well fitted for
manufacturing; can never attain to a perfectly developed
manufacturing power of its own; nor to perfect national
independence; without protective duties。
It does not take into account the influence of war on the
necessity for a protective system; especially it does not perceive
that war effects a compulsory prohibitive system; and that the
prohibitive system of the custom…house is but a necessary
continuation of that prohibitive system which war has brought
about。
It seeks to adduce the benefits which result from free internal
trade as a proof that nations can only attain to the highest degree
of prosperity and power by absolute freedom in international trade;
whereas history everywhere proves the contrary。
It maintains that protective measures afford a monopoly to
inland manufacturers; and thus tend to induce indolence; while;
nevertheless; all the time internal competition amply suffices as
a stimulus to emulation among manufacturers and traders。
It would have us believe that protective duties on manufactured
goods benefit manufacturers at the expense of agriculturists;
whereas it can be proved that enormous benefits accrue to home
agriculture from the existence of a home manufacturing power;
compared to which the sacrifices which the former has to make to
the protective system are inconsiderable。
As a main point against protective duties; the popular school
adduces the expenses of the custom…house system and the evils
caused by contraband trade。 These evils cannot be denied; but can
they be taken seriously into account in comparison of measures
which exercise such enormous influence on the existence; the power;
and the prosperity of the nation? Can the evils of standing armies
and wars constitute an adequate motive for the nation to neglect
means of defence? If it is maintained that protective duties which
far exceed the limit which offers an assured remuneration to
smuggling; serve merely to favour contraband trade; but not to
benefit home manufactures; that can apply only to ill…regulated
customs establishments; to countries of small extent and irregular
frontiers; to the consumption which takes place on the frontiers;
and only to high duties on articles of luxury of no great aggregate
bulk。
but experience everywhere teaches us that with well…ordered
customs establishments; and with wisely devised tariffs; the
objects of protective duties in large and compact states cannot be
materially impeded by contraband trade。
So far as regards the mere expenses of the customs system; a
large portion of these would; if it were abolished; have to be
incurred in the collection of revenue duties; and that revenue
duties can be dispensed with by great nations; even the school
itself does not maintain。
Moreover; the school itself does not condemn all protective
duties。
Adam Smith allows in three cases the special protection of
internal industry: firstly; as a measure of retaliation in case a
foreign nation imposes restrictions on our imports; and there is
hope of inducing it by means of reprisals to repeal those
restrictions; secondly; for the defence of the nation; in case
those manufacturing requirements which are necessary for defensive
purposes could not under open competition be produced at home;
thirdly; as a means of equalisation in case the products of
foreigners are taxed lower than those of our home producers。 J。 B。
Say objects to protection in all these cases; but admits it in a
fourth case namely; when some branch of industry is expected to
become after the lapse of a few years so remunerative that it will
then no longer need protection。
Thus it is Adam Smith who wants to introduce the principle of
retaliation int
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