For, if Mr. Balfour and the members of his late governments, had only studied the views of the older writers on political economy in connection with such (6 paper-currencies," they would have discovered that those men, like all the experts of the present day, confirm these principles, both with regard to prices and to the ruinous results on all commodities, under any similar systems.

For they wrote, "that the position of a commodity represented is both unsafe and unstable unless the paper-currencies, as issued, are a representative of that commodity and not merely as a substitute for it; further, that unless the actual commodity itself, so represented, is in itself increased in quantity pro rata to the increase of the paper-currency representing it."

And it is well to remember that, when these older writers framed their ideas, it was in the nature of a prophecy, for there were no systems of "fictitious dealings," much less those of an international character, as there are in 1906. There were no "bulls," because there were no "bears," who at any minute in every day, and all the year round, could create any quantity (ad lib.) of such

paper currencies," representing merely a substitute for such commodities or shares, and independent of the world's actual supplies.

Thus, whether it be Great Britain's national industry, or whether it be its finance or its cotton, sugar, iron, copper, tin, wool, and other industries, as dwelt upon in this book, all of which come under these international gambling systems, and which,

in the aggregate, constitute the empire's life-blood, the members of the Salisbury-Balfour Governments, who have been its trustees during the past eleven years, by steadfastly refusing to acknowledge and to legislate on the direct economic causes, which have led to their respective ruin, high-minded and honourable as they otherwise are, must be held responsible by future generations, and be handed down to posterity,-I say it as an old Conservative and from a sense of duty,-as the representatives of the most "destructive governments" of modern times, because, being British gentlemen, they have neglected to do their duties.

To use a vulgarism, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating," for since they first accepted office, it is admitted on both political sides, that the financial, commercial, and economic positions of Great Britain, have gradually been going from bad to worse, while this government, on the eve of its departure, leaves the country standing on the slippery brink of a precipice, with Protection, or Protection in disguise, under the names of Retaliation and Preference, as its sovereign remedies in order to prevent that catastrophe actually becoming an accomplished fact.1

I can only earnestly hope, that those electors who will be called upon in the next few weeks, to say, into whose hands the destinies of the nation shall be committed, will realise, that every vote given to the Protectionists is a vote given to the "international capitalists," and that all such votes, 1 See Appendix, Note 18, pages 331-32 The latest remedy!

in consequence, must tend to the ruin of the British Empire.1

I also trust they will do their duty by electing a King's Government, who will be honest and straightforward enough to recognise these "International" Economic Causes of Ruin," and by prohibiting them by legislation on the lines I have advocated, will thus prove itself, in years to come, as fully worthy of "Nelson's" motto:

"England expects every man to do his duty."

1 Result of General Election. See Appendix, Note 17.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

I CAN wind up this book by humbly but earnestly beseeching those, in the name of the world's peace, happiness and prosperity, who either rule, or are in authority, or are in power in 1906, to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the various economic subjects, I have briefly dwelt upon.

For, I take it for granted, all such men's minds are unbiassed, and they are open and free to study any new remedies that may be put forth, for the causes which are gradually but surely tending towards the world's economic ruin.

Also, that they fully recognise that their exalted powers can only be of a transitory character, and that they have been placed there by the Almighty, either as temporary or as life-directors over nations, and that, in consequence, they have to perform their respective duties, both to their God and to man, so long as they hold such "world's " power.

I can also appeal to the consciences and hearts of the leaders of the world's employers and the world's Press, in justice to honest labour as well as in the welfare of the unemployed, poor, and homeless, adopting the words as used in the beautiful prayer of the Bishop of Manchester, "that the same questions may guide their minds," and thus, I trust, help them to solve the great social and economic

problems, now en evidence all over the world, and which combined, are threatening the very destruction of the world's "international" industries, and, consequently, its prosperity and happiness.

I can also remind the great international capitalists and market-gamblers, in the name of humanity, that the fortunes they achieve through dishonest means or by the abuse of capital, under these international trade and financial gambling systems, are illgotten and obtained by defrauding others in order to enrich themselves; and that by so doing, they wreck the lives of hundreds of millions of innocent people.

I can also ask these men not to forget that such moneys, given or left, either during their lives or after their deaths, to charities or otherwise, can never exculpate their past wrong-doings, that Salvation is not to be bought for gold, and, "what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul."

For, as President Roosevelt truly puts it, "the man of great means who achieves an immense fortune by crooked methods does a wrong to the body politic, and becomes a source of great danger to the nation. The worst citizens are those men who have achieved great wealth or any other form of success in any save a clean and straightforward manner. It is far more important that such men should conduct their business decently than spend the surplus of their fortunes in philanthropy."

And no real Christian man or woman can deny the truth of these words.

By applying them broadly to the world in