Record

LevelFile
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)JCLAdd/51-53
TitleLetters from Joseph Chamberlain to [Sir Robert] Giffen (1817-1910, economist and statistician), 2 and 5 November, and 4 December
Extent8 items
Date1903
Description2 letters from Highbury, Moor Green, Birmingham, and 4 typescript copy letters

He thanks Giffen for his letter of 26 October [see JCLAdd/49-50], which has confirmed his conviction that 'figures are most dangerous things in the hands of inexperienced people', though he maintains that imperialist concerns override fears of a short-term 'loss of material wealth', for any such loss 'would be amply compensated for by the union of the Empire', 2 November

In his letters of 5 November and 4 December he responds to Giffen's letter of 2 November [see JCLAdd/49-50]. He outlines his objections to the material offered by Giffen in support of his analysis of colonial/foreign trade returns, and maintains that if his 'ideal of a united Empire' is not realised Britain will have to accept a position 'as one of the inferior states of the world'
Access StatusOpen

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