Page "Joseph Chamberlain" Paragraph 89

Chamberlain asserted his authority over the Liberal Unionists soon after Devonshire's departure.

The National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations also declared majority support for tariff reform.

With firm support from provincial Unionism and most of the press, Chamberlain addressed vast crowds and extolled the virtues of Empire and Imperial Preference, campaigning with the slogan ' Tariff Reform Means Work for All '.

On 6 October 1903, Chamberlain began the campaign with a speech at Glasgow.

The newly formed Tariff Reform League received vast funding, allowing it to print and distribute large numbers of leaflets and even the play Chamberlain's recorded messages to public meetings by gramophone.

Chamberlain himself spoke at Greenock, Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds within a month of the outset.

Chamberlain explained at Greenock how Free Trade threatened British industry, declaring that " sugar is gone ; silk has gone ; iron is threatened ; wool is threatened ; cotton will go!

How long are you going to stand it?

At the present moment these industries ... are like sheep in a field.

" At Liverpool on 27 October, Chamberlain was escorted to the Conservative Working Men's Association by mounted police amidst wild cheering.

Intending to enlist the support of the working class, Chamberlain assured his audience that tariff reform ensured low unemployment.

When the Liberal-supporting Daily News used official import prices to demonstrate that a loaf of bread under tariff reform would be smaller than a free trade loaf of bread, Chamberlain arranged for two loaves to be baked based upon free trade and tariff reform prices.

On 4 November 1903, Chamberlain spoke at Bingley Hall, Birmingham and put the loaves on display, raising them aloft.

" Is it not a sporting question ... as to which is the larger?

" he asked the rapturous audience.