IN 1839, Richard Cobham a Manchester businessman, and one of the leaders of the free trade movement, which wanted repeal of the Corn laws, imposing a high tax on imported wheat and indeed abolition of all trade tariffs, in a speech, asked what free trade was.
"Why," he said, "the breaking down of barriers behind which hide feelings of fear, suspicion and hatred and which every now and then burst their bonds and deluge whole nations with blood."
Now, free trade is indeed breaking down barriers, bringing prosperity to more and more people and has the potential to bring peace.
Richard Cobham was indeed a man of vision.
JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.
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