British Film Institute

One of a series of films made for the 1935 general election by the Conservative and Unionist Film Association, in which two cotton workers discuss unemployment and 'safeguarding': the putting of duties on imports. A similar film in the same series featured two Yorkshire woollen workers for the 1931 election. Even in 1935 the issues of free trade and tariffs were still on the political agenda, and the genesis of the discussion can be traced back to the political pantomimes of John Bull's Hearth (1903) and The International Exchange (1905).

In the course of the men's discussion, all the pros and cons of free trade are outlined, notably increased costs, more trade with the empire, increased employment. The flow of the discussion is simple and as the issues become more complex the older worker rationalises them for his younger colleague.

Interestingly, there is comment on Russia as a trading nation. Britain had recognised the USSR and entered into trade negotiations. However, according to the men it is a one-way trade, in which Soviet goods are dumped in Britain, yet Britain's goods are not allowed into Russia. They also point out that Russia trades with the USA, which does not even recognise Soviet Russia's legitimacy.

Simon Baker

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