1. a. Trade carried on legally as opposed to dealing in contraband goods. b. In the 18th c. also applied (in popular language) in the precisely opposite sense; a euphemistic synonym for smuggling.
1774. Burke, Amer. Tax. (1775), 49. The contraband will always keep pace in some measure with the fair trade.
2. In recent use: The fiscal system advocated by those who consider that ‘one-sided free trade’ is injurious to the nation adopting such a policy, and that the principle of free trade should be applied only in dealing with nations that admit our products free.
1881. Gladstone, in Times, 8 Oct., 6/5. This he says he wants, not as protection, but in the name of fair trade.
1891. Spectator, 21 Feb., 263/2. An excellent speech against ‘Fair-trade.’
attrib. 1881. Spectator, 10 Dec., 1558. The Fair trade question.
1882. T. H. Farrer, Free Trade v. Fair Trade, ii. 6. The programme of the Fair Trade League is not definite in its particulars. Ibid., ii. 8. That application is not contained in the Fair Trade programme.
Hence Fair-trader, (a) one who trades fairly or legally; (b) one who supports the Fair-trade programme. Fair-tradism, the doctrines of a FAIR-TRADER (sense b).
1673. Essex Papers (Camden), I. 56. Others who have found ye encouragemt from yr farmrs of Ireland to ye ruin of ye fair Trader here.
1746. Lockman, To First Promoter Cambrick & Tea Bills, 27. Bid the Fair-trader … bemoan His credit lost.
1881. W. F. Ecroyd, Sp. at Oldham, 21. Fair Traders … wanted … an extension of real free exchange.
1887. Spectator, 21 May, 674/1. The Fair-traders are at their wits’ end for a compromise with Free-trade.
1888. Pall Mall G., 26 Nov., 12/1. Fair-tradism is apparently to be brought down from national to local application.
