The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-15
Our Canadian Corrcspond enee.

TORONTO, June u 1851
The Reciprocity Question-Dssa the Provincial Par
haven't
Last night, an important debate took place in the
Legislative Assembly, Mr. Merritts motion for an ad-
the imperial government on the subject Of re-
ciprocity with the United States.
Mr. MrnRITT, In introducing the matter, adverted to
the revolution produced in colonial Affairs by the free
trade policy Of Great Britain To meet the altered cir
cumstaHces he originally proposed four the
part Of Canada all Of which s necessary lst To
admit all goods free from discriminating duties ID TO
repeal all acts relating TO the colonial trade ID, To
open the St Lawrence to all nations In order to obtain
revenue from the canals 4th To negotiate with tho
United states TO admit the productions Of Canada FREQ
of duty lie reviewed the negotiations with the wash
ngton government and said he had to the conclu
sion that there IL little hope d obtaining reciprocity
without taking means to compel It. Provincial legs-
lston do nothing Only few places be Affected
by Anything that be done In Canada, and they
are sufficiently influential to produce any effect on
the Union. To close our canals would be absurd .
means of retaliation would have the effect Of adding
immensely TO the difficulties under which Canada
Mbors hut though Canada can do nothing alone, she
can do everything with the aid Of the mother country
who has the Of making herself felt throughout the
whole American contins Mt merely by imposing duties
produce received from the United States .repudAted
protection and hxed duties and moved address which.
In substance prayed the Imperial Parliament TO impose
d-rentis duties the productions Of all natsons to
duce imported from Britain OF her depe ndencies
Hon. MI RoriNsos maintained that Canada wants pro-
lection TO which he attributed the great prosperity Of
the United States Formerly, under protection, -four
always dollar barrel higher in Montreal than in New
York. but this has been reversed since free trade
into operation In amendment to the address he moved
long string Of resolutions affirming the necessity Of
sdcrative commercial union OF the British American
provinces Of derentsl duties In favor q the e. Law
renee, and increased duties all articles capable 81
beir mann actured In Canada.
Hon y, H,scss, inspector aenerai oppoeed both pro-
position former because its adoption inecns
tent with good policy and could not be Of any avail the
latter because he vas sverse 70 the whole principle Of
protection except as temporary measure Of e.ped,sney
In favor OF the St. Lawrence route unjust 70 Upper
Canada but limited significantly and frequently that the
compelled TO coee the canals against
American vessels bound for lake ports IL said, he
remsrked that any attempt 70 retalate on the uaited
States by would be hopeless and that the
provincial government altogether povsrless, apart
from Britain Such assertions could only be made With
view 10 their reception In the American maxket His
most deeply the prosperity Of the United sates the
closing Of the canals ON certain principles and u one
which add materially to the trade Of this country
lie wished 70 see American vessels in canals but be
slso wished TO them going down the ST. Isvrvpee
instead Of stopping at Osw-go ogdensburEh Ne would
my You shall 90 through canals II ycu 90 to
British ports; but you shall not through you stop
at o,vssS or osasaseu,sh ny aaSpaps ins peSsy
the Americans nov believe that the Canadian govern
ment In earnest on this question. They know that
TO them ten times injury than II h possible for
them ~ do 70 strenuous exertions at this mo-
burgh and even the people Of New England bringing
influences 70 bear American government In fsvor
Of reciprocity conviction having become general that
cur government determined 70 adopt rtaiiato~y
policy Justice be not conceded lie advised the house
TO defer s Judgment ON the question for brief perod
a. the government In daily expectation ~ informa
tion which win have most Important innucnce on the
issue.
Mr. cl,lrr, Inspector General In the late tory sdm
pisraon spoke in favor n general protective policy.
Mr. HoIsrs, member fer Montreal, expressed HE con-
viction that Ensiah miniry will be able -
viye protection Consequently any man who dssr.s 70
promote Canadian manufactures through protectsonr
must necessarily be Annexationst for 10 only 10
connection with the United States that protection VII
Be practicable. lie condemned the miserable nArrc~
minded whseh prccludce the discussion o. snnsss-
Mon the broadcast grounds. and declared tnst men
who have forward annexsnonsts are nevertns-
lees as loyal AZ CIR Allan Mcrsb He (Mr Holmes) be-
heved that the cloeng Of canals one % tne moes
feasible schemes a scerron That can b Devised know
ns As no ala that the greatest anxiety prevails upon
the matter throughout the far West az wen AZ In the
north eastern etates The only other retastory souree
omen 10 us the removal OF all customs duties IN oraer
10 bring trade shores and NJ the same time 70 In
aict a heavy blow on the American treasury.
Nanv Numbers II lesser note addressed the house In
favor q one or other u the suggestions that pad eeen