The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-18

lions, might be adyaniageously purchased In ina
and our other Atlantic cities.
| While the farmers OF the West woud be benefited BY
the free introduction OF wheat into the lower colonies
they would gain equally BY the effect which the proposed
arrangement would have in increasing The consumption
and export OF another OF their most important staples
| The principal food OF the lumbermen aud hshermen-
next to The agncuurss, the most numerous class OF
labofers 10 Canada aud the lower provnces-s pork
This staple can be produced in States, where
lodan corn cheap at less cost than in any other part
OF the world.
TO the fisheries OF the St Lawrence and the lumber trade
OF canada would largely increase the consumption of this
article The value OF the lumber trade OF Canada in
1916 was estimated al 10 100000 She must therefore
have large army 10 support in her forests The dut,
charged IN Canada on pork swes the price OF lumber
sent TO eastern markets. so that actually the eastern
consumer pays the greater part OF the collected
there this article while. TO certain extent. lis pro-
ducton in the provinces is encouraged by the connu.
1t is not improbable that some local and temporary in.
conyenences may follow from the free competition OF
provincial products This is particularly true in respect
But, 10 comprehend the effects OF great commercial
measure like this we must look beyond the lines OF q
town or county and the temporary arrangement incident
10 any change IN the existing order oil things
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
| Many of our citizens have been so much accustomed
10 consider protective duties the only aid which legs
laon npar 10 industry that they seem to have
looked some more practicable, and equally efficient
dies, which can be applied without violating any prlnci
pie, or exciting the preudices OF any party. prevailing
error has been to regard the policy OF protection by high
duties as one based upon abstract principles instead OF
being supple business matter resting upon facts and
common sense. The circumstances OF nation may so
change that free trade itself may become the highest
measure OF protection.
The English nation has found that the policy which
nounshed her manufactures in their infancy would have
been runous to them in their maturity Ii was from no
sentiment OF philanthropy for her starving population that
Great Britain repealed her laws but that by esab
ishin8 Tree Trade with her most Important customers she
might enlarge the markets for her productions When
her manufacturers could successfully defy the world she
adopted policy which would enable them 10 command
the market OF the world. Some OF our most intelligent
manufacturers and particularly those OF coarse cOons,
acknowledge that their difficulty is oyerproducon, and
that little relief will be afforded by any increase OF duty,
which would stimulate production and overstock mar
ke already gial,ed They perceive that the most ETH
cen relief VIII be to adopt wherever practicable, the
system oil Great Britain, enlarge the outlets for
| u'aclures, and complete occupancy OF
markets already opened II is in this point Of view that
the question OF free trade with the British provinces be-
comes one OF the highest interest The population OF
these provinces as stated IN their census returns OF
! 1851, is 2,476,546.
The nation which is strongest in capital and skill de-
rves the greatest advantage from free trade Ii be-
lieved that the benefits anticipated by would not
accrue to us from embracing, if it were practicable, all
manufactures IN the arrangement in consequence oil
the abolition OF derenal duties in the provinces,
manufactures are now admitted on the same terms
those of our chief competitor, and are, therefore now
relatively Free We have several important advantages
over tho mother country, which must always give
manufactures the preference Our goods better suited
cost OF transportation enable the colonial merchants 10
select their goods by personal inspection, and
chants to adapt their exports to the condition and
sites OF market with which they have instant commu-
nication. Although might be desirable 10 have a
mercal union with the colonies perfect that between
the several States must be remembered that this would
be totally incompatible with the separate political exist
ence OF the colonial government The increase
IN colonial consumption OF our manu- fractures during hs
twelve years succeeding 1910 is wholly unparalleled In
that year the total value OF exports OF domestic
uacqre ST., 704 $40, of which only S77773I were
sent 10 the colonies By analysis OF the tables of
meTca navigation OF the United States for the year end
ing June 80. 1851, IL appears that the value OF entire
export OF domestic manufactures was l36,967. The
value OF our export OF domestic manufactures all the
British North American colonies was $5,437,775. Fol
the year ending June 80, 1852, the whole OF ou
domestic manufactures exported $2l ,045 24S, OIL
which $3Sl2,S7s was sent TO these colonies II appeari
by these returns that the colonies OF
manufactures, and, what is equally important greater
variety than any other country.
SENTIMENT IN CANADA ON RECIPROCAL TRADE.
Hon. F. Hncks. Finance Minister of Canada, in Z
letter addressed TO Hon r. M McLane. former chairman
OF the Committee on Commerce, dated January s, 1851
remarks; III is assumed, and perhaps il may turn out
unfortunately assumed, by the opponents of the reel
procy bill that in the event OF the bill being rejected By
the American Congress, Canada will maintain her presen
commercial policy and continue to foster the impoan
trade from the United States Ii very desirable that yo,
should be fully aware OF the state of public opinion il
Canada on this question Having myself been s,rons
advocate Tor free commercial intercourse with the United
States, and having had, IN my position Finance Min
sier, 10 resist IN Parliament The advocates OF restrictive
policy, ! am thoroughly acquainted with the views o
all parties have no hesitation in stating that the advo
Gates of retaIiatory policy rapidly gaining ground
Whether all any Of the plans suggested will be car
red out, is Of impossible for TO say but il il
certainly highly desirable that in arriving at very i'm
porant descson you should be fully of the proba
bic consequences The reimposiion of the dierentia
duties agains, the United States manufactures has beer
strongly urged. Such would be most acceptable
10 the commercial interests OF Montreal and Quebec
trade seriously injured by their repeal Al close
i the OF Parliament. influential
OF the opposuon-a gentleman who held under forme
administration the Office which have the honor to
ll-gave notice OF his intention 10 introduce bill during
the next 10 relmpose these duties Leading
gans OF the opposition have strongly advocated such
measure and doubt be entertained that il will en-
gage the consideration OF Parliament al early day
Should II be adopted, the United States will have no jus
cause OF complaint They never invited Canada TO repea
the deenta duties, and their rejection OF the reciproci
rejection OF the Canada trade In England, the reimpo
siiion OF deental duties by Canada would be received
most fayoraby, and there be doubt tina, the efec
would be 10 stimulate the efforts of those who seek
ing to obtain modification of the present laws
i
The measure under consideration coniemplaies the &C
ton of the treaty making power in securing TO the UnI
ted States anterior 10 any reciprocal free trade certain
concessions the part OF Great Britain which are o
the utmost importance citizens engaged in the
iona industry has made SC lule comparative progress
our fisheries Before the revolutionary war; twenty
thousand tons OF shipping belonging TO Massachusetts
and other New England States employed in thu
fisheries. The increase OF shipping employed IN the fab
cries in the last twenty years has been only about eght