Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-10-21
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY

The Reciprocity Treaty so called, whereby
there was to be reciprocal free trade between
this country and Canada so far as the raw
products of both countries are concerned,
does not work satisfactorily, by any means.
The Interpretation put upon some of its
clauses by the Canadian officials, coupled
with the ddrance of the Canadian Tariff on
American manufactures works greatly to the
disadvantage of our people.
The Rochester Union, after mentioning
the arrival OF 80. 900 bushels or more of Can
adam wheat for the Rochester mills, and the
prospective arrival of a vast deal more, says
"TheC Canadians are now reaping the full
benefit ofthe Reciprocity act. nv pushing in
to this market their grain at low fr'ights and
fair prices. But where is the quid pro quo
to our people? The provincial tariff ex-
cludes all our products which we might send
back in exchange for this grain, and we get
nothing ont of"reciprocity."
? We are not finding fault that there is free
trade in lumber and grain. but, as Yam ees
we don't like to he cheated in this bold man.
ner, AMI under the pretence that 1t is a bar
gain. IF our government will throw open
the gates, and say to the British government.
''yOur provinces NAV send all they produce
to our market duty free" why then we will
cay nothing but we don't like to have such
a grant made for which no equivalent is Civ
en-, and vet have the trade called ''reciproci-
ty." There is nothing reciprocal about
it."
Even on the other side of the line, the
present aspect of things is not looked upon
with favor; especially in Canada West. The
Toronto Globe, noticing a report that
Hon. Israel S. Hatch had appointed by
the President to make an examination
into the operation of the treaty, which is
causing so great dissatisfaction on our North
diately on his duties, expresses its views as
follows
1--WE apprehend that the appointment OF
MIR. Hatch is the first step towards the ac-
complishment of what we have for some time
expected-the partial or total abrogation Of
the Reciprocity treaty. The imposition OF
our present enormous tariff upon every artl-
icle of American manufacture has aroused
| the Indignation Of the whole southern from
tier. Many manufacturers now only ship
hundreds to Canada where they formerly SEN
thousands. Some establishments have &C
tually been closed in consequence of the
withdrawal Of the Canadian trade. The
Americans very reasonably say that they
have admitted our great staples of lumber
grain, breadstufs. and other articles of food
to competition with their growers, free o.
duty, and it is not right that We should i'm
pose protective duties on their manufactures
which are almost the only articles that they
can proftahly export to Canada. They
threaten an immediate abrogation of the
treaty, and may be as good as their word /
something is not done to prevent them
They hold that the clause of the treaty
which provide for its maintenance during
ten years may be set aside. on the GROUND
that at all events the spirit Of the contract
has been broken by Canada.
There can be no doubt that the abolition
of the tire .ty would be a serious injury e
Upper Canada. Lower Canada would sutfsl
less, and perhaps not at all, and 1t was she
that was chiefly instrumental in the passage
of the high tariff. If the old duty Of twenty
per cent. were imposed upon breadstufs go
ing into the States, the Canadian f.rmer, in
stead of getting one dollar for his wheat,
would only get eighty cents. The Tiff renee
would 90 into the United States treasury
1t would be the same with lumber. 4 large
portion of the life and prosperity which have
marked the trade of Upper Canada since tn,
passage Of the treaty, would cease, and We
would return to our old state Of inactivity
How long the farmers and lumb'rm o
Canada would submit to remain in a position
of inferiority to their American ~neighbors
after enjoying equality for years, would be
/ moment us question.