The New York herald., 1869-01-13

- the entrance to the Welland Canal and thence
through Lake Ontario to the SC. Lawrence canals.
Bntao. m the United States and opposite Port Col
borne, ls the entrance to the Erie Canal, leading
to our seshaar AZ We.tsr a" eomerce occn,es nre
ciseiy the same status to these important points,
whence diverge the two lines OF water communication
frequently regarded the great rival routes for the
trade Of the Northwest. The proposed Niagara Ship
Canal IS on the American side and parallel to the
Mssnd Canal and u made ana q any ~ tSs m
fence canals through Canada. Tne following Is
statement Of the relative distances via the St. Law.
renee canals and the Erie Canal To New York and
Boston, the two chief northern ports OF the United
States, the saving Of distance In sending TO New
York being an equal saving TO all the more south
p,...ns. from rsr, colsor.. % Montreal, 1ss sss
renee, 10 track OF commerce In the Atlantic 1000
From Port Coborne, via ST. Lawrence canals, to .oo
From fOi Coiorne, Vi. ST. I.wrsncs canals to New
From Buffalo, VIA Erie Canal and Hudson river to our
seaboard al New York. bU
During the SIX months when the st. Lawrence
route is open II Ia seldom safe, owing to strong cur
rents, immense masses Of ice and fogs almost per-
tropical waters with those brought down from the
polar seas. These geographical facts must deter
mine through all time the supremacy OF our markets
and our carrying systems for the inland commerce
or North America. Adverse legislation by our
foreign neighbors may for time defect portions Of
channels Of ingress and egress to and from our
Atlantic cities, only to react to the loss OF those who
have the temerity 70 try the experiment.
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF THE ENGLISH AND HOME
MARKET FOR GRAIN, &C.
We have seen by the tables already presented that
only sm OF ne grain carried 70 Anew
share ia sent to the West Indies and other southern
countries. AS the route through our Atlantic ports
TO the great grain consuming and manufacturing
regions OF Eastern States as wen as 10 the foreign
and domestic markets south OF New YORK
ana an. Sgp supplied with grain ana horta9 aour ,ordrs To
own country than via the st. Law
renee the value OF the English. grain market
rs worthy OF investigation. although even for this
route the United States has superior advantages.
The Importance OF England as mart for grain
produced on this Continent s greatly oyerraed' In
fdently expected that large market would be
opened for their grain. But the importarions into
Great Britain during the twelve years subsequent to
the repeal Ave times as large as those from the
United States Within that period our home market
s au ~ ngaod an Ssd decreased at least twenty
seven and half per cent In proportion to our popu-
latlon. Milwaukee and Chicago alone often send OIL
from us in year, reckoning the average OF the last
twenty years: These statements are not based on on
wheat producing portions OF the British possessions
ON this Continent makes New York, for them as well
as for the United States the great northern CONT
arising from brisk competition, are found, to which
return cargoes can be had, and whence throughout
either ITO to old ID England, New England or Southern
markets. thus presenting to the Western farmer and
shipper great advantages over Montreal.
TIE AGGRESSIVE Foley OF CANADA.
Canada has during the last quarter OF o century
expended sl3s 1885, 413 in the construction OF unDrot
able railways and canals, with no local tra1ic, popu
lation or commercial wants commensurate with such
stupend0us undertakings but relying upon the d.
versions OF our inland commerce TO sustain them.
The motives OF her policy are almost as well known
as the works she has constructed. The Hon. AsT
Gait, the Canadian Minister OF Finance, in q late
speech on behalf OF the government, said:-"Wc
have trade ourselves which requires enlargement
OF the canals; no trade which would justify us in en-
BY Obtaining @ the states ' trade
and making it pay tolls or otherwise contribute to
How far our government win be willing to surren-
der Its trade and revenues tribute to this policy
OF gigantic British Canadian rivalry will depend
upon the character Of the craftsmanship that shall
govern our country.
CANADIAN TARIrFs-rHsrR INFLUENCE ON UNITED
STATES RAILROADS AND SHIPPING.
Canada, with a view to expectation and the de-
mands OF the maritime provinces, now admits wheat
and nour free OF duty. She has no crop SO cheap
and profitable for various manufacturing and other
purposes as corn bought from US. II Is domestic
necessity with her TO purchase IT, as she cannot pro-
duce it so cheaply as sne can buy IT.; and any duty
levied by her upon wheat and corn, our two staple
articles Of agriculture. must be paid by her people.
Owing to the geological formation and the position
Of the most popuous and rapidly increasing portion
OF Canada she win always be compelled to carry
her coal from distant mines, chiefly from the United
States, her own consumers paying whatever duties
Xcharacterstic feature OF the Canadian tarins Is
that although the usual rate OF duty levied on tex
tile fabrics and other manufactures ID fifteen per
cent, the materials used In manufacturing are care
fully exempted from taxation. Many articles
already in part manufactured also included in the
exemptions for this purpose. This Is carried
to the fullest extent in reference 10 shipbuidng,
all articles used either IN building or furnishing
ship being imported free Of al duty similar policy
exists as to railroad iron In all It's forms; to ocom0
tves and engine frames, and to everything used in
making railways.
building carried out that vessel would cost
about 500 ton IN the seaporis or the United States
can be made for little more than half that sum IN
rency OF the United states. The influence OF this
great advantage in favor Of provincial snippng and
foreign industry those OF our own country, both
rivers, and for trade carried on between the two
countries on the coast and with all regions beyond the
sea- deserves grave attention; and the concessions
made In the same way toprovncial lines OF railroads
also competing with our own are scarcely less
worthy o. consideration. The coastng trade Of the
British provinces has never been conceded 10 the
vessels OF the United States. Foreign ships might go
from one colony 10 another, but even this limited
privilege Is now taken away by the confederation Of
the British North American provinces The imperial
act 6 and IL Victoria, chapter lo7 section 1861 Is Ms
follows
he Bh poss.s"lons ia Asa, Area or america 70 any
other part OF the same possessions except in British ships
Some years ago. In my report TO Congress refer
ring 70 successive ana successful legislative Efforts
OF Canada 10 divert and control our commerce, the
origin of this eva aud injury 10 oar Industrial In
terests were pointed OUT as follows
sass, s ,as ~ .. ss,sss ssn since @ s .s ,. essa % ~
imports BY the vessels Of each country being regarded
as the test. In the Eve years ending June 81 1854
the value OF domestic exports 10 Canada IN British
bottoms Si29s and IN American bottoms 1ebsssls
the rrcpoadcrsncs favor being abou onetnr, while
in the i've since the treaty aud beginning with July
1874 there excess against VI nearly oneba tie
yalns being s2s aosH in American vsssels, against
&Ssga6J2 IN vessels OF British nationality No marked IN
EQUALITY exist. in the Imports the United states W the ship
sssspes.isssy being sSiaassss xiasSe.s,, sas
shipping American shipowners in letters. Tho
staple .nufaeurc Of Canada has long OF ship
building for expectation. fchsap and abundant supply OF
labor for th purpos: ob,sinsd Quebec during The long
winter suspension OF navigation, and the bf ships
built there for ssle N foreign msrkeu erceeds By many
trnca that OF AL other Manufactured os Canada.
This branch OF industry IL encouraged y admitting all the
materials used In the construction rigging equipment Of
shps either nominal Of duty entirely sub
ject Of duty the pbndcr whei
proof given that they have been used for this purpose.
The evi here exhibited has now grown INTO vast
proportions aud Is aggravated by tue burdens OF our
own legislation IL IN Dccoinlrg disastrous to
foreign commerce the armed shps OF Great Britain
under rebel nags were TO our merchant marine dur
ing the ate rebellion. Heretofore the shipowners OF
England ana oeher commercial nations bought our