The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-12-05

In the Washington correspondence of a late
number Of The Republic, of New York, we find
the following in respect to the proposed treaty Of
reciprocity between the United States and the
Dominion of Canada
THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
Some Of the Customs officials Of the Treasury who
have been studying the draft of the proposed reci-
prOcity treaty raise q very interesting question. The
existing tariff treaties with Russia, France and some
other countries contain provisions that those Powers
shall be placed upon the same footing as regards this
country as the most favored nations.
The point is raised that should the proposed reci-
procity treaty be adopted, Russia and France, under
the existing treaties, would have the right at their
own option to demand that the provisions Of the
Washington Treaty should extend to themselves, and
that as q consequence the tariff would be removed
from all articles enumerated in the reciprocity treaty
not only coming from Great Britain, but from Russia
and France. Senator Scott, Of Pennsylvania, who has
given careful comparative study to the proposed reoi-
procIty treaty and TO existing treaties with all foreign
countries, is said to take the position that under this
provision, which is known as the most favored ooun-
try clause, universal free trade on the enumerated
free articles would result from the adoption Of the
reciprocity treaty.
The objection thus raised to q treaty of reci-
procity is very old and has been refuted very
often. In 1867, at the time Of our last attempt
to procure a treaty, this supposed obstacle to our
success was thoroughly examined and discussed,
both here and in the United States, and it was
decided, beyond a doubt, that those who argued
as does the Pennsylvania Senator above referred
to, were in the wrong. During that year the
subject came up in the British House of Commons,
when Mr. Akroyd is represented in the report Of
the debate. as asking the Secretary OF State for
Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that a
treaty Of commerce had recently been concluded
between the Portuguese and French Governments,
admitting French goods on more favorable terms
than heretofore, and thus to the competitive dis
advantage Of the British manufacturer? Lord
Stanley, who was at the head Of the Foreign
Department, replied in these words " In answer
70 the question of the honorable member, as to a
treaty of mmer that has recently been con-
cluded between the Portuguese and French Gov
ernments, admitting French goods on more
favorable terms than heretofore, TO the competi-
tive disadvantage of the British manufacturer, 1
have to state that 1 am aware that it is the case /;
but inasmuch as that has been done in return for
certain special concessions granted by the Gov
eminent of France, the existing treaties between
England and Portugal do not give us any right to
protest or complain on that account"
1t will perhaps be conceded that the statesmen
of Englaud would be as shrewd and careful in
their Interpretation of the significance of the
IS most favored country clause" as the protec-
tionists of Pennsylvania, and quite as averse to
allowing the soundness Of any theory which
might result to the 81 competitive disadvantage"
of their own manufacturers
While We arc upon this topic we will mention
that the remark has been made in our hearing to
the effect that we were blsmeable for always rep
r~sssnting the prospects of obtaining reciprocity