New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-22
PROTECTION IN CANADA.
THE NEW DOMINION TARIFF.

Farm PRODUCE.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRBUsE.l
OTTAWA, March III is charged against poll
ticians that they much given to large promise
and small performance, aud even those who are
dignifed with the title of statesmen do not escape
the imputation. All the more remarkable it is,
therefore, TO have a case turn upi which the per-
Torrance has not merely come up to the
promise but has even exceeded 1t. Last year
Sir John 4. Macdonald and his friends then in
opposition. went to the country with the
promise that if returned to power they would bring
in National policy of protection for Canada. The
late Government took their stand on the opposite
side maintaining that free trade the true COM
meTcia policy for any country or at least that snch
incidental protection as revenue requirements then
afforded was all that Canada had any occasion for.
The protection OF agriculture and coal mining IN
particular, they declared to be utter absurdity,
and in fact impossible Of being realized. The ma
iority of the people thought differently and by the
popular vote change of Government was decreed.
Then came the question, Would the new Govern
ment really prove both able and willing to fulfil,
when in power, the promises made when in opposi-
ton Their friends said they would, but their
enemies advised the country to look for an
evasion or a breakdown. 1t was confidently as
serted that no Canadian Government dare take
the National policy bull by the horns and so pro-
woke the hostility of both Great Britain and the
United States The mother country, it was SAID,
would at once disown Canada as an undutful
child, while the Americans would retaate with
still higher duties So threatening was the pros
pective Vengeance of Old England and New Amer
lea made to appear that not few felt like sinking
INTO their boots. As the time for the budget speech
drew near, public anxiety increased, and even
stanch friends Of the Government could not hide
their fears that contract too big for them to fulfil
had been entered into. The eycntful day came at
last FRIDAY, 18th instl and now both friends and
foes of tho Government are astOnlshed 10 see how
much the reality exceeds the average expectation.
1t not that the cOuntry's demand has been ex-
ceeded far from it, for the recent election verdict
was in favor Of u thOrough-gOlng National policy.
Aud it is fact, too. as evidenced by public ex-
pressons Of opinion, by pressure brought to bear by
constituents upon members Of the House, and by
members upon the Government that the popular
feeling upon the subject is even stronger to-
day than it was in September last and
to-day the whole country IS ringing with APP
pause. Upon Conservative members letters
and telecrams are pouring in from all parts
of the Dominion, urging them to stand firm, and
not to Weld an inch in the struggle for protection
to home interests 4 few figures IN the schedule
probably be amended; but as a whole the new
tariff IS sustained by immense pressure Of public
opinion. both in and out of Parliament.
The new policy amounts to a commercial revolu-
ton: it Is III effect declaration of commercial in
dependence on the part of Canada. Nothing TO
match il was ever attempted here before, and no
former Finance Minister either of Old Canada or
of the COutederated Dominion, ever performed so
gigantic task as that which Mr.. Tiley has now all
but completed. The effort of 1858 and 1859, when
Quebec and Ontario enacted 20 per cent tariff,
with p per cent on certain finished manufactures,
was but a tribe to that of the present year. Ike
adjustment is not tho right word for the occasion;
there have been recreation and reconstruct on from
the bottom up Eight days ago Mr. Illley, hav-
ing somewhat injured his eyesight by too intense
application had TO rest for little, and forthwith
the Opposition press sent forth the rumor that he
had broken down, and that Sir Alexander /. Gait
Just then arrived home from his mission 70 France
and Spain, had been called in to help him through
the difficulty. All such rumOts got their quetus
when on Friday afternoon last the Finance Min
lister, with a strong voice and confidence in every
tone. spoke out his declaration OF a Canadian policy
for Canada. He was loudly cheercd at salient
points and to-day there is abundant assurance that
he has the House and the country at his back. The
new policy may be good or it may be bad, but the
fact that the country demands 1t is beyond contra
dictlon.
What will most interest people in the States is
the tird OF the tariff resolutions which reads as
follows:
Re,ird That it is cxpedieut 70 provide that any or
a OF the following articles, that Is % say, animal; OF
all kinds, green fruit, nay, straw bran, seeds OF al
kIuts. vegetables Oncuding potatoes and other roots
plants, trees, and shrubs, coal and coke, salt hops
Indian corn, buckwhcat and all other grain
-four OF wheat and flour OF rye, Indian meal
ana Oat meal, and flour or meal OF any other
grain butter, cheese fish alted or smoked. lard tai
low, meats Gresn sited or snoKedl. may be imported
into Canada free Of duty AT less fa OF duy tnau Il
provided by this Act upon prOclanl On OF the cover
nor III Council which may be ISSUED whenever IL ap-
canada may imported INTO the United states free Of
duty rate OF duty not exceeding that payable on
the same under proclamation when Imported into
Canada.
Hercisreciprociy to certain extent, already pro-
vided for on the Canadian side, without any attempt
at the making of a treaty. How this will meet
TIE views of Mr.. Cox remains 10 be seen. Your COM
mcrcial member from New-YOrk this IS what he
claims to bel holds that the day of commercial
treaty-maAing by the Executive is past and that
legislation by Parliament aud Congress
is to be the method Of the future. Ii the American
people wish to see animals and farm produce also
coal. fish and salt made free on both sides, no
more High Commissions, with their formalities
of negotiations long drawn out, are necessary
for the purpose, bat merely a short Act Of
Congress. that may be written on a sheet Of note
paper. Pending such action, If It Is ever to be
taken Canada protects herself with - cents per
bushel wheat. barley and beans; Il2 cents on
Indiau-cOru 10 cents on rye, oats, buckwheat and
peas 30 cents per barrel on -four OF wheat or rye
10 cents per barrel on lndlan-cQrn meal; y cent
Der pound on oatmeal on buckwheat Hour, i cent
rer pound cent per pound On all fish not made
tree by the Treaty VI WasuIu gOn 80 cents per t0l
on coal and coke cents per 100 pounds on salt in
buIk. aud II cents on salt in packages-salt i'm
ported from the United Kingdom or any British
possession or imported for tie of the or guilt
fisheries, remaining free.
In the old tariff the main dividing line in
sugars was drawn at No. -; now it Is
drawn at No. ii, and the difference is said
to be # great practical importance; be-
side which an extra . per cent i. PIT upon the