The Portland daily press., 1890-10-04
VIEWS OF SIR MARRY TYLER.
He Does Not Think Canadians Want
Annexation.
Absolute Reciprocity In His Opinion
impossible.

In an interview Sir Harry Tyler, president
Of the Grand Trunk, gave free expression 10
his observations and opinions on several
topics on which his position gives interest to
his views.
In regard to the tariff question, he said
Canada believes in protection for herself.
and even protects herself against the mother
country. England is practically the only
Tree trade country, and she does not impose
her IDEAS upon her colonies; she Is very for
oear9ng to the rest Of the world Her col
onles must have revenue, and are allowed TO
get 1t In their own way. Different countries
require different regulations; their circum-
stances do and should control all such ques-
tlons as the tariff. What Is we'll for England
may be Ill for this country.
So far as the interests Of the Grand Trunk
road are concerned, he thought the McKIn-
ley tariff would work advantageousIy, for II
Canadian products are excluded from the
United States, they will 20 to Europe, and
the road will get longer haul The result
to the Canadian pr roducer may be serious for
time until matters adjust themselves to the
new conditions, but her exports will soon
find new channel 1t may In the end be
benefit to the Canadian farmer, for IL will
wake him up and compel him to do his best
He may be Obliged to adapt his work to
different line, but he will not be discouraged
He thought. however, that the decision Of
the question rests rather on whether this
country will need Canadian products. He
said: There has been about 20 per cent.
duty all along on hay, potatoes, grain, lum-
Der, etc, but this did not prevent your buy
ing our surplus, for you needed the goods
and paid the price. The pure fact Of raising
the tariff rate will not make your hay or
potato crop any larger-at least, not i'm.
mediately; and II your peopls want more
OF these things than you can raise, we are
sure OF our market The difference between
$3.50 and 81 per ton on hay, or between "a
and cents per dozen on eggs, Is not so great
that the people Of the United States will re-
fuse to use them"
He said the whole question Of information
al trade has its puZzling features. For in
stance, only short time ago he heard Of
eargoes OF wheat being sent from Liverpool
to Baltimore. or course, it was unusual
and incomprehensible to the outsider, but
the shipper knew what he was about. IL
was because Of some peculiar feature Of the
question OF exchange. He believed that the
business relations Of the two countries will
soon adjust themselves to the new eOndi-
tions, and there will be no serious harm to
either. ut Is all rubbish" said he, "tO talk
OF any such tariff measure as yours being a
death blow to Canadian industries; Canada
can probably stand 1t II you can"
In regard to question of his views on
reciprocity, as outlined by Mr.. Blaine, he
said that under present conditions absolute
reciprocity Is not possible. Indeed. absolute
reciprocity would be practical free trade
But limiting 1t to Mr.. Blaine's idea Of reel
proclty between nations, and upon articles.
the free exchange Of which would be upon
equally advantageous terms, when the artl-
cies from either side should be
practically equivalents, he thought
It wotia be welt for both
countries. For INSTANCE, he felt sure that
reciprocity on coal would be Of advantage to
Canada and this country. EACH needs n
quality Of coal which 1t has not, b1e>which
the other can supply, and there should be no
close bookkeeping to see whether one cOan-
Try used more or less Of the others product
that she gives in return. The gate should
be wide open for each to pass as circum-
stances made it desirable. He thought lum-
Der was another article where reciprocity
might well De established.
As for annexation Sir Harry does not be-
lieve any considerable number Of Canadian
people want It; there Is not the slightest
prospect OF their considering 1t seriously at
present. Some thoughtless people, who al
ways think they want a change, and some
self-seeking politicians talk loudly about an
nexation, but serious proposition Of that
sort would arouse a tremendous Outcry Of
opposition from all classes from one end Of
the Dominion TO the other.
In closing the interview he spoke Of the
Grand Trunk railroad as carrying forward
us work In opening up broad sections Of for
tile cOuntry. especially in the northwest.
lie was glad to be able to say that Its rela-
tions with roads this side the line and with
the United States government were entirely
harmonious and confidential. The unpleas-
ant suggestions which occasionally come
from Washington about Canadian railroads
do not apply to the Grand Trunk. Its work
Is entirely In harmony with this government
all along the frontier, and the sentiment Of
ali classes OF business men on this side OF
the line Is one Of entire confidence, so much
so that no one Is more prompt to resent an
imputation against the road than the mer-
chants Of the United States with whom 1t
has dealings