The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-08
C1NhDA'S TRADE.
Tho Problem of How TO Increase 1t ana
sill Rcmnln Under the Hritish rag.

still Remain Under the brHiSh 'i"k.
QUEBEC July 7.-Canada's trade relations
with Britain and the United States arc grow
ing more anomalous every year. Tho greater
the effort made By the Dominion to securea
trade preference in British markets the faster
she is driven out OF them by American compe-
tition; and the more DESTROYS she seems to be
for n reciprocity OF trade with the United
States the smaller are her exports TO her
southern ncighbors. while her American im-
ports are constantly growing in extent and im-
portance The conservative organs OF puAio
opinion are blindly advocating British
understanding with preferential trade. or
favor for favor within the empire as Its
basis as a cure for the existing evil. But even
were this attainable. which is exceedingly
doubtful its advocates overlook the fact that
the United States are experiencing tremen-
dous enlargement in their exports to Great
Britain, while the British manufacturer Is
feeling United States competition. not only In
the colonies and in foreign countries. hut also
at his very DOORS and is selling less and less OF
British goods to America.
Sir Wilfrid Laurer and his political friends
appreciate tho ahsurdity Of the Tory panacea
for Canada's commercial Ills. and realize that
It would be rather to the Dominion's interests
to have complete reciprocity in trade with the
United States. What they apparently fail to
appreciate Is the unreasonableness OF the de-
mand for such reciprocity on tho part OF
Canada while she remains n part OF the
British Empire and extends a preferential
tariff against the United States and In favor OF
Britain. The trade advantages that would
accrue to Canada were there no customs
duties between her and the United States,
and the impossbility of total suppression
OF such duties while the two countries fly
different flags. is constantly appealing to
the reason as well rs TO- the pockets Of quite an
important and gradually increasing element OF
element are not blind to the fact that condi-
tions have materially changed since Canadians
sold as much Of their own produce TO the
that country. In 1897 and 1899 Canada's
purchases from the United States aggregated
$7S.0OQ.OQO in round figures and her sales 70
1900 the American exports into Canada are esti-
mated at SS4 900. 900 so rapid is their increase.
The Tory protcctonists of the Dominion are
from the United States Of canned meats. In
dian corn and other products coming from the
farm, wheh Canada nigh, reasonably produce
corn area. sacrificing it to people who will not
upon SpS It ar aHi@ TSs ss
newspaper charges against Americans that,
pursuing apolicy OF economir selllshness."
tries, rural and urban. and enjoy partial
free trade in our market and absolute freedom
Of trade in that Of Great Britain, and it admits
by their own industries will have marked
effect upon Canada industries when. as come
1t will. a period OF dcpression sets in. This ap-
prehcnsiOn of commercial disaster is anothef
evidence of the prevalent anxiety in this roun.
try in regard to its future. and especially with
respect to the difficult problem Of nsuring tho
finding forthCm an available market without
severance OF British connection.