New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23

10 Toronto where some Of the most prominent OF
them live finds them hopeful. 1t is too soon, they
say to give way to disappointment They did not
expect the Government 10 yield at the first sum-
mons. They will follow this up by a steady agita-
ton 1t Is a foregone conclusion that the House
will be divided the question in the present ses-
sion. From that conclusion. however, the Georgian
Bay take little comfort, as they Know that
the resolution in favor OF the duties will come from
member OF the Opposition. probably n. Clarke
Wallace and that consequently tho House will
divide strictly party lines. or course II 1t does
lumber will be likely remain the free list for
at least another year.
STAND OF THE OTTAWA VALLEY MEN
Another factor In this question is the strong op-
position Of the Manitoba people 10 a duty. Though
numerically the Manitoba members not power
full. they have representative In the Cabinet. Cliff
ford Sfton, the Minister of the Interior. who has
his own reasons at this particular moment for
standing up ostentatiously for free trade in lumber
A weeks ago he indscreet enough to say
in a public speech that the tariff a dead Issue
This started lively fuss in the camp of the West
ern Liberals. and the Minister has had 10 explain
Il away He will therefore exert himself. II nee
essary. to prevent lumber going the dutiabe list
A duty on lumber not included in the Geor
gian Bay mems first programme OF retaliation
against the Dngley lumber item. All they asked
at the outset export duty sawlogs Their
district being the only In Canada from which
could be the only possible benehciaries Of such
impost. As the ottawa Valley could not
that this local restriction would do them any good
that It would the contrary, do them harm by
bringing them equivalent increase in the
American duty their lumber-they not
quixoc enough 10 join in the first demand for II.
As a matter OF fact, they opposed IT, At the last
moment, however. when the Dingley lumber duty
seemd to be trembling in the balance at Wash
ington. they did advise the Government try the
effect Of export duty law. bill accordingly
introduced by the Government. It gave power to
impose export duty sawogs destined for any
country which imposed import duty on Canadian
lumber 1t became law, passing through both
houses with scarcely any opposition. But 1t
tanned clause holding It in allegiance until the
Governor IN Council, that is. the administrations
should proclaim it. Sir Wfrld Laurer has never
1T to launch II at the Michigan lumbermen
and 1t remains in state of suspended animation.
The Ottawa Valley men never meant the law to be
used.
WORKED THE ONTARIO LEGISLATURE
, Failing to gain their ends through the instru-
mentality of the Dominion Government the Geor-
| gian Bay men turned to the latent powers of the
! Ontario Government. IL could not put on an ex-
| port duty but through its Jurisdiction over the
Crown lands Of the province 1t could regulate in
| manner to suit the Georgian Bay men, the timber
! trade originating these lands. II was pressed
to pass order-n-counci forbidding the exporta-
| ton OF pine from the public domain, except In the
| form OF lumber other manufactured product The
Ontario Government little disposed to oblige
| the Georgian Bay men by taking such restrictive
| measures as was the Dominion Government II
| was restrained by revenue considerations. The
| Crown lands were its main source Of income OF
the total proceeds OF provincial taxation in the cal
endar year 1885, amounting to 81 3Si622 Crown lands
contributed sl.lOo529. and OF this latter 1881 s6
was derived directly from woods and forests. nearly
| all OF II coming under the head OF receipts from
| stumpage dues. To stop the expectation Of logs
10 the United States meant the possible cessation
| OF numbering operations here by Michigan camps
! and a consequent falling off in these great stump
age receipts. Quite naturally the Government hest
tated embarrass itself thus. II long resisted the
| pressure of the Georgian Bay lumbermen. but when
| public opinion got wrought UP the subject II
| gave in A law passed enacting that pine logs
! cut on the Crown lands OF Ontario must not be
| manufactured elsewhere than in Canada. A few
| limits. whose transfer to the purchasers carried
| the express right export the logs cut thereon.
were specifically excepted. Tho law which
passed in January. 1885, came into effect in April
| OF the same year. but 1t does not apply to logs
| before that date. II there any such logs
| naming in the province, they may be exported
| To meet the deficiency In revenue consequent upon
the operation of this act. the Ontario Government
WAS Obliged TO resort last session to direct taxa
| ton II had to provide for upward of 10000 by
| imposing taxes certain corporations.
| INCREASED MARKETS AND BETTER PRICES
| A great change for the better has come the
| Canadian lumber trade. but 1t Is doubtful II any
| OF II can be traced to the embargo. In fact, the
| effects OF the latter must only now be beginning
| as the Michigan lumbermen had all last summer
| 10 tow across the enormous cut OF the previous
| winter The Improvement Is due TO the general
| prosperity. In this country there has been an
| enormous swelling out OF production and values
| and no inconsiderable growth Of population. En-
terprse has at least kept pace with material con-
| dItions. The ability Of this market to absorb prod
ucts OF all kinds has therefore greatly increased
| OF lumber. the domestic consumption. according TO
the estimate OF large operator. has more than
| doubled.
| Not only has the home demand expanded, but no
also has that of the United Kingdom and that OF
| the Limited etates OF course the rising demand