The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-24
FREE TRADE FOR CANADA.
LIBERALS ABANDON THEIR FOR
MER POSITION ON TARIFF.
Now Seem 60 Realize That II IL Detrt-
mental 10 the Interests of Domin-
son and Accept the Protective
Tariff idea. of Their Opponents.

After eighteen years OF bitter party dis
cussion the Liberal party OF Canada has
at length, but with reluctance. iacitly ac-
cepted the principles embodied in the
trade policy OF their rivals by adopting
protection as their national trade policy.
and the strife over this issue has now
become a thing of the past, writes a cor
respondent from Ottawa 10 the Chicago
Times Herald.
The tariff policy of Canadian Liberals
for many years was that of reciprocal
free trade with the United States. but
since their accession 20 power in Canada
and while stiil processing not TO believe
In protection. they nevertheless adopted
it's governing principle when they re-
formed the present Canadian tariff. As
surances have recently been given Cana
6ian manufacturers. also. that the return
of the Laurier administration 70 power
will just as effectually insure the perma-
nency Of protection In Canada as the re-
instatement OF Sir Charles upper in Of
flee would have done.
The marvellous progress of the United
States as a manufacturing nation Is as
tonishing the nations OF the Old world,
and is an object lesson which the Cana
dian government has not failed 10 APP
preciate when endeavoring 20 carry out.
10 some extent its ante-eiection pledges
OF tariff reform.
Canadians are not blind 10 the fact that
United States manufacturers. including
especially iron and steel and their pro-
ducts, are rapidly driving out British
goods even in Britain's own markets. and
they note. with envy also, that having
become supreme in the production OF ax-
riculturai products. the United states Is
now directing Its energies toward the
expansion OF its manufacturing industries
and Is now exporting more than a million
dollars worth Of manufactured commodi-
ties for each and every day in the year.
The record is more significant when COM
pared with the progress which Great
Britain, the apostle OF free trade, is max
ing in that line.
This wonderful situation appeals to the
intelligence OF the people OF this country.
who, although they have had hut a linn
tied experience in the benefits Of protec-
ton. now generally admit that whatever
advances the dominion has made a. n
manufacturing community. such progress
has been owing almost wholly 10 the
protective tariff principle. and this has
lost none Of its effectiveness even under
the rule OF professedy free trade gov
eminent
Protection is no longer a party issue In
the dominion. for the people OF Canada
are. as whole. convinced that protec-
tlon is the most potential force in the
commercial world for the development OF
a nations resources. The entire alb
sence OF the tarifr cry during the present
election campaign atiests that fact.
The Laurier government. Il is true. made
show OF redeeming Its promise OF tarin
reform. but the reforms 10 has inaugu-
rated are OF the most moderate descffp-
tion. and are not calculated TO disturb tho
permanency 81 protective tafin policy
for this country. Some degree OF tariff
reform. however. was necessary In the
interests Of the asricuIturists OF Canada
and the great body OF consumers demand
ed AT least some earnest of the govern
ments purpose to carry out its pledges
IN this respect. To enable them 70 escape
from dilemma. which was growing acute.
the government introduced and carried
through parliament the British preferen-
tiai tariff proposals.
Sir wllfrid Iaurier. In opening the re-
cent Liberal election campaign at Nom
treal emphaticaiiy declared that reciproc-
ity of preference was not ohtsinahie un-
less there was a uniform tariff for Eng
land and Canada. and he was convinced
that such thing was as impossible az was
the realization Of his hope 20 obtain re-
ciprocal relations with the United States
There was. therefore. no distinctive trade
issue between the contending parties in
the election campaign waged in Canada
There was. however. on account Of the
hostile attitude Of Conservatives toward
the preferential tariff policy Of the govern
ment, and the prominenace given To SIR
Charles Tuppcr's new scheme Of Interim
perial preferential trade. an implied dec
iaration Of the intention Of Conservatives.
had they rcgainef power In Canada. 20
abolish the British preference altogether
The discussion In the press and upon the
platform throughout the dominion tspon
this subject. together with the aeprecs-
tive tone ~ the British press and the
plainly expressed opinions NJ leading p,ss-
lie men ia the United Kingdom. sii 20 20
educate tho Canadian electorate 10
proper conception % this ne~ preferential
scheme which the conservatives uaf for
ward and which the people rapidly came
20 understand was exploited mainly for
election purposes.
Its utter fuiiiity becomes more anna RAT
when Y r. poiated ouf that the trade ana
manufactures ~ Great Britain are ths
yefy nfc blood ~ the Kingdom. ana ga.
Tor RFitatn 20 tax either faTptan faast =,
foreign raw materials would moi only rr,.
woke retaliation ~ the United states ans
European countries. hut wuuA alan hsrss.
cap hritash manufacturer IN tine svar.ie.
creasingiy keen competition whgnn tsev
have TO wage win tho Manufacturers -
these countries The question ~ later
imrerisl preferential trade sfshla the
british empire has. - yet f1sea 70 rm.A
en- any enthusiasm in Canada. nor i !,
heNif - sfo&s any, II certainty appsays
70 have no ine1ssee whatever mton "a.
minds ~ fae elecierE or upon ths sela.,es
stAnninF ~ The ceEisasins parties IA an.
from TATty politics.
His skin