The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-23


eYace that noble metaphor Of the tree.
The Continued Discussion Of Impert-
alism in Canada.
The position taken at Quebec by Sir
CHARLES UPPER, tho leader OF the Cana
dian Conservatives. against imperial fedora
ton Of a political type has been since twice
reafirmed at Montreal. On Saturday. April
IA. he made a speech 10 the Conservative
clubs Of the last-named city. and on Tues
day, April II, at a banquet given 20 him by
his supporters, he made "A carefully consid-
cred address.
Referring to Sir NlLFRID LAURiER's idea
that the Dominion ought to be represented
I'm the imperial councils, Sir CHARLES in
sisted that representation would have TO
be proportioned to population, and that
such proportionate representation would
mean proportionate taxation. He repeated
the assertion made at Quebec that, il Canada
now enjoyed the representation ia the
Empire which is possessed by Ireland and
Scotland, her share Of the taxes levied for
imperial purposes in the present exceptional
year would amount 70 $4,000, 900. That
Is what the scheme Of a federated Em-
pire would now be costing Canada, were
she represented in the Federal Parliament
according to population, n if she. thus,
while retaining her local Legislatures. &C.
uulred a voice as to imperial Affairs. Sir
CHARLES went on to say that he would never
consent to the Dominion's being placed in
H. tkot rra,t D,;t,ip Gould
impose a cent Of taxationu upon the Canadian
people without their direct consent. What
had been done by Canada voluntarily during
the present war would not have been done
with so much loyal good will had it been in
the nature Of a forced contribution.
While, however, Sir CHARLEs rUrPER
argued that the whole plan Of a political
union between the mother country and her
colonies was impracticable. he commended
that their mutual interests would be sub
served by commercial union or Iollverein.
The food staples and raw products OF Can
ada and the other Colonies ought, he said,
to have a preference assured TO them in the
markets OF the mother country by the i'm
position OF duties upon similar Commodl-
ties imported into Great Britain from for
eign countries. In return for such "A con-
~cession, Canada and the other Colonies
ought to give a preference 10 British man
ufactures in their respective markets.
At the same time he denounced the pref
erence given by the existing Liberal Gov
eminent 70 British manufactures in the
Dominion, because no corresponding con-
cession had been secured. The Conserv-
alive party, he said, did not want a prefer
entail arrangement which was a free gift,
and, in making such an arrangement. Sir
WILpRIp LArRIER had betrayed Canada.
What he had done, indeed, was worse than
a free gift. for, on the one hand, il robbed
Canada, and, on the other, prevented Great
Britain from doing what would hest pro-
mote the great principle Of reciprocal
preferential trade between the various sec
tons Of tho Empire. Sir CHARLES UPPER
and his fellow Conservatives are opposed to
the preferential policy Of Sir WILrHID
LAURIER because 1t is one-sided,
Commenting on these ~utteranccs. the
Courier du canada recalls the interesting
fact that, in july. 1897. Mr.. GOODWIN SMITH
criticised tho attitude toward Imperialism
which had then been recently assumed by
Sir WILFHID LAURIER. After pointing out
that, before his visit to London on the oc-
casion of the Queens Jubilee, Sir WILFRIp
was believed to be opposed to imperial
federation. Mr., GOODWIN SMITH attributes
the striking change Of front on the part
OF the Liberal leader TO the banGuets
and o~vations which he received in The
British capital. "Sir WILrRID looks for
ward with delight 10 ,he rm' when Can
ada shall be represented in the Imperial
Parliament, and protests that 10 gain a
seat therein, were h. q younger man,
would bo the summit ~ his ambition and
an honor 70 which Canada presents no
parallel" Mr.. GOODWIN SMITH won't on TO
predict tina what had taken place in the
case Of Sir WILrRID would even more GER
tainly occur in the case OF other persons.
Canadian delegates 10 the Imperial Par
lament under a regime OF imperial fedora
ton would fall absolutely under the influence
Of London society, and would cease 10 be
foithful representatives of Colonial inter
ests. The inevitable results would br scriOu.
disappointment. a struggle - get rid Of
federation. ana perhaps plarfelS WIN the
mother country, instead Of that tightening
OF the bonds Of affection which ought to hr
the object Of all oderationists
On the other hand, the supporters OF
Sir WILrnrD LArRIRR maintain thai
the commercial union advocated by the
Canadian Conservatives is out Of the
question, inl>muCh as tho British manu-
faCtlrers. operatives, miners and smal
tradesmen. who Constitut" Il large ma
j0rity of tho British population. vii
n'vrr consent TO raise tlin price OF brenl
AMI mna, by imposing duties on th'
importation Of such products from foreiGr
countries in order to give Canada a prefer,
On q in the British market. The only prac
ucable mode of tightening the bonds BE-