The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-25
TRADE WITH CANADA.
why the Dominion Desires Free
Trade I'm Natural Products.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis JournaI:f
The following editorial paragraph was
in a recent issue of the Journal:
."When Canadian statesmen threaten hos
tile tariff legislation against the United
States 80 we do not give Canada our agri-
cultural markets, why do they not pledge
themselves to make trade fair between
Canada and the United States by revoking
the % per cent. lower duties now imposed
upon British goods entering Canada? When
Canada shall do that it can ask for reel
procity with better grace"
Trade relations between the United States
and Canada have not required a general in
terest in this country because our trade
in Canada has met with the minimum of
resistance. Canada now shows a deter
mination to offer the maximum resistance
TO our trade unless we agree to free trade
in natural products. As Canada is our
third best customer we cannot too quickly
get an understanding of the details of our
trade relations The official statistics for
1901 are as follows: Exports to Canada,
$119 SOC, 600; imports from Canada, 81, 3S2 900:
total trade, S19l, $685. co., As we imported
SIS, 331 600 worth of coin and bullion and ex-
ported of that commodity 50, 335, 900 worth,
the actual balance of trade in our favor
was 81, 1000.
OF manufactures and farm products
Canada bought from us in 1901 as follows:
Manufactures (dutiable), $40, 100000; manu-
features Gree, $2ZOOO,OOO; farm products
(dutiable), $5959.175; farm products (free),
81, $40, s65. Canadas duties are slightly un-
der % per cent. We bought in farm prod
ucts from Canada i'm 1901, IS, 5Sl.
In 1897 Canada adopted preferential tar
if in favor of Great Britain, starting ii at
1919 per cent. and increasing it to 80 1-3
per cent. 1t has helped Canada to estab-
lish a market i'm Great Britain for her farm
products, and now gives her a favorable
balance of trade of over So, 000.000 While
Canada has thus become Independent of
this country in marketing her farm prod
ucts she recognizes the advantage of buy
ing from us much of the manufactures she
requires; and because the balance of trade
is so disproportiOnate she asks for free
trade in natural products. offering then to
maintain the present low duties on our
manufactures. II is therefore a matter
of our agreeing TO fairer trade relations
or losing much of our trade in manufac-
lures.
In recent editorial in the Journal is the
following:
"A treaty which would give TO Canada
the markets Of the Eastern cities and of
all those on the northern border for hay
horses, sheep, vegetables, poultry, eggs and
a long list of the smaller products of the
farm, would be of immense value to Can
ada but a decided loss TO the American
farmer in the northern tier of States, for
the reason that Canada would not buy a
dollars worth of such products from the
farmers of the United States, while Canada
would sell cities several million dol
lars worth mat would not be reciproC-
ity."
The gain TO Canada in having free entry
of her farm products TO our markets would
be in enhanced prices through the intro
duction of American buyers in competition
with Canadian buyers. 1t is doubtful il
the free admission Of Canadian farm prod
ucts would work a hardship to American
farmers, for three reasons:
First-The abnormal home demand for
farm products. caused by the general re-
vival OF trade, has brought war" prices
and the demand promises 10 steadily in
crease.
Second-Because of the overflow Of Amer
lean capital and enterprise into Canada
the commercial and industrial DEVELOPMENT
of that country is rapidly increa sing. add
ing considerably 10 the home demand for
farm products.
Third-Having been excluded from the
American market, Canada has established
a profitable market in Great Britain for her
surplus farm products. and cannot be ex-
pected TO give up that market while IL con-
tinues profitable.
In fact the free entry of Canadian prod
ucts would tend 10 prevent prices from be-
ing so erraticaly high and low, and rather
maintain them steady and profitable for
the demand promises TO hold strong for a
long period In both countries
CAMPBELL SHAW
Buffalo, n. Y, April u.