The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-24
A BOON FOR FLOUR
Ratification of the Reciprocity Urea
. ty Between the United States
and Newfoundland.
New England's Fishery Interests Of
Minor Importance and Would
Not Be Hurt.

It is rather comprehensive to business
men of the city why the pending reciproc-
ity treaty between the United States and
Newfoundland, as negotiated by John
Hay, secretary of state and Sir Robert
Bond premier of Newfoundland, should
be opposed. Apparently it is chiefly sec
tions of New England which have fishing
localities that are in opposition and they
to such an extent that the treaty is
commonly known as the Fisheries
treaty. H. ~. =:
| Minneapolis is vitality interested in the
matter. The -four interests are commun-
icating with the senators in Washington
urging ratification of the treaty ~ of reci-
procity. One of the letters sent to Sena-
tor Nelson closes thus: -
We respectfully urge upon you the i'm
portance of the ratification of this trea ty
for the purposss;of conserving to the mer
| chants and n1anufa cturers of the United
States the important and growing trade Of
this colony, which is in great danger of
being lost to the United States should
| this treaty fall %'.'
| It is from this broad point Of view that
action is being taken here For the gen :
eral good Of the country it is urged that
| the golden opportunity should not be lost.
+ Speaking as q miller Charles G. Bovey,
Of the Washburn Crosby company, said: .
1T is simply the enlargement. Of the
markets we are looking for. Newfound-
| land in the past has taken very largely of
! winter wheat fours, but there Is grow
ing tendency to use hard northern spring
wheat flour. and if the United States does
not take advantage of the fair purpose
in this treaty it will drive Newfoundland
into closer relations with Canada with
| higher duties on flour, which are very
| likely.
"should Newfoundland join forces with
Canada American flour would be shut Out
Of Newfoundland as it IS out of Canada
and Canadian millers will gain what we
lose" .-1 -.
The following terse reasons why the
treaty should be ratified have been sub
mitted to Minneapolis men:
! Observation-Disclosures has always admit.
| ted American products on an equality OF
tariff duties with those from any Other
| part of the world and at a low schedule
| imposed for revenue purposes only.
Second-The total import value of New.
foundland fishery products consumed II
the United States which it is proposed b,
the treaty to admit free into the United
States, is not more than one twentieth O.
the value of American products which
Newfoundland takes from the United
States. $50, Ill. 80. as... .....~
.rhird-1,he products of the Newfound
land fisheries are of a description which
do not enter largely into domestic con
sumption, being nearly all re-exported t,
foreign markets. and therefore would no
conflict in any appreciable degree witt
American fish in the home markets. More
over. even If they did. salt. fish is the foo,
only, Of the poorest classes, and therefor
should not he taxed. @.5..~ :
| Fourtll-This produce furnishes no rev
enue of Importance to the United States a
present. Being mostly re-exported it i
handled in. bond, and the admission of j
free would facilitate an increase of TIL
business in transit by removal Of tn
bonded restrictions and expenses and tina
, increase would. by the well-known law
of interchange of business, tend to in
; crease Newfoundlands purchases O
American products.
Fifth-Should the treaty fail Of ratifi
cation and Newfoundland enter into con
federation with the Dominion of Canada
a contamination which Canada has bee
eager for for some years. the imposition
Of the Canadian tariff on all imports
which are more than double the dutie
II now prevailing in, Newfoundland, woul
} throw the entire trade in breadstuffs an
} provisions and in many manufactures int
the Dominion of Canada, which is a com
petitor Of the United States in all thes
. lines, and the trade. amounting to abou
S2000,00O annually, would be lost to tn
J United States sS.a" 5,s t..-.tEs -