The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-27
PREFERENTIALi IDEA GROWS
Leaders OF Both Parties seem to Favor
Chamberlain Scheme.

From Staff Correspondent.
/ Montreal Canada, Aug. 24.-There is
much food for thought in America, among
those who are DESTROYS of better trade
relations with Canada, in the banquet
given in this city last week to the dele
gates attending the annual session Of the
chambers Of commerce Of the empire. The
most prominent and influential men in the
dominion were present, representing both
the liberal q and conservative parties,
headed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Cana
dian premier, and r. T.. Borden, leader
Of the opposition in the Canadian COM
mons. Many speeches were made, most
of them on the questions Of closer COM
mercial federation between the mother
country and the colonies and the best
means for bringing it about. The ban
quet was the browning glory Of the con-
gress and a fitting finale to its labors
Among the speakers, Of course, were Sir
Wilfrid Laurier and Mr.. Borden. The food
for thought lies in what these gentlemen
said in the question of closer British fed
GRAFTON. Sir Wilfrid is the responsible
head of the liberal party Of Canada, and
that party for seven or eight years has
been in control Of the government, and
the end of It's lease Of power does not
appear to be in sight. Mr.. Borden, as the
responsible head Of the conservative party,
would be premier In the event of that
partys getting control Of the government.
Both spoke sympathetical1y: on the cues
ton Of a closer federation of the empire,
and pledged themselves to do what they
could to promote 1t. Sir Wilfrid placed
himself On record as favoring CONNER
cial treaty with England saying, Of
course as was to have been expected
that there must be mutual concessions
preceding it, and no sacrifice Of autonomy.
These things being mere matters Of de-
tail, it IS interesting to note that the
liberal premier stands ready to further
any commercial arrangement with Eng
land which will not seriously disturb or
oppressive1y initiate against Canadian tn
terests. Mr.. Borden spoke much to the
same purpose, saying that any preference
for English goods in Canada must, Of
course, be given only after concessions In
England for Canadian exports.
Helps Chamberlain Preferential.
It is fair to assume that the utterances
Of these two distinguished gentlemen re-
Of Canada for the future, political and
commercial, and that the congress of
chambers Of commerce Of the empire has
this year done much to establish among
Canadian leaders a feeling Of friendliness
for the general scheme Of the Chamber
lain preferential. OF course, much diff
the details Of this scheme, but good
share of the rough ground has been safely
passed in the mutual good feeling that the
congress seems to have established
Prior to the congress Canada had little
or no interest in the preferential, and
what little interest there was, rather OPP
posed it. The day of the realization Of
this closer commercial federation may not
be very near, but it looks as II sentiment
in its favor in Canada would increase as
the days go by. # both parties to the
proposed agreement are willing, even vex
atious details may in time be satisfacto-
rily arranged.
II the United States is to do anything
looking towards closer trade relations with
Canada, it should be UP and doing before
| it is too late.
w. w. Jermane.