The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-11
PLEADS FOR
RECIPROCITY
John Charlton, Member Of the Cana
dian Parliament, Speaks at
Chicago Banquet.
Declares that Canada Will Retail
ate if American Tariff Is
Not Adjusted.

Chicago, Nov. 11.-A strong plea for
the adoption of reciprocal free trade
in the natural products between the
United States and Canada was made
by John Charlton, member of the
Canadian parliament for North Nor
folk, Ont, in a speech last night at a.
banquet given by the Illinois Manu-
facturers' association. Mr. Charlton
declared that the present state of trade
relations between the two countries
was absurd, and that the continuance
Of present Canadian tariff conditions
could be assured only by important
tariff concessions on the part of the
United States. Mr.. Charlton, In his
address, said:
The substantial continuance Of present
Canadian tariff conditions can only be Sc.
cured by important tariff concessions on
the part of the United States, and the
question of adopting reciprocal free trade
In natural products is one that will claim
the attention Of Americans, as upon this
basis satisfactory conditions for the pres
ent may be obtained and policy inau
gurated that will Inevitably tend to the
continual broadening of trade relations
and the rapid and satisfactory increase Of
the volume Of commerce between the two
countries.
Formerly the American farmer and lum-
herman opposed the policy of the free adj
mission of Canadian natural products into
the markets Of the United States, believ-
ing that the effect would be to depress
prices in their home market. That this
is a. mere bugbear careful and intelli-
gent consideration will prove. Canadian
expectations could not be realized IL the
effect of free access to the American mar
ket was to be depression of prices in the
United States to the normal Canadian level
under present conditions.
Would Add Duty to Price.
r-r,
American market for the purpose OF
getting the duty added to his present
price. II this Is not to be the result there
is nothing in reciprocity for him. Are his
expectations well founded? When care.
full comparison Of the relative volume OF
American productions and Canadian ex-
ports for consumption In the United States
is made It will be found that the volume
Of exported quantities is so small com
pared with the volume of domestic pro-
duction in the United States that it would
he absurd to expect that imports from
Canada for consumption in the United
States could do more than produce ar
infinitesinlal influence upon prices.
Free trade in natural products Is beyond
question fully earned by Canadian tariff
conditions. The sooner 1t Is arranged the
better for the interests Of both countries
The present state Of trade relations is alb
surd. If the Canadian buys heavily. III
asks the privilege of making proportion
ate sales In return. Preferential trad,
propositions claim his attention and mill
tate for the time being at least agains
the desire to share the advantages Of tn.
great American continental market.
The Alaskan boundary dispute present
itself as a disturbing element in Its In
1uence upon public opinion, and finds TIL
Canadian ready to display temper owe
what he believes to have been a sacrific,
of his rights, and he s the more disposed
to, manifest this feeling because tn
z American policy for more than thirt,
years has excited his resentment an,
daily strengthened his feelings of indiffer
ence about reciprocity or friendly rela
lions.
The time is now ripe for the display o
a liberal spirit on the part Of the Unite
States. If that country has the wisdom t
display this spirit towards its norther
neighbor the result will be vastly NOR
satisfactory than the continuance OF pres
emit conditions.