The sun., 1904-12-10
Reciprocity without a Treaty.

Reciprocity without a Treaty.
In recent comment on the proposal
OF Senator FAIRBANKS for reassembling
of the Joint High Commission we depre-
Gated any consideration of the matter OF
reciprocity by that body. Neither coun-
try, as we pointed out, is ready for such
a consideration, and the projection OF
the question into the deliberations OF
the commission would only lead to un-
fortunate results. This view, we OBJ
serve, is supported by the Toronto Globe,
the organ of the Canadian Liberal party,
lately returned to power by an altogether
unexpected majority.
Commenting on the recent address Of
Mr.. Foss before the Canadian Club in
Boston the Globe says:
To a maximum and minimum tarla with the
United States. Canadians would OFFER wide
spread strong objection; 10 reciprocity treaty.
on the other hand, their objection would be insu
perabIe. They are willing TO trade more freely.
but are not willing tie their hands in the develop
nent OF their own fiscal system"
As the Globe is the recognized channel
for the presentation of the views Of
Premier LAURIER, this remark is signif-
cant. Canada is even less ready to
effect binding reciprocity treaty than
are we on our side of the line.
This attitude, however, can in no way
be construed, either in Canada or in this
country, into any indifference to trade
increase and extension. Both countries
want business. The United States wants
to increase it's already handsome sales
account to Canada, now standing third
on our export list, and Canada is quite
justifiably disposed to grumble little
because we give her so limited an op-
portunity to increase her sales to us.
The trade across the border and its
relative increase is shown by this table:
1884, 1904.
Exports TO Canada ....... S56e6I094 SlO,s2o.5IS
Imports from Canada .... 4sesSosi 7s.I7s.54s
This shows an increase in our pur-
Chases from the Dominion, but the larger
part OF this increase is represented by
Canadian mine products, which we buy
and admit free of duty, because we want
them. The increase in our sales is due
chiefly TO our export Of manufactured
articles. In that department Canada is
one of our best customers, and her trade
Is worth every developing influence
which it is in our power to extend.
The editorial of the Toronto paper is
headed Reciprocity Without Treaty.
and while II does not elaborate scheme
along that line, it indicates plan which
would unquestionably be of measure
less importance to both countries, and
is possible OF execution by a simple
process. That lies in the removal, by
act OF the American Congress, of all duty
on certain articles Of Canadian pro-
duction. We are fully aware that such
q proposition may be somewhat startling
to some of our readers, but we claim
that it rests upon strictly sound bust
ness basis, and is a means by which the
United States can greatly benefit its own
business interests, while effecting only a
minimum Of passing inconvenience to a
few, and comforting more than compen-
eating benefit upon many.
The essential principle of reciprocity
Is the extension Of mutual trade with
mutually beneficial results. American
interest in the development and enrich
ment OF the Dominion is incalculabe
The more rapidly Canada grows, and
the richer she gets, the larger will be our
sales to her people. This has been
abundantly proved by the experience
of the last decade, as is shown in the
table given above. From this fact it is
only short and logical step to a propo-
stion that whatever America can do to
contribute to growth and enrichment
across the border is seed planting that
will yield an abundant harvest. A
larger American market for Canadian
products would inevitably result in a
large increase in our sales to our neigh
bors. A stimulation of her industries
which would give her people more money
with which TO buy would be followed by
increased purchases Of the merchandise
which we have and wish TO sell.
1t is, moreover, fact beyond any
controversion that the increase in our
imports would be trivial except in the
case Of articles that we want. need and
can use TO our own advantage. Our e1-
ports would assuredly increase out OF all
proportion to the increase in imports
Two statements may here be made
confidently: First, The removal OF
American duties on certain items would
open door to Canada, and, almost eI-
clusively, TO Canada alone. Second. The
removal OF these duties would cause, at
the most, only an insignificant and tenn
nornry ipcon veniepce IN tho produ ce re