New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-01
C4NADA,S TARLFF CH4NGES

We were commenting the other day upon the
significant changes in tariff rates with which
our Canadian cousins celebrated the Golden
centenary, and said they seemed to have gone
pretty squarely against Cobdensm in both let
ter and spirit. We now perceive that, in writ
ing upon the first news, wrote upon incom-
plete information. Later and fuller reports OF
the Canadian action make it seem far more
anti-Cobdenite than we at first supposed We
might have spoken upon the subject far more
strongly than we did without transcending the
limits Of accuracy. From the Cobdenlte point
Of view the situation is simply awful.
1t is true that there has been a little lessen
Ing Of the discrimination in favor Of Brit
ish woollen goods ana cordage But, then, the
preference for British china and porcelain over
that of Trenton is raised from SO ID to 30 per
cent, and that for British window glass is raised
to 60 per cent. The tariff on petroleum is re-
duced, but handsome bounty is TO be paid on
all oil Of home production. Then there is a spe-
cial duty against dumping" calculated to make
Mr.. Chamberlain's heart rejoice. 1t is provided
that if any goods are sent into Canada TO he
sold at lower price than III the country of
their origin, there shall be levied upon them a
duty equal TO that reduction of price, provided
1t is not more than one-haf the regular customs
duty, nor more than II per cent on certain
forms Of iron and steel.
All this, Of course, is inexpressibly loathsome
TO the true CObdenite, who regards dumping
as a heaven ordained privilege and boon, with
which it is impious to medde and to whom
preferential rates and bountes are the very
abomination OF desolation. But there is worse
TO come. The Canadian Finance Minister re-
ports that the surtaX imposed upon German
goods last year reduced imports from Germany
in ten months from $S64S600 to 50 ,367 600
In the year ending on June 30 1903, Canada
bought from Germany 1740O000O pounds of
sugar; but this year she has taken none from
Germany, but has secured her supply from the
British West Indies and British Guiana. What
shameless iniquity that must seem to your
simon pure Cobdenite! But it brings no blush
TO the cheek of the Canadian Finance Minis
ter, who actually seems to think it good thing
to buy of another British colony rather than
of some country outside the empire.
Nor is even that all. Here is the very worst,
which SETS as Mr.. Kipling says 1.-The gilded
roof on the horror" That perverse and incor-
rigible Finance Minister declares that when
there is another general revision Of the Cana
dian tariff, it should be made upon the principle
of establishing different tariffs to deal with diff
ferent countries. For high tariff countries a
ma xEnum rate; for low tariff countries a mini
mum rate and for all members OF the Brit
ish Empire substantial reduction from the
minimum rate. Truly, in the face of so mon
strous Il proposition the true Cobdenite is
left speechless with austere reprobation. But
somehow or other, our thrifty and enterpris-
ing Canadian cousins seem TO like the plan, and
we shall not be surprised to see them adopt it.
and stick TO it, and prosper nightly under it's
influence.