Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-20

thorities than do the people of the United
States, and no doubt they will give still
more at the next session OF parliament
The Canadian ministry not only has power
TO change the tariff according to Its ols-
erection without reference to parliament,
but 1t Ia now proposed to give II still wider
authority to reduce or increase duties wflen
1t believes that such action VIII promote
the commercial and Industrial prosperity
OF the people.
It Is expected that the new tariff VIII
be on the French plan. with three sched-
ules, imposing, respectively, high, medium
and low duties. with authority in the min
istry to apply any of them to imports from
any country, when, in its judgment. such
action Is adjudged necessary or expedient.
May Curb the Trusts.
This power may be used at any time for
"trust-busting," for breaking up monopo-
Hes securing concessions from other ma
tons or retaliating against the unjust treat
ment of Canadian products. Two years ago
the Canadian "trust-busters" adopted law
which is respectfully commended to the
careful consideration of the Congress of
the United States, for every one here tells
me that 1t has worked admirably in several
cases for the public welfare
This law provides that whenever the gov
ernor In council has reason to believe that
there exists any combination associa-
ton or agreement among manufacturers or
merchants to promote their interests at
the expense of the consumers, he may bring
the matter before any judge of the superior
or the supreme courts. The judge may
compel the attendance of witnesses and
the production of books and papers. And
II he shall discover that the combination
or agreement is Injurious to the public well
fare all articles of merchandise affected
may be placed upon the free list or the
duties upon them SO reduced to give
the public the benefit of reasonable COM
petition.
ha To- ty, laJ 70 hu
the Canadian newspapers to break the
printing paper trust. The duty upon print
paper was removed after judicial investi-
cation, and the trust was compelled to re-
duce Its prices.
To Exclude CASTOR Stock.
Another similar provision is known as "the
anti-dumping law" For many years Ameri-
cans have been in the habit of using
Canada as a dumping ground for their
surplus products. Whenever a manu-
facturer or tobber found himself load
cd up with a quantity of articles that
may suddenly have gone out of fashion,
machinery or implements that had been SUI
perseded by new patents and improvements,
or any kind of merchandise for which there
was no demand at home, he found 1T easy to
ship his stock across into Canada consigned
to commission merchants, with instructions
to sell for the best prices they could get.
Such proceedings often broke the Canadian
market for staple goods, and became so an
noying that the parliament of the dominion
passed a law authorizing the minister of
customs to increase the duty by so per cent
on all imported articles offered for sale at
more than per cent below their ordinary
price In the home market. The execution of
this law has required the exercise of consd-
cradle judgment but the customs officials
have been aggressive and determined. The
Manufacturers Association at recent ses-
sion commended their zeal, and in series
nf Int n nolo tI,o+
ing regulations have undoubtedly proved a
factor in restraining foreign firms from
slaughtering their goods in the Canadian
markets.
favor of high protection, and demanded 1.-The
immediate and thorough revision of the
tariff, upon lines which will more effectively
transfer to the workshops of the dominion
the manufacturing of many of the goods
Which We now import from other coun-
tries"
The association also declared "our oppo-
sition to any arrangement for reciprocal
trade with the United States affecting the
manufacturing interest of Canada
No Annexation Sentiment.
There is no more annexation sentiment in
Canada. Ten years ago, even six years ago,
there was great DEAL but it has all sub
sided. However. the easiest method of re-
viving it would be to place ! prohibitive
duty upon American goods. The ordinary
consumer-the average citizen-has not yet
expressed his opinion on the tariff question
The commission has heard only from those
directly interested-the merchants the man
ufacturers, the lumbermen and the officials
Of the agricultural societies, but the hoi
polloi have not spoken. The public general
~ prefer American goods. That is demon
strated by the import statistics, which show
that, Notwithstanding the discrimination of
33 per cent against the United States and in
favor of Great Britain, our exports to Can
ada are increasing in volume more rapidly
than the population of the dominion. To
deprive the people of American goods, to
prohibit them from buying articles which
they prefer and to which they are accus-
toned, would create a commercial revolu-
tIon. Mr.. Laurier is too wise to take any
such risks.