The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-02
Correspondence Of The journal.

. correspondence OF Inc journal.
Ottawa, Ont, Nov. 29.-The opening
OF the Canadian parliament has over
Swallowed all minor topics of interest.
The hotels, clubs and the lobbies Of
the house of commons swarm with poll
t1clans and men of affairs; prominent
manufacturers from Montreal and To-
ronto Jostling representatives of the
farming interests-both here to keep
an eye on the government g tariff pro-
gram; railway men looking for char
tiers for new roads or branches of ex-
listing lines; insurance experts advising
the government on certain phases Of
the proposed legislation to amend the
insurance act, and the usual swarm Of
small fry with axes of their own to
grind. -
The speech from the throne, outlin-
Ing the government program for the
session, covered substantially the
ground foreseen in previous letters in
these columns. The main feature of
the program will be, as previously
stately the much-talked-of revision Of
the tariff. The Montreal speech of the
minister Of finance has, however, intro
duced new factor, which may have a
tendency to complicate the situation.
Three Tariff Phases.
1t is the intention of the government
TO introduce into the tariff three dis
tinct schedules; maximum tariff to
be used IN the case of countries whose
trade policy discriminates unfairly
against Canada. This tariff will be an
piled against Germany; and in certain
eventualities may be used against the
United States. A general tariff, which
will cover all the ordinary requirements
Of h the ei01unntry,s foreign. trade, and of
which all foreign countries will get the
benefit which do not discriminate
tariff. D~'
Here significant change has been
introduced. In place Of the present
fiat rate of SO 1-3 per cent, the prefer.
ence is to be an adjustable one. On
different classes of articles the prefer
ence Will range. above and below the
existing rate. There is reason to be-
!leve that, owing to the persistent agi-
ests, of Canada, British cottons and
woolens will not receive as favorable
treatment under the new tariff In the
case of some other articles the prefer
eence may be reduced almost to the van
fishing. point; while in others English
manufacturers will be given more IA
vorable treatment than under the pres
IulS feature or the new
tariff is acknowledged to be largely ex.
perlmental, as is also the maximum pro
vision designed as retaliatory meas
ure against discrimination.
Canada VS.. UNIFIED States.
1t would be we'll worth while 70,
those interested in better trade rela
tons between the United States and
Canada to watch closely the operation
of the new tariff
In formulating the new provisions
Canada practically says to her bis
neighbor: We have maintained fol
years moderate tariff on your pro.
ducts, with the result that Canada is
now one of the best customers YOU
have the world over. In return YOU
have imposed such an excessive tariff
on the products of Canada that the
United States market is rapidly becom.
ing a negligible quantity. Bring your
tariff down to something like parity
with ours, and you will find that the
preferential tariff in favor of British
goods will not be allowed to stand in
your way. Continue the existing pro
hibitive tariff wall, and we shall be
compelled to enforce the maximum pro.
vision Of our tariff against your prod.
ucts.
AS result Of the unsavory disclo.