The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-04

what grandeloquent speech told the
people of Great Britain that Canada,
had given the preference as "a free gift
in return for the splendid freedom she
had received from Great Britain, and
wanted no return favor. He even
warned them against the folly of hang
ing the "millstone of protection
about their necks. e. Z l. q. /
But few Canadians have regarded
the British preference from this altru-
istic point of view. They have looked
upon it as a business proposition.
They hoped that in time they might get.
a preference from Britain in return
for it. Such preference from Britain
to Canada would have been of the
greatest value to Canada; and while
there was any prospect of obtain,
ing it no Canad dian public man would
have been forgiven who had thrown
any obstacle in the way Of Mr.. Cham
berlain s efforts to bring it about. So
long, therefore, as the fate of Mr..
Chamberlain s crusade was in the bal
ance, Sir Wilfrid Laurier very shrewd-
w continued Canada s commercial pref
erence to Britain, and postponed revis-
Canadian Hopes Baffed.
But now that the Chamberlain CRU
SADIE has failed, will Sir Wilfrid Lau-
rier, or Canadians generally, consider it
worth while to continue the British
preference9 It is true that Mr.. Cham
berlain does not admit failure; ami
there are reasons for believing that it
was the irresolution and nebulosity of
Mr.. Balfour that brought defeat to the
unionists, rather than the Chamberlain
propaganda. The remnant OF the
unionist party may rally round Mr..
Chamberlain and accept his colonial
preference policy as the official policy
of the party, but that means years of
further agitation and education Of the
British masses, with the ultimate result
still a matter of doubt. So far as
Canada is concerned, she will scarcely
feel justified in marking time, await
ing so remote and contingent a posi-.
bility.
Sir Wilfrid Laurier is an opportun-
list. It might appear ungracious in him
to withdraw the preference after his
Jubilee professions Of presenting it AS
free gift in return for the splendid
freedom Canada has received from
Britain. But consideration of that
kind would scarcely weigh with him 1T
he came to the conclusion that the
political value Of the preference was
now gone and that it would be prudent
to sacrifice it.
Apart from the hope that it might be
lever for securing a return prefer
ence from Britain, there has never been
any great enthusiasm for the British
preference in Canada. The protec
ZIONIST manufacturer argues that if
Britain, as a matter of self interest
will not grant Canada any: special
favors commercially, there is no reason
why Canada as matter of self inter
est, should not treat Great Britain COM
mercially in the same way that sht
treats all other nations. If Britain
won't mix sentiment with business
why should Canada?. The low tariff o.
free trade farmer does not regard the
preference as very appreciable- in
stalment Of tariff reform. He does MOI
object to the lowered duty on British
goods; but he wants the duties on al
other goods reduced at least to thu
level Of the British preference. Ii he
could obtain that, on sentimental con
siderations in favor Of making an ex
ception for Britain s benefit wou]t
have much influence with him. Thos
to whom the British preference appeal
as an instalment of tariff reform, woul'
doubtless be more than willing to trad
it off for a reasonable measure of rec
iprocity with the United States. Out
side of woolens and a few other lines
the British manufacturer does no
make the class of goods that are re
quired by the Canadian farmer. Tb
goods he wants to get at reduced cos
are chiefly goods similar to those mar
ufactured in the United States. TIL
Canadian farmer will have the sam
market for his produce in Englan
whether the British preference is cor
tinued or is abrogated; but by reprot
:. ity with the United States, he woul
e e get a 10000, OO0-people market for hi
l products from which he is now pra
tically excluded.
4 Abrogation of Preference Possible.
{ Neither protectionists nor tariff r
. formers, therefore, would now be Ekel
to object very strongly to the abrog'
: ton Of the British preference if
stood in the way of revision of tn
4 tariff which would in other respect
e meet their views. 1t is here, hoWeve
n that Sir .Wilfrid Laurier's difficult
f arises. If he abolishes the British pr
; ference, whose views shall he NEE
S after he has cleared the decks by throw
S ing the preference overboard2 Non
j. inally, the liberal party is the party
9 low tariff; but it contains a strong pr
; tectionist faction. The majority Of tt
!. votes are supplied by the tariff reforr
ers; the ''sinews of war; are supple
: by the protectionists. Since the part
has been in power, the influence Of tt
$ protectionist faction has been great
$ than when the party was in oppositio
It So far as giving practical effect to tt
/ planks of its platform on tariff matte
e is concerned, the Canadian liberal part
s under the .Laurier administration, is
" the same position as was the democrat
}, party of the United States under Il