New-York tribune., 1909-11-04
HARD TARIFF TASK
DEAL NTH CANADA.
Board 1nrious .about Domia-
ion Recommendations.
rFrsn III. rrtsuse Bur.au- J

lFrom The Tri5u-e Eur~auI
Washington. Nov. 3-Srudents OF the tarff
question are convinced that the hardest
task before the tariff board in its investl-
cations for proper application OF the
maximum and minimum clause viii be pre-
sented b. Canada.
at Is admitted that the present attitude
OF France toward this country in tarir
matters is the cause OF some concern. but
II is believed that before March Si. 1sle. our
customs relations With the French republic
will be so adjusted that II viii be possible
for President Taft 70 issue a proclamation
giving F1ench imPortations the benent OF
the minimum tarin Of the United States.
The restrictions of Germany against
American meats might be properly re-
sarded an undue Discrimination un-
der the Payne law. but II is thought that
this problem may Be soIved before ths
last day OF March
While the members Of the Tariff Board
are giving careful study 10 French and
German Determinations against American
products, t is known that they are mora
deeply concerned over what their recon-
mendatlon shall be 20 the President in the
case OF Canada
Al the present time some OF the Dominion
provinces enforce customs regulations
which. II Is said. constitute a serious dis
cTImlnatioE against American products. II
is believed that these Determinations are OF
such < character and are SO far reaching In
their influence in checking AmerIcap CON-
Enerce IN Canada that they must properly
be regarded as 'unduly'' discriminating
against the United States and its products
Cnder the language OF The maximum and
-~-4f~.
Certain exporters insist that Canada does
not accord 70 the agricultural. manu-
factured and other products OF this coun-
try treatment which is reciprocal and
equivalent" and that unless substantial
concessions are made before April the
President will be powerless 20 prevent an
automatic increase Of 25 per cent on I'm
portations from some Of the Dominion
provinces
Members OF the Tariff Board are feeling
their way cautiously. and refuse to Indicate
what their recommendation will be as 20
any particular nation 1t is believed that
the board may find it necessary 10 make a
personal investigation in Canada in the
course OF the next few months
Under the PAYNE law. the Presidents
proclamation staying the q per cent in
the whole of any foreign country. or NAV
be confined TO OF exclude from It's effects
any dependency. colony or other political
subdivision having authority 10 adopt or
enforce tariff legislation or TO impose re-
strictions or regulations Or grant conces-
siOns on the expectation or Importation ot
articles which are or may be imported into
the United States
iAr Of rTarfa 81
by the different provinces OF Canada on
expectations 70 this country. IL is possible
for the President 70 require importations
from the Province of Ontario to pay 90
per cent higher duty than importations
from the Province OF Quebec
Persons who have given this question
consideration say that a trade war be-
tween this country and Canada is inevita-
bic unless the provinces OF the Dominion
government modify some OF the restric-
tions which now impede full and free
commerce between that country and the
United States.
The Canadians are fully aware that this
country draws considerable portion Of its
raw material from Canada and that trads
war would be a serious blow 10 American
business. One observer who has given
considerable thought 20 this question sug-
sested that the Dominion government was
not unduly alarmed over the possible appli-
cation OF the maximum tariff 70 Canadian
inportdtious-
The statesmen OF Canada. he said.
know perfectly well that the United
States can i'll afford TO put N a stone wall
against the Importation OF Canadian raw
materials" He added that il this country
should become involved in a trade war with
Canada the business interests OF the United
States probably would find it reciprocal and
probably little more than equivalent.
II is not impossible that IL the maximum
rates should be applied 10 the Province
OF Ontario, for instance. and not 70 the
Province OF Quebec, the Dominion govern
ment would md il necessary. as matter
OF national integrity, to insist that Quebec
make its restrictions against American
products so drastic that the President OF
the United States would De compelled to
include Quebec in the provinces required
70 pay the maximum American tariff In
other words, il IS possible that IL the
maximum rates are applied 20 one Donin-
ion province. il may be necessary to apply
them 70 all OF the provinces OF Canada.