The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-05-01

laid down, and the issue was clear as
to who would have the responsibility
for preventing the attendance of the
primo minister at the imperial con-
ference and the coronation and the
holding UP OF the reciprocity agree
ment and the general business Of the
country. R. L. Borden look an early
opportunity of moving the adjourn
ment of the house in order,' as he
said, that our position on this side
saayy-be- made quite clear He in
quired as to the premier's intentions
with regard to going to the confer
ence. pointed out the Importance of
Canada being represented there, and
at the coronation by the prime minis
ter, and announced the only terms
upon which the opposition would con-
sent (D To leave the house in charge
of his colleagues; (2) to leave over
portion Of the sessional program, in
cluding the reciprocity agreement;
and (3) to adjourn the house for two
or three months.
Proposal Outlined.
Returning to the first alternative,
Mr.. Borden concurred that it was
matter on which Sir Wilfrid had
right to exercise his own Judgment.
In regard to the latter two involv-
Ing an indefinite postponement by the
government in the reciprocity pro-
posal, Mr.. Borden's chief argument
was that the matters affecting Can
ada's trade and other lines with the
empire which would be discussed at
the conference. were, from the oppo-
sition's standpoint, of more vital con-
sequence to the dominion than Can
ada's trade relations with the United
States. and 1t would be serious
blow to the conference were Canada
not represented. The opposition
leader did not commit himself as to
what would happen II the prime min
lister declined to accept the opposi-
tons alternative with regard to tenn
porarfly abandoning reciprocity, but
the Inference was plain, and was en-
phasized by Sir Wilfrid, that other
wise the business Of the country
would be held up, and the policy Of
obstruction would be inaugurated.
Sir Wilfrid, In his reply. promptly
agreed with Mr.. Borden's views as to
the importance Of Canada being rep
resented by its first minister at the
imperial conference. declared that he
still felt it his duty to attend, and
had made arrangements six weeks
ago to sail ON May IL. IF I cannot
go, the one issue in the way is the
reciprocity question"
Mr. Borden and his friends had ex-
plicitly stated that they offered an
uncompromising opposition to that
agreement.
Uncompromising Support
Il may tell him." said Sir Wilfrid
amid Liberal cheers, that on this
side we offer incorporating sup
port Of this agreement. He thinks
1t would be q bane to Canada and a
possible danger to the empire. We
think IT would be boon to Canada
and the danger to the empire we do
not regard as serious"
The premier believed his first duty
was tn Canada. The situation had
now developed as was made plain by
the opposition leaders own remarks
and by the very explicit statements
made by an opposition front bencher.
w. B. Northrup, in New York yes
terday, to the effect that obstructive
tactics We're to be adopted, the rati-
fication Of the agreement prevented,
and an appeal to the country forced.
II such be the temper of the op-
position" concluded Sir Wilfrid, "I
think 1t will probably make it neces-