The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-29
That Reciprocity Agreement With
United States Shall BE Ratified
by Parliament.
LAURlER WON'T ATTEND
IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.
Attitude OF Both Sides in Parliament
Is Of incorporating Nature.
Bitter Fight Certain.

OTTAWA. April 25.-The deter
mination OF the Canadian government
TO ratify reciprocity was emphasized
In parliament to-day by the prime
minister. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who de-
clared that he would not 20 TO Eng
land to represent Canada at the inn
perial conference or TO the coronation
OF King George in June, but would
remain here 10 press the agreement
II the opposition persisted in obstruct-
ing its ratification.
The matter was brought before par
lament by Opposition Leader Borden.
who asked Sir Wilfrid what his in
tentions were regarding the approach
ing events in London.
Il deem IL my duty TO attend" re-
piled Sir Wilfrid. and engaged my
passage six weeks ago, but have
come to the conclusion that should
my presence be required in Canada
and there is every indication that IL
may be. II will be my duty to forego
the privilege OF attending the confer
ence. Ny first duty is TO Canada"
las Canada is a most important
part of the British Empire" replied
Mr. Borden. 1T is obvious that in the
absence of it's prime minister no very
| important action can be taken by the
conference and the absence OF Sir
Wilfrid Laurier on this Occasion
would be a blow at the continued
existence OF this great factor in the
solution OF imperial questions"
Mr.. Borden suggested that parlia-
ment could rise for two months TO
enable Sir Wilfrid TO cross the Allan
/ tic. and the consideration OF the reci-
: procity agreement could be resumed
upon his return. He added:
Both Sides incorporating.
so far as reciprocity is concerned
our attitude is one of uncompromislng
opposition. We believe II carried
/ into effect II would be diastrous not
only 10 Canada, but TO the British
| Empire"
Il entirely gree" said Sir Wilfrid IN
| reply, that IL would be unfortunate
that any OF the prime minister's OF the
| self governing British dominions
should be absent from so important
| an event as the Imperial conference.
II IL is not possible for me TO go. the
! fault will not be mine. The one thing
which prevents is the position OF the
trade agreement with the United
States.
Mr. Borden has said that he and
his followers offer uncOmpromising
opposition to the ratification OF the
| agreement. may tell him that on
this side We offer Incorporating
support for the agreement. He thinks
IL would be a ban 20 Canada and a
possible danger 10 the empire We
think that II would be a boon 10 Can
ada and TO the empire"
II think" said Mr. Borden. In con-
cluding the discussion. that the
: Prime Minister might have regard
not only 20 trade relations with the
I United States. but 10 trade relations
with the great empire 20 which We
belong The question must present
itself 20 the Prime Minister. whether
or not our trade and other relations
I with the United States are more I'm
portant than our trade and other re-
lations with the empire OF which We
form n part. Under the circumstances.
] trust the Prime Minister will recon
slider the intimation he has given,
and that az the conference and tho
coronation Canada will be represented
az she should be. by the Prime Min
] lister
sir Wllfrid made no reply. but n II
/ generally accepted here that he will
not 20 90 England. and that the fght
over reciprocity viii be prolonged and
marked with n good deal OF bitter.
ness