Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-27
FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY n. 1911.
FREER TRADE WITH CANADA.

D1o HERE Is no longer any mystery In regard TO the proposed
reciprocal treaty with Canada on the tariff. The provisions
of the proposed treaty are now before the people of the
Two countries and before their national legislatures for its ratih-
cation. President Taft, in his message transmitting the draft of
the treaty to Congress, makes a admirable argument. He shows
that the primary object on our part in an agreement between the
TWO countries should be to conserve our national resources and
add to and cheaper the necessar1es of life. BE does not regard
an exact balance of financial gain as "either imperative or attain
able" The financial is a minor consideration. Another prime and
closely related object is the prevention of combinations to regulate
the price of foodstufs. 1t will be observed in the draft of the
treaty that the articles that are to be admitted free or at greatly
reduced tariff rates are chiefly articles of food and raw material
for manufacture. The desire and purpose of the American people
TO have food prices reduced have been sufficiently impressed on
tiated. The people also make the demand for the free entry of raw
materials to give our manufacturers advantages that will enable
them not only to cheaper their productions for the home market,
but also to more freely enter the foreign market. Mr.. Taft says
he does not wish to hold out the prospect of a large and imme-
date reduction in the cost of necessaries by the changes in the
tariff with Canada, but nevertheless there will be a considerable
economy in the family expenses by reason of the tariff changes.
Without doubt the effect in Canada of free access to the Amer
lean market will be to enhance prices, but not to any consider
able extent. That is one price the Canadian people will pay for
their tariff concession. The loss of annual revenue by our gov
eminent is estimated at 81 250,000, while Canada's loss is about
two millions less. But for both countries there are large COM
pensations and we, the larger country, car we'll afford the larger
loss, in view of the economic gain. The Canadian market will now
be opened to important manufactured products of this country,
and the gain in our exports will be enough to make the loss of
customs revenue comparatively insignificant. 1t is enough that
Il Republican President recommends this reciprocity treaty to
Congress to say that it does not in any respect affect the pro
tecive principle of the tariff. The ratification of the treaty I'M
doubtedly will be opposed tooth and nail by the special interests,
whether they are affected by the treaty or not, because they fear
that it opens the door wide to wholesale tariff reductions affect
ing them. But the door is already open for changes to make
material reductions in the duties on necessares and raw materials
coming from other countries besides Canada. The relations of
the United States to Canada II really in a class by themselves.
Canada is a contiguous nation with which we have close ties, and
the less the restriction in the intercourse of the two countries the
better for both.