The Brunswick news., 1911-09-24
THE DEFEAT OF THE REcIPRo.
CITY PACT.

It matters not why, the fact is that
Canada by an almost frenzied vote
has spurned the plan of the United
States for a reciprocal trade agree
ment. That it is Canada's business
is also true and that there should be
no Hard feeling over her action no
one can deny.
The fact of the matter is that the
result has considerable political in
terest, more political interest, per-
haps. than economical or commercial.
In. the latter sense the Importance
of reciprocity with Canada has been
exaggerated Reciprocity is only a
makeshift Of policy, and should have
no permanent place in scheme for
adjustment Of international trade re-
lations. In this particular case it
was especially true that reciprocity
was only a bypath for the escape of
the Taft administration from true tar
iff revision, to which it was pledged
by the platform on which the presi-
dent was elected in 1908. Having ac-
cepted and approved the Payne-Ald-
rich tariff act, which gave no sort of
relief from the tariff burdens of the
Dingley act, and finding the demand
still insistent for relief from the bur-
densome duties Of the high protective
tariff, President Taft proposed this
reciprocity agreement with Canada, as
measure Of relief. His own party
rejected it, but, through the efforts
OF the democrats, 1t was carried
through at the special session of con-
gress called especially for the pur-
pose of considering it, There was lit
tie idea then that Canada would not
conclude the agreement. Indeed, it
was practically accepted doubtless
under a misapprehension of the situ-
ation-that it was altogether a ques-
ton for the determination of the Uni
ted States, and it was generally sup
posed that the Canadians were ex-
ceedingly anxious for it. Mr.. Taft
had to meet the objection that we
were giving something for nothing
the Canadians. The vote Of the Ca
madam electorate on Thursday rem
ders waste all the struggle and con-
tention that marked the discussion
during the two sessions Of congress
1t does more than that however. 1t
brings the Taft administration back
face to face with the tariff question,
which it sought to avoid for a season
by the detour Of reciprocity. In pro-
posing the reciprocity agreement the
president acknowledged that some re-
lief should be given to the tariff bur.
den that rested upon this country.
He was unwilling to recommend the
straight revision, and he hoped to
still clamor by effecting reciprocity.
Canada has made that impossible.
What can Mr.. Taft do now to meet
the demands for relief of tariff exao-
tions?
The result of Canada's rejection of
reciprocity should be doubly unfor-
tunate to the Taft administration
Those who accepted it as offering
some relief, however, inadequate, will
insist that some other plan for light
ening the burdens of the tariff be
found, and those who were persuaded
that it would have disastrous effect
upon their interest, will not have the
demonstration to the contrary that
Mr.. Taft had expected its actual op-
GRAFTON to give, and will still hold the
administration to account for attempt
ing to inangurate a policy which they
believe would be hurtful. Nearly two
years have been wasted by President
Taft in an effort to persuade the
country to seek escape from tariff
exactions by agreeing to plan which
cannot now, by reason of Canadas re-
lection of it, be put into effect. Sir
Wilfrid Laurier is not the only states
man whose fortunes have come to hurt
upon the rock of reciprocity!