The Detroit times., 1911-04-04
CANADA As WHOLE
LIKES RECIPROCITY
Money Is Against II in Parliament,
But It Will Pass, All
Right.
BY n. B. r. BRIGGS.

OTTAWA, Canada. April 4.-When
"the tumult and the shouting dies"
when all the 264 members OF the
Canadian house OF commonse have
talked themselves tired:
The reciprocity agreement will
be adopted by a substantial plu-
rality Of about 40 votes.
Canada will fulfill her part of the
pact. Sir Wilfrid Laurier has com
pact party behind him, voting prac-
tically as unit Sir Wilfrid is, in
fact, the government. What he says
goes-for he's a big man. in the full
confidence OF his party and the people.
The regular liberal party majority
is A.. When three OF these men arose
at intervals to talk against reciprocity
there was great opposition cry OF
disaffection in the government But
nobody took IL seriously. These
Canadian insurgents are not like our
own. They are big business men, men
OF wealth. representing more wealth
afraid OF any attack on the Cana
dian tariff Here, as elsewhere in
Canada, the lineup of money is against
reciprocity.
The most telling argument against
reciprocity here seems 10 be the
charge that Sir Wilfrid Laurier made
a big tactical blunder in negotiating
at this time, when our Democratic VIC
tories presaged tariff revision which
would give Canada all she wanted.
without any exchange. The answer Is
that Canada has given us blamed little
in exchange, anyhow.
Laurier's strength was shown when
motion OF Mr.. Porden, opposition
leader, for all appeal to the people be-
fore voting on reciprocity was
do~ned by majority OF Al.
Mr.. Borden, by the way. draws
regular salary from the government
as opposition leader-a salary for
fighting at every step the projects of
the government III the liberals are
overturned in the next election, Bor-
den will become premier.
Talk is practically unlimited in the
house of commons. There is no
cloture. Members make speeches in
regular succession, by arrangement,
one from each side, till everybody gets
through The premier and his cab
questions are fired at them, which
they answer or defer answering. as
they see fit. Whenever the house has
a session on supply bills, any mem
ber Is privileged first 10 bring up any
subject he likes That's the ancient
privilege OF free speech, inherited
nom England. -
Members talk in English or French.
Both languages are official Some
members speak little English. The
official journal, called the Hansard, Is
printed daily in both languages. Ham
sard was the man who reported ,ne
first parliament, and his name has
stuck to the journal.
The commons are jealous of their
dignity, and promptly eject any Wis
itor In the gallery who dares applaud.
But the members themselves lounge
about, many with their hats on, and
inject frequent comments into an op
posing speakers grafton. While
speech Is long-winded, the journal has
nothing like the bulk OF our Congress
sional Record. Leave to print or to
extend ones remarks In the official
report is unknown in Canada Han
on the fioor-no more.
With nothing like the luxurious
equipment OF our own house. the com
moners do like to be waited upon.
noticed one statesman with luxurious
side-whiskers and square-rigged
derby call page to lick an envelope
for him,
Though it's seldom heard from, they
have an upper house of parliament
called the senate, something like the
house OF lords in England Its mem
bers are appointed for life When the
liberals came into power Ia years
ago II was top-heavy with conserva-
tives. Vacancies since then have
been filled with liberals, so now IT IS
strongly the other way.
The senate has no power OF Crigln.
ating financial legislation, talks pom
derously when In session. and cuts
very little ice In Canadian politics.
Yes, reciprocity will pass parlla-
ment. and will be generally popular.
/ believe, but my observations here
lead to this conclusion.
II this agreement fails by reason q.
negative action on the part OF the
United States. 1t will be long time
before reciprocity is taken up again.
Canada has felt keenly her past re-
Duffs when she was anxious for rect
procity. Present negotiations were
begun by the United States and were
courteously received If the United
States does not ratify the agreement,
Canadian antagonism will grow more
intense-and will be stirred up III
every possible way by Big Business,
which delights In tariff walls.