New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-19
RECIPROCITY IN LORDS
Great Britain Criticised TOR tx
traordinary SupineneSs.
DEFENDED BY GOVERNMENT
Secretary Haldane Says, IL . d
Good Step in Our Interests as
Well as in Canada 8.

London May ls.-The government, was
sharply criticised by the Earl OF seioo,"
in the House Of Lords this evening TOT VIVA.
he termed It's extraordinary supinehess
I'm falling 10 safeguard the interests OF INC
United Kingdom IN the American Canad'a"
reciprocity agreement. The earl referred 10
President Tafts very remarkable speech
and declared that when Mr.. Taft said tne
annexation talk was bosh all accepted '"e
Presidents word nevertheless the agree
ment formed a precedent capable OF very
large extensions II was the first time III
the history of the empire that one part
had obtained better terms from forelsn
country than had the United Kingdom, ana
the step between receiving and giving pei
ter terms was short one. II the 40
minions got accustomed to receiving better
terms. the earl continued. they might come
to think that II was natural to give for-
egn countries better terms than they gave
the United Kingdom or the other dominions
Of the empire.
Ratification OF the agreement. the EarI
Of Solborue said, in conclusion, would place
this country In a position of extraordinary
difficulty.
Baron Lucas. Parliamentary Under score
tary TO the War Office replying on behalf
OF the government, declared that the Earl
OF Selborne greatly overestimated the dam
age to the trade OF the United Kingdom ana
the difficulties that might arise as a result
OF the reciprocity agreement Canada was
perfectly within her statutory rights ana
the government could not interfere. The
United Kingdom, the baron said. could
never offer Canada the same advantages
as could the United States Canada and
the United States were complementary 90
one another I'm a degree to which Canada
aud Great Britain never could be. II Canada
end the United States wanted reciprocity
agreement this country could not prevent
IL Great Britain must give Canada fair
field for promoting her own prosperity in
whatever way she thought best. and il was
on these lines, Baron Lucas concluded.
that the government was watching the reel
procity negotiations now going on.
War Secretary Hadane. who recently
was elevated to the peerage. said that it
was the policy of the government 10 give
the people Of Canada every facility TO do
the best they could do for themselves The
government held that it was not to the dis
advantage Of the United Kingdom that
Canada should develop trade relations with
the United States
We hold" continued the Secretary, that
Canada, with a great trade OF this kind,
cannot fail to be a more prosperous Canada,
airordng better market for our goods and
able to do more trade with ourselves.
Therefore. from every point Of view, We
look upon the step she is taking as proba
bly, a very good step in our interests. as
we'll as in the interests Of Canada. II is
not for US to in,ermeddle in her policy. We
do not think ii a good thing 10 attempt 10
guide or influence the policy of our great
dominions in matters of trade. We are free
traders, and we intend TO remain free trad
ers"