Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-30
LAURIER WILL PRESS TREATY
Prime Minister Says He May Remain
Away from Coronation.
SERIOUS FIGHT IS EXPECTED
Opposition Has it In It's Power to
Block Measure Almost Indef-
initeIy-PFesence in Canada
Needed.


OTTAWA, Ont, April 29.-The determine
ton Of the Canadian government to ratify
| reciprocity was emphasized In parliament
today by the prime minister, Sir Wilfrid
| LaurIer, who declared that he would not
go to England and represent Canada at
| the imperial conference or to the coronoa-
ton of King George in June. but would
remain here to press the agreement, II
the opposition persisted in obstructing its
ratification.
The matter was brought before parlia-
ment by Opposition Leader Borden, who
asked Sir Wilfrid what his Intentions were
in regard to the approaching events in
London.
IT deem II my duty to attend" replied
Sir Wilfrid, "and engaged my passage six
weeks ago, but I have come to the con-
cluslon that should my presence be re-
| quired in Canada, and there is every in.
| dcation that it may be, II may be my
duty to forego the privilege of attending
( the conference. My first duty is to Can
ada
1T would be unfortunate that any of
the prime ministers of the elf-governing
! British dominions should be absent from
so important an event as the imperial con-
ference. 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 he and his fol-
lowers offer incorporating opposition TO
the ratification OF the agreement. may
| tell him that on this side we offer uncom-
promising support for the agreement. He
thinks IL would be ban to Canada and
possible danger to the empire. We
| think it would be a boon to Canada and
to the empire.
Opposition Can block Measure.
ut Is we'll known that under the rules
of the Canadian house 1t is possible for
the opposition TO block a measure almost
| indefinitely. II has come to us that the
opposition has such intention. The Hobbies
have been full of such rumors. l have In
my hand a report Of a speech delivered at
the Associated Press banquet in New York
by William Northrop. NJ, p, one of the
most important members of the Canadian
opposition, In which he stated practically
that opposition at ottawa will not allow
this agreement to be carried into effect.
/ do not know what authority he has TO
speak, but l am informed he voiced the
decision OF the conservative caucus held
only few days ago. II such is the temper
OF the opposition l think It will be neces-
sary for me TO revise my determination TO
80 TO England"
Il think said Mr. Borden. that the
prime minister might have regard not only
TO trade relations with the United States
but the trade relations with the great EN-
pire to which we belong. The question
must present itself 10 the prime minister
whether our trade and other relations with
the United States are more important thar
our trade and other relations with the EN-
pire OF which We form a part. Under ths
circumstances / trust the prime minister
will reconsider the intimatiOn he has giver
and that at the conference and the corona.
ton Canada will be represented as Il
should be. by the prime minister"
Mr. Borden suggested that parllamen
could rise for two months TO allow IN,
prime minister TO go to London.
Sir Wilfrid made no reply, but It is gen
orally accepted here he viii not so L