Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-02-25
MARYLAND AND
RECIPROCITY
Effect Of The Proposed Canadian
Reciprocity On Our
State Products.

1
under the proposed reciprocal tariff
legislation. Since her fruits each year
arrive at the marketable stage many
weeks before the Canadian fruits COM
mence to mature. Maryland will find the
new situation a highly profitable one.
Melons are at present taxed &c each by
the Dominion, irrespective of whether
they be watermelons or mnskmelons.
This duty has proven almost prohibitive
in the case of the smaller melon, and has
even operated to exclude the famous
Pokamoke canteloupes from the Cana
dian market. Maryland fruit growers
have frequently petitioned our Depart
ment Of State for relief from the Cana
dian tariff rates on melons and other
fruits, and it was with these requests
in mind that the Canadian Commits
sioners were prevailed upon to concede.
with much reluctance, the removal of all
duties from fresh fruits entering Canada
from this country. Grapes, as well as
berries of all kinds, are now taxed &c
per pound by Canada. Apples sent to
the Dominion are dutiable at 40c per
barrel, peaches at Sl.0O per 100 pounds,
pears at SOC per 100 pounds, and plums
at 3Oc per bushel The well-known high
quality of Maryland grapes, pears. and
peaches will tend to give these products
an immediate sale in Canada so soon as
the tariff barriers shall be done away
with. Even under the present tariff
status the United States sold fresh fruits
to Canada to value of $l,27l 900 dur
ing Canadas last fiscal year. paying
import duties thereon to the sum of
1851 900.
Free Fresh Vegetables.
Fresh vegetables will be exempt from
duty according to the agreement. This
will give Maryland larger range of
markets for her early potatoes and gar
den produce, onions, tomatoes. cab
bages. celery, etc. These will find ready
sale in Canada before the late-ripening
Dominion crops are gathered. Canada
has hitherto taxed potatoes zoe per
bushel, sweet potatoes or yams l0c per
bushel, and other vegetables 30 per cent.
ad valorem. The entire abolition of
these duties will undoubtedly stimulate
this branch of American exports to Can
ada. Already we sell beyond our north
ern border $s65, $50 worth of vegetables
in their natural state each year, paying
duties on them TO the amount of S240, 900.
Canned Fruits and Vegetables Aided.
Maryland's second industry in magni-
tude, according to the 1905 Census of
Manufactures. is the canning or preserv-
Il ing of fruits and vegetables. her prod
ucts OF this nature being valued at Sl3,-
600. 900 per annum. or higher. Under
the proposed reciprocity plan Canada
offers to reduce her rate on canned vege-
tables by one-sixth, or from lAc to lic'
per pound and her rate on canned fruits
by one-ninth, or from DC to &c per lb.
Needless to say. these reductions will
have a favorable effect upon'our canned
fruit and vegetable trade with the
Dominion. Last year we sold Canada
SIPS, 600 worth of canned fruits and vege-
tables.
Oysters, Fresh or Canned, Free
Oysters and other sheIlfsh. in any
state, will be admitted into Canada with
out tariff charge if the agreement is
ratified. Hitherto American canned
oysters have been largely excluded
from Canada by the latter's present
duties of &c. per pint package and Sc. a
quart package. Bulk oysters have been
taxed 10c. per gallon. and oysters in
the shell rs per cent. ad valorem. The
removal of all duties from this charac-
teristic Maryland product may well re-
suit in prosperous oyster traffic with
oyster Canada.
| Fish and Meats.
Under the proposed reciprocal tariff
l lltKtSldllOu Iici va NHt1os AhNcH W
preserved. are to be made mutually free
of duty. Maryland has traditionally
been one of the leading fish consuming
states of this country, and fish probably
from higher proportion of her food
purchases than is the case in any other
state. The United States imports nearly
$5, 900, 600 worth of fish from Canada,
this amount constituting one. tenth of our
total consumption. Our present duties
are &c. or lc. per pound upon the prin-
cipal varieties imported from Canada, in
cIuding dried and smoked fish; and the
sum collected under these rates amounts
to nearly one-half million dollars an
nually on Canada fish. The removal Of
our fish duties will tend 10 render this