The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-31
LAUR|ER MAKES
APPEAL TO PEOPLE
Puts Reciprocity Squarely Up
to Voters to Pass Upon
Merits
-
GIVES OPPOSITION
A STRONG SCORING
Mr.. Borden, the Conservative
Leader, Issues State
ment, Hitting at
Government

OTTAWA, July So.-Sir Wilfrid
Laurier. the prime minister of Can
aha. to-day made direct appeal TO
the people OF that province asking
their endorsement of reciprocity at
the election which Is set for Sep
tember II next.
In his appeal the premier states
that since 1855, when Lord Elgin's
treaty was abrogated, ali men of any
prominence In the province have been
unanimously Of the opinion that the
free exchange OF products between
Canada and the United States would
be Of inestimable profit to both coun-
tries
The present Conservative party in
Parliament" says the premier. seeks
to reverse the lifelong policy Of its
great leaders in the past
lit has been alleged by the oppo-
sition that this agreement. II con-
summated, would imperil the connec-
ton with the mother country and
finally bring annexation of Canada
TO the United States. .-.-
ut is Impossible TO treat such an
argument with any kind OF respect
IL 1t has any meaning the argument
is that the people of Canada would
bf SrNuCtb ifbfil tiiSiF aiirRAHCe py
the prosperity which will follow the
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larger flow OF natural products from
this country to others"
The Appeal.
This appeal follows:
"At all times for last forty years
all political parties in Canada have
made effort to esta blish reciprocity
with the United States,
Lord Eigin in 1854 negotiated a
treaty with the United States which
lasted until 1888, and which was of
great advantage. Ever since all pub
lice men OF any prominence in Can
ada have been unanimous IN their
efforts Re again seek this frs'e ohanxe
of national products.
Within the last twelve months tn q
President OF the United States has
sent two com missioners for the pur-
pose OF opening up negotiations in
order to have a freer exchange OF
products. which eliminated In q mu-
tual beneficial agreement between the
two governments. This agreement
after being strenuously resisted In
the United States. was endorsed by
the House OF Representation and the
Senate as being mutually beneficial to
both countries.
The present Conservative party in
Parliament seeks absolutely to re-
verse the lifelong policy OF its great
leaders in the past
To overcome that obstruction af-
ter a session which has already lasted
eight months. would not only mean
the continuation of the unseemIy
spectacle presented by the opposition
in the House of Commons since the
resumption OF Its sittings on the 18th
instant, but would also mean weeks
and months of wasted fine, and
perhaps. in the end, the loss for this
session to. the Canadian producer OF
the free American market
People TO Judge
In this condition Of things II has
seemed TO His Excellency's advisers
dignity OF Parliament, which the ira
ditions of those British institutions
which true Canadians value so high
~ and which the present opposition
degrade with such light heart
with the best interests of the coun-
try as whole. 10 remit the issu g
TO the people themselves. so that the
people themselves may Judge between
the government and the opposition.
The issue. my fellow-countryuYen
is in your hands and to your decision
His Majesty's government In Canada
Is well content to leave It.
1T has been alleged by the on
position that this agreement II con-
summated, would imperil the connec-
ton with the mother country and
iContinped on Third u. vo