New-York tribune., 1911-02-13

with difficulty in Argentina. Russia
Australia and the highlands OF lndia'
AS soon as imported food ceases 10 oe
abundant il will rise in price ana thele
will be great suffering and hardship IN
reserve for industrial workers In the
kingdom. Not only will food be oearer
as the exportable surplus .shrihhs III
North America. but there VIII pe iosseS
Of British transatlantic trace "heh le''-
procity promotes larger exchanges oe-
tween Canada and the United states
Ev neslecting to work out the TWO essen
t,al problems. how to feed the nome pop
ulation and how to keep 1t employed al
remunerative rates of wages, England
will have placed itself at fatal disad-
vantage in comparison with America
Canada and Germany.
There is general recognition OF the
superior attractive force OF the larger
and nearer market. The conditions have
been transformed since the aorosatioh
of the convention of 1Sd. "hlch was
negotiated with the direct heip OF the
British government when colonies we're
reqardod as trouble encumbrances.
commercialism was abandoned because
the Americans were dissatisfied with an
arrangement. of which the bulk or ad-
vantage Law with Canada, and the con-
federation. which had been encouraged
To look to Washington and New YORK
rather than to London for assistance IN
devoloping its industries ana resources,
reverted 10 its faith in the mother coun-
try. ENGLAND no longer wants 10 get rld
of Canada, but is most anxious 10 prlng
about a lasting attachment and TO en-
large commercial intercourse win the
richest and most promising or the de-
Tendencies of the crown. While coldness
and Indifference have ceased in the rela-
tions OF England and the Dominion the
rivals in the New World are no longer
intolerant and jealous. The Americans
look upon the Canadian farms, forests
fisheries and mines as opportune sources
of supplv for their own industries and
their swarming millions OF population
The Canadians know that no sentimental
raptures over loyalty, no artlhclally ar
ranged scheme Of imperial preference.
can rival the practical advantages or
unrestricted access 10 the American
market.
II is from a feeling of sheer helpless
ness In resisting the Irresistible gravlta-
ton toward the larger and nearer mar
ket that Tariff Reformers blurt out the
truth that Continentalism cannot be
countcracted: that imperial preference II
not already dead. is fatally jeopardized.
and that new basis must be found for
the Tariff Reform movement. since
economic forces have drawn the Do
minion into commercial union with the
United States. preferential trade is no
longer an available resource for con-
solidating the empire. 1t has been the
most vulnerable feature of Mr.. Cham
berlain's proposals because it was eX-
posed 10 attack as a method of taxing
the food of the common people. If i'm
perial preference be dropped tarin re-
form can be justified as a cheaper
method Of obtaining revenues than d.
rect taxation. as surer system or sup
lIying working people with employment
than free trade has proved TO be and
as a more trustworthy resource for Sc
curing fair play for the national indus
tries by negotiation and retaliation. TIE
original Tariff Reform policy has been
hopelessly shattered by the ousinesslike
diplomacy of Washington and Ottawa.
It will have to he made over to suit the
altered conditions Of imperial unity,
grounded upon loyalty to the crown and
military and naval defence rather than
commercial preference. |. n. r.