The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-08
LAUR|ER FAV0RS
 RECIPROCITY BILL Prime Minister Makes a
 Strong Argument POLICY IS ADVANCE Says Opponents Argument of Annex atiOn and American Absorbtion
 Is Disproven By Past His
 tory of Elgin Treaty
POLICY IS ADVANCE

Ottawa, Ont, March 1.-The reciprocity agreement was indorsed, loyalty to Great Britain affirmed, annexation secuted the development of Canada proclaimed and friendship between farmer and manufac- turer recommended to Canada in the house of commons today by Sir wilfrid Laurier, prime minister of the dominion, in the first speech which he has de- livered in the reciprocity debate. His views against annexation and for good relations were especially emphasized.
 The 'me minister's speech Is regarded In AS.N circles as the most important , Q. %e that has been made the ->Ns ian side of the line. The interest , Q oh was anticipated was shown by } '.owded galleries and by the fact that scores could not gain admission.
 The premiers remarks were received with approving demonstrations. Describ- ing his ideal of the relationship between the United States and Canada, Sir Will fird said:
 There perhaps may be a spectacle nobler than that of united continent, spectacular which would astound the world by its novelty and grandeur, spectacle of two peoples living side.- side, separated only by invisible line. with not a gun -frewnfng across 1t. not fortress on either side, with no arma- ment one against the other. but living in harmony, in mutual confidence and with no other rivalry than generous emula-
 
 Close Union Desired
 ITO the Canadian people I would say that if 1t is possible for to obtain such relations between these two young and growing nations, Canada will have rendered to old England, the mother of nations, nay, to the whole British em- pire, a service unequalled in Its present effect and still more in It's far reaching consequences"
 The prime minister said: "I think l can venture the assertion that the policy in volved in the agreement has met with the enthusiastic appreciation of the majority of the Canadian people. I am aware that the policy has not been universally ac- cepted and has met in some quarters rather unexpected quarters, I must say stubborn opposition It Is well-known fact that an organization has been ere ated In Montreal and Toronto toifght this agreement. I do not underestimate the | importance of such movement, or the men at the head of 1t. Yet do not think there is cause for alarm In the agree ment. It is wonder to me that there should be any objection at all for we box " r ! neighbors which all parties in Canada have been seeking for the last 40 years. Canada or China
 "Is this Canada or is 1t China? The Chinese have left well enough alone for 4000 years. They invented gun powder and the compass and used neither. Are we to adopt this Chinese policy? No, this is Canada, and we shall have to go on whether the opposition will follow or not. We will drag them on, even against their will. Our policy is advance Sir Wilfred denied the claim that the agreement would divert Canadian trade to American channels. Tt Is objected" he said, that the agreement will destroy our natural re- sources. Why did our fathers come and take this land from the Indians? They came to use the natural resources. The Indians were men after the hearts of those who raise this objection
 "They were great preservers of natural resources. Trey never cultivated the soil nor used the forests or the power of the streams. We have appointed con servation commission to show us how to use our resources so they will be usc- full now and still be preserved for oir children. It Is said these resources will be taken by the Americans. They will take them only if they pay for them and will take them whether this agreement goes into force or not. But I hope they will be made use of in more prudent manner than at the present"
 Dealing with the claim that the agree ment would disturb industrial conditions in Canada, he said:
 'Tn making this agreement we took alI the conditions into consideration. We took every precaution and think we have existing industry and think we have been successful There should Sbe no anta gonism between manufacturers and farmers. The farmer Is the best friend of the manufacturer and the manufact- urer Is the best friend of the farmer for 14 years we have ruled this country with that principle in view.
 '.Gentlemen opposing 1t will find 1t dif- ficult to find in this agreement the. fatal germ which will destroy our autonomy and land us in the American republic They tell us that this trade agreement in natural products will be extended to manufactured products that this will ie followed by commercial union and final ly by political union. That was not the consequence of the reciprocity agreement made by Lord Elgin in 1854 and 1t will not be the result of this agreement. There was at one time 6 pretty strong annexation feeling in this country. but 1t received it's first check with the Elgin agreement and has since dwindled un- til today there is not vestige left,