New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-29
LAUR|ER DETERMINED
TO PASS RECIPROCITY
Will Not Go to imperial Confer.
ence or Coronation if
Opposition Persists.
HIS FIRST DUTY TO CANADA
Premier Denounces Tactics of
Opponents, Which, He Says,
Were Revealed in North
rup's Speech Here.

Ottawa. Ont. April 2S.-The determi-
nation of the Canadian government tc
ratify the reciprocity agreement was en-
phasized in Parliament to-day by the
Prime Minister, Sir Wilfrid Laurier who
declared that he would not go to Eng
land To represent Canada at the impe-
rial conference or to the coronation OF
King George in June, but would remain
ri Ottawa and press the reciprocity
agreement IL the Conservative Opposi-
tion persisted in obstructing the ratifca-
ton Of the pact 1t is generally be-
lcved here that he will not go TO Eng
land this year. and that the fight over
reciprocity will he prolonged and marked
with much bitterness
The question was brought before Par
lament by the Opposition leader, MI
Borden. who asked Sir Wilfrid what his
intentions were in regard to the ap-
preaching events in London.
Presence in Canada REQUIRED.
Il deem il my duty to attend" re-
Piled Sir Wilfrid. and engaged my pas
sage six weeks ago. but ] have come "a
the conclusion that should my presence
he required in Canada, and there is
every indication that it may be. II will
he my duty to forego the privilege OF
attending the conference. My first duty
IS TO Canada"
AS Canada is most important part
Of the British E,puire Mr. ROrdan 70
piled. 1T is obvious that in the absence
of it's Prime Minister no very important
action can be taken by the conference
and the absence OF Sir Wilfrid Laurier
on this occasion would be a blow at the
continued existence Of this great factor
in the solution OF imperial questions"
Mr.. Borden suggested that Parliament
could rise for two months to enable Sir
Wilfrid 10 cross the Atlantic, and con
sideration Of the reciprocity agreement
could be resumed when he returned.
SO far as reciprocity is concerned our
attitude is one Of uncompromising oppo-
sition. We believe. If carried into eff
fect. it would be disastrous not only to
Canada but to the British Empire" said
Mr.. Borden.
Fault Not Sir WiIfrid's.
Il entirely agree" said Sir Wilfrid, in
reply, that IL would be unfortunate that
any OF the Prime Ministers of the self
governing British dominions should be
absent from so important an event as
the imperial conference, which is held
but once i'm four years If il is not pos
sible for me TO go the fault will not be
mine. The one thing which prevents IS
the position Of the trade agreement with
Tho United States.
Mr.. Borden has said that he and his
followers offer uncompromising Opposi-
ton to the ratification of the agreement.
] may tell him that on this side We offer
uncompromising support for the agree
rrent. lie thinks it would be a blow to
Canada and a possible danger to the
empire We think that it would be a
boon 10 Canada and to the empire.
When / took passage to England six
weeks ago il never occurred to me that
ii would not be possible for me to go.
1t is we'll known that under the rules
of the Canadian House il is possible for
the Opposition 10 block a measure al
most indefinitely. 1t has como to us that
the Opposition have such intention. The
Hobbies have been full Of such rumors.
have not paid much attention or at
tsched Importance 10 them. but | have
in my hand report Of the speech de-
livered at The Associated Press dinner
in New York by William Northrup.
Member Of Parliament one of the most
important members Of the Canadian OPP
position in which he stated practically
that the Opposition at Ottawa will not
allow this agreement TO BE- carried into
effect I DO not know what authority
he has 10 sIeak. but ] am informed that
hc expressed the decision Of the Con-
scrratiyc caucus held only a few days
ago. II such is the temper Of the Oppo-
siton. i think it will be necessary for
me 10 revise my determination to go to
England
Opposition Leaders Plea.
e.,1 A. I1orJr,, il,