New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-05
CANADA PUTS
CANAL ROUTE
UNDER A BAN
DOminion's Policy Is to
Protect Railroads from
Panama Competition
BY ;. ROY WEAVER.

Toronto, November 3.
For the present at least the Canadian
government has decided on a policy o.
protection for the railways Of the Do
minion against water competition by
way OF the Panama Canal. The I'M
portunity Of the Pacific Coast business
organizations in their demand for the
appointment Of a Canadian customs Of
fcer at New York has been unayailing.
Hon. DR.. Reid, Minister Of Customs
has refused to make the appointment.
With such an officer 20 supcrvi.c the
bonding Of Canadian freight shipments
between Eastern and Western Canada
via the canal, it was hoped 20 secure
cons derable advantage from the new
water route. Regulations now in force.
ostensibly TO prevent smuggling, pro-
hibit the admission at British Column
bia ports of Canada goods arriving by
sea if they have been transferred from
train TO ship at a port in the United
States. The issue is not OF immediate
economic consequence, since coastwise
trade via the Panama Canal has dwin-
died TO small proportions. But ques-
tions Of great importance TO the Do
minion are involved.
Canadians who have considered these
questions are divided in their judgment
as to the advisablty OF permitting the
development of Canadian trade by the
canal route. The Canadian Manufac-
turers Association. while officially TAX
ing no definite stand at the present
time. unofficially is known 20 sympa-
thize with the demands originating
with the Pacific Coast business men.
The financial interests, including the
banks, on the other hand. are inclined
to take the position that Canada should
protect the railways. The government
has indefinitely delayed action in the
expectation, apparently, that by the
time water competition with the rail-
ways for transcontinental shipments Is
again a practical issue the Canadian
railway situation will be considerably
changed. II is a possibility Of the
future that a shipping line operating
between Canadian eastern and western
ports may be subsidized by the Domln-
ion as solution Of the difficulty salts
factory to the business interests.
Water Route Endorsed
The demand for the appointment OF
Canadian customs officer at New
York first came from the British Co
lumbia Boards of Trade in the fall OF
1914. Some idea of the ambitions behind
the agitation may be obtained from a
study of a supporting resolution passed
at meeting in November, 1914. held ar
Vancouver, of business and financial
men. In part IL read:
Approaching the facts that
The development OF the resources 81 this
nrovince especially Of the coast cities,
The expectation Of products OF this ana
adjoining provinces,
The importation Of raw materials Tor
factories now established and % be estab-
lshed here,
As well as the importation Of goods
necessary TO be brought here for consump-
ton. are largely dependent upon our wate'
facilities ,. -
Realizing the great possibilities for the
people Of this province 20 he derived As
result OF the Panama Canal route.
Realizing that these possi bihtes can only
BE- converted into realities by placing our
selves in n position 20 utilize the water
facilities offered,
Resolved that we put forward the mos'
vigorous effort 20 encourage sapp.ns 70
come 10 this coast. particularly az ms
time when the Dominion government -
nearing completion Of the dock end gram
elevator AZ this port and the prospect II 80
bright for moving the prairie gram
through the coast ports in the near future
We further resolve, thai we heartily M
dorse the request for the ppO.nt-
ment OF a customs officer at New YORK
firmly believing that the opening q THIS
new channel Of trade will bring 10 British
Columbia unlimited benefits.