Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-09-18

movement for reciprocity with the
United states gains In the western
provinces " Canada. II is recited that
a. recent convention Of Western Lib
erals held in Winnipeg tariff resolu-
ton was passed fairly representative
OF th' demands N the people of the
prairie provinces, who are now said to
hold the balance Of voting power in
the Dominion This resolution proposes
that the British preferential duties be
set al 80 per cent Of tho general tariff.
with a view ~ ultimate free trade with
England, tho free-listing OF wheat,
wheat four farming implements and
rachinery, internal combustion en-
nee mining. -four, and lumber ma
cEin-rr rough and partly dressed lum-
Der mineral OIL cement fertilizers,
EthlrK tackle. and a reciprocal ar
fangement with regard to fruit staple
foods aud food products. domestic ami
mails fan etc, to be admitted free to
Canada II the product Of country ad-
nittinE like Canadian articles into
such country free of duty. The reso-
lotion n adopted ia practically the tar
IN platform 81 the Canadian Council Of
Agric culture representing the Western
farming interests.
80 canada is about to pass through
the period faml ar 70 every country in
the course ~ It's commercial develop
nsnt. which marks the struggle be-
tween what are mistakenly believed TO
10 mo conflicting interests Of manu-
feature and agriculture We have seen
y In this country. the agricultural
south opposing the manufacturing
North and demanding free trade in or
der that the cotton growers might ex-
tend their foreign markets and pur-
chase goods manufactured abroad free
~ duty 70 tho injury ~ Northern mills.
But the growth NJ manufacturing under
the protective policy Of tho Republican
rariv has changed tho views Of the
South wonderfully We have seen it
H. England when in the late forties
the nanufac turers of Manchester sent
forth Cobden a. the apostle of free
trade because AZ that time England.
bS Improved methods. developed un-
d,t protection. had outstripped her
competitors and had to set the exam
yte ~ free market herself before
markets she planned to capture to do
likewise. And We have seen England,
harrisd by German competition, once
more indorsing the protective policy.
Undoubtedly the moving cause in
determining this action Of the Cana
dan asriculturists is the apprehen
sion Of Republican control of the legis-
lative branch a. Washington in the
next Congress That will mean the
forcing ~ the issue with President
Wilson on the question Of protection,
ana w the country back Of the
measure he Is more than likely to
cspitulate. That assures protective
tartf on farm products and the loss Of
large market 10 Garad an growers.
vho un4sr the present free trade pro-
visions ~ our tsrln law. have fattened
on L + sales. They have nothing to
fear from n Canadian law free listing
farm products and they are quite will
ins 20 free-ltst manufactured goods.
because any decrease in consumption
reason " closing mills and consequent
unemployment could he more than off,
cot ~ increased sales in our free mar
ket So they are holding out the bait
a. reciprocity in order to influence our
1913 elections
our imports from Canada for the
nscal year 1913. under protection.
totaled si2l 900. exports to Canada
tctaled snSoOoooo. For 1914. nine
months Democratic law. imports
Jumped 10 $4,000 600. exports fell to
100000. This fiscal year We i'm
ported approximately $4,000 900
worth Of goods from Canada. Of which
fully 90 per cent came in free, and
scld her about s75O.ao0 600 worth,
huge proportion OF which was war ma
terial The proposal Of the Western Ca
nadians will not fool our farmers nor
will IL cajole our manufacturers.
This country has passed through the
stage In which Canada is now enter
lrg. The end Of the war will find
our aerieulturists and manufacturers
pulling together for protection.