The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-03
CANADA HESITATES
TO EXTEND UNION
Few Back Proposals to Bring
in Newfoundland and
West Indies.
U. s. TARIFF A PROBLEM
Dominion's Preference Policy
Will Be Affected by Ac-
ton on Duties.
BY a star Correspondent Of TIE sus.

BY Btd0 Correspondent o. Thn puN.
MONTREAL, July 31.--The proposal to
unite Newfoundland and the British
West Indies within the confederation OF
Canada has not yet advanced into the
realm Of practical politics. Positively
no step has been taken ofiioially In that
direction. The plan has few sponsors
In Montreal. Support Of the plan by
the Northcliffe press will tend to mako
Canadians wary and prevent action.
More or less active efforts were made
from time to time ever since the British
Empire was under the mercantile
system to keep the trade Of the
West Indies flowing toward Canada
But the attraction and proximity of the
American market proved an Irresistible
magnet to the islanders In the early
nineties Newfoundland would have como
into the federal union of Canada, but
the debt of the island was an obstacle
that deferred the Canadian statesmen.
The idea OF an imperial Canada had not
then taken root; the problems OF con-
federation were sufficiently threatening.
Public finance was not than possessed OF
the nerve II has since acquired. Viewed
from this day. there was good oppor-
tunity lost. Any change must come
now only after It 10 made s1ear that the
people and Government of Newfoundland
want to be part of the Canadian union.
Political Problem for oanade.
The West Indies would present prob
lem in political science quite new to
Canada The race problem eas been
at times an acute one between French
and English, but under thu wise states
manship OF Macdonald and Laurier prog
ress was made. To add 1 100000 to the
population of Canada. four-ffths OF
whom would be negroes. 10 question
that is not going to be settled In any
hurry on suggestion of British Imperial
lists. The West Indian negro is supe-
rior specimen of his race, but It Is doubt
full II Canadians are ready to give the
status of a province TO the West Indies
on the basis OF representation by popu-
lation on the principle Of universal suf-
frage
Canadian trad with Newfoundland
shows a decided advantage to Canada,
but the reverse Is true OF trade with
the West indies and British Guiana.
Canadian trade for the fiscal year end
ed March 81, 1918. with the colonies
named was as follows:
Exports Imports from
Newfoundland ......... S.sTsn no.t sfl
W Werap Indie. .. 1856 SO sss5i,
British Guiana ........ e.7lse17 1851. rs.
Totals ............,...s2o,2ee.e e4 t2cns,2st
From which II is quite apparent tina,
Guiana and the islands gain from the
preference Of about one-fourth of the
regular tariff rates. and find a market
in Canada for a good share of their
products Of sugar. spices. fruits and
mahogany wood. Newfoundland, Guiana
and the islands buy heavily of Canadian
flour. cereals. meat and lumber. There
Is no reason to suppose the existing
preference will be changed or lessened
for II works fairly all round.
Effect on Preference Policy.
The attitude of the Congress of the
United States on the tariff in relation
to Canada Is sure to have direct effect
on the extent to which the preference
policy will be carried in Canada. If the
tarifr is increased on Canadian wheat
live stock and farm products. the in.
evitable consequence would be to drive
Canada to make a bargain for preferred
treatment for those products in the Brit
ish market, where most of them are sold
now.
For the fiscal year 1918 Canadian ex.