The sun., 1919-08-08

National Railways is too large and has
too many men who devote only partial
time to their duties.
H-.fs ~. iS
TarfR Keenly Debated.
The tsrin resolution carried by the
|,conventlon, the text OF which vas given
In THE. SuN yesterday, was e'.yictory.
for the Prairie provinces men, who
wished explicit statement Of what Is
Meant 70 be done. The Hon. John Oliver,
Premier of British Columbta, advocated
a more general statement OF pelicy I'm
the direction of revenue stari1. but his,
amendment In that direction was voted
down by q large majority. British Co.
lumbia Liberals favor moderate protec-
tion. y.t q S-r' % .'s fa-t- Il
The tariff was keenly debated in COM
nittee and there was also some debate
on the floor Of the convention. Men
Hern heard from all parts Of Canada,
The Hon. A.. r. sMcMaster, chairman Of
the Tariff COMMITTEES sanda financial
critic for the 0pposition IN Parliament.
ably defended the resolution or the COM
Hitteei and stood for o. 1ow tarifr 7Boch
as would yield revenue and enable thu
Government to meet It's obligations,
There was nothing OF free trade in his
speech. but he took a position that won
support or the Western men and n a
good omen for future cooperation in the
next election. Is is believed the Lib
eral platform on the tariff viii appeal to
the Western farmers and meet the de-
nands OF the Canadian Council Of
| Agriculture
It is quite apparent the Liberals have
decided that the keen situation created
| by the high cost Of living, AFFECTING all
saiaried people ana wage earners, and
the organized farmers. demands, are
sufficiently strong to turn the party in
| favor OF radical tariff reduction,
The Hon w. 8. Fielding took the floor
this morning in support Of a resolution
respecting reciprocity and trade with the
United States. It was his first appear
ance on. the, convention platform as a
\ speaker and he was weH received. One
feature was lacking in Mr.. Fielding =
| speech, SO prominent In most others, and
that was a reference to the late Sir Will
| frid Laurier Having broken with his
leader n'1s17. it would ot.appeal to Mr..
Fielding to seek to make grist- for his
| political mill By any direct call to the
sentiment that would appeal to the Que
bee men, with whom he does not stand
well. In this convention he has main
tained his reserve and dignity through
| out.
Reciprocity Resolutions Text.
| The resolution as carried by the con-
yention was as follows;
That the reciprocity agreement nego-
tlated with the United States by the Lib
eral Government of Canada In 1911 was
, a measure which realized the hopes tina,
had been entertained and efforts made
for better trade relations between Can
ada and the neighboring republic by the
statesmen OF both political parties in the
Dominion from the beginning of the Do.
minion's history.
That the agreement was fair and just
to both countries and well calculated tC
promote the good relations so desirable
THAT the action of the Conservative
party under the leadership of Mr.. now
Sir. Robert Borden in opposition and
defeating the agreement was a sacrifice
OF the best interests OF Canada for dis
tinctly partisan ends.
IL "rhat the insincerity OF movement oi
the Conservative leaders on that ques-
tion has been abundantly evidenced by
the fact that after coming into office
they proceeded to make some of the
very tariff changes, a denunciatior
elections. of 1911.
That the action Of the Conservative
leaders in preventing the consummat tior
| of 30 excellent an Arrangement between
the two countries deserves and should
still receive. whenever the opportunity
occurs. the severe condemnation of the
Canadian people.
+ That the reciprocity agreement wal
approved in S1s11 by the Congress of the
United States, and the law giving sucf
iapprovai still remains on the American
n statute books. --''' 't' t'''.:Ef'cl
y That n the proposal lately made II
the Congress to repeal the said law b.
carried out the people Of Canada will
have no cause to complain. since thu
Americans have kept the law unimpairet
for the long. term Of eight years. during
which Canada has made no move tS
aval herself OF It's provisions.
That while, for these reasons this
convention can take no exception to tn,
proposal SO made at Washington, We
as Liberals again place on record ouI
appreciation Of the object Of the said
agreement and our faith in the princi
pies of friendly international relations
underlying It. and we express our ear
nest hope that In both countries sucl
principles will be upheld and that q
favorable moment may come when ther,
will be renewed manifestation by ths
two Governments of a desire to make
some similar arrangements"
The Hon. Sydney Fisher. Minister oi
Agriculture in the Laurier Cabinet ant
a leader from Quebec Of the English
Liberals In that province led in suppor
Of a resolution in favor OF encourage
ment to agriculture. The purpose Of
the committee was not only to hell
the farmer but to encourage greater
} production in foodstuffs
Income Tax Is Urged.
The committee on resolutions reported
on taxation and finance as follows:
Whereas, the national safety de
mahds that the serious financial position
? of the country should be known and ap
|, preciated in order that steps. may b,
) taken to cope with the same and
Whereas. on March 81 last, according
, to the statement OF the Minister of FL
, nance. the net public debt was 1885,,
100000. or roughly S220 for. every man
woman and child In the Dominion. in
Evolving an annual interest charge o
about. s116. 900. and thus imposing
! an annual burden for interest on deb
. alone of $i5 head of the population
, and 200
"Whereas; the estimated expenditur,
of the Dominion Government for tn,
present fiscal year Is more than $500,
0o0, 900. or roughly 800 per head OF thu
, population; and ....., ga"
} Whereas the estimated revenue &
only $2s0,000. 900, thus creating an estI
mated deficit OF more than $500, 900, 900
la sum equivalent to S82.50 per heat
: Of the population, which sum the Fl
nance Minister proposes TO obtain b!
/ narrowing. and 80