The Washington herald., 1921-12-16
LIBERAL LEADERS
HAVE CONFIDENCE
OF BUSINESS men
Low Tariff Policy Gives
Assurance of Trade
Prosperity.
FUTURE is HOPEFUL
Dominion Opposed to Retalia-
tory Customs Du-
ties.
FUTURE is HOPEFUL

OTTAWA. Ontario. Dec. 15.-with
the general election disposed of,
business appears more confident
AS the new government will be
strong in its personnel and as Its
probable members are to have the
confidence Of the business commun-
ity, there is an impression that the
infusion into the councils Of the
nation will have a decidedly bene-
fetal effect.
Reports from Kitchener, On
tarfo, one OF the busiest hives
Of industry in Canada, say that the
Industrial situation is steadily i'm
proving. and that there are COM
paratively few unemployed men.
There are a few industries working
extra hours to catch up with hol-
day orders, while the shoe and rub
Der factories have orders Shead
that will keep them busy through
out the winter.
Capitalists CONFIDENT.
Several Canadians. high in the
financial life of the country, have
given expression to opinions on the
outlook, which are of value. At
the annual meeting OF the Bank OF
Montreal Sir Vincent Meredith,
president. said: In the most pro-
pitious circumstances Of trade,
prophecy is rash. and in tho COM
plicated conditions that now beset
us. 1 will refrain from the risk OF
forecast What we do know Is
that Canada has withstood the
shock Of deflation and readtust-
ment in a manner that has afford
cd qualification to our own people
and caused much favorable com
ment abroad, but TO return to pre-
war standards cannot be expected
at once and probably not Tor
considerable time to come"
Sir Thomas White, former minister
of finance. has also spoken. He said:
Talk about the financial difficulties
Of Canada, I think I know some
thing about financial difficulties from
my experience when in office. and
I would regard them In the light
est possible manner to the problems
we had during the war. The rea-
son for my confidence in the fu-
turs Is because I know something
OF the past. and I know that the
true Canadian people. who came
through the war as they did. will
meet any situation that may arise,
and carry II through triumphantly.
TRADE PROSPECTS GOOD SUB
There is naturally considerable in
curry as to the probable effect OF
the general election on trade between
Canada and the United States. On
the whole, II may be said without
hesitation that the probable effect
will be good. As the liberals. who
will form the new government, are
traditionally a Iow-tarifr party. 1t is
now certain that there will be no
attempt to enact misguided retalia-
tory tariff legislation. The liberals
negotiated the reciprocity treaty OF
1911. and while reciprocity was not
an issue in the campaign. still. as
the liberals reaffirmed their attitude
on this subject during the last ses-
sion OF parliament. their general pol
icy on the subject OF trade relations
with the republic Is thus understood.
The progressives. or farmers par
~, are another strong factor work
ing for closer trade relations. They
area indeed. a more avowedly low
tariff party than are the liberals.
Reciprocity is one OF the leading
planks In their platform. and. as
they will have about so per cent Of
the members IN the next house OF
commons. closer trade relations with
the United States Is a subject that
will be kept well to the fore