Year: 1879

mass of wearying details which compose
the new Canadian tariff. These details are
indeed of great interest to the merchants
of Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo and other
trading towns near the border, and, in
lesser degree, to such merchants OF New
York, Boston and Portland as bear part In
the commerce between tho United States
and the Dominion. But they. are OF little
interest to the great mass of~the readers of
any American newspaper. The merchants
who need to know the new rates OF duty
which have within the last three days been
enacted by the Parliament of the Dominion
can easily procure the list in any leading
Canadian newspaper. The Toronto Mail
or Toronto Globe of Saturday, of which any
interested merchant can easily procure q
copy, contains full schedule of the new
tariff rates. SIS


The great body of the American people
are more concerned to know the aims and
principles on which the new Canadian
tariff has been adjusted. We propose to
furnish this information in brief outline.
We think it more useful to give it from the
point of view of the Canadian government
than from the hostile point of view of
American critics and objectors. 1t is i'm
portant that we on this side of the border
understand the real opinions of the Cana
dian government There can be no wise
action by our Congress or our treaty max
ing power unless we understand the views
on which the Canadian government is act
ing.


The new Canadian tariff is in fact, and
is meant to be in intention, hostile to the
United States. But we must not miscon-
ceive it's ultimate intention. It's avowed
purpose is to procure from this country
new reciprocity treaty. We have never had
the shadow OF doubt that fair and equi-
table reciprocity treaty would be for the
mutual advantage Of both countries.
although Of greater advantage to Can
ada than to the United States. We
are sure that we do not misinterpret the
aim and purpose of the discrimination
against the United States made by the new
Canadian tariff. 1t is clearly intended to
make it for our interest to consent to q
new reciprocity treaty. The following ex-
tract from the budget speech of Mr.. Tilley,
the Canadian Minister Of FInanc., makes
this perfectly clear


MIR. CHAIRMAN-I have this to say to our Ameri-
friends. In 1865 they abrogaed the Reciprocity
Treaty. From. that day to the present large por-
ton Of the imports into the Dominion of Canada
from that country have been admitted free. We
have hoped, but hoped in van that by the adoption
of that policy would lead American friends to
treat us with reference to these articles in more
liberal spirit than they have. (Hear hear!'l Well.
siderat!on Of this subject. and require more
revenue the government have determined to ask
United states that have been free such duty as
may seem consistent with our position. (Cheers.)
But the government couples with it. in order to
show that we approach this question with un-
friendly spirit resolution that will be laid upon
the table of this House with the propositions for
introducing duty on these artices-a resolution to
this effect. that upon the articles named that
natural products of the country II the United States
take of in part or in whole the duty they impose
we are prepared to meet them. (Cheers.) Sir, the
government believe in reciprocity of tariff. We
may discuss free trade or protection please.
but the question to- day s, Shall have reciprocity
of tariff or shall we have aone-sided tariff? (Checrs
The government propose to do more.


We have here very frank. and, wo have
no doubt, perfectly truthful avowal of
motives. Ihe people Of Canada perceive
that all their interests would be promoted
by fair, just and we'll arranged reciprocity
treaty with the United States. On this
point they are not mistaken, and it will
certainly be mistake on the part of the
United States if this desire is not met
in o corresponding spirit. Our expert
ence Of the advantages of free trade
between the States Of our Union is
SO decisive and so respondent that
any, man who thinks that the admission of
Canada into our trade system would not be
benefit to both parties must have sur
rendered his intellect to some foolish
crotchet. Would it be for the advantage
of tho other States to have Illinois and
Wisconsin annexed to Canada? Nobody is
quite such lunatic rs to answer this ques-
ton in the affirmative. But who can
state any valid reason why unrestricted
commerce with Canada would not
be rs beneficial as unrestricted COM
merce with the States bordering
on Lake Michigan? II it would be q
plain disadvantage to the trade of the rest
of the Union to have Illinois and Wisconsin
annexed to the Dominion. why is it not
also disadvantage to have the Dominion
itself excluded from the free interchange of
commodities The Canadians are more
than willing, they ore anxious for q new
reciprocity treaty. Their Minister of
Finance frankly proclaims that it is lead
ing purpose of his hostile tariff to bring us
to consent to such treaty. Why should
not our government seize SO favorable an
opportunity? Why not strike while the
iron is hot? The tendency Of the new
Canadian tariff, if continued for few
years, is to build up interests which the
government cannot afterward abandon
without violation of justice. There will
never bo period when q reciprocity treaty
can be negotiated on basis 80 favorable
to the United States as at present, while
as vet the new Canadian tariff has not