RUSSIA AND CANADA

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 88, 13 April 1912, Page 10

RUSSIA AND CANADA

The disagreement between Russia and the United States over the passport question and the abrogation of the commercial treaty between those two countries seems now likely to redound to the profit of Canada. M. Kryshtofoich, Commissioner of the Russian Agricultural Department, has been sent to Toronto, with a view of developing trade in agricultural implements between Canada and Russia. Mr. Kryshtofoich save that Russia needs nearly £15,000,000 worth of agricultural machinery a year, and that this demand is increasing owing to the rapid colonisation of Siberia, which receives over 600,000 newcomers from Russia every year. The home manufacturers are able to supply only a small portion of the farmers' needs, and if matters can be arranged there is a prospect of Canada doing a business with Russia in* these goods to between £7,000,000 and £10,000,000 annually. Russia has purchased heretofore the bulk of her agricultural machinery in the United States, but since the abrogation of the commercial treaty an unofficial boycott has been put on American goods, and it is evident from M. Kryshtofoich's mission iliat the Russian Government is anxious to make its purchases outide 06 the United States. .Canadian manufacturers are delighted at the prospect, and are entering into the project whole-heartedly, and if conitracts can be made for a lengthy time, plants will be increased, and new capital easily raised for the purpose.