CANADA AMD PREFERENCE.

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 155, 30 January 1906, Page 2

CANADA AMD PREFERENCE.

A Remarkable Speeoh Telegraph Press Association Copyright Ottawa, Jan 29. A speech of the Hon S. A. Fisher, Canadian Minister for Agriculture, at the » Mackenzie Club, Montreal, though it is understood he only is expressing his own views, has attraoted widespread attention. He remarked that it was a calumny to say that it had been said during the British elections that unless Canadian products were granted preference in the Motherland the markets of Canada were liable to be separated from the Empire. Canadian farmers did not demand and did not want preference for food products. " The Motherland," be proceeded, " under the existing conditions, absorbs all the food products we can send, paying profitable prices. We do not send, more because the productive capacity of Canada's agricultural population is unable to produce it." Personally as a farmer and a Minister he was rather glad that England had decided j not to give Canada preference, j Canadian agriculture did. n,ot require j preference, because the farmers were able to beat their rivals at every ! point. They did not ask the Motherland to burden herself to benefit the Canadians or others. If he were an elector of England he would be a Liberal Freetrader. The best way to strengthen the Empire was by giv- ! mg absolutely a free hand to each part whenever common objects de-' manned general consideration. Then let the trusted leaders meet in conference. As Free Trade was Eng-. land's economic necessity, so freedom from militarism was Canada's. Their work was to gain population* prosperity and wealth. As they wished their ties within the Empire to be lasting, they must maks them strong, elastic, and loose, so tbat they should not snap a? a straightened cord was apt to do.