RECIPROCITY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 52, 11 February 1911, Page 1

RECIPROCITY.

DEBATE IN THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT. NOTHING NEW IN THE AGREEMENT. [PUESS ASSOCIATION.—-COPYRIGHT. ‘ Ottawa, Feb. 10. In the reciprocity debate in the Dominion House of Commons, Mr. Fielding said that their opponents beat the big drum of Imperialism in order to secure selfish ends. There was nothing new in the agreement, which was merely built on the lines of the treaty of 1854.

APPEARANCES FAVOUR RATIFICATION.

(Received 11, 9.15 a.m.) Although the amendment in thet Canadian House of Commons is i favouring delay in the reciprocal agreement, it was successfully re - risted with the loss of half the Government’s normal majority. The ‘•'Times” considers appearances are in favour of ratification.. DEBATE AT WESTMINSTER, i "London, Feb. 10. ! In the House of Commons, the: Hon. A. Lyttelton declared that) Colonial Ministers would have an’ easier task in asking for taxa* : on| for naval purposes if they could i show that their ships were destined; to protect trade fostered by mat [ preference.

ASQUITH’S DOUBTFUL ARGUMENTS. Mr. Asquith said that the United States did not place the same in terpretation on the most favo , .*J nation clauses «a Great Britain. British goods were not as a •- liter of treaty right entitled to enter tn the same favourable terms as Canadian. Nevertheless the Canadians at present have so small a share cl the trade in manufactured aranles affected by the agreement that im - probability of Canada competing with Great Britain was infinitesimal. He denounced the present incurable sloppiness which had characterised the tariff reforr* agitation from its inception. Protection was not dead, but he believed it was about to celeb i ate the obsequies of Imperial preferem e. which was one of the greatest p htieal impostures of modern times. Mr. Balfour objected to the accusation of imposture against Sr Wilfrid Laurier and other c--'«»nial statesmen. The fiscal amendment was rejr t ed by 324 to 222 votes.

ASQUITH’S POLITICAL MOVE

(Received 11, 8.5 a.m.) Ottawa, Feb. 10. In an interview, M. Bourassa, leader of the Quebec Nationalists, declared the Asquith Government encouraged Sir Wilfrid Laurier to effect reciprocity with America, hoping it would act as a set-off to the growing tariff movement *n Great Britain. Mr. Paterson. Minister of Customs, said British preference woui J certainly remain the cardinal prin ciple of Canada’s fiscal system. A HOT RETORT. London. Feb. 10. Mr Asquith’s reference to “ in> posture ” caused a hot retort. The Prime Minister’s epithets did not merely accuse Home politicians of imposture, but associated a very large party in every great selfgoverning colony. The word “ imposture ” was earnestly pressed on the Prime Minister by Sir W. Laurier when they wc -e face to face during the latter ? visit to London, and was deliberately rejected.