U.S. AND CANADA.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 122, 8 May 1912, Page 5

U.S. AND CANADA.

MR. TAFT’S DESIGNS.

MR. BRYCE’S ACTION. DEBATE AT WESTMINSTER. London, May 7. In the House of Commons, Mr. H. Page Croft asked whether the Government would reconsider Imperial preference in order to defeat Mr. Taft’s design to make Canada an adjunct of America. Mr. Asquith replied that the TaftRoosevelt letters were private and that Mr. Bryce had no knowledge of their contents. There was nothing in the Correspondence to make the Government alter its pchey regarding preference. Air. Bryce only saw Mr. Fielding in order to learn the facts and only gave assistance when asked. The Canadian people would resent any interference. Mr. Bryce’s action was inspired by confidence in Canada. He would support the policy of the present Government as he had done that of its predecessors..

Mr. Page Croft moved the adjournment of the House and accused the Government of supporting AmericanCanadian reciprocity owing to their being ill-informed. Mr. Bryce had not kept the Government in touch with the negotiations. It was essential after the Canadian verdict that he should be promoted to anomer sphere of usefulness. Sir Edward Grey repudiated the unfair attacks on Mr. Bryce, who did nothing whatever to induce Canada to accept Mr. Taft’s proposals. He was not present during the negotiations. He asked whether the critics thought Mr. Bryce ought to have stopped the negotiations. If Mr. Bryce had shown reluctance to support the Canadian Government it would have been difficult to resist the demand for separate diplomatic representation.