PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1598, 1 February 1906, Page 1

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

.STATEMENT BY A CANADIAN MINISTER. Ottawa, .January 'Jti. A speech made by Mr Kisher. Cuidian Minister of Agriculture, at th* Mackenzie flub, Montreal, though it is understood he was only exprewsing his own views, has attract!*! widespread attention. Ho remarked that it was calumny to say that it bad been said during the British diction* that unless Canadian product* were granted preference in the Motherland'! markets. Canada was liable to separate from the Empire. Catiadtan farmer* did not demand and did not want preference for food product*. "The Motherland, under existing conditions," he said, "absorbs all the food products we can send, paying profitable prices. We do not tend more ItccuuiM! the productive capacity of Canada's agricultural population is unable to produce it," Personally, as R farmer and a Minister, he was rnther glad that England had decided not to (five Canada preference. Canadian agriculture ilid not require preference, because Canadian farmers were able to beat their rivals at every point. Therefore they did not ask the Motherland to burden herself for the benefit of Canadians or others. Ihey ifuve prrferenoe liecause it suited themselves. If he were an elector of Kngland. he would be a Liberal Freetrader. The best way to strengths the Kinpire was to give an absolutely free hand to each part. Whenever common objects (Icmttiidfid oon* th**n let trußtcd meot in <onf«vncv. "A* hvetrade in England's economic necessity," he said, "so freedom from militarism is ours. To make Canada strong for herself and the Empire, let nothing make us swerve in our work to gain population, proMjs-rity and wealth as w#> wish. Our lien within the Kmpire are laming and strong Make them elastic and loose, so as not to snap fls « straightened cord is apt to do."