Preferential Trade

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8101, 30 January 1906, Page 6

Preferential Trade

A Canadian's 'Views. (By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.; (Per Press Association.) OTTAWA, Jan. 29. A speech of tha Hou. S. A. Fisher, Canadian Minister for Agriculture, at the Mackenzie Club, Montreal, though it is understood he is only expressing his own views, has attracted widespread attention. He remarked that it was a calumny to say io had been said during the British elections that unless Canadian products were granted preferenco in the Motherland the markets of Canada were liable to be soparated from the Empire. Canadian farmers did did not demand and did not want preference for food products. " The Motherland," he proceeded, " under the existing conditions, absorbs all tlie 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. Person ally as a farmer and a Minister he was rather glad that England had decided nottogive Canada preference. Canadian agriculture did not require preference, because the farmers were abie 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 giving absolutely a free hand to each part whenever common objects demanded general consideration. Then let the trusted leaders meet in conference. As free trade was England'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 make them strong, elastic and loose, so that they should not snap as a straightened cord was apt to do.