BRITISH INTERESTS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10185, 10 March 1911, Page 5

BRITISH INTERESTS

GABLE NEWS

United Press Association—By Elec' trie Telegraph — Copyright.

THE RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT A WHITE PAPER ISSUED. (Received Last Night, 11.20 o'clock.) LONDON, March 10. In a White Paper published by the Foreign Office, the Hon. Jaanas Bryce,' British Ambassador at Washington, states that the negotiations between Canada and the United States are extremely involved. When it became apparent that it would bo impossible to restrict the agreement to natural products, and manufactures were included, it was pointed out to the Hon. Mr Fielding, of Canada, that the extension might involve . consequences not altogether desirable by reducing or removing British preference. The Hon. Mr Fielding replied that h.'c party intended to maintain preferonce. The Hon. James Bryce adds: "A at present advised, I am 'disposed to believe thalfc British interest's are not appreciably prejudiced." He states that he lost no opportunity during.the negotiation's of reminding Canadian Ministers of the regard which it was right and fitting Miey ohouild have for Imperial interests while doing their best for Canada. Such reminders had always found a frank and cordial response. Where the arrangement overstepped .the limit of natural prod-nets, it was probably influenced by the United States' traditional policy for promoting closer economic reMions between the States of the Western Hemisphere. Such a policy was not checked by tJie rapidly-grow-ing national consciousness cf these States. In neither Canada or tho Republics of Latin America, where the United States sought to extend its pan-American propaganda, was there a likelihood of a freer interchange of commodities, leading to closer political relations.

A GENEROUS TRIBUTE.

THE EIGHT AMBASSADOR

Received This Morning, 12.15 am. LONDON, March 9. In the House of Commons, the .Hon. A. J. Balfour, Unionist leader, speaking to a "vote on account," paid a generous tribute to the Hon. James Bryce, British Ambassador at Washington', but blamed tthe Government for ■mis-instiructing him. , It was right that an Ambassador .should help a self-governing 80-ruin-' ion, but the British manufacturer was also entitled to assistance. The only bright spot was Jlhe announcement in Sir Wilfrid Laurier's speech that ho Intended to bring the question of prefefrence 1 forward at the Imperial Conference. It was clear that ' Preference was not yet dead in Canada, and' it certainly was not in Britain. Sir Edward Grey declared that, but for the Horn. James Bryce's tact and skill during the last two years, Canada would have demanded her own representative at Washington. Fortunately the . relations between Britain and Canada were never better. The worst service that could be done the-'relation's betweeii Britain and Canada would be to at-, tempt, to impede the Reciprocity negotiations.