CANADA AND PREFERENCE.

West Coast Times, Issue 13731, 30 January 1906, Page 3

CANADA AND PREFERENCE.

London, Jan 29 The speech of Mr Fi>her, Ctmdiao M'.uislor of Agriculture, at tKe Mackenzie Club, Montreal, though it is undented he was only expre'sing his own views, at ( r;c*ed widespread attention. He remarked it was a calumny to say, as had been said during the British elections, that unless Canadian products were granted preference in the Mother" land's markets Canada wa3 liable to separate from the Empire. Canadian farmers did bob deinaad, and did not want, preference for food products. The Motherland, he said, under existing conditions absorbs ell tho food products we can send, paying profitable prices. I We do not send more, because the pro- I ductive capacity of Canada's agricultural popolrtion is unable to produce it. Personally, as a farmer and Minister, he was I rather glad England had decided not to give Canada preference. Canadian agriculture did not require preference, because the farmers were able to beat their rivah at every point. Mr Fisher continued that they therefora would not ask the Motherland to 1 burden hsrself for the benefit of Canadians or others. "Wegaye her a preference because it suits onr^elve?," he remarked. "If he were an elector in England he would be a Liberal Free Tracer. The best/way to strengthen the Empire was by giving an absolutely free hand to each part of it. Whenever common objects demanded general consideration, then let the trusted leaders meet in conference. Mr Fisher concluded— 'As free trade is England's economic necessity, so freedom from militarism is ours. To make Canada strong for herself and for the Empire, let nothing make it swerve. Our work is to gain population, prosperityi and wealth. As we wish our ties within the Empire to be lasting and strong, we should make them elastic and loose, so that they will not snap as a straightened oordis apt to do."