Canada and Preference.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue II, 9 January 1904, Page 51

Canada and Preference.

A POLITICAL VIEW. AND A WARNING. Mr F. 8. Barnard, who is visit ing New Zealand oa a holiday excursion across the world, represented a British Columbian constituency in the Canadia.il House of Commons as a supporter of the great Conservative Government which held the dominant political influence for sixteen years prior to the uprising of the present Liberal party. An interviewer from thia paper seized the opportunity of his presence in Auckland at the Grand Hotel to get his views upon the subject of preferential trade. “Preference to Britain,” said he, “is no new thing in Canada, for it was first discussed by the Conservative Government, which was the Protectionist party and inaugurated the Protectionist policy which has done so much for Canada by increasing her commercial importance. I think there is no question about the desirability of a commercial union between Great Britain and the various parts of the Empire on the basis of preference, Canada, as you know, long ago gave a 33J per cent, preference to Great Britain of her own accord, and manufacturers have felt rather hurt that no recognition in kind has been made by the Imperial Government of the sacrifices made by the Canadian Government to promote the purchasing of English goods in the Dominion. The feeling throughout the country is strongly in favour of preference to England, provided always that England reciprocates. With that proviso there is not the least doubt that Canada will continue her distinct preference to England.’’ "The patriotism of the country is the basis of this magnanimity, I presume T” “That is so, and the sympathy of the country' is with Mr. Chamberlain in his efforts to convert England to preference. What the result of Chamberlain’s non-success may be Is only to be guessed—it cannot be surmised. It may result in Canada’s being forced into a treaty of reciprocity with the United States. That ultimately might lead to political union—and I believe that if that took place the skeystone of the Empire would be removed and the whole fabric endangered. The United States has already made overtures for a commercial union, and has tried its utmost to coerce Canada into a union by means of increased and hostile tariffs.” “Has there ever been any attempt in Canadian politics to bring this about?” “Certainly there was, and by the present Liberal Government, above all others! It was then in opposition, posing a Free Trade party, and it advocated in the House a commercial union with the United States. The Conservative party opposed this course because its members felt that such a treaty ■would lead to political union, and the party succeeded in killing the moveinent. By means of a retaliatory tariff, the then Government succeeded in driving out the influence of fh'» States, and the whole of our trade built up irrespective of the States.

“Do you think there is any likelihood of a revival of the United States' influence in commercial matters?”

"Not unless Britain refuses to reciprocate. At the present time there is a very strong feeling in the United States in favour of reciprocity with Canada, and it is undoubtedly to the pecuniary interest of Canada to respond to that movement. But the opinion of the people is an unselfish one, and they favour a closer union with the Motherland, expecting her to respond in one way or another. If she fails to do so, it is hard to say what the result will be. The country may be forced into a treaty with the States, and there —a beginning of the end!”