TRADE PREFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1349, 29 January 1912, Page 5

TRADE PREFERENCE.

THE NEXT HOVEDISCUSSION IN CANADA, TREATY WITH AUSTRALIA SUGGESTED. By Tclecrarh-Preaa Araeclo.iJon-C<H>yriirto (Rec. January 28, 5.5 p.m.) Ottawa, January 27. Mr. Ames, in Iho House of Commons, initiated a discussion on Empire trade, and declared that Canada gave preference to Britain as far as she could, and the next niovo must come from the Motherland. "When she is read}' to grant advantages," ho said, "wo aro willing to grant even more." Discussing preferential trade with Australia, he declared: "Already many Australian exports aro admitted free, but if we could give preference, on butter, fruit, leather, meat, and tallow, as well as the advantages accorded under tho French treaty in connection with light wines, prunes, raisins, and currants, it would be an attractive offer." Mr. G. E. Foster, Minister for Trade and Commerce, did not wish to ask preference for preference. A few of the articles on which Australia and Britain gave preference benefited Canada. Ho hoped to arrange a conference with Australia. Sir Wilfrid Laurier suggested that Mr. Foster should go to Australia, and endeavour to arrange a treaty. BRITISH MINISTER'S VIEWS. London, January 26. The Right Hon. 1,. Harcourt (Secretary of State for tho Colonies), speaking at Bacup (in Lancashire), said that no one at the Imperial Conference suggested that Die fiscal system should bo altered for their profit and to the injury of the working classes of Great Britain. If there was a danger of losing tho colonies without the tariff, said Mr. Rarcourt, they would loose them anyway; because, whatever causes of friction' might exist with the colonies, and he knew of none, they would bo increased a hundred-fold by haggling between State and State, trade and trade, through conflicting interests.