MR. BRVCE ATTACKED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1434, 8 May 1912, Page 7

MR. BRVCE ATTACKED.

HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATE, CANADA AND UNITED STATES. TAFT-ROOSEVELT LETTERSBy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (liec. May 7, 10.15 p.m.) . London, May 7. In the House of Commons, -Mr. 11. I'ngo Croft (Unionist member for Christeliureh) asked whether the Government would reconsider the question of Imperial preference in order to defeat President Taft's design to make Canada an adjunct of America. • Mr. Asfjuith. Prime Minister, replied that tho Taft-Roosevelt letters were private, and that Mr. James Bryce had no knowledge of their contents. There was nothing' in tho correspondence to niako the Government alter its policy regarding preference. Mr. Bryce only saw Mr. \\. S. Fielding (Minister of Finance in tho Laurier Government) in order to learn tho facts, and only gave assistance when asked. The Canadian people would resent any interference. Mr. Bryce's action was inspired by confidence in Canada, and ho would support the policy of the present Government just as equally as he did that of their predecessors. Mr. Pago Croft moved the adjournment. Ho accused the Government of supporting American-Canadian reciprocity regarding which they were ill-informed. Mr. Bryce had not kept tho Government in touch with the negotiations. It was essential that after tho Canadian verdict ho should be promoted to another .sphere ot usefulness. Sir E. Grey repudiated the unfair attacks on Mr. Bryce, who did nothing whatever to induco Canada to accept President Taft's proposals, and was not present during tho negotiations. He asked, Did the critics think Mr. Brvce ought to I have stopped the negotiations? If Sir. Bryco had shown reluctance to support tho Canadian Government, it would bo difficult to resis 1 - a demand for separate diplomatic representation.