A CANADIAN'S BOAST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1661, 30 January 1906, Page 2

A CANADIAN'S BOAST.

ABLE TO BEAT RIVALS AT EVERY POINT.

By telegraph. Press Ass’n, Copyright Received 9.31 p.m., Jan. 29.

Ottawa Jan. 29. A epaeoh by Mr Fisher, the Canadian Minister for Agriculture, at the MacKeczine Club, Montreal, though it is understood he was only expressing bis own views, has attracted widespread attention. He remarked that it was a oalamny to say, as had been said duriDg the British elections, that unless Canadian proanots were granted preference in the Motherland’s markets, Canada waa liable to separate from the Empire. Canadian I farmers did not demand and did not want | preference for food product?. ‘ The Motherland,” he said, “ under existing conditions would absorb all the food products we can send, paying profitable prices. We do Dot send more because the productive capacity of Canada’s agcicultural population is unable to produce it. Personally, as a farmer and a Minister, he I was rather glad that England had decided not to give Canada preference. Canadian agriculture did not require preference because the farmers were able to beat their I rivals at every point.

Received 1147 p.m., Jan. 29. O.tawa, Jan. 29. Mr Fisher, continuing, said therefore they would not ask the Motherland to burden herself to benefit Canadians or others. “We gave preference,” he said, 11 because it suits ourselves.”' If he were an elector of England he would be a Liberal freetrader. The beet way to strengthen the Empire, was by giving an absolutely free hand to each part whenever common objects demanded general consideration. Then let trusted leaders meet in conference. “As freetrade is England’s economic neoessity, so freedom from militarism is ours. To make Canada strong for herself and the Empire, let nothing make it swerve. Our work is to gain population, prosperity, and wealth. As we wish to have cur ties within the Empire lasting and strong, make them elastic, and loose, so as not to snap as a straightened cord is apt to do.”