U.S.A. AND CANADA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 362, 20 May 1911, Page 5

U.S.A. AND CANADA.

TARIFF TREATY DISCUSSION. By Telesmirli.—l'ress Association. —CopyriEht Received May 20, 8 a.m. London, Yesterday. In the House of Lords, Earl Selbourne raised a debate on the Ameri-can-Canadian reciprocity treaty, and said it was the first time a part cf the Empire had obtained better terms from a foreign country than Britain and the rest of the Empire. The precedent was capable of a large extension. If it became general, it was difficult to see how the Imperial system was going to work. He criticised the British Government's supineness. The only escape from the difficulties ahead was Imperial preference, with joint Imperial negotiations with foreign countries. Lord Lucas replied that the Government was not alarmed at the crumbling American-Canadian tariff wall. It was impossible for Britain to interfere without infringing Canada's fiscal liberty. He agreed that Britain was entitled to the same treatment as Canada. The Foreign Office would not accept an American interpetation of the most favoured nation clause. Lord Lansdowne said the enlargement of Canada's trade with the United States would increase the markets for British goods, and added: "We regard preference as an utterly unscientific policy.