Preferential Trade.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3616, 1 February 1906, Page 3

Preferential Trade.

A CANADIAN’S VIEWS.

Ottawa, Jan. 29

A speech of the Hon. S. A. Fisher, Canadian Minister for Agriculture, at the Mackenzie dub, Montreal, though it is understood' he is only''expressing his own views, has attracted widespread attention. He remarked that it was a calumny to say it had been said during the British elections that, unless Canadian products were granted preference in Motherland the markets of Canada were liable to lie separated from the Empire. Canadian ‘armors did not demand and didnot want preference for food products. “The Motherland.”' he proceeded, “under the existing conditions, absorbs all the lood products we can send, paying profitaide prices. We do not send more because the productive capacity of Canada’s agricultural population is unable to produce it. Personally as a farmer and a 'Minister lie was rather glad that England had not decided to give Canada preference. Canadian agriculture did not require preference, because the farmers were able to beat their rivals at every point. They did not ask the Motherland to burden herself to

benefit the Canadians or othererT-f he were,an elector of England, fie would be a liberal Freetrader. The best way to strengthen the Empire was by giving absolutely a free hand to each part whenever common objects demanded general consideration. Then let the trusted leaders meet in conference. As free trade was England’s economic necessity, so freedom from militarism was Canada's. Their work was to gain population, prosperity and wealth. As they wished their ties within the Empire to be lasting, they must make them strong, elastic and loose, so that they should not snap as a straightened cord was apt to do.