CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8040, 30 January 1906, Page 2

CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

A MINISTERIAL SPEECH. ATTRACTS WIDE SPREAD ATTENTION. Received 29, 9.31 ],,,„, Ottawa, Jan. 29, A speech by the Hon. Sydney Fisher, Canadian Minister for Agriculture, nt the Mackenzie Club, Montreal, thougk it is understood he was only expressing his own views, lias attracted widespread attention.

He remarked that it was a calumny to say wkat had been said during Britisk elecions tkat unles's Canadian, products were granted preference in the Motherland's markets, Canada would bo liable to separate from the Empire.

Canadian farmers, tke Minister said, did not demand and did not want pre. ference for lood products from tko Motherland, " Under existing condi. lions she absorbs all food products wo can send, paying profitable prices. Wo do not send more because tke produc. live capacity of Canada's agricultural population is unable to produce it," Personally, as a farmer and a Minis. ter, lie was rather glad England had decided not to givo Canada preference. Canadian agriculture did not requiro preference, because tke farmers were ablo to beat ker rivals at every point, CANADA'S DUTY TO HERSELF AND EMPIRE. "THE SILKEN THREAD OF KINSHIP." Received 29,11.47 p.m Ottawa, January 27. The Hon. Fisher continued j "Therefore they did not ask the Motherland to burden herself to benefit Ike Canadians or others. Wo gave preference because it suits ourselves." He proceeded to say thut if kc wero an elector of England ke would be a Liberal Freetrader. Tke best way to strengthen tke Empire was by giving an absolutely free hand to each part. Whenever common objects demanded a general consideration, then let trusted leaders meet at a conference. "As frcctrado is England's economic necessity, so freedom from militarism is ours. Our duty is to make Canada strong for herself aud for the Empire, and to let nothing make us swerve from our work to

gain population, prosperity aud wealth. as we wish. Our ties within the Empire are lasting and strong, and wo should make them elastic and loose, so as net to snap, as a strengthened cord is apt to do."