THE TARIFF QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 348, 26 March 1910, Page 5

THE TARIFF QUESTION.

CANADA AND U. S. A. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright London, March 23. The Morning Post's Washington correspondent states that President Tuft 1 has informed Mr. Fielding, Canadian Minister of Finance, that the maximum tariff will be impos'ed unless the Dominion grants intermediate rates on selected articles, whi:h in Mr. Tam opinion, will not conflict with Canada's arrangements with other countries. The President promised to uee his influence to secure a reciprocal agreement covering agricultural products'. THE PRESIDENT'S VERSION. Received March 25, 5 p.m. Washington, March 24. President Taft, in the course of an interview, said he must first have time to interpret the inclustic law. But for that, he would not hesitate to give Canada the minimum under the Payne tariff. A SIGNIFICANT BYE-ELECTION. Washington, March 24. A significant bye-election has taken place in Massachusetts, where Mr. Foss turned a Republican majority of 14,980 into a Democratic majority of 5640. Mr. Foss's platform was a moderate tariff and reciprocity with Canada. FRANCE'S FIRMNESS.' Received March 24. 8.45 p.m. London, March 24. Reuter's Paris correspondent reports that France has conceded America, theminimum tariff on four hundred articles out of six hundred scheduled, but reserves entire liberty to raise rates. This satisfactory result is due to France adopting the Canadian attitude of refusing to yield to American bluff. The opinion prevails in France that President Taft's pliancy is due to the unpopularity of the tariff in America and the diminution of the American foreign balance raising the problem 'how to prevent laige exports of gold. MR. KNOX DEPUTATIONISED. Received March 24, 10.50 p.m. Washington, March 24. A large deputation of lumber, grain, and manufacturing interests appealed to the United States Secretary of State to avert a tariff war. There was 200 million dollars of trade affected. Mr. Knox advised the deputation not to feel undulv alarmed.