THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 307, 22 May 1911, Page 5

THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.

DISCUSSION* IX THE LORDS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, May 19. In the House of Lords Lord Selborne raised a debate on American-Canadian reciprocity. He said it was the first time a part of the Empire had obtained better terms from a foreign country than from Britain and the rest of the Empire. The precedent was capable of large extension, and if it became general it was difficult to sec how the Imperial system was going to work. He criticised the supinenpss of the British Government and said that the only escape from the difficulties ahead was Imperial preference with joint Imperial negotiations with foreign countries. Lord Lucas, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, replied that the Government was not alarmed at the crumbling of the 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 did not accept the American interpretation of the most favored nation clause.

Lord Haldane said that the enlargement of Canada's trade with the United States would increase the markets for British goods. The Government regarded preference as an utterly unscientific policy.