PANAMA CANAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 72, 12 August 1912, Page 5

PANAMA CANAL.

A CANADIAN PROTEST. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Ottawa, August 9. The Board of Trade at Vancouver is calling a special meeting to discuss whether the province of British Columbia should withdraw from active or official participation in the Panama Exposition, owing to the action of the United States regarding tolls on American ships through the Panama Canal.

A QUALIFIED FREE TOLL.

New York, August 9.

The Senate, lias endorsed the proposal for a qualified free toll for American Teasels engaged for foreign trade using the Panama Canal. An amendment was adopted authorising American owners under foreign flags to bring vessel* under the American registry, provided that they were engaged only in the foreign trade. BILL PASSES THE SENATE. THE TOLLS QUESTION.

Received 10, 5,5 p.m. Washington, August 10.

The Panama Canal Bill, providing for free passages for American ships, prohibiting railroad-owned vessels using the Canal, and authorising the establishment of one-man government when the Canal is completed, passed the Senate by 47 votes to 15. Mr. Root moved to strike out free tolls for coastwise ships. 'Mr. Smith proposed to strike out free tolls for American ships engaged in foreign trade. Both motions were overwhelmingly defeated.

Mr. Brandeya insisted that the admission of foreign trade vessels would be a violation of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. It would be a humiliation to see American sfcipe labelled "Built in Germany."