99

A.—7

(4.) That the preference has resulted not only in arresting the continuous decline in British trade, but in stimulating the trade. If it had not been granted it is not very likely that the volume of British imports into Canada would be as large as it is to-day, to say the least. (5.) That the advantage given by Canada to the British manufacturer is proved beyond all question. If he has not fully availed himself of it that is not the fault of the Canadian Government or of Canadian fiscal policy. Important. Since the foregoing report was prepared and typewritten, a cable has been received from the Customs Department, Canada, stating that the unrevised foreign trade statistics for the fiscal year ended the 30th June, 1902, show that the imports entered for consumption from Great Britain amounted to $49,072,293, and from all countries to $202,791,406. These figures are subject to final revision, but they may be considered approximately correct. The amount stated for Great Britain is an increase of $6,054,129 over the previous year, or an advance of 14 per cent. The total imports from all countries increased by $21,553,418, or at the rate of 12 per cent,

A. Total Importations for Home Consumption into Canada.

14—A, 7.

Year. Dutiable. Free. Total. 1901 1897 ... 105,969,756 66,220,765 ft 105,969,756 66,220,765 $ 75,268,232 45,073,256 * 181,237,988 111,294,021 Increases 39,748,991 39,748,991 30,194,976 69,943,967 From Great Britain. 1901 1897 Increases 31,701,654 20,217,422 ... ... 11,484,232 11,316,510 9,194,766 43,018,164 29,412,188 2,121,744 13,605,976 From United States. 1901 1897 Increases 53,600,278 30,482,509 23,117,769 56,884,730 31,166,532 110,485,008 61,649,041 25,718,198 48,835,967 From British Colonies enjoying 1 'reference. 1901 1897 Increases 1,709,816 1,114,761 595,055 1,363,766 659,767 3,073,582 1,774,528 595,055 703,999 1,299,054 From all other Countries not befon mentioned. 1901 1897 18,958,008 14,406,073 5,703,226 4,052,191 24,661,234 18,458,264 Increases 4,551,935 4,551,935 1,651,035 6,202,970