The Quebec chronicle, 8 mars 1911, mercredi 8 mars 1911

[" - : | Tho Weather * Lower Lawrence and Gulf\u2014Fair asd moderately eold.a a 2 \u2014 \u201cQRUYERE\" The Superior Swiss Cheese We are the only direct importers in this ciey of the delicious Gruyere Cheese, made from the best Swiss milk, by the renowned firm of K.& P.Gerber, Switzerland, and shipped in large cakes from 195 to 225 ths.by 9 inches high.This alone proves its quality.30c, per B.Oéder a trial pound to-day.GEORGES PATRY Phone 3515 22 Fabrique St\u2014 RIERSS APPEAL FOR CIPROCITY DISAPPOINTING He was Eloquent, but His Argument was Shallow and Without Either Force or Point, ADM:TTED THERE WAS MUCH OPPISITION Uttawa, March 7.\u20141.the House of Commons to-day Sir Wilfrid Laurier came to the rescue of the 1cciprocity agreement, which is being battered about by its opponents in a very vigorous manner, and for upwards of two hours the Premier brought all the force of his eloquence to bear upon those who are fighting the pact, declaring that in entering upon the arrangement the government was ful- tiling its policy and giving to Canada the benefit of a market of ninety millions, The Premier's effort was disappointing to even the most ardent government supporters.He dwelt a great dea! on generalities, and eulo- gheed the pact without givipg.se 3 attention to the effect it would be dikely to have on Canadz's national or tconomic future.In a glowing peroration.Laurier de- tlared that annexation was an impos- vible thing even to theorize about, and the agreement would set an examp:e of two great nations living side by side, one attached to its great institutions and self-hewn path and the other to the British Empire.cach trading.with the other freely and fully.Sir Wilfrid said .a_ {ull month had rlapsed since Mr.Fielding had announced to Parliament the terms of the agreement, and during that time it had been freely discussed not only in the House, but in the press and by public bodies.Uniess he greatly mis- | wwprehended the trend of public opin.| on and failed to read aright the signs | of the times, he could.venture the assertion that it had met with enthus- tariff reformers and frec traders.lastic approbation of the large ma-! le was quite | Britain a preference on manufactured fority of the people.ty policy was not avanuvued.An up- plication was made to the United States, but it was not favorably received.Then the government thought it was consistent with the dignity of Canada not to mike any further effort to obtain better trade relations, However, they did not cease to believe in it, but felt that if any more approaches were to be made they should come from the other side of the line.\u201cI deny,\u201d said the Premier, \u201cthat we changed our policy or principles, but we took a stand more in keeping with our national dignity.\u201d Laurier continued that so long as his government retained the cont- dence of the people, it would seele pnew markets wherever they were to be found.Canadians were above all an agricultural people.In cereals and vegetables and fruits Ne had no hesitation in saying they could beat the world.With a fair chance and no tariffs, these products, he believed, could oust competitors.The object of this agreement was to open the doors of ninety millions, which had been closed for fifty years.when the doers were on the eve of iwinging wide, they werc met with these objections that a simple trade arrangement would shatter the British Empire and crush the Canadian Confederation.The Premier dealt with the argu- { ment that this agreement put an end to the chance of rautual preferential trade.With that assertion he took direct issue.Canada had not taken any sides in the conflict between the In 1902 Canada was prepared to give sure that no word of his contd change | articles in return\u2019 for a preference in the Opposition views.They would persevere in them until the very eve of the polling day.Laurier turned to the agreement.stating that from uncxpected quarters It had wet with strong opposition, which was stubborn as well.Organizations had been started in Montreal and Toronto for the purpose of fighting this agreement.To this he took no exception.These men who opposed the pact were perfectly within their rights.And he did not underestimate or undervaiue the movement or the men at its head.\u201cBut there is no cause for alarm for those who be- Heve that this agreement is in the in terests of Canada,\u201d added the Premier.Sir Wilfrid then went on to say that some of the objections to the agreement were s.ngularly lacking in force.Others were bern of a strange misconception.Who could deny, he asked, that we had now reached a stage in our relations with our neighbors which both parties in Canada had been seeking for the last forty years.He ventured to say that if it had occurred in bygone years such an abatement in the tariff brought to : successful issue would have been received with joy.The two parties had worn out a great deal of shoe leather on missions to Washington in the past in an endeavor to obtain better trade relations.Now the \u2018government had entered into an agreement which brought to fruition ali the past endeavors.Laurier continued that \u2018when the Liberals came into office the reciproci-+ the British markets tor Canadian products.That would be the attitude of Canada at the next Imperial Conference.Canada had not changed her opinion in this respect.This agreement did not alter the position in the slightest.He then turned to the only objection which, he said, was of any consequence \u2014 that the agreement would imperil our industries.In the agreement no manufactured article was touched except agricultural implements.The government had kept within the terms of the rescilution at the convention of 1893 and crranged for reciprocity in naturai products only.It was easy to understand that when the negotiations were proceeding the Ur/tyd States wae more anx- fous to g* .ts manufactured articles into Canada than farm products.It had been asked by some why we.e not agricultural implements placed oa the free list.He reminded the House and country that while it was always comparatively easy to put a duty up, it was a very difficult thing to de crease duties.Taking up the assertions of the opponents of the agreement that the government had no mandate for mak- tng it.Sir Wilfrid deciared there was absolutely no foundation for that statement.When the tariff was revised in 1907 and the intermediate tariff placed \u2018therein, it was suggested that this was aiming a blow at the United States.At the Imperial Couference of that year the Premier said he made Canada\u2019; position plain.K (JOHNNIE THE SCOTCH ILMARNOCK WALKER - WHISKY baw, Ying & Os, -