23 FEBRUARY 1889, Page 2

Sir R. Cartwright on Tuesday moved, in the Parliament of

the Canadian Dominion, an address to the Crown praying that Canada might be empowered to appoint diplomatic agents of her own, competent to sign commercial treaties -without British intervention. Sir Richard held that per- petual tutelage was " degrading," denounced the British Minister at Washington for neglecting Canadian interests, and, in fact, showed through his whole speech that he looked either to independence or annexation. The latter was the opinion of the Finance Minister, Mr. Foster, who, in his reply, showed that England always consulted Canada on American questions, that the Dominion had all the advantages in negotiating that Sir R. Cartwright wished for, and that, in addition, she had behind her the prestige of the British Empire. Nevertheless, on a division being taken, the mover received 66 votes in opposition to 94 for the Administration. It is said that 54 Members were absent, a division not being expected; but even if they would all have voted for Mr. Foster, which is not suggested, the number who voted practically for secession is ominously large. The American refusal of reciprocity appears to be gradually more and more felt in Canada ; or is the cause the gradual spread of the idea that the English are losing heart