The United States proposal that there should be free fishing
in Canadian waters was rejected by the Canadian Com- missioners, but an arrangement was reached by which American fishermen are to be admitted to Canadian waters at a nominal charge of a dollar a year, and Canadian fish is to be made free of the American markets. Mr. Fielding, who explained the Agreement in the House of Commons at Ottawa, said that if the new duties were lower than the British preferential rates, the latter would be reduced so as to put them on the same footing. This of course would be only in accordance with custom. The subject of British preferences —Canada of course retains the right to increase them as well as to decrease them if she pleases—was not discussed by the Commissioners. It will be seen that the Agreement amounts to free trade in farm products. Canadian farmers will be pleased, and there does not seem to be any reason why many Canadian manufacturers should be resentful. On the whole, we imagine that Canada will accept the Agreement; the only serious prospect of opposition is in the United States.
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