[To TEE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOE."]
Sin,—I was surprised at certain statements in your "News of the Week" of January 28th re reciprocity : "Canadian farmers will be pleased, and there does not seem to be any reason why many Canadian manufacturers should be resent- ful." Perhaps 25 per cent. of the farmers may be pleased, but the population of Canada generally are much displeased and amazed. "We believe that the best policy for Canada is to trade where trade is easiest." With all respect to your opinion, Sir, this is what Canada has done ; 90 per cent. of our exports of farm products being sent to the British market. There are millions of pounds invested in Canada from our Mother Country, the interest upon which we are paying by our exports to her. What will happen to these investments in railways, canals, steamship lines, and other enterprises when trade is turned south and nerth instead of east and west ? Without a doubt we will -send cars and steamships loaded with farm products southward, and these will be returned northward loaded with manufactures. In saying there is Free Trade in farm products you seem to lose sight of the fact that many of our manufactures depend for their existence upon our own farm products. There is also a considerable number of Canadian manufactures which have been put on the free list. It can be shown by trade statistics that the Reciprocity Treaty of 1854 was in- jurious to Canada. The result of this proposed agreement will be that inter-provincial trade and the home market (which now consumes 80 per cent, of the products of the farm) will be ruined, and our imports and exports will be carried via 'United States railways, canals, and ocean ports instead of our own, which have been constructed with British capital. Canadians regard negotiations with the United States with distrust and suspicion, and have regarded them with indifference until this amazing proposed agreement was brought forward. I do not wish to enter upon a discussion of trade questions, but Protec- tion is the only possible policy for Canada under present conditions. We do not want reciprocity with the United States.
Are not, Mr. Editor, the Britth Dominions beyond the seas the hope of the Empire? What is to be the future of our Empire ? When shall we be called to your councils ? How long will the door be "banged, bolted, and barred" in our
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