The agitation in the Canadian Dominion in favour of Free.
trade with the United States is obviously gaining strength. At a recent conference of all the Provincial Premiers of the Dominion, it was resolved that the control of all provincial works and railways ought to be restored to the Provinces—as within the Union—that half the Dominion Senate ought to be filled with representatives of the Provinces instead of Crown nominees, and that "unrestricted reciprocity" with the Union would be of advantage to all the Provinces of the Dominion, and would, moreover, tend to settle the grave fishery disputes which have from time to time arisen between the two countries. The Premiers profess unabated loyalty to the Queen, and say that it will be increased by the proposed change ; but they are not, we presume, blind to the fact that, the moment it is effected, the control of the Canadian tariff virtually passes to Washington. Congress cannot tax, say, tea 30 per cent, ad valorem, and leave the Dominion to admit it at, say, 10 per cent. The measure must, in the end, increase the disposition of Canadians towards fusion —though Free-trade does not necessarily bind people together, as witness North and South, England and Ireland—but this country has entirely barred itself from objecting. We conceded the right to a local tariff, and cannot complain if the tariff is differentiated against ourselves. Under true " Home-rule," as in Canada, Ireland would pass a similar law to-morrow.
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