In the House of Commons during the week very little
of importance has taken place, though the Irish Land Bill has made good progress ; but the debates in the Lords have been of considerable interest. On Monday Lord Portsmouth called. the attention of the House to the recent statements of the Prime Minister and the Colonial Secretary, and asked Lord Lansdowne when the Government intended to lay before Parlia- ment their proposals to induce Germany to modify her tariff regulations with Canada. Lord Lansdowne in his reply reiterated his disclaimer of any intention to impute hostility to the German Government in its relations with Canada. He regretted that Lord Portsmouth had not deferred raising the question till the production of the papers he proposed to lay on the table in a few days, but without attempting to anticipate discussion, he adhered to his view" that the position between Germany and Canada was very serious. Not only was Canada to be penalised for according us preferential treatment, but it was officially adumbrated " that if other Colonies followed Canada's lead, the Mother- country would find herself deprived of the " most-favoured- nation " treatment.
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