Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who proposed Mr. Bryce's health at a
banquet of the Canadian Club at Ottawa on Tuesday, con- gratulated the Ambassador on turning over a new leaf in the history of British diplomacy on the continent of America. John Bull had not always done his full duty to his Canadian son in the matter of treaties and in the attitude of plenipo- tentiaries. But now, for the first time on record, his Majesty's Ambassador at Washington had visited Canadian soil ; and they hailed the opportunity of enlightening him as to the wishes of Canada. Canadians had nothing but admiration for their neighbours, and concessions were necessary, but they ought not to be all one side. Canada was turning her hopes to the old Motherland. " We have introduced the doctrine and policy of preference to Great Britain and all the British Empire, and this is the policy by which we stand at the present time." They valued American trade and improved trading relations with America, but "this is a matter on which we shall have no more pilgrimages to Washington." " Twenty- five years ago Canada would have given her right arm to secure reciprocity, but that was now a thing of the past."
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