We overlooked last week, but must mention now in view
of its very great importance, an article in the Toronto News which was summarized in the Times of November 27th. The Toronto News, which is a strong advocate of Imperial Preference, discussing Lord Lansdowne's recent speech on Tariff Reform, doubts whether Lord Lansdowne understands the position of Canada. It is not intended, we are told, to bargain with the British Parliament for advantage in British markets, nor is it intended that control by the Canadian Government over the fiscal duties shall be limited by a contract with the Imperial authorities. Nor, again, is it regarded as to the advantage of either Canada or the Empire that Canada should impose duties which operate in favour of the British manufacturer and to the detriment of Canadian manufacturers. Canada expects that if Great Britain restores Protection she will be governed primarily by the conditions and interests of her own people. Canada does not desire the British people to make sacrifices for the Dominions by means of food taxes or in any other way. If either Englishmen or Canadians feel that they are being sacrificed the only result will be irritation, and that will not keep the Empire in unity. If this is the authentic voice of Canada, as we believe it is, the plea so often used in regard to food taxes, i.e., that they cannot be eliminated from the immediate programme of the Unionist Party without a breach of faith with Canada, goes by the board. If Canada declares that she has no intention of claiming her pound of Preference, why should we put the Union in jeopardy in order to give it to her ?
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