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INTRODUCTION.

probable efficacy in binding together the
different parts of our Empire. We have,
therefore, treated the subject throughout, not
as a proposal simply to conclude a commercial
 treaty between Great Britain and
Canada, but as a proposal to permanently
improve, bv means of a commercial treaty,
the relations between Great Britain and
Canada.

We cannot, of course, pretend that we
visited Canada as impartial observers. The
majority of those interested in politics in
England range themselves with one or other
of the great political parties. We confess
to having gone to Canada convinced at least,
so far as England was concerned, that Free
Trade and freedom to choose markets is the
best policy. But we can honestly claim that
we took pains to conduct our inquiry impartially,
 and to trust to no one party or school
of thought. We found nothing across the
Atlantic to shake our belief in the evils of
Protection, and have satisfied ourselves that
in the best interests of the Empire the policy
of Protection and Preference is inexpedient
and dangerous.
During the time we spent in the Dominion