CANADIAN CONDITIONS. 15

interests to divide political parties, Here, as in
almost all Protectionist countries, the tariff forms
the dividing line, and it assumes such gigantic
importance that it is upon the manipulation of the
details of it to the inevitable accompaniment of
ceaseless attempts at log-rolling and lobbying, that
whole elections often turn. There does not exist in
practical Canadian politics at the present time a Free
Trade party, as we understand itin Britain. The
tariff is the main source of the Dominion income,
and the Canadian dislikes intensely any form of
direct taxation, and strongly objects to the inquisitorial
 nature of an income tax ; he feels, moreover,
that his young industries require protection from his
great neighbour the United States. Politicians,
therefore, have become divided into a Revenue
Tariff or Liberal party, and a High Protectionist
or Conservative party.
Neither party has yet made any official profiouncement
 either for or against Mr. Chamberlain's
policy, each being inclined to incite the other to
speak first. What support has been given is
strictly unofficial, and therefore the best way of
presenting Canadian opinion upon the question is
to give the views of the various interests.

I. THE LIBERAL PARTY.

In order to explain the attitude of the Government
 upon the question, it is necessary to go back
a little way. The Liberal party came into office,
after a long period of Opposition, in 1896. Their