APPENDIX I.

151

and would, in the long run, weaken the real bonds of
Empire, which, so far as Canadians are concerned, are
stronger than hooks of steel.
It is, we believe, the honest representation of
Canadian public opinion which makes it quite clear
to the people of Britain that the loyalty of Canadians
was not at the first founded on commercial preferences
and is not now in need of preferential supports. Every
self-respecting Canadian resents the argument, used on
scores of platforms in Britain and published in scores of
British newspapers, that Mr. Chamberlain’s Protectionist
 policy, even though it may raise the cost of
food to the millions of wage-earners in Britain, should
be adopted by the British people, because it would
secure and retain the loyalty of the colonies. So far
as Canada is concerned, the implication of that argument
 is false and vicious to the last degree, and would be
resented by every self-respecting Canadian. There are
various views prevalent in this country respecting the
effect upon our industries of a protective and preferential
 policy in Britain, but there is only one view respecting
 our loyalty to the King and our place in the Empire.
[f the electors of Britain see it to be to their advantage
to change their fiscal policy so as to raise a tariff wall
against foreign countries while holding an open door for
the colonies, let them register their votes accordingly;
but let no campaigner, even though he be Mr. Chamberlain
 himself, slander Canadians in measuring their
loyalty by any tariff preference.
A dozen questions are raised by Mr. Chamberlain's
proposals, however vague and uncertain those proposals
 may appear to be, which the British elector
must settle for himself. If a tariff can be framed by
which the Canadian farmer will be given six cents
extra per bushel on his wheat, and the British farmer’s
position improved by protection against outside competition,
 without at the same time increasing the cost
of food to the British consumer, then the British Protectionist
 will have proved his skill in manipulating