APPENDIX II. 159

proposals, but it has a very vague idea of what they
involve. Practically they see only two things in the
proposals—an impetus to Canadian wheat production,
and protection at Home for British industries. Being
Protectionists they naturally consider the latter mere
common-sense, and wonder what insular stupidity
has prevented its adoption before. The former they
welcome, shutting their eyes, as nearly all Canadians
do, to any dangerous tendencies in the North-West.
The other side of Mr. Chamberlain's bargain they
never even think of. A substantial lowering of the
tariff wall in our favour, and the corollary of the
scheme—the common bearing of the burden of
Imperial defence and responsibility—they do not
trouble to contemplate seriously. The Province of
Quebec will be found to be opposed to it, because it
spies the cloven hoof of Imperialism and militarism.
To Quebec Chamberlain is the embodiment of everything
 they distrust and shrink from in British rule.
When the position of Quebec in Canadian politics is
considered, the fortunes of the scheme, if ever put into
a practical proposal, can be imagined. Note that
Bourassa and Lavergue have just begun an active
campaign against the scheme on the ground that it
is an Imperialist intrigue, and the Globe, the leading
Government paper, steadily pours cold water on it.
(F 1.)—If not a demand there is at least a ready
acceptance.
(G.)—There is a general desire for preferential
trade within the Empire. We are willing to take
sverything we can get, provided it does not cost us
teo much.
(G1.)—There has been a demand in this country
by both political parties for a reciprocal tariff between
the Dominion and Great Britain, but whilst such a
policy is advocated, if it can be carried out on mutually
advantageous terms, I do not think the country could
consent to sacrifice any part of its control over its
fiscal policy beyond a commercial treaty between