168 APPENDIX II.

farming, fishing, lumbering, and mining, on condition
that Canada should let all sorts of British manufactures
 in at 10 per cent.—with a tariff of 30 to 50 per
cent. against the rest of the world, there would be a
mighty pretty political fight in the Dominion, and it is
not unlikely the great natural industries would win,
i.e, if the arrangement were to be terminable at the
will of either party to it, i.e., Canada or Great Britain.
Canadians might then think they could afford to see
Canadian manufactures perish which were too feeble
to exist under 10 per cent. protection against British
goods, and 30 to 50 per cent. against other goods.
(D 1.)—I cannot speak for «“ Canada.” But the protected
 manufacturers appear to be decidedly opposed
to opening the Canadian market to free British competition.

(D2.)—Canada, for the present at least, is not prepared
 to reduce further the duties on British manufactures,
 and, in fact, will probably increase the present
tariff on steel, iron, wool, and cotton.
(D3.)—In good times, go per cent. are not prepared
 to do anything; a great majority are willing to
have existing duties 7aised if our manufacturers say
so. Our manufacturers do say so. In hard times
there would be a return of the Canadian agitation
for lower duties, Chamberlain or no Chamberlain.
This element, quiescent at present, are so because
they trust Laurier, Cartwright, and Fielding,
(D4.)—While free trade in these articles is out of
the question, the Canadian people would be prepared
to make their tariff low enough to give the British
manufacturers a fair share of the Canadian markets.
The present tariff permits large importations of these
lines. While the Canadian manufacturers have
objected, and will continue to object, to British competition,
 the Canadian Parliament, while it retains
its present political complexion, will maintain a
moderate tariff.