APPENDIX IL 175

the other nations. If after experience they do not,
there will doubtless be many reasons which may
readily be found for falling apart. But if they do,
all difficulties will be reduced to details.
(C.)—I do not think so ; because of the diversity of
interests, comparative ignorance of one another,
geographical barriers, &amp;c. Let any measure of
reciprocity, which I personally desire to see increase,
be discussed by those two communities whom it
directly affects, and let them decide upon it.
(C1.)—No doubt there would be friction after the
new era of things came into effect, but they would all
be righted in due time.
(D.)—While I have said it is conceivable that this
or that might be done, I do not believe it possible to
form an Imperial preferential agreement that would
not create destructive friction in its formation, and
after its establishment—friction ever increasing, and
which would break the Empire up. The only safe
plan is that adopted by Canada—Ilet each country of
the Empire give any preference it pleases, and cease
giving it when it pleases.
(D 1.)—My general impression is that the colonies,
differing greatly from each other in their commercial
sircumstances, Canada especially differing from the
rest in respect of her relations with the United States,
it would not be possible to formulate a scheme of
commercial reciprocity which would not tend to
create friction.
(D 2.)—Friction would be avoided if under all circumstances
 each country retained control of its own
tariff.
(D3.)—(1) No: certainly not while we are so
Protectionist as we be.
(2) No: because it shouldn't.
(3j—(@) No.
(b) We cannot without great throes readjust our
own tariff schedules. We have quite enough on hand.