1118 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART V
Since the conclusion of the French Treaty of 1907 and the
similar supplementary arrangement of 1909, which was also
negotiated by the Canadian ministers, Canada has concluded,
in 1910, arrangements with Germany and with Italy regarding
commercial matters. These arrangements were negotiated
in Canada with the German Consul-General at Montreal, and
with the Royal Consul of Ttaly. In both cases the negotia-
tion resulted not in a formal treaty but merely in a provisional
agreement made in consideration of the intention to conclude
a formal treaty through the ordinary channel. The Canadian
Government received the approval of His Majesty’s Govern-
ment for the conclusion of these Conventions, and the
Canadian Government have expressly recognized that if any
more formal arrangements are desired they should take the
form of a treaty and be negotiated by plenipotentiaries duly
appointed. In both cases the concessions agreed to by the
Canadian Government were carried into effect by Orders
in Council under the authority of the Customs Tariff, 1907.
In the case of the United States, in order to secure the grant
of the minimum Payne tariff, the Canadian Government
carried on in 1910, with the knowledge and approval of His
Majesty’s Government, negotiations with the United States
Government. No treaty resulted from these negotiations, but
the United States Government accorded the minimum tariff
on the understanding that Canada would give concessions
on certain articles, and the Canadian Government gave the
concessions, not by special grant to the United States, but by
lowering by Act of Parliament (c. 16) the tariff for the whole
world! In 1911 a much more comprehensive arrangement
was made at Washington, amounting to a limited reciprocity,
thus fulfilling Canadian views of old standing. The arrange-
ment was to be carried out by reciprocal legislation, and
not treated as a treaty proper. The Ambassador was kept
informed of its progress, and everything done by the Canadian
ministers to avoid serious injury to British trade.
! See for Germany the Order in Council of February 15, 1910, cancelling
fhe surtax imposed on German goods by Order in Council of November 28,
1903 ; Canada Gazette, xliii. 2438. For Italy, Belgium, and Holland, see
the Orders in Council of June 7, 1910. * See below, pp. 1143 seq.