1152 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION f[rartT Vv 
past friendly arrangements have been made with the United 
States Government which have failed to receive the approval 
of the Congress, but we think the time is more favourable 
now. We think we have found the psychological moment 
for dealing with this question ; we think we are within reach 
of some of the commercial advantages for which our people 
have struggled now for half a century. We commit this 
matter to the care of the Canadian Parliament with the firm 
conviction that it is going to be a good thing for Canada, 
a good thing for the United States, and that we will continue 
to have it and maintain it not because there is any binding 
obligation to do so, but because the intelligence of the people 
of the two countries will decide that it is a good thing for the 
promotion of friendly relations and for the development of 
sommerce of the two countries. 
His attitude to the whole question is admirably summed 
up in his telegram to the High Commissioner for Canada of 
February 7, 1911, which reads as follows :—1 
Reciprocal trade relations with the United States have 
been the policy of all parties in Canada for generations— 
many efforts have been made to secure a treaty, but without 
success. Sir John Macdonald’s National Policy Tariff, 1879, 
contains a standing offer of reciprocity with the States 
covering a large portion of the products included in the 
present arrangement. The unwillingness of the Americans 
to make any reasonable arrangement led to much disappoint- 
ment in Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier several years ago gave 
expression to this, and said Canada would not again take the 
initiative in negotiations. Now that the Americans have 
entirely changed their attitude and have approached Canada 
with fair offers, our Government take the position that we 
should meet them fairly, and that in making such an arrange- 
ment as is now proposed we are realizing the desires of our 
people for half a century ; and also that in promoting friendly 
relations with the neighbouring republic we are doing the best 
possible service to the Empire. Canada is seeking markets 
everywhere for her surplus products—subsidizing steamship 
lines and sending out commercial agents. Would it not be 
* See Parl. Pap., Cd. 5512. The Canadian debates of January 26, 
February 9, 14, March 7, 8, contain very important speeches, especially 
important in their bearing on British preference and loyalty to the British 
connexion, and in their recognition of provincial rights by Mr. Paterson 
(n. 3389), Cf. Ottawa Free Press, September 21, 1911.