CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2740, 19 February 1910, Page 5

CUSTOMS TARIFF.

CANADIAN-GERMAN AGREEMENT.

United Press Association —Copyright

LONDON, Feb. 17

The “Times’ ” Toronto correspondent states tlit thus far Canada lias made no material concessions in order to regain her old position on the German market. There was nothing in the present agreement calculated to complicate her relations with the Motherland, or prove embarrassing in the case of early negotiations for a general preference between the Motherland and the Dominions.

It is reported that Germany intends building a'handsome Consulate-General at Ottawa.

There is lively satisfaction in Berlin at commercial peace with Canada being secured.

American and Canadian newspapers anticipate that the Canadian-German agreement presages the establishment of the Dominion’s diplomatic independence. Comment as made on England’s non-assistance of Canada during the struggle with Germany. The German surtax against Canada has aggregated 13,000,000 dollars since 1903, and reduced trade from 14,000,000 dollars to 7,500,000 dollars.

Several Unionist newspapers ascribe tlie agreement as the outcome of the rebuff to tariff reform at the English elections.

The authorities at Washington informed Mr. Bryce that the United States Government was ready to negotiate with Canada, preferably direct. In order to avoid the automtaic application of the maximum tariff, the United States would probably send two experts to Canada to collect data. OTTAWA, Feb. 17.

Mr Feilding, speaking in the Dominion House of Commons, said that Germany desired the benefits of the Franco-Canadian convention terms with. France. Mr Feilding added that the moment was unfavorable for entering into negotiations for a comprehensive treaty; hence the present partial arrangement, which was calculated to promote a better understanding.