TARIFF AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2771, 29 March 1910, Page 5

TARIFF AFFAIRS.

A CAXADIAN-AMERICAN UNDERSTANDING. United Press Association—Copyright WASHINGTON, March 27. After a conference at the White House between Mr. Knox, United States Secretary of State, Mr. Pepper, recently special American Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Fielding, Canadian Minister of Finance, and Mr Graham, Canadian Minister of Railways, Mr. Knox announced that the negotiations had been 'concluded in form, giving assurances that a friendly understanding Avould be reached immediately. (Received March 29, 1.15 a.m.) OTTAWA, March "28. In return for the Payne minimum rates, Canada extends, by Order-in-Council, international rates to a dozen items of American exports which compete with the French products entering at reduced rates, including cotton seed, oil, manufactured silks, some -’wine and fruits. The agreement provides for legislation to be obtained at Washington for the mutual reduction of duties on articles of natural exchange. LONDON, March 28. The “Times” Washington correspondent says that Canada gives apparently no exclusive concessions, and maintains the right to conclude recip- ' rocitv treaties. On the other hand 'the Americans may argue that they have practically obtained compensation for the French treaty. Both sides have promised to do their best to conclude reciprocity in certain products, but this is only obtainable by a treaty, which the protectionist Senate must ratify. There may also be troubles .'with the House of Representatives, and the-project is almost hopeless except for the fact that the Republicans may AA'el! be anxious to get credit for making a breach in the unpopular tariff wall. While Sir Wilfrid Lauri-er and Mr ■Fielding must be congratulated, great credit is to be attached to President Taft, for his diplomacy alone saved American, and to a less extent Canadian, commerce from a severe blow and 'the Republicans from a serious blunder.