PROTECTION IN CANADA.

Inangahua Times, Volume XI, Issue 1789, 1 December 1886, Page 2

PROTECTION IN CANADA.

THE NATIONAL POLICY. The following is an extract from a speech recently delivered Hy the Premier of Canada, Sir John A. M'Donald, in England : — " I am formerly responsible for the national policy of Canada, which has been and perhaps is now, severely criticised en this side of the sea, a policy of revenue secured l>y tariff. There is nothing to show that this polioy has in any respect failed in its intention. The balance of advantage has been largely in its favor; indeed, high as party feelings run in Canada, even the opposition have ceased to attack the protective policy, or, an both parties have agreed to style it, the national policy of our Government. Oar policy is to protect snoh staple industries as are capable of a practically unlimited expansion, and to admit raw material free which cannot be produced at Home. When we commenced to tax cotten and woollen goods, we were assured that the consumer would he ruined and driven out of the conn try by high prices. Now what has been the result? Our manufacturers of cotten and cloth are in a position of increasing prosperity and to-day the consumer is able to buy his goods more cheaply than when Oannda wan upon a Freetrade basis. Formerly our industries were at the mercy of the United States, who recognised our mills once closed were never likely to open, and that it was therefore prudent and profitable to sell goods in Canada for a short time even at a loss, for the sake of controlling Canadian markets later at their own prices. This was actually being Hone. We found that the cotton operatois of the United States were sending us good at less than the cost of production, and were collecting the amount of that loss »>y levying an assessment on their Manufacturers' Association.