Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1911 — Reciprocity [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Reciprocity

Discussed by Three Canadians

By Premier WILFRID LAURIER

X2Y opening new avenues of trade hitherto closed reciprocity would further improve the FRIENDLY RELATIONS

which now so happily exist between Canada and the mother country on the one hand and the American republic on the other and which it is hoped may at NO DISTANT DAY eventuate into a GENERAL treaty of arbitration, the effect of which would be to remove FOREVER all possibilities of war between the great empire of which we are PRO U D to form part and the great nation which we are proud to have as neighbors. The question at issue is not a NEW ONE, reciprocal relations with the United States having been sought by both parties for OVER HALF A CENTURY. The present Conservative party is seeking to REVERSE this lifelong policy of its leaders of the past. THE ENACTMENT OF THE AGREEMENT WOULD FURTHER IMPROVE THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS EXISTING BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES AND WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN BRINGING ABOUT A GENERAL TREATY OF ARBITRATION.

By R. L. BORDEN,

Opposi-

tion Leader

CHE Conservative party welcomes an appeal upon reciprocity. The president of the United States has more than once EMPHASIZED the fact that Canada is to-

day at the PARTING OF THE WAYS. These two ways lead in very divergent directions. The choice of the people will be fraught with momentous consequences to the destiny of the country. It is RIGHT AND JUST that THEY should speak, because with them rests the ultimate decision. CANADA HAS MADE UNEXAMPLED PROGRESS IN THE GREAT WORK OF NATION BUILDING SINCE CONFEDERATION IN 1867. THAT WORK HAS BEEN CARRIED ON WITHOUT ANY SUCH TREATY OR AGREEMENT AS IS NOW PROPOSED. One would have supposed that the government might have been content to WAIT six months longer in order that redistribution might have been accomplished and that supplies necessary in the public interest might have been obtained. But apparently the government placed the reciprocity agreement ABOVE ALL CONSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.

By W. S. FIELDING,

Minister of Finance

Reciprocity is going to be a good thing for Canada, a good thing for the United States and one that we WILL OONTINUE TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN 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 commerce of the two countries.