Gain and Loss The most serious aspect of Ottawa is
the effect it may have on our relations with certain foreign countries with which our trade associations have been particularly close. The Argentine papers are in loud complaint against the blow that Las been struck at their country in the provision made for the progressive limitation of beef imported into Great Britain, including the chilled beef of Argentina. The wheat duty will also affect the Argentine in some degree. The other- chief sufferer is Denmark, whose agricultural trade with this country will be seriously hit by the duties to be imposed on eggs, butter and cheese. In this case there can be no redress, for the new duties have been definitely fixed (subject, of course, to ratifi- cation) and they are to stand for at least three years. They are, moreover, substantial-15 per cent. ravalorem, for example, in the case of cheese and butter. With the Argentine some reasonable modus vivendi may be worked out, for the arrangements regarding beef are still fluid. But these difficulties and frictions arc a pertinent reminder that if Ottawa has increased trade within the Empire, which remains to be seen, it has decreased trade with countries outside it. And between the gain and the loss the balance cannot be struck yet.
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