A strong party is rising in Canada, with Mr. Goldwin
Smith for spokesman, who advocate Free-trade with the United States. Mr. Goldwin Smith, in a letter published in the Times on Thursday, declares that the subject will be discussed at Washington, together with the Fisheries question, and argues that Free-trade with a continent possessing all climates must necessarily bring prosperity to Canada. On the other hand, the present system involves great injury to trade ; and while the debt of the United States is being paid off, that of Canada is rising fast, though she has had no civil war. Taxation is 50 per cent. higher than in the Union, and the value of farms is everywhere going down. These arguments are hardly necessary to Englishmen, who know very well that Free•trade with a continent containing fifty millions of people must bring prosperity ; but then, will not a Customs Union bring about, sooner or later, a political fusion ? Mr. Goldwin Smith says it will not ; but he acknow- ledges that he regards such a fusion as the ultimate and un- avoidable destiny of Canada. We do not, believing that Canada may be happier with a separate life ; but clearly, after giving up the right to veto Protective duties, we cannot retain a right to veto Free•trade.
Previous page
