323
PUBLE RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
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C.O. 885
8
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH——NOT TO,
436
countries not now enjoying the preference amounted to $44,888,582, and they increased to $72,558,286 in 1901.
Foreign counties having increased their trade with Canada, it, of course, follows that Great Britain, with the advantage of the preference, has been in a much better position to do so.
The following table shows the average rates of duty paid on the importa- tions for 1901 under the Preferential Tariff, on the principal lines which are imported from Great Britain :—
Cement
PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.
Cottons
Drugs and Chemicals
Earthenware
Fancy Goods
Flax and Jute
Fur and Manufactures
Glass
Gold and Silver Manufactures
Gutta-percha Manufactures
Hats and Caps
Iron and Steel
Paints
Paper and Manufactures
Silks
Woollens
-
20.7 20.4
-
15.1
-
20.0
22.2
-
17.9
-
11.9
-
17.1
20-0
-
22.1
20.0
11.6
7.6
18.9
20.9
23.0
It is contended that these rates admit of reasonable competition with the domestic producer in the Canadian market.
While on the whole the dutiable imports from Great Britain bave increased materially under the operation of the preference, it is a matter of considerable surprise to find that the imports from foreign countries, in quite a number of lines in which Britain chiefly competes, and to which the preference applies, have increased in as great a ratio as those from Britain, and in some cases at a greater rate. These statements, which are worthy of careful and serious consideration, are substantiated by the following figures :-
DUTIABLE IMPORTATIONS FOR CONSUMPTION INTO CANADA,
1897.
1901.
437
Gutta-percha and indiarubber manufactures from Great Britain
other countries
35
93
"1
D
Gold and silver manufactures from Great Britain
other countries
19
11
Paints and colours from Great Britain
other countries
"
"
Varnish and Japans from Great Britain
7
35
other countries
1897.
1901.
$
90,274
$ 155,445
227,701
454,446
50,365
63,012
245,778
296,634
210,284
224,202
309,211
644,641
24,910
36,166
35,811
80,868
It might be remarked here that if any doubt exists in Britain as to the substantial nature of the preference granted by Canada in favour of British goods, certainly none exists in the United States. The manufacturers there have found it necessary to reduce their prices to Canada to offset the preference.
To conclude and to summarise it is respectfully submitted-
(1.) That the preference is a very substantial and genuine one.
(2.) That it gives British merchants a material advantage over foreign
competitors in the Canadian markets.
(3.) That the preferential rates are not too high to shut out reasonable
competition with the Canadian producer.
(4.) That the preference has resulted, not only in arresting the con- tinuous decline in British trade, but in stimulating the trade. If it had not been granted it is not very likely that the volume of British imports into Canada would be as large as it is to-day, to say the least.
(5.) That the advantage given by Canada to the British manufacturer is proved beyond all question. If he has not fully availed himself of it that is not the fault of the Canadian Government, or of Canadian fiscal policy.
IMPORTANT.
Since the foregoing report was prepared and typewritten, a cable has been received from the Customs Department, Canada, stating that the unrevised Foreign Trade Statistics for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1902, show that the imports entered for consumption from Great Britain amounted to $49,072,293, and from All Countries to $202,791,406. These figures are subject to final revision, but they may be considered approximately correct. The amount stated for Great Britain is an increase of $6,054,129 over the previous year, or an advance of 14 per cent. The total imports from All Countries increased by $21,553,418, or at the rate of 12 per cent.
"A."
TOTAL IMPORTATIONS FOR HOME CONSUMPTION INTO CANADA.
Silks from Great Britain
other countries
#
Fancy goods from Great Britain •
1,396,015 592,290
873,1N2
2,107,032
1,618,991
other countries
607,624
898,131 1,032,582
"
H
H
+
Gloves and mitts from Great Britain
other countries
Comba from Great Britain
other countries
Collars and cuffs from Great Britain
n
228,427
213,122
287,951
487,456
"
35,899
54,137
Year.
Dutiable.
Free.
Total.
38,210
74,341
30,119
25,612
other countries
9,033
68,463
1901 -
1897
105,969,756 66,220,765
19
Buttons from Great Britain
other countries
Furs from Great Britain
31,118
80,862
104,818
147,038
Increases
39,748,991
75,960,232 45,073,256
80,194,976
181,287,988 111,304,021
00,8-13,967
185,724
378,831
From GREAT Britain.
other countries
210,774
587,060
"
$
"
Glass from Great Britain
187,888
852,204
other countries
981,876
1,223,415
1901 *
31,701,654
1897
20,217,422
11,316,510 9,194,786
43,018,164 29,412,184
Haisy maps, and bonnets from Great Bs thažn
604,842
898,601
H
other cotiários
497,062
768,262
Increases
11,484,232
2,121,744
13,608,976
3 Q 3
438
From UNITED STATES.