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V ,'

BY AUTHORITY.
THE CANADA COEN BILL.

n:uf,/

LORD STAlfLEt^H

IN THE HO;^BE 0? COMMONS, ON FRIDAY, MAY 19.

SECOND EDITION.

Price 2d. ; senLmct free/or Zd. ; 100 /w distribution 12s.
Ptddished by W. E.Pamt^: Church Sf State Gazette Office, M% Strand.

Lord STANLEY rose and, spoke to the following effect : — Sir, under
ordinary circumstances I. should have requested the indulgence of the
house in order to enable you at once to leave the .chair,, and to permit
me to make in Committee tlie statement with which it is my duty, on
the part of the Government, to preface the resolutions which I; sl'all
eventually have to propose. But the motion of Avhich the right
hon. gentleman the member for Taunton has given notice is one which,
according to the rules of the house, cannot be submitted when , the
liouse has resolved itself into committee ; and I therefore deem it more
satisfactory .to the house, and more fair towards the right hon. gentle-
man,. that I should give him the opportunity, of moving his amendment
after he shfeU.have heard my statement, rather than leave him lo pro-
pose it without any previous explanation on our part as to pur objects
and intentions::. (Hear, hear). And, Sir, I must confess that I am the
more deisirous of giving such an explanation, and have thought it
desirable, to place on record the grounds and motives of the Govern-
ment, more fully than is usual in a merely preliminary resolution,
on account of the very general misapprehensions which exist,
and the gross misrepresentations which have been made with regiard
to the intent and scope of our measure— misapprehensions which
have been probably increased by the. sensitive condition of the
agricultural interest at this moment, which have produced, and, no
dbubt^ may produce a veryj unfavourable impression, but which I will
Jaindertake to show are , merely the consequence of misunderstanding.
(Hear, hear). Sir, with respect to this matter, I charge no one with
misrepresentation; but at lea§t I am not in error in saying that on
both sides of this house the objects of this measure have been much
exaggerated ; that, on the one side, the most exaggerated expectations
,have been raised as to its! probable benefit to the consumer-^and that,
on the other side, a most exaggerated apprehension as to its probable
effect on the agriculturist, has been widely and generally entertained.
•I am aware, Sir, of the difficulties I must encounter in dispelling these
fears. I am aware that the arguments I may use in addressing myself
to the one side of the house will probably deprive me of some support
from the other. Her Majesty's Government are, in fact, open to a
sort of cross fire, and I feel that there is hardly any argument which I
can address to one party which will not deprive me of some support
fr»r» ,»«w,-.v.r.i.c «r. tho r>i-iior siflp. ( \ laiich^. But be tliis as it mavt

I am delennined to avail myself of »o consideratipnaof tempoi^ftry ad-

F5oD

vantage. (Hear, hear). I shall use no trick to obtain votes. I shall
use no artifice to pervert the real facU ; I shall not seek to exaggerate ;
on the cmitrary, it will be my object to diminish appreliension ; and,
to prove my sincerity, I will at once frankly acknowledge, that if I did
not feci myself bound by a sense of duty— if it were not for the implied
promisewhich was last session held out to the Legislature of Canada— and
for the obligation which rests on the Government to fulfil that promise to
the best of its ability, I should consider the measure I mean to stibtnit
—in reference to the immediate interests of this country— in reference
to the interests of the consumer as well as of the producer— of such
slight and trivial importance (loud Opposition cries of " Hear, hear"),
that, knowing as I do the impolicy and inconvenience of disturbing a
great settlement, and knowing too well what are the sensitive feelings
of the agriculturists at this particular time— if it were not that we
were bound by faith and honour, I should have considered the mea-
sure I am about to submit of such comparatively trivial import, that
I would not have interfered with that interest by asking you to re-
open the question of the Corn Law for the purpose of assenting to
a bill of a scope so limited and so confined. (Ironical cheers and
laughter from the Opposition.) I hear hon. gentlemen opposite
cheering that avowal. I know I am exposed to their sarcasms ; but
I state again, and distinctly, that I do not seek to magnify the
importance of this measure, and that my sole object is to place it
in its true light — in a light in which it has not yet been placed
before either the house or the country. I do not desire to conci-
liate for my proposal any support on the ground that it is an exten-
sive measure, or that it is a great advance in free trade principles ;
for it is no such thing. (Hear, hear.) I do not put it forward as
a means of admitting an dmo^t unlimited supply of American corn
upon conditions more favourable than at present; for it will do
no such thing. (Hear, hear.) I shall not on the one side claim
support, or on the other yield in silence to opposition, founded on •
any mistake as to the real scope and object of my measnre. I do
not bring that measure forward as a measure of free trade ; I do
not submit it to you as a bill for facilitating the admission of foreign
corn; but I do bring the measure forward as a great boon to one
of our most important colonies. (Loud cheers.) I submit it to the
house as a colonial and not as a fiscal question. If it was brought
forward as a measure affecting either the fiscal or commercial inte-
rests of the country, it would more properly be the duty of either
my right hon. friend at the head of the Government, or of the Pre-
sident of the Board of Trade (Mr. Gladstone), to propose it to your
notice. It is because the measure is purely a colonial measure,
that, as the Colonial Minister of the day, I now ask the house to
grant to Canada a boon, which though insignificant to you to concede,
it will be important to them to receive — a boon which they have
solicited for at least five-and-twenty years — a boon to which they
attach the greatest importance — which you can grant without sacrifice
of your own domestic interests, and which Her Majesty's Government
have on their part pledged themselves to grant in the event of certain
conditions being complied with on the part of Canada, which condi-

4inrka alia m»atafn\\xi annoni'Oii nrut haa fnUhfllllv flll-frllpd. ^ChserS. I
ui\etajr r7fiv eii -.?;•.■•-» i^.-^j "^» 1,..-.^* »....* — « — -«. j , ^ j.

^r, tbfkt is the sum and substoace otthe measure X am about to sub-

mit. It is a measure apart from the Corn Law— apart from any ques-
tion of free trade. It lies in a narrow compass ; but although it does
so, believe me, if it be a measure of pecuniary insignificance to you,
your refusal to adopt it will not be insignificant to the interests of
Canada. (Hear, hear). Sir, the measure I propose has for its object to
give an encouragement to the agriculture of Canada, by admitting grain
the produce of Canada, grown as well as ground in Canada, into con-
sumption in this country on more favourable terms than at present, with-
out varying, in any material degree, the effect of the existing law with
regard to the produce of the United States. I propose the reduction of
the duty on Canadian wheat and wheat flour ; I also propose to substi-
tute, on American wh^at passing through Canada, the fixed sum of 48. per
quarter for the present varying duty of from Is. to 58. per qu; t -ter. I do
not propose any alteration whatever in the distinction at present drawn
between wheat and wheat flour the produce of a foreign country. I do
not propose to admit American wheat on terms different from those on
which it is now admitted ; but what I propose is, to admit American
wheat ground into flour in Canada at a duty of 4s. instead of the pre-
sent varying duty, and that is the sole effect of the measure, as far as
American wheat is concerned. N5w, Sir, as an hon. gentleman has
particularly directed my attention to the state of the law as regards the
importation of wheat and wheat flour from the colonies, and us I know
that misapprehensions prevail on this point, perhaps the house will
permit me to state how the case now stands, how it has stood, and how
it has been practically acted on since the year 1828, farther than which
period I think it will be unnecessary for me to go back. Wheat has
been imported from the Canadas at a duty varying from 5s. to Is.,
according to the state of the British market. Flour has been imported
from Canada at all times, liable to bear a proportionate amount of
duty, according to the value of flour here. On the import of foreign
wheat into Canada no duty has been imposed up to the present time.
From every part of Europe and from the United States wheat has been
admitted into Canada perfectly and entirely free from duty, and that
wheat so imported and manufactured into flour in Canada, has ever
been considered, if exported to this country, to have obtained and to
enjoy all the privileges attaching to colonial produce. (Hear, hear.)
Now this is no new regulation ; it is no new rule regarding United
States or Canadian wheat alone ; it is a general principle which has
been acted on from time immemorial in the Customs of this country
with regard to manufactured goods — that manufactured articles, no mat-
ter whence the raw mp,terial might come, should be taken as the produce
of the country in which the manufacture took place. This question, in-
deed, was brought under discussion many years back, in a case which is
not a little curious. In the 18th of George III. — the year 1788 — a ques-
tion was argued in the Exchequer Chamber, as to what should be the
duty on ostrich feathers dressed in Finance, the said ostrich feathers being
claimed as French produce. Now it was clear — it needed no certifi-
cate to prove it — that ostrich feathers were not a French production
(a laugh) ; but these feathers having been dressed in Franco, it was
arguer' that they were a French manufacture, and the point having
been o.scussed in the Exchequer Chamber, it was determined by the
judges tiiat the ostnch leatiiers so oresseu in x'rancc w

i.i_j

come iu and to be charged duty as French goods, I mention this as a

curious case bearing strongly upon this subject. In the year following
an act — the 19th Geo. III. — was passed upon the subject. What did that
act do ? Did it deny the principle ? By no means. It provided that
the principle should hold perfectly good except with respect to the pro-
duce of Asia, Africa, and America, and with this pretty large exception
this act continued in operation until it was repealed by the 3rd of George
IV. and 6th of Geo. IV. But under the Navigatioi Act, the 6th of Geo.
IV., this broad principle was laid down in these terms — "All manufac-
tured goods shall be deemed to be the produce of the country in which
they were manufactured." A broader principle it would be almost impos-
sible to lay down, and this was the principle establishedunder that act. But
it will, no doubt, be questioned that this principle applies to corn ? Now,
on that point, we have certainly no judicial decision, because the question
was never raised so as to be brought under judicial consideration ; but
in 1830, after the act of 1828 was passed, by which, for the first time,
Canadian flour was admitted into this country, the question was raised by
tlie Comptroller of the Customs at Liverpool, who, having some doubts
as to whether United States wheat ground in Canada could be admitted
as colonial produce, referred the question to the solicitor of the Customs,
who gave an unhesitating opinion, " that flour made in Canada from
wheat, the produce of the United States, was to be deemed the produce
of Canada, and was entitled to enter this country as the produce of a
colony, upon the production of the inspector's certificate applying
to colonial produce, and required by the Act of Parliament." (Hear,
hear.) This was the opinion given by the solicitor of the Customs on
a question raised by a collector and comptroller of Customs, who asked
for a legal authority upon which to act. This is the single case in
which the point has ever been raised ; and I must next remark, that,
to whatever question the law may be open, be the interpretation
right or wrong, in the first place, the practice has been without ex-
ception to admit United States grown corn, coming from and manufac-
tured in Canada, as Canadian produce — that has been the uniform and
unvarying interpretation and practice of the law — and, in the next
place, be that law right or be it wrong, this bill does not touch that
question — this bill does not refer to that question, and it leaves the law
precisely as it now stands. (Hear, hear.) This then is my case. My
sole object being the substitution of a permanent fixed duty on foreign
wheat (loud cries of " Hear, hear," from the Opposition) — the substi-
tution of a permanent fixed duty on American wheat imported through
the province of Canada, at the rate of 4s. a quarter, for a duty on such
wheat varying from 6d. it was formerly. Is. it is now, to 5s. per quar-
ter. (Hear, hear.) I say, Sir, that that is the sole alteration I pro-
pose; and such being the only alteration, I think that her Majesty's
Government has cause to complain of the misrepresentations which
have been sedulously disseminated amongst the farmers as to tiie intro-
duction of United States corn, <' which," say some hon. members, " the
Government are seeking to bring in by a back door, not daring to open
the front." (" Hear, hear," and cheers.) Now, Sir, let me here say,
once for all, that neither in this bill, nor in any other bill with which I
am connected, nor with which my colleagues are connected, will her
Majesty's Government seek to introduce furtively or by stealth that
which thev dare not introduce broadly, plainly, and openU% ^Loud
and repeated cheers.) This " back door," as you are pletised to call it,

i i-

4 %i

lias been open for a space of not lass than 15 years (renewed cheers),
that is to say, if by the '* back door bei;ig open" you mean that United
States corn can be admitted into Canada duty free, and as flour ground,
in Canada can obtain admission into the ports of England. (Cheers.)
From 1828 to 1843 that door has been open — through that door a con-
siderable portion of American grain has been admitted, and instead of
opening that door wider,our proposition is now to take a toll of 3s. upoa
every quarter of corn that must pass it. And then we are told — 1 hear it
at county meetings — that we are doing an injury to the agricultural
interest. The hon. member for Rutland presented this evening a peti-
tion, praying that there might be no diminution of agricultural protec-
tion ; and gentlemen talk and farmers are told that they have grievous
reason to complain of her Majesty's Government, for seeking to intro-
duce United States wheat into Canada at a duty of 3s., forgetting, of
course, to put the counterpart, that up to this very moment there is no
duty at all, and that, instead of paying 3s., United States wheat enters
Canada duty free. (Hear, hear). Again : I know it has been stated, at
i ovcral meetings, that we are about to inflict, by this measure, a griev-
ous injury on the milling interest of this country (hear, hear) — that wo
are going to introduce United States wheat in the shape of flour, whilst
we reject it in its unmanufactured condition. My answer to this is,
that we make no alteration whatever in the present state of the law.
(Hear). Reject this law altogether, and the milling interest will be in
precisely the same condition as if you passed it. You afford the mil-
ling interest no pr(;toction whatever by its rejection, because, even now,
flour from Canada, ground from wheat of the United States, is im-
ported at the colonial rate of dutv. This bill, therefore, as to the
agricultural interest, or as to the milling interest, can produce no effect
whatever if the fixed duty we propose be only equivalent to the existing
rate. (Hear, hear). I shall now endeavour to prove that it is so. The
present rate of duty — and for the convenience of the house I will refer
tliroughout to the duty on quarters of wheat, without reference to the
barrel of flour, and assuming that the due proportion is maintained be-
tween wheat and flour — the present rate of duty on United States wheat
is precisely the same as on colonial wheat.

Mr. Roebuck : Do you mean wheat or flour?

Lord Stanley : I mean that, by the law, as it at present stands,
wheat imported from the United States into Canada cannot be im-
ported here except as flour, nor will it be imported in any other way
by the law we propose. As flour, as manufactured produce, it will be
admitted at the new rate of duty, which, as I said before, we consider
equivalent to the old rates. The present duty levied on flour in this
country varies from 3s. per quarter when the price is below 55s., to Is.
per quarter when the price rises as high as 58s. Up to 55s. there is a
duty of 5s. per quarter. By the measure which I propose there will be
levied, at all times and under all circumstances — hon. gentlemen may
have the advantage of another cheer, if they please, at the idea of a
fixed duty — by the measure which I propose there will be levied, at all
times and under all circumstances, a fixed duty (ironical cheers) on
wheat imported through Canada of 4s. per quarter, whether the price
be 40s. or 60s., instead of a duty which at present amounts to 5s. up to
563., and thence falls to Is. as the price rises to 58s. Perhaps hon. gen-
tlemen may say that a reduction of even Is. per quarter, i, e., from 5s. to

48., in the duty, is, in the present state of agriculture, a matter of con-
Hiderable importance ; but let it be observed, as appears, indeed, from
a paper laid on the table of the house upon the motion of the hon.
member for Stoke-upon-Trent, that then; has been no year during the
last five years when the average amount of duty levied on colonial corn
has exceeded 4s. In one year the average was 43., but in another year
it was only 6d. ; and the average amount of duty for the whole period
has been 2s. Id. upon American wheat imported through Canada in the
shape of flour ; for which, by this bill, I propose to substitute a duty
of 4s., whatever the price of the market may be. And let the house
observe this, that the present duty is chargeable only on the fine flour
imported, and only when brought into home consumption in this coun-
try ; whereas three-fourths of the duty proposed to be levied is to be
levied on the whole bulk of wheat imported into Canada, without the
credit, which is now obtained, of six, eight, ten, or twelve months, ac-
cording to the state of the market, and upon the whole amount, inclu-
ding seconds, inferior flour, and the refuse. I do think that 4s., to be
so levied, is a fair, just, and ample equivalent for the existing duty.

Sir C. Napier : It is more than ample.

Lord Stanley : The hon. and gallant gentleman says, it is more
than an ample duty ; but let him recollect that at the present moment
a duty of 5s. attaches invariably, till the price of wheat is 55s. I know
by what objection I shall immediately be met here. I have anticipated
it in the cheer I have already heard from the other side of the house,
when the subject of a fixed duty was mentioned. " After all," it will
be said, " you are coming down to a fixed duty of 4s. upon wheat." I
beg to say I am not coming down to any such thing. I am coming
down to no fixed duty of 4s. on wheat. I should have been glad to
know how the noble lord opposite, who proposed a fixed duty of 8s.
per quarter on wheat, would have dealt with this particular article, and
whether he would have subjected to an 8s. duty wheat, the produce of
foreign countries, imported through our own colonies, and thereunder-
going the process of manufacture. Unfortunately the noble lord had
not the opportunity of submitting his plan in detail to the consideration
of the house ; his project was cut off in the bud ; but I should like to
know how he would have dealt with that question. I have no hesita-
tion in saying, that, whatever may be the advantage of the sliding
scale over a fixed duty, setting other objections apart, the fixed duty
has the merit of simplicity ; and if I could adopt that which, under all
circumstances and under all seasons, and witli reference to all coun-
tries, should strike a fair average of duty, of course I should pre-
fer, as any man of sense would (cheers and a laugh) — I don't think
there would be any difference of opinion on any side of the house — I
should prefer the simplicity of a fixed duty to the complication inse-
parable from a sliding scale. (Cheers.) Let the noble lord or any
person propose a sliding scale, the extreme point of which shall be 8s.
on one side, and 12s. on the other, and I tell the house very frankly,
that rather than take a sliding scale, the extreme of whose protection
should be 8s. the minimum, and 12s. the maximum, and for that varia-
tion rendering necessary the complicated machinery of the averages, I
would infinitely prefer the average between these two amounts and take
the fixed duty of 10s. rather than the fluctuating duty. (Loud cheers.)
The advantage of a sliding scale arises from the extent of range whicn

it must cover ; you can take no amount w'liich shall fairly represent an
average of a duty ranging from 208. to In. If thu scale vilnato only
for 38. or 4s., you may tlispense with the unnecessary complication of
the sliding scale and take the average ; but if you have a scale with
a protective duty of 20s. at one end, and a comparatively free admission
at Is. at the other, proportioning the protection to the varying exi-
gences of the case, no average can be struck (cheers). Therefore, I
say, it is perfectly consistent in me, if the duty is to vary from Is. to
48., to say I prefer a fixed duty, whatever it may be, between those
limits, and at the same time to say, that if at one time you require com-
paratively free importation, and at another protection amounting to
almost a prohibitory duty, I take the sliding scale, because you can
have no fair average in such a state of things (cheers). But, again
suppose a distinction is to be drawn in favour of Canadian wheat — that
Canadian wheat imported into this country is to be subjected to no
duty, or only a nominal duty, and American wheat to a protecting
duty, I want to know, if the duty ist to be levied in Canada, in what
manner it is even possible to have a sliding scale from 48. down to Is.?
(hear, hear.) In what manner will you at the Canadian frontier fix the
sliding scale, and declare the averages with reference to the price in
this country ? If you are to draw the distinction between Canadian and
American wheat, you must levy the duty on the Canadian frontier, and
not in this country. If you are to levy the duty on the Canadian frontier,
and not in this country, then the sliding scale is impracticable. Levying
a duty only varying 2s. or Ss., the sliding scale is inapplicable ; and with-
out departing m any degree from the principle of protection as applied
to the agricultural interest in this country, you have no resource but a
fixed duty between the very narrow limits to which your scale would
fluctuate to one side or another. (Cheers). I have answered this argu-
ment to the best of my ability (cheers); but I confess I do not lay much
stress on it as an argument. It may do very well to excite a Parlia-
mentary cheer, or to raise a taunt of personal Inconsistency (hear, hear) ;
but against the measure, as I propose it, it is no argument at all (hear,
hear) ; and I have shown that it is not an argumer.t, that, on the ground
of inconsistency, can fairly be urged against those who support a slid-
ing scale. I now come to a more important point; that is, will the duty
in Canada be levied ? Be the duty what it may, it would be levied in the
Custom-house in this country ; and I am ready to admit, that if any
reasonable apprehension can be entertained on the ground that the
duty might not be levied in Canada, it would be a strong argument
against the measure which I propose. Never was there a more chime-
rical apprehension entertained than that wheat would be smuggled into
Canada to escape a duty of 3s. (Hear, hear). I will prove it to you
from circumstances, from probability, from practice. Hon. gentlemen
are very much in the habit of saying that the boundary between
Canada and the United States is for a long distance a mere river, that
there is no difficulty in passing it, and that you might easily throw a
biscuit across it ; but what is the real state of the case ? I put Lower
Canada out of the question altogether, because it produces little or no
wheat ; certainly very far short of what is required for its own con-
sumption. The whole of the wheat of which the Canadas have any
surplus, of their own produce, is grown in Upper Canada. A large
portion of that which comes into this country is not the produce of

Cnnaila at nil, hutof ilio Unitod States, tho great states of the west-
Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. Trom the point nt which the St. Law-
rence becomes tho boiindury between Canada and the United States
to Kingston, tho distance is 70 or 80 nules, up a very rapid and broken
river.

Mr. Roebuck : There is not a single rapid from Prescott to King-
ston. I know the place well. I have gone \ip the river in a canoe
hundreds of times.

Lord Stanley: Be it so; but that is not tho district in which
tho wheat is produced. Above Kingston conies Lake Ontario, about
l.'iO miles long ; it is united by the Niagara Uiver to Lake Erie, a lake
of 200 miles long, both of these lakes varying from GO to 70 miles in
breadth. There is, therefore, a distance of from 350 to 400 miles,
connected only by a river for the space of 20 miles, that river 'ncluding
the rapids above, and the whirlpools below, the falls of Niagara, per-
fectly impracticable. The wheat-growing districts are, in the first
place, the Canadian districts on the north of Lake Erie, and the great
American districts to the south-west. These are the districts— Indiana,
Ohio, and Illinois, from which corn is brought to Cleveland, the
principal shipping port of Ohio, and thence the trade is carried
on partly in steamers, but principally in large schooners built for
carrying cargoes of this nature ; passing through the Welland Canal
and a succession of British locks into Lake Ontario, and thence to
Montreal, whence shipuients arc made to this country. There is a
distance of above five hundred miles between the ports of shipment.
The north side of Lake Erie is cultivated to a certain extent, and
grows Canadian corn ; the south side is cultivated by the Ameri-
cans. The schooners engaged in the trade are all perfectly well
known — they carry on their operations as a regular systematic
trade— their owners are all known ; the north coast, on the Cana-
dian side, is singularly destitute of all harbours; the lakes they
have to cross are about four times as wide as the Straits of Dover ;
if it were attempted to run a cargo of wheat, and land it on the
Canadian side for the purpose of saving 3s. per quarter duty, the
mere expense of landing and conveying it again to a wharf, and
transhipping it, would very materially exceed the duty which it was
the object of this not very wise smuggler to evade. (Hear, hear). I

would ask any of my hon. friends the members for Kent and Sussex

did you ever hear of French wheat being smuggled and landed on your
shores ? No— and why not ? Because, first, although the duty is much
higher, the risk more than counterbalances it ; and, next, for this very
good reason, which equally applies to Canada as to Kent and Sussex —
that the shore to which the smuggler must come is occupied by persons
whose direct and immediate purpose it is to prevent the possibility of
smuggling that particular article. It is quite true, that it is in some cases
easy enough to smuggle from Canada to the United States, and from the
United States to Canada — it is easy for fugitives from justice — it is
easy for deserters from the service — it is easy to carry over a pound of
tea or silk in a canoe — but to carry over a quarter of wheat at great
risk, and where there are no harbours and few roads, to re-ship and tran-
ship it, for the purpose of evading a 3s. duty, is the most chimerical ap-
prehension ever entertained. (Hear, hear). Does practice bear us
out in this view ? From 1825 to 1831 there was imposed a duty of,

not 38., but 8s. a quarter on UnHod States wheat imported into Ca-
nada. I have not been able to ascertain the precise amount of duty
which was collected ; it is included in tlie generalrcvenue of the colony ;
but in the Blue Hooks of the colony, although they are not altogether to
be depended upon for accuracy as official returns, I find that in every
year a certain amount of American M'heat was imported and brought
to charge; and in no one year from 1H25 to 1831, while 8s. per quarter
was charged, was there any allegation from any quarter whatever that
a single bushel of wheat had been smuggled into Canada or had evaded
the duty. ( Hear, hearj. Hero, at least, is negative proof— no such
allegation was ever made. (Hear, hear). But perhaps hon. gentlemen
may say they will smuggle tlour into this country ; why don't they
smuggle flour now ? 1 will tell you why. The duty is sufficiently
high to tempt them; but it is with flour as it is with respect to corn—
the interest of the whole population is against the smuggler of flour,
and in favour of the levy of the duty. (Hear, hear). Let the house
recollect that the duty on American flour imported into this country
is 20s. per quarter ; on Canadian flour it is 53. Under the existing
'riw, therefore, the temptation to smuggle flour into Canada, for the
purpose of having it introduced as Canadian flour into this country,
amounts to 15s. per quarter, or 300 per cent, on the duty ; and yet to
this hour I never heard the allegation made that uae single barrel of
flour had been smuggled into Canada ; nor do I believe that a single
barrel has ever been introduced without a bona fide certificate. (Hear).
On the practice, therefore, of six years, during which an 8s. duty was
levied on the clear interest of all parties on the spot to prevent smug-
gling — on the physical impediments standing in the way — in the absence
of any allegation that it has ever existed— on all these grounds, I
say, no apprehension of smuggling need be entertained. This was the
view taken before the 83. duty passed, both by Lord Dalhousic in
Canada, and Lords Liverpool and Bathurst in this country, when it
was said we should be inundated with American wheat and flour ; and
when that duty was taken off" as part of the Customs' regulations of the
year by Mr. P. Thompson, not a single allegation was made that it had
been evaded. (Hear, hear). I have endeavoured to deal with this
question with reference to the apprehensions which have been enter-
tained as to the importation of American wheat under the name of
Canadian wheat : with the permission of the house I will now consider
the question as it affects the importation, at a reduced rate of duty, of
bona fide Canadian produce — the growth as well as the manufacture of
Canada ; and here I say distinctly, that it is our wish to give encou-
ragement to colonial produce, to the agriculture of Canada ; that as a
Government we are pledged to do so, and that we may safely do it with-
out detriment to any interest in this country. (Hear, hear). This is
an object which Canada has had at heart for the last twenty or twenty-
five years ; and I have in my hand a succession of despatches from Go-
vernors, and memorials from Boards of Trade and from both branches
of the Legislature, from the year 1821 to the present time, all urging the
propriety of acceding to their prayer in this i-espect. If there be one
subject of legislation upon wliich Canada from one end to the other has
been and is unanimous^ it is in urging that, in order to enable them to
consume more largely the manufactures of this country, you will treat
them as part of the parent state and admit ou easy terms the bona fide

produce of their agriculture. I say you may safely grant this boon. I
know not whether I ought to argue on a question of this kind, because if
the boon ought to be granted, I am satisfied there is sufficient public spirit
m the country not to weigh too nicely the possible disadvantage to our
own mterests (hear) ; but, I say, you may safely grant it without any
mjury to agricultural interests— without any reduction in the existing
price of agrieultural produce. Let the house recollect, that hitherto
the import of American wheat into Canada has been wholly free ; and
what quantity ha? been imported into this country ? In the course of
the last 13 years, irom 1830 to 1843, the amount of wheat and wheat
hour inriported into this country from Canada, including what was im-
ported from the United Stages, was only 1,163,968 quarters. That is
to say, somewhere about. 90,000 quarters of wheat is the whole amount,
which, upon an average of thirteen years, Canada has been able annually to
export to this country; not, be it remembered, from her surplus produce
only, but that being absolutely the whole of her surplus i)roduce, sup-
ported and backed up by all that she could import from the United States
tree of duty (hear, hear). And this brings mo to the question, at what
rate can this Canadian corn be imported and brought into consumption
Here i Ihis is not an unimportant point to keep in view, in the discus-
sion ot any measure having for its object to give greater facilities to the
trader. Now I find that, of the 1,153,9G8 quarters, there were imported
at and above 67s. 387 389 quarters; at and above 55s., and under 67s.

1 1 'o nn*^^'?^'^^'^' ™ "•' ^" *''*^ ^^°^^ '^^"^Q 950,000 quarters, out of
_l,li)3,000, imported and brought into consumption here, when the price
"? I'noTA^'^ exceeded 55s. a quarter. At lower prices than tnose,
ajout 93,000 quarters were imported when the prices ranged from 50s.
to jys., and the whole amount brought into consumption, when the prices
were under 50s., scarcely exceeded 106,000 quarters during the whole
thirteen years importation* (Hear, hear). But this is not all. I wiU
go turther, and will show you how, and when, and under what circum-
stances the importation took place when wheat was below 50s. in price.
1 have not the returns as to flour ; but I have a return as to wheat, and I
hnd t ns result:--! here were three years, and three years only, in which
wheat was brought into consumption from Canada, at a rate of price below
VS«" AT^ ♦-'ou'jtry ; and those were the three years~1834, 1835, and
1836. Now, I beg attention to these facts. 1831 and 1832 were years
ot ver y high prices, and acc ordingly wheat from Canada, imported and

* The following Table will, perhaps, assist in explaining the noble lord's figures :
Wheat and Flour, the produce of British North American Colonies, admitted to
Home Consumption between the 5th of Jan. 1830, and the 5th of Jan 1843

When theaverngo price of wheat

was under 50s. ,..

50s. and under .55s

■558. and under C7s

AVIioat.

Wheat Flour.

WTieat and
^^'^^eat Flour
stated in qre.

Quarters.

74,439

75,193

270,186

1 06,579

Consumption.

111,626

62,217

1,037,965

772,838

Quarters.

106,332

93,499

566,748

387,389

07s. and unwai'ds

Totals

586,326

1,984,646

1,153,968

brought into consumption, was, in the first year, 110,000 quarters, aod in
tho next year, 164,000 quarters. The next year, 1833, was a year in
which the price varied from 49s. lOd. to 55s. ; and in that year the im-
port fell from 1 64,000 to 61 ,501 quarters. The three next years were years
of constantly falling prices. In the first year prices fell to 4 1 s. lOd. • in the
next, to 36s. lOd.; and at the commencement of the third year prices for a
considerable period averaged 36s. 8d. Now, in these years, so hope-
less diu the Canadiai merchants consider tho prospect, that, by re-
ferring to the returns moved for by the honourable member for Bristol
and now upon the table of the house, you will see that not a single
quarter of wheai was imported from Canada in the years 1835,
1836, and 1837; and that the merchants who had brou<»ht largo
stocks into this country upon the faith of the high prices of 1831 and
1832, and who held back in 1833 in the expectation that they would
yet be able to realize a profit by the rallying of prices, were obli<red at
last, m 1834, 1835, and 1836, to bring their stocks into the market at a
very considerable loss, and the wheat sold under these circumstances
constituted the whole of the Canadian wheat ever brought in any year
into the British market at prices below 50s. per quarter (hear, hear).
This, then, at least, is satisfactory evidence— in the first place, that no
great iniportation of Canadian corn is to be apprehended when the average
prices in this country are low; and next, it is satisfactory proof that
Canadian wheat cannot be profitably introduced and sold here unless
prices range at least from 508. to 56s., nor, probably, unless they are
higher even than the latter average. And mind, these prices were under
a system of free importation from the United States. When there is a
duty of 3s. per quarter on the importation of that corn into Canada, will
It not necessarily follow that prices at Montreal must rise ? (hear liear
from Lord Howick). The noble lord cheers me, and I can understand
his cheers ; but let me remind him that I do not seek by this measure to
establish any system of unlimited free trade (ironical cheers from the
opposition). Sir, I do not bring this measure forward as a measure of
tree trade, and I give the noble lord the benefit of that admission. With
his notions respecting unlimited free trade he has quite a right to resist
my motion. If he desires to sweep away all distinctions— if ife wishes to
deprive the colonies and the agriculturists of the mother country of all
protection— if he wishes to put all nations on a perfect equality wUh re-
gard to the introduction of corn— he is quite justified in opposini^ my
motion (hear, hear). He is justified in doing so, because, as I repeat, this
motion is not a motion for free trade (clieers) ; it is not founded upon that
principle— It is founded upon quite a different principle (cheers)— it is
founded, I tell the noble lord, upon the principle of giving encouracvement
to the agricultural industry and to the produce of our colonies" (loud
clieering)--leaving the protection of our native agriculture, as respects
the United States of America, as nearly as possible in the same condition
in which vve found it—neither increasing nor attempting to reduce it
(hear, hear). I stated at the outset, and I will again repeat it, that it is
as a measure of encouragement to our colonies, and of undiminished pro-
tection to the home g.ower, and not as a measure founded on the princi-
ples of free trade, that this measure has been brought forward by her
Mr-jesty s Ministein (hear, hear). Now, Sir, I laid upon the table of the
liouse, m the course of the present session, a number of calculations, with
^\tHfi]iy however, J wiji not fatigue the house, because I do hot rest any

part of my case upon them. They were calculations which proceeded
from the committee of the Legislative Assembly of Canada, and which
were laid before the Assembly of that province. They were not received
by the Government, nor laid upon the table until after the announcement
of this measure ; but, however favourable for my purpose, I do not quote
them as a part of my case, because, whilst I do not in any way discredit
their accuracy, the measure I am about to propose is wholly independent
of their calculations, and they were indeed laid before Parliament simply
because her Majesty's Government would not allow it to be said, " You
liave information from Canada which you promised to lay upon the table,
and which you now withhold, because you think it does not bear out your
views" (hear, hear). But, Sir, I will call attention to a document laid upon
the table with reference to the current prices at Montreal and Quebec at the
present time. This return is certainly not as full as we might desire, for this
very good reason, that there are no accurate returns, no law being in force
in Canada to regulate the taking of the averages. But, incomplete as
it may be, you will still be able to derive considerable information from the
return to which I am referring. You will find, on the authority of the
persons best able to give you information, that the prices at Montreal and
at Quebec, under no circumstances, fall below 40s. a quarter. They gene-
rally range at from 45s. to 50s. the quarter ; and by making inquiry of
any merchant, you will find that the lowest amount at which the impor-
tation from Quebec, independent of any profit, can be made, is 12s. 6d.,
13s. 6d., or 14s,, a quarter, which charge must of course be added to the
price of 45s. to 50s. a quarter, before you can introduce in average years
any Canadian wheat into the home market. (Hear, hear.) I have several
returns from merchants in support of these calculations, but I will not
trouble the house with any of these statements, as they might be supposed
to proceed from parties whose interests might bias their judgment ; but I
have a statement here which is not open to any objection of that kind ; it
is taken from a Boston paper, the Boston Courier^ where it is published
in the shape of an extract from the communication of a correspondent of
the Cleveland (Ohio J Herald, and who says fairly enough : — " The ob-
ject of the British Ministry is evident on the face of the measure. It is to
promote the emigration of British farmers to Canada, where as good wheat
lands exist as in any part of the world ; to give protection to the Canadian
millers ; to provide employment for the British shipping connected with
Canada, recently deprived, by their imperial turill", of the lumber trade,
and, in times of scarcity in bread stuffs in England, to give their own 8\ib-
jects a pre-eminent advantage over foreigners in operating under a fixed
diity, whilst others have the hazard of the sliding scale of duties." The
correspondent then goes into very minute calculations, by which he arrives
at the conclusion, that in the present state of, or without a considerable
rise of price in, the British market, the Canadian merchant cannot afford to
go to Ohio ns a purchaser of corn, with a view to take any advantage of
tlie facility which this law will give him of importing United States corn
through Canada into this country. This correspondent also refers, in a
striking and convincing manner, to the expenses of shipment and transit
from Montreal to this country, placing the expense of such shipment at a
dollar and a half the barrel of flour, that is to say, at about Gs. 2d., or
Cs. 3(1., mriiving, as nearly as possible, the amount per nuurtcr at vviucli I
have already calculated the shipping expenses. He concludes by saying :—
<« A sale of flour, therefore, in England at 309. per barrel^ would only

leave the Montreal shipper, as a profit, the current (Hfferonco in ex<'han«rc
between Montreal and London, say 7 per cent, on 5 dels. 19 cents, which
would be 35 cents a barrel profit. Any person haying experience in the
trade will readily admit, that 35 cents margin is not sufficient where Bour
is up to 30s. per barrel— it will not cover the hazard of a decline in the
present appearance of the English market." (Hear, hear.) Now I do not
wish to weary the house by going over these minute calculations, nor, in-
deed, IS It necessary that I should do so at present, though I may be com-
pelled to return to them at some future occasion. But what is material
for us to consider, and what I beg to impress on the house is, that thou'^h
this may not be a measure of free trade— immaterial as you may consid'er
It — immaterial as I consider it — to the consumer in this country and in-
significant as I think it must be admitted to be when it is considered as a
measure affecting the British agriculturalists, yet, the introduction of
Canadian corn at a Is. duty, Avhile not encouraging nor fostering any
more than the present law, the importation of wheat from the United
States, will be, to all intents and purposes, in its practical effects and moral
results, a measure of inestimable value to Canada, and if to Canada, to the
empire at large, (loud cheers.) Sir, this measure is an object for
which Canada has long contended and anxiously hoped. This is not the
first time the proposition has been submitted to Parliament; this is not
the first time I have expressed my opinion on the subject. (Hear, hear.)
In the course of last session the question was brought before the house in
a tangible and definite shape. In the course of the discussion on the Corn
Bill then under consideration, the hon. member for Limerick proposed to
permit the introduction of wheat, the produce of British possessions in
North America, or elsewhere out of Europe, at a fixed duty of
Is. per quarter. I objected to that amendment, but I stated but one
single objection to it. In the face of the house and the country I
stated, as my only ground of objection to the adoption of the proposal
that, by consenting to it, we should clearly be importing free of duty)
not Canadian, but American wheat, and that I was not prepared to
introduce American wheat free of duty, though prepared to give en-
couragement and support to the agriculture of Canada. But perhaps I may
be excused if I cite my own expressions on the subject. I quote from
'' Hansard's Debates," and this is the language I then used :— '< It is not
just to call upon us, under the plausible argument of giving encoura<'ement
to Canadian agriculture, to relieve from the burden of duty all the corn
and flour which passes from America through Canada, taking, at the same
time, no means to prevent ourselves from being inundated with American
corn. This is the ground on which I, for one, cannot concur with the
motion of the hon. gentleman. If there was any alteration of the law
which regulates the importation of wheat into Canada— if there was such
a restriction on wheat going into Canada as would free this country from
competition with American corn, under the name of Canadian corn— then
the Canadians would be entitled to a greater relief." That is the languacre
Avhich I, as a Minister of the Crown— as a Minister charged with colonfal
affairs, used as the main ground for resisting the hon. gentleman's motion.
A number of the friends of the agricultural interest were present in the
house at the time, and no objection was taken to the grounds upon which
I rested my argument. Not a single gentlcuum contravened the position
1 laid down. The motion was rejected on those grounds, and, simulta-
neoush with that rejection, a despatgh was sent frow this country, which,

by my directions, was laid boforo the legislature of Canada, inviting them,
in terms not to be mistaken, to Qualify themselves, by imposing a duty on
Aiiivrican wheat, to receive a boon at the hands of the British Government,
which I, on the part of that Government, was ready to extend, and which
I did not believe the British Parliament would refuse to confirm. (Cheers).
And here let me entreat the house to recollect wliat was the position of
Canada when that despatch was transmitted. At that time you had just
accomplished a most perilous experiment ; you had quelled a most serious
revolt in that country — you had recently consolidated the interests of that
country by the perilous experiment of a union of the two provinces — you
had, for the first time, met a united legislature ; and it was under circum-
stances such as these that Sir Charles Bagot was authorized to make, as
his first communication to that united legislature, a tender of good-will —
a promise that the country should be treated as an integral part of the British
empire, and that it should send its produce home at a nominal rate of duty,
provided it gave a certain security, which it was necessary for your interests
to deniand. That tender of good-will — that proposition on the part of
the British Government — was received with unanimous approbation and
gratitude. A bill was introduced into the Canadian Legislature to carry
out the views of her Majesty's Government, by imposing the required duty
on American corn. In its progress through the lower house, that measure
led to division on one point, and on one point only. A proposal was made
to tack to the bill imposing a 3s. duty on American M'heat, a condition
that it should not be of force unless the British Parliament granted the
promised boon. Some gentlemen professed a doubt of the intentions of
the British Government, and urged that it was necessary that the Legis-
lature should take securities against a failure on our part. But the Legis-
lature refused to entertain any such doubt. " Wo will not indulge," they
said, " in any such unworthy suspicions. We never had such a doubt, and
we will imply no such bad faith. We believe that the Minister intends
what he speaks. His language is not to be mistaken. We will not in-
dulge in unworthy suspicions." The proviso was accordingly negatived
by a very large majority, and the bill passed unanimously through both
branches of the Legislature of u colony which not long before had been
convulsed by internal dissentions and hostility against the mother-country,
from one end of it to the other. (Cheers). That bill, Sir, is sent home'
for the sanction of the Crown. Of course I have not advised the Crown to
sanction that act of the Canadian Legislature, nor shall I advise the Crown to
sanction it, until the House of Commons shall have enabled me to perform
my part of the contract. I hold myself in personal honour bound — 1 hold
the Government in good faith, as well as in good policy, pledged to omit no
exertion to carry into effect the convention we entered into with the Ca-
nadian provinces, in the face of Parliament and of the country. (Cheers).
I hold that we are bound to strain every nerve to preclude the possi-
bihty of expectations being blasted, which we were so instrumental
in exciting. I hold that it would be the basest conduct on our part to say
to the Canadian Legislature, " You have, it is true, vied with each other
in expressions of gratitude for this boon. The prospect has been held
out to you of improvement to your country, by renewed and closer con-
nexion with Great Britain ; you have evinced your anxiety to improve
that connexion — you have complied with our conditions — you have
expressed your gratitude— ^but you have expressed it too soon, for this
boon Shan uot b^ conferred on you— not because we entertain any real

apprehension of its effect, but becansc there are some in this country
who do dfntertain such fears, and, unfounded though they may be, un-
founded though they are, to those fears and apprehensions we must and
will defer." (Very loud cheering). I ask you, then, as members of the
House of Commons — I osk you, as legislators, responsiblo for the conduct
of the affairs of this mighty empire — do you believe it wise — do you
beheve it politic — do you believe it just — do you believe it generous — do
you believe that it is safe thus to trifle with the feelings, the expectations,
and the hopes of those who unanimously acceded to your terras, and who
gratefully accepted your proffered boon ? (Very loud cheering.) Will
you accept the responsibinty, and tell the Canadians, " We will not give
you this boon : the cup of rejoicing shall be struck from your hand, and
dashed in mockery from your lips?" (Loud and prolonged cheering).
No, Sir, I do not believe the House of Commons will take such a course.
I know not what may be the intention of the right hon. gentleman, in mov-
ing that the house do not advise her Majesty to consent to the Canadian
bill. But I tell him, whatever the intention, that it is needless. If the
house reject this measure, I tell him frankly that the first official measure I
shall perform, even if it be tlie last, shall be to advise her Majesty to
disallow tlie bill ; that is, if I find, as I trust I shall not, that this house
does not enable me to fulfil the conditions upon which alone that bill was
passed by the Canadian Legislature. (Cheers). But do not think that,
in that case, matters will remain as they are. Do not believe that, in that
event, the people of Canada will rest satisfied, as if you had never made
them this offer. Do not believe that you can so trifle with the feelings
and wishes of the population of that great and important colony. And
even if you could so trifle, is it wise for you — and I now address myself
to those who are the most intimately connected with the agriculture of
this country — is it wise for you to set up this line of distinction between
yourselves and your fellow-countrymen in Canada? You desire pro-
tection against the free importation of all foreign corn, from what-
ever quarter it may come. I do not say that your home pro-
duce, on an average of years, is likely to be at all times insufiicient
to supply your home demand ; but I cannot help reminding you that,
notwithstanding the emigration that is now going on to the exent of
100,000 per annum, the population that remains is increasing at the rate
of 300,000 a year. (Loud opposition cheers). And i*' your population
at home should outgrow your average supply of home production, I ask,
where, in the first instance, is it wise to look for the means of supplying
the deficiency ? (Loud cheers). I ask you, would it be wise to look for
it, with an equal and impartial eye, to all quarters of the globe, without
considering the prices at which the supply may be introduced, without
reference to the amount which may be forced in upon you, without re-
ference to the circumstances under which this country may be placed, or
without regard to an increase in the demand for the products of British
industry ? (Repeated cheers). If you desire a source of supply made to
your hand 'vhich should meet all the conditions that a prudent agricul-
turist wou^j /csire, and to which any one regarding the interests, whether
agricultural or commercial, of this great country, would be disposed to

look, I would direct you to that great area, which, with a climate not
very dissimilar to your own, is cultivated by your own countrymen,
which is capable of producing an increased supply, but which is not ca-
pable of furaishing that supply, unless prices should rise to sueb OQ amount

(li.

as to indicate n deficiency in the homo produce. The, supply of tlmt
couqtry .will be furnisbejl; you from a province with which it is important
you should continue the,mopt;intjraatc relations ; which is the main and chief
holduppn tliat vast continent' for British interest, feeling, and affection ;
which is the refuge of your surplus labourers, where they may still
labour in their accustomed toil, and furnish supplies to their accus-
tomed market—where they may still look to England, not as a country
from which they are banished, but as a country to ; which they cling
and feel that they belong ; which is capable of supplying your defi-
ciencies, though not of s^jpplanting yojir productions ; which must con-
sume your manufacturfes; and which has only this one desire, to possess
additional means of ipaying for them. (Cheers). It is a country which
is "subject to no hostile tariff (Iqud cheers)— a country which realizes
all the recommendations that were lately made in the most forcible
and eloquent terms by the hon. and learned member for Liskcard (Mr.
C. Duller), when he told you to increase, by promoting the intercourse
with your colonies, the area for oroviding for your hom(5 consunaption,
and where you could coinmaia^j,a market for your manufactures in
return. If you have apprehensions that, in the course of years, your
supply may gradually fkll short of the demands of this cOuntry, I say
that, free from all the objections which attach to an unrestricted
importation from foreign countries, you have the means in your own hands
of meeting the deficiency ; and at the same time commanding the trade,
maintaiping it in your own hands, supporting your shipping interest,
improving the condition of your own fellow-countrymen, knitting
closely to yourselves, by interest and aflfeftiou, that portion of the great
continent of America which you'may hold with signal benefit to your-
selves, but not so unless you hold it by the good-will and affection ot
the people of Canada ;— I say, on all these grounds, agricultural, com-
mercial, and political— upon, the grounds of justice and expediency— on
the ground of the faith which her Majesty's Government have pledged
to Canada, and which, I confidently believe the house will ena.ble us to
maintain, I will submit with all confidence to the house the plain state-
ment I have made, without exaggerations on the one side or the other,
in the full assurance that the house will enable the Government of her
Majesty to redeem the implied contract intoJjVfhich it has entered.
(Cheers). With these feelings. Sir, I appeal to the house in the fullest
confidence ; and I shall now, in the first instance, submit a proposal
that you. Sir, do leave the chair, in order that, the house being in
Committee, I may introduce the resolutions of which I have given
notice, and which are to form the groundwork of the bill I intend to
introduce as a member of the Government, and for the principle of
which, whilst in all its details it will be open to your fullest discussion
and consideration, I confidently anticipate the sanction of Parliament.
(The Noble Lord resumed his seat amid vehement and long-protracted
plaudits).

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f

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