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importance of the foreign trade of this country, and stated that 
our total foreign trade last year amounted to 743 millions, of 
which 4274 millions were imports, and 8153 millions were 
exports. Roughly we import half the food we eat. This year 
we shall have to purchase from foreign countries two-thirds of 
the wheat and flour which we consume. ‘These goods must be 
paid for by exports ; we have nothing else with which to pay. 
Amongst foreign countries, one of the most important with 
which we deal is the United States. In 1889 our imports from 
the United States amounted to 953 millions sterling, and our 
exports to that country to nearly 44 millions sterling. During 
the last session of the American Legislature, a Bill had been 
passed, introduced by Mr. M‘Kinley, which made a serious 
alteration in the tariffs imposed upon imported goods. The 
title, whether inserted sarcastically I know not, is ‘‘ An Act to 
reduce revenue, equalise duties on imports, and for other 
purposes.” The Act is divided into sections. 
With reference to cotton manufactures, which come under 
Section I., cotton yarn under the old tariff had a duty from 
33 per cent. to 50 per cent. Under the new tariff these duties 
are unaltered, except on yarn valued at from 25 to 60 cents per 
Ib., on which the duty is raised 3 cents. 
The duties on cotton cloth are somewhat less than before. 
On cotton cloth not exceeding 50 threads per square inch, the 
duty is reduced from 24 to 2 cents per yard. On same cloth 
bleached, from 34 to 23 cents, and if dyed, coloured or printed, 
from 43 to 4 cents per square yard. 
On cotton cloth not exceeding 100 threads per square inch, 
the duty is reduced from 23 to 2} cents, and same bleached from 
34 to 3. If dyed, coloured or printed, from 44 to 4 cents per 
square yard. 
On cotton cloth 100 to 150 threads per square inch the duty is 
not altered, nor is it altered for similar cloth dyed, bleached, 
coloured or printed. 
On cotton cloth 150 to 200 threads per square inch, the duty 
is raised from 3 to 34 cents, and on same bleached from 4 to 43, 
and if dyed, coloured or printed, from 5 to 54 cents per square 
yard. 
On cotton cloth exceeding 200 threads per square inch, the 
duty is raised from 4 to 43 cents, on same bleached from 5 to 54 
cents, and if dyed, coloured or printed, from 6 to 6% cents per 
square yard. 
Further provisions are introduced by which whenever the value 
of these goods exceeds a given sum per yard, a duty has to be 
paid of 35 or 40 per cent. ad val. 
Clothing, ready-made handkerchiefs, neckties, etc., are subject 
to 50 per cent. as before. 
