SUPPLEMENTARY 295 



material, and practically everything the farmer has to 

 buy, caused by the Protective Tariff, so that it is be- 

 coming impossible for farmers generally, under normal 

 conditions, to carry on farming operations profitably; 



And Whereas the Protective Tariff is the most 

 wasteful and costly method ever designed for raising 

 national revenue, because for every dollar obtained 

 thereby for the public treasury at least three dollars 

 pass into the pockets of the protected interests, thereby 

 building up a privileged class at the expense of the 

 masses, thus making the rich richer and the poor 

 poorer ; 



And Whereas the Protective Tariff has been and is a 

 chief corrupting influence in our national life because 

 the protected interests, in order to maintain their 

 unjust privileges, have contributed lavishly to political 

 and campaign funds, thus encouraging both political 

 parties to look to them for support, thereby lowering 

 the standard of public morality. 



Therefore Be It Resolved that the Canadian Council 

 of Agriculture, representing the organized farmers of 

 Canada, urges that as a means of remedying these 

 evils and bringing about much needed social and 

 economic reforms, our tariff laws should be amended 

 as follows : 



1. By an immediate and substantial all-round reduction of the 

 customs tariff. 



2. By reducing the customs duty on goods imported from 

 Great Britain to one-half the rates charged under the 

 general tariff, and that further gradual, uniform reductions 

 be made in the remaining tariff on British imports that 

 will ensure complete free trade between Great Britain and 

 Canada in five years. 



3. That the Reciprocity Agreement of 1911, which still re- 

 mains on the United States statute books, be accepted by 

 the Parliament of Canada. 



4. That all foodstuff not included in the Reciprocity Agree- 

 ment be placed on the free list. 



