REMEDIES SUGGESTED. 59 



fessors and practical men not long after — and at which 

 we have practically stood still, as Mr. Prothero in his book 

 admits, and as is, in truth, evident to all observers. 



Let lis, for a moment, look a little farther afield, for 

 new experiences ! The experiences of a distinctively agri- 

 cultural country, while under Protection, ought to some 

 extent to serve us as a guide in the consideration of the 

 matter. Here is what the Canadian Council of Agriculture 

 in representing the organized farmers of Canada, voted 

 December, 1916, and what has been formally endorsed by the 

 Manitoba Graingrowers' Association, the Saskatchewan Grain- 

 growers' Association, and the United Farmers of Alberta, or- 

 ganisations composed of from 12,000 to 15,000 members each: 



" Whereas agriculture — the basic industry upon which the 

 success of all other industries primarily depends — is almost 

 stagnant throughout Canada, as shown l3y the declining rural 

 population in both Eastern and Western Canada, due largely 

 to the increased cost of agricultural implements and machinery, 

 clothing, boots and shoes, building material, and practically 

 everything the farmer has to buy, caused by the protective 

 tariff, so that it is becoming impossible for farmers generally 

 to carry on farming operations profitably . . . this Council urges 

 that, as a means of bringing about these much needed reforms, 

 and at the same time reducing the high cost of living, now prov- 

 ing such a burden on the people of Canada, our tariff laws should be 

 amended as follows : — 



1. 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 com- 

 plete free trade between Great Britain and Canada in five years. 



2. That the Reciprocity Agreement of 1911, which still 

 remains on the United States statute books, be accepted by the 

 Parliament of Canada. (This has in the meanwhile been done.) 



3. That all foodstuhs not included in the Reciprocity Agree- 

 ment be placed on the free list. 



4. That agricultural implements, farm machinery, vehicles, 

 fertilisers, coal, lumber, cement, illuminating fuel and lubricating 

 oils be placed on the free list. 



5. That the customs tariff on all the necessaries of life be 

 materially reduced. 



6. That all tariff concessions granted to other countries be 

 immediately extended to Great Britain. 



