UNITED STATES AND CANADA 21 



responsibilities of a relationship all the re- 

 ciprocal benefits of which had been with- 

 drawn. . . . To investigate the possibility 

 of a material expansion of our commerce in 

 this direction by inviting arguments for and 

 against commercial union with Canada, and 

 documentary evidence as to the extent and 

 prospects of the trade between the two 

 countries, and to report to this Chamber 

 such recommendations for its action as will 

 enable it to contribute its influence, not only 

 to the early adjustment of the Fishery ques- 

 tion, but to aid in procuring such legislation 

 as will promote the interests of the commerce 

 of this country, should such action be 

 deemed desirable. 



" I don't think I can add anything to what I have 

 said," was the response. " That was from a speech 

 I made a few days before leaving England." 



Canadian Independence 



" But if commercial union were brought about, 

 would it lead to the absolute independence of Canada 

 from Great Britain ? " 



" I said," replied Mr. Chamberlain, ** if com- 

 mercial union meant free trade between the United 

 States and Canada, and at the same time the continu- 

 ance of protective duties on the part of Canada 

 against the mother country, that undoubtedly an 

 arrangement of that kind would lead the English 



