UNITED STATES AND CANADA 107 



every concession as though it were a loss and sacri- 

 fice to the other. (Cheers.) Another general ob- 

 servation I will venture to make, and it is one to 

 which I anticipate general assent. Anything which 

 can increase and develop commercial relations 

 between the two countries is not only a good thing 

 in itself, but it tends to bring about this good feeling 

 which I desire. (Hear, hear.) It appears to me 

 that the prospects of improved relations with the 

 United States never looked more hopeful — (ap- 

 plause) — and I think these will come, independent 

 of bargain or negotiations. What is passing in the 

 United States at this moment leads me to believe 

 that circumstances at no distant date will force the 

 Government of that country to remodel its tariff in 

 a more liberal spirit. Whatever party is in power, 

 in my opinion, it is certain that in a few years the 

 tariff will be diminished or altered so that it will 

 cease to be a wall of commercial exclusion between 

 the United States and the rest of the nations of the 

 world. (Applause.) If this change comes about, 

 as I predict — although I know how dangerous it is 

 to attempt to prophesy — what influence will it have 

 upon your tariff on this side of the line ? It is quite 

 true that you are not burdened — and not likely to 

 be at an early date — ^by a surplus of 120 millions — 

 (laughter) — but I trust it is only the United States 

 which is likely to suffer from this plethoric con- 

 dition. (Laughter.) There are other considera- 

 tions which may not tend in a similar direction. 

 What is the most urgent need of Canada at this 

 moment ? It is the development, the early and 



