THE FARMER'S INTEREST, I93 



markets of Canada to the farm productions of the United 

 States, is to open such markets to the only competitors 

 worth considering. 



The more that is known of American protection, 

 either in the United States or in Canada, the more it will 

 be found that its aims are not for the benefit of all 

 classes, but for a special class. Either this or protec- 

 tion is a delusion. It was well said by Sir John's organ, 

 the Toronto Empire: "As far as the manufacturer is 

 concerned, cheapening food (by imports), which the 

 country cannot raise in sufficient quantities, is a protec- 

 tive measure, not an abandonment of protection." We 

 presume this to be an authoritative exposition of the real 

 sentiments of the leading Canadian protectionists who 

 are giving the cause political guidance. Gradually the 

 farmer must be borne on to the conclusion, that the 

 national policy of Canada is not for his benefit ; and that 

 when the protectionist politician, whether innocently or 

 otherwise, signifies his willingness to support a policy of 

 free trade in " natural products only," he is one who 

 would sacrifice the farmers for the benefit of the 

 manufacturers ! and that the protective policy of Canada, 

 when properly looked into, like its prototype in the 

 United States, means protection for the manufacturers 

 and plutocracy, and for them only. 



If it be contended the farmers, through protection to 

 manufacturers, gain indirectly, by the increase of home 

 markets, we answer : Would not universal free trade in 

 natural products, or farm products, be making these very 

 markets free markets for the farm products of the world ? 

 If this is so, then what becomes of the theory of building 

 up home markets for the farmers ? 



The Hon. Charles Tupper, in a speech at Beaverton, 

 9 



