THE FARMER'S INTEREST. I99 



conspicuous illustration of this satisfaction in the remarks 

 of the protectionist journal, the Halifax Mail (May i 

 1888), relative to the repeal of the Canadian fruit duties, 

 in an editorial entitled, *' Cheaper Fruits and Berries." 

 It said : " These changes in the tariff will place within 

 the reach of our citizens a more bountiful supply of 

 cheaper berries and fruits during the ensuing season.'' 

 The question arises, if fruits and other so-called nat- 

 ural products are made " cheaper " and more " bountiful 

 in supply," and placed more " within the reach of our 

 citizens " by reason of such freedom, why should not the 

 same results follow to the farmer citizen, if manufactures 

 were put upon the free list ? If articles are placed 

 " within reach of citizens " by being made " cheaper " 

 through the removal of tariff obstructions, we have to 

 conclude that the consumers of such articles have here- 

 tofore paid the duties, and have by these removals gained 

 an advantage as consumers, without corresponding loss 

 in income as producers. If so, why should not the 

 "cheapening" of manufactures by free trade in them, 

 " place them in more bountiful supply " and " within 

 the reach of the farmers," or increase the farmers' advan- 

 tages as consumers, without diminishing their power as 

 producers ? It can hardly be said that the home supply of 

 manufactures is greater than the home supply of " fruits 

 and berries." ' If the increase of price in farm products 



manufacturing ; yet her customs laws collect less than $1,000,000 

 upon the import of products which come at all into competition with 

 her farmers ; whereas over $13,000,000 are collected from foreign 

 manufactures. 



' The fruit growers of Nova Scotia have now (January, 1890) a 

 petition before the Dominion government asking for a reimposition of 

 fruit duties, but even the representatives of the fruit-raising constitu- 

 encies have not courage, at this date, to define their real economic 

 views upon this matter. 



