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Mr. Brodie. — We, in the Pi-ovince of Quebec, grow principally fall fruit and 

 early summer apples. Usually we would get pretty fancy prices for our first apples 

 brought to market, but now our market seems to be made a slaughter market for 

 fruit from the States. It is so also in the line of vegetables, and I see that veget- 

 ables are n^med in this resolution. Take tomatoes when they were selling at $2 

 per bushel, in one week five cargoes came from the United States and mined the 

 market completely. Some of our market gardeners have failed and been obliged to 

 sell out, principally those on rented farms. 



Mr. Kbw. — This question has been raised a good many times with regard to the 

 tariff'; but I have heard of no one to-day advocating a free trade policy. Those who 

 have given their views on the general question of protection and free trade have 

 expressed themselves in favour of protection. Xo donbt, some of those gentlemen 

 who have spoken believe in the policy of free trade, but I do not believe that there is 

 one gentleman in tlie room today that would support a general policy of free trade 

 between England and Canada and the United States. Give protection all round or 

 give us none. It is a matter of small importance to a great many in the country; 

 but it is of great importance to the fruit-growers of Canada. Another thing, speak- 

 ing of the settlers in the North-West, thej' buy very little fruit until they buy their 

 substantial fruit — their larger fruit. We can supply that demand. They grow small 

 fruit, enough probably to supply themselves. 



Mr. Thorburn. — No, no. 



Mr. Kew". — I heard those gentlemen on the other side of the room saying they 

 could grow strawberries and raspberries. Why don't they doit ; can they get them 

 in from the Southern States cheaper than they can grow them ? I say we demand 

 our own markets. We do not ask a market from the United States. We have a 

 market in England, and we ask to be given our home market. Where they can 

 grow their small fruits in Manitoba give us the privilege of supplying them with 

 the coarser fruits. If there are any persons in the Xorth-West who want early fruits 

 let them pay for their luxuries. What have the Americans been doing for years, 

 but practising a policy of protection. We cannot afford to be hewers of wood and 

 drawers of water. We must defend ourselves. 



Mr. Peters. — It seems to me to be a matter for mutual consideration and conces- 

 sion. I think we ought to consider our general interests. I propose to do it in this 

 way: I claim that the Maritime Provinces, particularly New Brunswick, would be 

 affected detrimentally by the passing of this resolution. The Provinces of Ontario 

 and Quebec would likely be benefited by it. The Provinces of Jfonitoba and the 

 North-West would probably be injured by it. 



Several Members. — No, no. 



Mr. Peters.— The question is, is it for the interest of Canada, that Nova Scotia, 

 New Brunswick, the North-West and Manitoba should be injured, and Quebec and 

 Ontario be benefited. I believe in Canada for the Canadians every time. Now, the 

 resolution does not embody the opinions as expressed by its mover, from the fact 

 that the resolution is broad. It says fruit and vegetables, without defining those par- 

 ticular fruits and vegetables. 



Mr. Pettit. — They were defined before. 



Mr. Peters. — I got it from Ihe gentleman this morning who addressed us, and 

 said he did not intend it to apply to bananas, oranges, lemons, &c. I cannot forget, 

 however, that the market for New Brunswick small fruit is very largely in the 

 United States. I also gather from the delegates from the North-West and Manitoba, 

 that their supply market is chiefly in the United States. The question then is, 

 shall we re-impose this duty for Ontario and Quebec — magnificent in their propor- 

 tions to the injury of other Provinces ? I will tell you the effect which the United 



States' fruit has upon us. Our people are bound to have strawberries a little earlier 

 than we can produce them, no matter what the cost is. They go on the tables of 

 the rich as a luxury ; but the moment our fruit comes into the market there is no 

 demand for the American fruit. I think that argument will ajjply equally to Ontario 

 and Quebec. I venture the assertion to the gentlemen who are moving in this 



