§ Mr. HUNTasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Bryce, the British Ambassador in America, gave great assistance in bringing about the proposed reciprocity agreement between the united States and Canada, and in view of the fact that this agreement will in some cases reduce, and in other cases entirely do away with. British preference, and also do away with the most-favoured-nation clause, he will instruct British Ambassadors in other foreign countries not to assist in similar negotiations?
§ Sir E. GREYI do not propose to instruct British Ambassadors to withhold assistance from representatives of British Dominions when they ask for it. The assistance which has been given in recent years by more than one British Ambassador to Canadian Ministers has been both useful and acceptable. And in the case of the reciprocity proceedings at Washington the action of Mr. Bryce was, I believe, beneficial both to Canada and the United Kingdom, for in the communications 201 which he had with Canadian Ministers he kept both Canadian and British interests in view.
§ Earl WINTERTONAre we to understand that the assistance of Mr. Bryce was specially asked for by the Canadian Government?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir. I do not remember that it was specially asked for by the Canadian Government because during recent years the Canadian Government have expressed themselves on frequent occasions so grateful to Mr. Bryce for his assistance that it has come to be regarded as a matter of course that when Canadian Ministers go to Washington they will receive his assistance without any special request.
§ Mr. MARTINWould it not be poor policy to prevent Mr. Bryce assisting Canada in view of the fact that Canada gives a preference to this country and has nothing in exchange.
§ Mr. HUNTHas not this preference been very much reduced in some cases and done away with in others; has not the most-favoured-nation clause been done away with?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot say until the Canadian legislation is complete.