§ MR. J. F. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he has observed that the new Canadian tariff provides for preferential trade relations with the Mother Country; and (2) whether Her Majesty's Government will embrace the earliest opportunity of recognising and, if practicable, reciprocating the action of the Government of the Dominion in this important matter?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN, Birmingham, W.)The answer to the first part of the lion. Member's Question is in the affirmative. Her Majesty's Government cordially appreciate the friendly spirit which is shown by the action of the Dominion Government, but I understand that the proposals do not depend on any alteration of the system of free trade established in the United Kingdom.