SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in consequence of Canada's admission of British goods into the markets of the Dominion at a reduction of one-third the duty charged upon foreign goods, under the powers accorded by the denunciation in 1897 of the treaties with Germany and Belgium, Canada is excluded from most-favoured-nation treatment in German markets, notwithstanding that the Dominion treats Germany upon the same footing as all foreign nations; and, if so, will he explain why Her Majesty's Government has acquiesced in such treatment of a portion of the British Empire, while goods passing between the several States of Germany are as in the United States of America treated preferentially compared to foreign nations.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Viscount CRANBORNE,) RochesterIt is the case that Canada is at present excluded from most-favoured-nation treatment in German markets. We regret that this should be so, but in the absence of a Commercial Treaty between this country and Germany that Power is, of course, able to regulate her tariffs in accordance with her own views. The matter is one to which we attach much importance, and we shall constantly bear it in mind.
§ LIEUT.-GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)When the commercial treaty with Germany is negotiated will the matter be borne in mind, so that Canada may have fair consideration?
§ * VISCOUNT CRANBORNEYes, Sir.