SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information in his possession showing the feeling of the Canadian Government and. people as to the results in the increase of mutual trade attending the preference of 25 per cent. given to British goods on the termination of the prohibiting treaties in 173 1898, and increased to 33⅓per cent. in 1900; if his attention has been called to the recent declaration on the same subject of the Premier of New Zealand; and, if it is proposed to discuss the development of trade between all parts of the British Empire on mutually advantageous terms and on a preferential basis in the conferences between himself and the representatives of the Colonies attending His Majesty's Coronation.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have no official information as to the feeling of the Government and people of Canada in regard to the results of the preferential tariff accorded to British goods. My attention has been called to the declaration of the New Zealand Premier, and it is proposed to discuss the commercial relations of the Empire with the representatives of the self-governing Colonies when they come here for the Coronation.