HC Deb 15 June 1903 vol 123 cc941-2
MR. BLACK (Banffshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that Canada has differentiated against Germany as compared with certain European nations other than the mother country, he proposes to protect Canada from being on this ground removed by Germany from the category of a most favoured nation by imposing retaliatory duties in Great Britain against Germany.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

Canada has only differentiated against Germany after it had been for five years excluded from the most-favoured-nation treatment in that country in consequence of the preference voluntarily given by Canada to the mother country. The situation thus created is one of the subjects to which I have recently called the attention of the country, and in regard to which I have invited discussion.

MR. BLACK

May I take it that Canada did not differentiate in favour of France at the same time that she differentiated in favour of the mother country.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The hon. Member is aware that the differentiation was in favour of the mother country, accompanied by the statement that certain preferences would be given to any British possession, or, in fact, to any other country which gave reciprocal treatment.