MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the event of a treaty being concluded between Canada and a foreign country bringing into operation the Canadian intermediate tariff in regard to that country, it would be a contravention of such treaty to lower the preferential tariff in the absence of any stipulation providing for the freedom of action of Canada in respect of such tariff'.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYAs I informed the hon. Member on the 18th instant, the grant of the intermediate tariff to any foreign country would not prevent the Canadian Government from altering the British preferential tariff in the future.
MR. PIKE PEASEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the proper channels for negotiations between Canada and Foreign Powers; and whether anyone is, at 265 present, entrusted with plenipotentiary or other powers to conduct, on behalf of Canada, direct negotiations with such foreign countries.
§ SIREDWARD GREYThe proper channels for negotiations between Canada and Foreign Powers are His Majesty's Diplomatic Representatives abroad, instructed by His Majesty's Government, who may associate with them any agent selected by the Canadian Government, should that Government desire it. The answer to the second part of the question is that no special powers or instructions of the kind suggested have been issued, but His Majesty's Representative at Washington has for some time been engaged in the discussion of outstanding questions with the United States Government.