Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether negotiations concerning the Japanese treaty were carried on between the Japanese Ambassador in London and this Government; whether the British Ambassador to Japan was also occupied in negotiations with the Japanese Foreign Minister; and, if so, whether the same course was pursued in regard to the reciprocity arrangement between Canada and the United States; and if pourparlers on the matter occurred between the British Government and the American Ambassador in England?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative, though some communication passed between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Japanese Government. The answer to the rest of the question is in the negative.
Sir G. PARKERMay I ask what reason there should be, where British interests are so vitally affected by the reciprocity negotiations between Canada and the United States, that no pourparlers should take place between America and this Government as in the case of France?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI do not quite appreciate the connection of the two things. This negotiation was carried on between the Japanese Ambassador and the Foreign Office and Board of Trade here. It is quite a different case from that which the hon. Gentleman suggests.