§ Mr. HUNTasked whether, in view of the fact that reciprocity with the United States had been definitely rejected by the people of Canada, and in view of the fact that Mr. Bryce assisted in making the late proposed reciprocity treaty with the United Sates, he had given or would give Mr. Bryce instructions not to again render assistance in the negotiation of a similar treaty?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, Sir. The instructions given to His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington from time to time in matters concerning Canada will be to give assistance to the Canadian Government. He will be as much at the disposal of the present Canadian Government as of their predecessors, and the action of the Ambassador will never in such matters as are contemplated in the question be contrary to the policy of the Canadian Government of the day.
§ Mr. HUNTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if we are to understand that Mr. Bryce is to have further unlimited opportunities of assisting President Taft to break up the British Empire?
§ Sir E. GREYMr. Bryce will have every opportunity of assisting the Canadian Government of the day when they require his assistance, and I am confident that that Government will never ask for his 688 assistance for any such purpose as the hon. Gentleman has mentioned.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it not a fact that President Taft said his object was to break up the British Empire, and did not Mr. Bryce help him?
§ Sir E. GREYI am not aware of any such statement by President Taft, but I emphatically contradict any such action as that attributed to Mr. Bryce by the hon. Member.