§ 38. Mr. MACMASTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased prices of food, he will now, in the general interest of the people of this country, take steps to remove the restrictions on the importation of Canadian cattle?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. Acland)The restrictions to which the hon. Member apparently refers apply to cattle other than those intended for slaughter at the port of landing, and the President of the Board is not, as at present advised, prepared to introduce the legislation that would be necessary to remove the restrictions in question. With regard to the importation for slaughter at the port of landing, of fat cattle from Canada, upon which there is no embargo, the President is now carefully considering what arrangements can be made for the 2271 re-creation of foreign animal wharves for the reception of such cattle, this form of trade having practically ceased of late years.
§ Mr. MACMASTERI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any evidence at this time of disease existing among Canadian cattle?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir; but the House ought not to forget that Canada has a long coterminous frontier with the United States, and there is a certain amount of disease in the United States.
§ Mr. MACMASTERMay we take that answer as meaning that, as regards Canada, these restrictions are nothing more or less than disguised protection of one industry of this country in conflict with the general interests of the consumer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of argument.