40. Mr. 'MACQUISTENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the conferences with General Andrews, of the United States of America, in respect to the suppression of smuggling and granting rights of search of British or alleged British ships or other means of freighting cargoes of drink, he will insist that reciprocal facilities will be given to this country and its dependencies?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement made on this subject in this House on the 27th July, and to the White Paper issued in May (Command 2647). 1 do not understand how the question of the grant of reciprocal facilities to this country and its dependencies arises.
Mr. MACGUISTENHas the right hon. Gentleman been informed of any case of an American citizen being poisoned by liquor smuggled by their own nationals or Britishers into America? Has his attention been called to the poisoning of over a score of British nationals in British territory by poisonous drink smuggled by Americans into British territory; and does he not think he might suggest to General Andrews that he should return to his own country and amend the disgraceful state of affairs there?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI deprecate the tone of my hon. and learned Friend's question. It really is not that which we should adopt towards another great 2616 and friendly nation. I have no doubt that the American Government are as anxious to put a stop to improper trading on the Canadian frontier as are the Canadian Government.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENAm I not entitled to be indignant at British citizens being poisoned?