[Newspaper]
Publication: The Globe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
vol. 60, no. 16950, p. 9, col. 1-2
BUSINESS MEN
AND THE TARIFF.
How Mr. Fielding’s Budget is
Regarded in Montreal.
PRICE OF OIL REDUCED.
The Woollen Trade Not
Altogether Satisfied.
Iron and Steel Industries at Sault Ste.
Marie and Sydney Expected to Benefit
— General Opinion Elsewhere.
(Special Despatch to The Globe.)
Montreal, June 8. — Mr. Fielding’s budget came with little surprise to business men in general in this city. His past record had inspired confidence in the forecast that there would be no sweeping changes. The "dumping" clause, however, as a new method, as a new method, is already rapidly making friends, particularly as its real significance becomes apparent. The prevailing feeling is that it will relieve where relief is most needed, without injuring relative industries. There are conflicting opinions on the increase afforded to woollen manufactures, the manufacturers themselves being still unsatisfied, and the wholesalers and jobbers convinced that there is no ground for more protection. The latter class are strongly against the new duty going into effect at once, and in order that it might be fixed for a future day, presumbly Sept. 1, a deputation will go to Ottawa to-morrow to urge the Government towards that end. They will argue that orders for goods that have not yet passed through the customs will have to be filled and the increased duty paid entirety at the expense of the jobbers. The manufacturers, on the other hand, are considering a presentation of their side of the case, viz, that if the date is set in the future the trade will meantime overstock with imported goods.
The Globe correspondent to-day interviewed a number of manufacturers and merchants in general, and secured the following opinions : —
The Woollen Trade.
Mr. George B. Fraser, Chairman of the dry goods section of the Board of Trade, said that the increase on woollen goods would help those who did not need it, and could not help those who did need it. What some of the mills needed most of all was renewal. "lock, stock and barrel."
Mr. John Turnbull, President of the Paton Manufacturing Company (woollens) of Sherbrooke, had not yet considered the change sutficiently to press an opinion.
Mr. S. H. McDowall, Secretary of the Excelsior Woollen Mills, said the increase was not enough. They wanted a net duty of at least 35 percent. He believed with less than that the industry could not survive.
Mr. Joseph Horsfall, Manager of the Montreal Woollen Mills, said that enough had not been given to redeem the mills that had been going behind for several years. A net duty of at least 35 per cent. was, in his opinion, the least that would be effective.
Mr. Benjamin Tooke of Tooke Bros., manufacturers of neckwear, said the reduction in duty on material for neckties was a very sensible thing and should place the Canadian manufacturers in a position to hold their business. The industry now enjoys the average protection afforded by the proximately 25 per cent.
Appreciates British Preference.
Mr. Robert Meighen President of the Lake-of-the-Woods Milling Company, said :— "1 am not prepared to discuss the new Fielding tariff, I will say, however, that, while I am protectionist, I believe thoroughly in the British preferential tariff. This policy, in my opinion. will in time bring great benefits upon Canada, and particularly upon that great class of producers, the Canadian farmer."
Iron and Steel Industries.
Mr. J. P. McNaughton, selling agent of the Dominion Iron & Steel Company, said that, although the “dumping” clause would protect the products of the company he represented from the overflow of foreign manufactures, efficient appraisers would have to be appointed by the Government. The Dominion Iron & Steel Company were well able to supply the whole of the railway trade of Canada.
Mr. William Swaill, manager of the Canada Horse Nail Company, thought there should be general approval of the "dumping” clause, but it would be necessary to have efficient appraisers. It should assist the Dominion Iron & Steel Company, and anything that would tend to rescue Canadian wire nail manufacturers from the dictates of the United States Steel Corporation was a good thing.
Mr. William McMaster, manager of the Montreal Roiling Mills, was heartily in favor of the “dumping” clause, if it could be put into effect at all ports of entry. The effect of such a clause he considered would be very far-reaching, and should prove satisfactory. Manufacturers of all kinds had for long past been exposed to this unfair competition, and he was glad to see the Government recognizing the necessity of giving protection to them. The iron and steel business had been particularly subjected to such unfair competition. The result of the new dumping surcharge would give a great impetus to the trade, and, by encouraging Canadian manufacturers, would also prove of great benefit to the producers of iron and steel from the ore. Although the new tariff specified that the surcharge in the case of pig iron billets, angles, tees, channels, etc., and steel plates, should in no case exceed fifteen per cent., no matter what the margin between the prices charged in Canada and the States. this would prove a very substantial protection to those engaged in that trade, which has been been greatly affected by the American slaughter competition.
Sault Ste. Marie Mills.
Mr. Thomas Drummond of Drummond, McCall & Company, and one of the Soo Reorganization Committee, did not think the tariff changes would affect the steel trade either one way or the other. "I have not had an opportunity as yet," he said, "of looking into the revised schedule, but it seems to me that the only way in which the steel trade will be touched is in connection with the provisions regarding ‘dumping,’ it would be impossible for me, however, to make a statement as to the probable extent of even that until I have had an opportunity to look more closely into Mr. Fielding’s speech."
"The Soo industries are certainly the gainers by the changes in the tariff," was the statement of ex-Mayor Munroe of Sault Ste. Marie on his arrival in the city to-day. "The continued operation of the new steel rail mill is now doubly assured, for the company are certain of offering strong opposition to all foreign concerns. The set-back that the Soo has received is purely a temporary one, caused by the conditions of the financial market, and with proper management the works are bound to succeed."
Cheaper Oil.
"As a result of the changes in the duties on oil, our company will use three barrels for every one it used previous to the budget announcement," said Mr. Roger Miller, General Manager of the Locomotive & Machine Company.
Mr. A. D. Gall, head of the firm of Gall, Schneider & Company, said: — "Through the action of the Government in taking the duty off crude oil and in reducing the duty on refined oil from 5 cents a gallon to 2 1-2 cents a gallon, the consumer in every part of Canada will now be able to get his oil at least two and a half cents cheaper per gallon. When the question of bounty adjusts itself, there may be a further reduction. In dealing with the oil question, the Government have found it possible to assure the Canadian consumer lower prices, and at the same time protect the Canadian producer."
"Mr. Fielding is on the right track in connection with the revised tariff," said Mr. Williamson, manager of the Diamond Flint Glass Company; "it is exactly the principle Canada needs."
Dr. Johnston’s Work.
Ottawa, June 7. — (Special.) — Dr. Johnston, M.P. for West Lambton, has every reason to be satisfied with the Government policy in regard to the coal oil duties. The doctor has been a persistent advocate of a reduction of the duty on crude oil, without lowering of the duty on the refined article, and has urged his views on the Government in season and out of season.