[Newspaper]
Publication: The Globe
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
vol. 50, no. 13765, p. 4, col. 5
NEWS FROM MONTREAL
McGill Medical Convocation — The Dry
Goods Men and the Tariff — The Glass
Company’s Threat.
Montreal, April 5. — (Special.) — The members of the Wholesale Dry Goods Association claim that their views on the tariff revision have been misunderstood. They demand further reduction of duty except in the case of ready-made clothing. They are in favor of ad valorem and opposed to specific duties. They are opposed the reimposition of any of the higher rates of duty which prevailed under the old tariff, except in the case noted. They are not in favor of any changes which will result in any protection to manufacturers which has been removed or lessened by the present revision of the tariff being restored in whole or in part, with the exception noted. Under the old tariff dry goods paid ad valorem duties of 22 1-3, 25 and 27 1-2 per cent.; under the new system of scheduling they are put in with woollen goods, which were formerly under a specific duty of ten cents per pound and 20 per cent ad valorem, and are now placed under a duty of 30 per cent. The association does not ask that all woollens be placed under the old system of mixed specific and ad valorem duties, or under the old rates. They do not want the woollen cloth duties, which were formerly ten cents per pound and 20 per cent ad valorem, restored. They prefer the present reduced rate of 30 per cent ad valorem. But they do want dress goods removed from the woollen schedule and placed by themselves, and the old duties upon them restored precisely, because the old duties were pure ad valorem ones and were lower than the present duties upon these goods, both low-priced and high-priced. The Government has increased the duties all round. the the Dry Goods Association want them reduced all round. With regard to velveteen, shawls, higher classes of carpets, etc., the members want the duties reduced. The only instance in which the Dry Goods Association have asked for an increase in the duties is in the case of ready-made clothing. Under the old duty of 10 per cent per pound and 25 per cent ad valorem the coarse makes of heavy clothing were protected to the extent, it is roughly estimated, of about 60 per cent; under the new tariff an ad valorem duty of 32 1-2 per cent is substituted. As cloths pay a duty of 30 per cent, the ready-made clothing manufacturer has protection to the extent of only 2 1-2 per cent. under the new tariff. The ready-made clothing members of the association asked the association to petition the Government to reimpose the old mixed specific and ad valorem duties and the old rates. The Association refused to sanction any return to the specific duties system, even in one instance, but it did consent to ask the Government to advance the new rate from 22 1-2 to 40 per cent.
The annual convocation of the medical faculty of McGill University for conferring degrees took, place this afternoon, and was largely attended. Sir Donald A. Smith, Chancellor of the University, presided. The devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. Dr. Cornish. The Dean of the faculty, Dr. Craik, read out the list, after which the Chancellor presented the prizes to the successful students and Prof. R. F. Ruttan, Registrar of the Faculty of Medicine, administered the usual oath. The “capping” was performed by the acting Principal, Prof. Johnson. Forty-eight graduates received their diplomas. Dr. A. Davidson delivered the valedictory on behalf of the graduating class of 1894, and the reply on behalf of the faculty was made by Dr. James Bell. The Dean of the faculty announced two donations. One was a bequest of $3,000 from the late Miss Jane Learmont, and the other an oil painting of Dr. Robertson, which was presented by the friends of the deceased gentleman who founded the Medical School seventy years ago.
The Government appears to have come to a decision about the duty on tea and coffee, for Mr. O’Hara, acting Collector of Customs, received the following despatch this morning from the Controller of Customs: — "Tea and coffee coming on through bill of lading from countries of growth and production, whether transhipped or not, are free."
Jean L. Labrecque the defaulting clerk of the Banque Nationale, to-day pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery, and was sentenced to twenty three months’ imprisonment.
Mr. D. A. Budge, Secretary of the Montreal Young Men’s Christian Association, has decided to refuse the offer of the Toronto association to go there as their Secretary, and he has written the Toronto association accordingly.
The Treasurer of the Montreal General Hospital has received a joint contribution from a father and son of $5,000 to the renovation fund. Over $25,000 of the $55,000 required has been subscribed.
The Diamond Glass Company, manufacturers of insulators, fruit jars and table ware, threaten to close down their factory here, and their branches in Hamilton and Burlington, as a result of the tariff changes on glassware. Mr. William Yuile, the President, says that the Ministers when here on their tour gave him to understand that there would be no change. He says that he cannot compete against Germany unless the old duty is restored; if the old duty is not restored the men must accept a reduction of wages or else all the factories will close down. The factory here employs between 400 and 500 men, and the branches at Hamilton and Burlington about 300.
The General Committee of the Quebec branch of the Dominion Alliance to-night adopted a resolution congratulating Mayor Kennedy of Toronto on his refusal to receive a deputation of liquor sellers.
The annual general meeting of the Montreal Gas Company resulted, as intimated last night, in the complete victory of Mr. H. S. Holt and his friends. The following directors were elected: — Messrs. H. S. Holt, Hugh McLennan, Robert Mackay, Hector Mackenzie and John Crawford. The other four directors, whose term expires next year, are Messrs. Jesse Joseph, Robert Benny, J. P. Dawes, and Harry Joseph. The directors meet on Monday to choose a new President, but there is no doubt that Mr. Holt will be the man. Mr. Crawford has expressed his desire to retire. He will be succeeded by French-Canadian representative, probably ex-Ald. Rolland. The meeting decided to issue $500,000 new stock, thus increasing the capital to $3,000,000.
