January 28, 1910 (11th Parliament, 2nd Session)

Mr. ARMSTRONG.

I wish to draw the attention of the government to an article which appears in the New York ' Herald ' of yesterday. The title of which is ' Dominion government refuses to' accept German concession for the removal of the surtax.' I wish to ask the government whether it is true that they have received a communication from the German government in regard to the removal of the surtax and whether they have decided to take any action in the matter. The article goes on to say that Italy and Belgium, both of whom will be hurt by the Franco-Canadian treaty which goes into effect January 1, are pressing the government for as favourable concessions as France secures and are prepared to retaliate if they are not accorded. I would ask the government whether Italy and Belgium have also pressed on thq government the necessity for better trade relations and whether they have been refused in the same manner as, according to this article, Germany ha3 been. This is an important article, we have the privilege of having a member in the press gallery who represents this paper and whose presence, I am sure, we all appreciate and if the Prime Minister will be good enough to answer those two questions I would appreciate it.