Speech #530116880

I believe that the present depression in business is owing in a great measure to the proposed change in tariff. Manufacturers realize that if we have free trade with the rest of the world they can not compete successfully until the price of labor is the same here as it is in foreign countries. and in anticipation of the change. to prevent financial ruin. many have already closed down. and the thousands of men thus out of employment have to turn their attention to farming. which makes an overproduction in that line. and no home market. because the factories are closed. They further state: I would respectfully call your attention to a matter that affects the interest of the Pacific coast States perhaps more than any other section of our country. and that is that there is no restriction in Chinese immigration into British Columbia (excepting a poll tax of $50 per head). and many of them are now employed in the mills and mines of that country. which will enable the mill and mine owners of British Columbia. if their products are admitted free of duty. to undersell the products of our own mills and mines in our home market. which will take a large amount of money out of our country to build up theirs. and we get nothing in return. That. Mr.