oe cs eee enemas: Altai cif. Cane ps es nm an i t ‘i fi { \ A ene fener anne ae _ eae ee es ee —- ee Bigs Rem eS : oo Se ee Trade of P. E. Island. GEORGE MACLEOD REFPORE THE rRADE ARGU- rRADE WITH THE SPEECH BY MK CHARLOTTETOWN BOARD O! MENT IN FAY STATES KR OF FREI Mr. Macteop introduced the subject by stating that he would discuss the matter ‘ly froma P. E. Island standpoint. ’ confederation of seven provinces, and if each of these declared plainly through its representative B: ards of Trade its opinion as to how its individual interests would be affected by free trade relatiens with the United States, there could be no difficulty, when the returns for all were in, of arriving at a conclusion as to that policy which should best serve the interests of all, but should each undertake to pass resolutions as to the general inter- ests of the Dominion the same definite results could not be arrived at. We should drst examine the progress of the Island for some years back, and en- deavor to find out whether we required any improved commercial conditions. He would adopt the following tests :— POPULATION. He found that the population of the Provinces was in 1871, 4,021; in 1881, 108,891 ; showing an increase in ten years of 14,870, equal to 15.8, per cent while Canada during the same period had increased from 3,639,000 to 4,324,000; that is 689,000, equal to18.97 percent. He next took Charlot- tetown, which he thought should fairly reflect the progress of the Island, which in 1881 had a population of 10,287, and in 1886, 11.000.an increase of 713, equal to 6.93 per cent the smallest increase of the principal thirteen ¢ities and towns of the Dominion, with the exception of St. Catherine’s and Guelph, while the average increase of the remaining twelve cities was 39.93, (or deducting Winnipeg, which it would be unfair to include) 20.61 per cent. REAL ESTATE VALUES. entire Canada was a rhe asaessed value of real and person v1 estate of Charlottetown increased bet L&81 and 1886 from $2,520,280 to $2,591,525, equal to 2.82, per cent, or the least among the thirteen said cities whose average— excluding Winnipeg and Sherbroke (the returns for 1881 in the latter want- ing) was 30.27. EXPORTS EOR TEN YEARS. ween being Dn 3 wits beeen . $1,665,519 ies ws ae enor ry 1878... .«« 1,700,752 i - c6 dene éakaneeen ‘ 1,831,387 1880 1,736,533 ISSI. 1,774,846 1882 1,887,146 a 1,318,549 Coke ce¥ihc when 1,310,039 1885. . 1,494,469 RAS 5 RR I 1,566,267 showing a decrease of $99,252 in 10 years. IMPORTS FOR TEN YEARS. BN < os . .$1,333,505 sila a - ocani nee Ace es ee? s cectece Baetae i aie cnd Lek ws cece ai ne 835,569 SE os Waa 807,063 1881. 965,205 1882. 737,321 1883 682,170 1854. . 822,765 1885. 780,141 1886. 632,171 showing a decrease of $701,334 in ten years. BANK RETURNS—P. E. ISLAND. 1876. 1886. Current ac. balances. 415,000 184,000 Deposits on interest. 594,000 161,000 Loans .. 1,485,000 694,000 (These did not include the returns of one bank, but might be fairly takeu to re- present at least four-fifths of the whole, and this omission in both years was not likely to alter the relative position of the fi gures). Mr. Macleod then urged the following reasons for expectation of more than ordinary prosperity on the part of this Province : P. E. Island was the best fishing station in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Its soil was unusually fertile it had probab- ly thelargest proportion of cultivable land in the Dominion, easy to cultivate, sound and healthy, and capable of giving excellent crops of roots, grain and grass. It possess- ed great facility for obtaining manure in the shape of mussel mud, swamp soil and fish offal. (His authority for above was Local Governmeut Blue Book.) The census returis of 1881 shows tiiat only half the area of P. E. Island is cultivated. That in field products it raises to the acre of improved land 108% bushels, while the other Provinces raise only 61} bushels. He also referred to the wonderful immunity the Island enjoyed fror these climatic conditions which renders the labors of the farmer precarious—such as long continued droughts, early frosts, tornadocs, etc., from which the Western States, as well as some of the other Canadian Provinces suffer, and emphasised the fact, by referring to our excellent all- round crops this very year, while the United States and nearly all of the other Canadian Provinces have suffered largely from the continuance of severe droughts. In viewing the commercial results as shown from the foregoing statistics he could come to no_ other con- clusion than that they were not at all commensurate with such natur- ally prosperous conditions as he enumer- ated. Mr. Macleod then continued : I shall now consider the reason why, and I shall endeavor to show you that a princi- pal cause of our lack of prosperity lies in the fact of our being deprived through a hostile tariff of a free market in that coun- try which the laws of nature have un- mistakably demonstrated to be our princi- ple market —the United States of America. Our nearest market is the neighboring pro- vinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick with a population of 761,805, with a climate very similar to our own, and consequently where they have the soil growing to some extent the same productions as ourselves. The production of oats and potatoes in these Provinces was in 1881 as follows :— N. S. na OOS. Oats, bush .....1,873,000 3,297,009 3,538,000 Potatoes, bush. 7.378,000 6,961,000 6,042,000 while the exports were of oats from Nova Scotia, 209,543 bushels and from New Brunswick, 5,175 bushels ; and of potatoes from Nova Scotia, 924,420 bushels, and frora New Brunswick, 126,210. It is evident therefore, that we cannot expect to find a large market in these pro- vinces for oats snd potatoes, and these, as you know, are our chief exports for which markets are wanting. The next most accessible market open free to us is that of an a egnne E Mes PE Re ili A Ae OS ———e “THE DAILY Healers = = the Upper Provinces, but beyond a few oysters, and occasionally some canned fish or an exceptional shipment of potato starel. I am not awe of any shipments from this Provinee,avd in proof of this ] may mention that while the steamers from these Pro vinces come to us with full cargoes, they return, as far as Island products are con: cerned, empty, wit h the above occasional exceptions. Let us now consider where our exports go to, and to enable us to do sc let us analyse the following tabulated state ment, showing our principal customers and the nature of the goods we send them ; DOMINION STATEMENT OF P. E. ISLAND > EXPORTS FOR 1886. Dewmomwsa 2w=rr2oOmce ea Esrsoesack stokes 2s me Oo = KOR OsSaS ee pe ee oe ue:: Ss: pee’ os $: 248: : GO: > ise sae 3 : a & ; ia . : > * S 1-8 : =: St ee eo S m2 5 os Ss ro > > si::: eke Dawes <:s Pos | ha by wt ! To Great & 5 Se 3 Fe Britain. == ss s 8&8 States. 000°189% dOL‘secs 'To B. W. 1. and j | | } = | To France, = 33 cn ! Norway 5 3 s & Sweden. ~ a —— i i , = op s js Oo mt mn wi ns 2 ; Yatton? i elwoBakwx-AaSSrSserne Total OOL‘99C°18 000°T6S = OOOLETS = COT 68 Canned Lobsters.. 165,000. 72c. per case, 17}p. c. Canned Mackerel... 7,000. 72c. per case, 25 p.c. Pickled Mackerel... 74,000 $2 per bbl. 25 p.c. Horfes. ; 65,000 sue Vhe seen 20 p. c. a ee 5,000 P 20 p. c. Let us now examine our exports to Eng- land : ee eee . $298,000 Canned Loneters.........00. 179,000 WN did: cueecn acess 38,000 ER ge kl 18,000 Latterly, you are aware, oats have ruled so low that it has not been profitable to ship them to England, and the prospect as far as we can see at present is by no means encouraging; while in the lobster industry the fish are steadily givingout. Shipbuild- ing, as you know, is now a thing of the past, while it is only in an occasional year that starch can be profitably shipped. It is therefore very evident that we are becom- ing more and more dependent on the United States for a market. WHO PAYS THE DUTY / Presuming we get free trade with the United States, what will be the result? I reply, a market for an increased output of all Island products now exported there (with probably more) at, American market prices without loss to us of duty as at present. Now, I claim that the Island loses at pre- sent the whole duty paid on potatoes, not to mention other products. Take the duty off to-morrow would the shipper not receive 15 cents (amount offpresent duty) more per bushel for his shipment than at present? Certainly he would. I admit that did Amer- ica produce no potatoes her price would be regulated by outside market price; and she would have to pay the duty; but where she produces at least § of what she requires, she estabiishes her own market value, and we wust accept that and pay the duty ourselves. Presuming the American market price, after removal of duty, remains as at present, is it not evi- dent the shipper continues to get the bene- fit of the duty struck off? But, you ask me, if the removal of duty should induce large shipments, will the market, not fall and prevent shippers getting the full bene- fit of the remission? I reply, the law of supply and demand will then come into operation, and raise or depress prices. If increased demand raises price, do we con- tend that we get benefit of more than the 15 cents duty? Then how can we claim that a reduction in price from increased sup- ply will give us less than the 15 cents? The value of the remitted duty does not vary although the market value of the article may, through increased production as a re- sult of that remissiou of duty. Suppose, for example, that next year duty is removed, and instead of exporting 1,000,000 bushels of potatoes, netting us say 20 cents per bushel, we export 3,000,000, will it not re- duce price? Possibly it may—say 2 cents, so that you would get 20c. plus 15ce.=35c. less, 2c.==-33c. Presuming you ship 3,000, - 000 instead of 1,000,000 this year, with duty in force, would it not likewise reduce your net return by 22., viz., from 20c. to 18c. Consequently you must be 15c. better off by removal of duty. Whether increased shipments of potatoes from P. E. Island would reduce the mar ket price in the United States is a matter altogether affected by the laws of supply and demand., The removal of the duty might certainly supply us with a powerful stimulus tv increase our supply and thereby possibly depress prices, but so might any other stimulus, such as famine in the United States. So faras P. E. Island is concerned, it would be well to bear in mind in this connection, however, that any large increase in its productions can only be gradual. It is hardly necessary to consider whether we could compete with the United States in these products which we alread y sell her handicapped by a heavy duty. That fact contains all the proof necessary. It might be useful, however, to note the following important elements in the case : The average yield per acre of potatoes in the United States is 85 bushels. Average yield per acre in P. E. Island, 154 bushels. The Eastern potato-produciug States are old settled States, whose acreage is now abbut fully cultivated, andZconsequently ae woot oS i 2 wes: a [8 Guians. ie ot ec a es | To Newfld. 5 oS uo os tt 9 OS ; and Spy Sows: | St. Pierre. = 325 2233: — cannot greatly increase production, while being surrounded by large manufacturing centres, the demand is likely to yo on in- creasing. Land labor and Jiving are also dearer in these States than here. EXTENT OF OUR MARKET. Our mirket would be found in the follow- ing States inainly ,which aggregate a popu- lation of nearly four times the whole Do- minion of Canada, although I may mention that this season I have had a credit from Savannah for a cargo shipped as far South as that port :—- Popu Bus pota’es 1880. prode’d Maine...... cnr 7,099,625 New Hampshire.. 346,991 3,358,825 Vermont a . 332,286 4,438,172 Massachusetts. .. 1,783,085 3,070,389 New York. . 5,082,871 33,644,807 Pennsylvania ..... 4,282,891 16,284,089 Connecticut....... 622,700 2,584,262 Rhode Island..... 276,531 606,793 New Jersey...... 1,131,116 3,563,793 Maryland...... 934,943 1,497,017 15,442,344 77,048,505 or about 5 bushels per head. Total yield for United States, 1884, was, potatoes, 190,642,000. Total yield for United States, 1886, was, potatoes, 163, - | 000,000, say 34 bushels per capita., of the ‘To United J whole population of the States. Average | yield per acre is 85 bushels. Average price 1885 and 1886 was 45 cents. Percentage retained for consumption in the United States was 99.62 per cent. I have gone thus fully into the consider- ation of the article of potatoes, because it is not only (as already shown in previous de- bates) the most profitable production of our farmer, but also one which—with the pros- pectof a certain market—could be increas- ed to very large proportions. The following statement will show the relative productiveness of our soil in this connection, compared with that of the other Canada. Average yield of putatoes to were: Provinces of : = — | Bush ; ecw 0” Rr eer et 154 From this you will see that the [ nited : Now Trandate: es 135 States is our largest customer and I ask | pranttahn |... go. uc cccckcucccace 129 can there be any more conciusive proof that | Nova Scotia.............ceeceececuuees 129 that country is our natural market than the; Quebec... ......... 0. eee ee 120 fact that on every article we send her, with ; Ontario. ..............-:ceeeeeeeeeees 104 the exception of eggs, we pay a heavy duty. { i To . ‘ 0 P J , en y i P. E. Island would benefit from free o show how heavy their tariff is, let us} : ss * : pee oiled i i trade with the United States in redwed examine our exports and see what percent- ; freights. At present, owing to absence of age the duty bears to their value here : le oe, a eet See . Seek j return freights, our vessels come back Duty. to value | largely in ballast, and the shipper has con- Eggs - ve vee-s$187,000, Free, sequently to pay the cost of freight both Potatoes ........... 147,009. 15c. per bush. 85 p.c | ways. Under free trade we could import }many articles from the United States and thus reduce cost of freight to the exporter. Increased competition, through increased volume of trade, would also tend to a re- . duction in freights. P. E. Island would benetit from free trade with the United States in being able ‘to buy from her more cheaply than she can at present, many of the goods which she at present buys elsewhere. RXPERIENCES OF RECIPROCITY. The remarkable results of this Island's ex- perience of Reciprocity with the United States during the years;1860 to 1865 have -been already pointed out to you during the debate, and I now revert to them simply to meet the argument of those gentlemen who claim that they were attributable largely to the abnormally high prices consequent upon ithe American war. To show that the war ‘was not by any means the main factor in ‘the prices, I call your attention to the printed tabulated statement of my hon. friend, the Hon. D. Ferguson, lately pub- dished in Toe ExaMINeER, in which you will ‘note that the price of oats and potatoes during and after Reciprocity are given as follows: — (The American war, you will ‘remember, closed in 1865.)-—-From 1860 to 1865, during the war, oats averaged 39.05 per bushel; during the same years potatoes averaged 24.35 per bushel ; from 1867 to 1872, after the close of the war, oats aver- aged 46.68 per bushel, and potatoes 26.50 per bushel. So that prices, instead of de- clining with the termination of the war, actually ruled higher for the six years after it was over, than during the years of its con- tinuance. MANUFACTURES. P. E. Island has only a few manufactures, and these find a market largely within its own borders. On enquiry, I find that the gentlemen who control these do not fear the competition of the American manu- facturer should the tariff walls be broken drown, but believe that they will continue to hold their trade. There is one manu- facture here, however, which under free trade with the United States, might assume large proportions. 1 refer to that of »otato-starch. We have ten of these on the Island, and when I tell you that two could supply the wants of the whole Yominion of Canada, you can figure what a wusiness would be open for these factories were the United States market, with their innumerable cotton factories, thrown open tothem. (The starch is used mainly for sizing purposes in cotton factories. ) In conclusion, I would point out that with the United States market open to us, we would have access to the largest manu- facturing country in the world, (in 1880 their manufactures reached 1,112 million sterling, against 818 millions manufactured by England) and te a country whose population ;about doubles itself every twenty-five years, Without some change in our present commercial conditions, I can see little progress ahead for P. E. Island:—with free trade with the SUnited State, I fee! contident we will be in a position te use to full advantage these magnificent elements of prosperity with which nature has so liberally endowed us. Young Men's Literary Society, ST. JAMES’ CHURCH Third Course of Lectures. MHE First }.ecture of the Course will be deliv- ered by REV. EPH SCOTT, A. M., of New Glasgow, N. S. .SuBsectT ‘The False Prophet Mahomet,” on 7 nasees. 13th inst.,at 8 o’clock, in St. James’ ‘all. Admission, 15 Cents, Lec, 12, 1887—2i Be Y your Furniture at John Newson’s. You * can always rely upen his word. He would not (even if he had good grounds) publish at foot o' his advertisement an insinuating paragraph, | raflecting uron trade competitors. He believes ‘in honorabe dealing all round. Such virtue nierits pntdic patronage. U and examine bis fine stock. lai tf aanadiianing eee A ws ate il aa ls A se i nr a 4 a eae mr The Whelan Monument Fund. Six,—Some time last year a meeting was held at St. Peter’s, for the purpose of rais- ing funds to erect a monument to the late Hon. Edward Whelan. A committee was appointed, of whom I was named as one, On being notified, I wrote’ Mr. Underhay as follows :— CnarLorretown, P. E. L, December 23, 1885. MM... Fhe J. OC. Underhay, Fortune. Deak Str,—I am sure it will not be neces- sary for me to tell you that Iam ready and willing to contribute in any way towards the object you have in view; but it has occurred to me that to erect a statue to him, without at the same time doing the same for the Bon George Coles, would not be doing justice to either. No one knows much better than yourself that one was the complement of the other ; and as both gave the best interests of their manhood to the solution of the great questions of their day, terminating happily in the three F’s—Free Lands, Free Schools and Free Franchise—so both, in my opinion, should be equally honored. I have incidentally heard it was intended the Whelan Monument should be erected at St. Peter’s. It is true he was ‘the member for St. Peter's,” but yet his great public ser- vices had made hima member for, and en- deared him to, the Island at large. I am, therefore, of opinion that the proper place for his statue, as well as that of Mr. Coles, should be in front of the Parliament Buildings in Charlottetown, where their great public battles were fought, and their reputations fully established as Patriots and Statesmen. I leave the Island in a few days, and have shown this letter to our mutual friend, A. MeNeill, Esq., oneof Whelan’s oldest and staunchest friends, who agrees with me in its general purport. Will you please confer with him during the winter, and let me hear from you at Ottawa. Should the above meet with the approval of yourself and the other gentlemen of the com- mittee, 1 would suggest the formation of a sub-committee to ascertain the cost of two Esq., suitable stataes, and report during the coming summer to a full meeting of committee. I will be pleased to have your views on the matter, and assuring you of my hearty co- operation, I am, yours truly, Grorck W. How.an. During the summer, enquiries have been made and estimates procured, which are now ready to be submitted, A meeting of the Whelan Memorial Fund Committee is advertised in your issue of to-day, to take place at Warburton & Smaliwood’s office, Cameron Block, on Tuesday, 20th inst., at 8 o’clock, p.m. 1 therefore take this opportunity of request- ing all those who are in sympathy with the above views to be present thereat, with a view of bringing the matter to a successful issue. I am, yours truly, Grorce W. How tan. Watermere, Dec. 13, 1887. THE WHELAN MONUMENT. A MEETING will be held in the Cameron Block, at Warburton & Smullwood’s office, Charlottetown, on TUESDAY, the 20th of Dec., inst., at 8 o'clock, p. m, for the purpose of fur- nishing plans and estimates for Whelan Monu- ment and making arrangemeiuts with regard thereto, All parties interested sre ,requested to attend. All tbe Members of the Committee, appointed at the Morell(Rear) Meeting, are expected to be present. J.C. UNDERHAY, GHORGEK W, HOWLAN, A. B. WARBURTON, Members of Committee, Dec, 13, 1887. Apples, ‘Lemons, Jranges, Onions, &c. BY Auction, THURSDAY, December 15th, at 1l o’clock,— 75 Barrels No. 1 New York Bald wins. 25 do N.S. Baldwins. 10 Bozes Onions. 5 Cases Lemons. 5 «do Oranges, Tea, Candles, Wrapping Paper. &c., to close out consignments. A. McNEILL, Auctioneer, Dec. 12, 1887—2i BY AUCTION, A’ my Salesroom, oa THURSDAY, 45th inst., at if o’clock,— 50 Berrels Choice Winter-keeping Apples, in Tomkins, Bishop Pippins, ; Baldwins, Northern Spy, Nonpareils; also a few Barrels Graven- steins. | G. M. HARRIS, Auctioneer. Dec. 13, 1887. SLEIGH S. DJARTIES wishing to purchase would con: sult their best interests by examining my stock of New and Second-hand Sleighs, which will be sold cheap to suit the times. Repairing of Carriages aud Sleighs promptly attended to and satisfaction guar an,eed. N. B.—Carriages wanting repairiug or trimming, stored free for the winter. Factory and Show Rooms Upper Prince Street, opposite Baptist Church. J. J. SEAMAN. Dec. 13, 1887—eod & wy tl feb 1 GRAND LArIstas Sale. 82 Case; Japanese Goods, direct from Hiogo, Japan. ee BY AUCTION, MONDAY, December 19th, At 11 o'clock, at STEV ENSON’S BUILDING, QUEEN STRERT,— THE Largest and Best-selected and ‘most Ele gant Assortment in this line yet offered here comprising Embroidered Silk Screens and other Fancy Silk Goods, Lacquered Ware in great Hee ng aon mag ag Inlaid Work Boxes, 8, inets, &c., Porcelain, K Bronze Ware ain namelled and ¢ whole invoice, which embraces many valu- able and fancy articles, suitable for a and othes Presents, will be sold without reserve. Catalozues at Sale, A. McNEILL, Dee, 12, 18877—ts Auctioneer. - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1887. Buy Your Christmas Supplies at where you will get everything Fresh, Good and Cheap. women ee ee () — 7 E have on hand a very Large Stock of Choice Groceries, all of which will be Sold at the very Lowest Cash Prices, to suit the times. RAISINS—Over 8,000 pounds, Cooking, Seedless and Table Raisins. CURRANTS—Over 4000 pounds choice, clean fruit. CANDIED PEEL—Citron, Lemon and Orange. RLAVORINGS—Lemon, Vanilla, Almond, Cloves, Cinnamon, &c., &c. SYRUPS—Lemon, Raspberry and Lime Juice. CANNED GOODS - Condensed Coffee, Peaches, Pineapple, Corn, Tomatoes, Peas, Ox. Tongue, Sardines, Corned Beef and Dried Beef, Salmon, Lobsters, &c., &c. SCUIT—Oswego, Sugar and Ginger Wafers, Coffee, Orange, Shrewsbery, Ovtmea] and : coms ame of Plain and Foecy Biscuits. , r CONFECTIONERY —A very fine assortmentjof Mixtures Chocolates, Caramels, Creams and Fancy (ioods. Oranges, Lemons, Apples, Figs, Dates, Pickles, B. powder Almonds, Filberts, Walnuts, &c., &e. CHEAP FOR CASH AT BEER & GOFF’S, Queen and King Squares’ Stores. Dec. 13, 1887.—eod & wky BEER BROS. Good , Xmas Goods, Goods. Latest eae Styles, Fur Lowest Goods. Prices. Dress a Goods. BRHER Jackets, BROS, Ulsters. — re Carpets, Bargains Gilcloths. in Every All kinds of Dry Goods and Department. Millinery at Lowest Prices, Ch’town, Dec. 8, 1887. —sS oes = ———— J See Tor Yousel THE EXCELLENT STOCK OF GOODS FOR 87 HOLIDAY SEASON ’88 NOW OPENING. They are Superior in Quality, Lowin Price, Elegant in Appearance, and no Plush trash, as it is all gone out of fashion, Christmas is drawing near, so do not wait until too late, but call at once on G H. HASZARD, BROWN’S BLOCK. Dec. 3, 1887—eod —_—— HOT WATER HEATING APPARATUS &. HERMANS & SON A RE now prepared to enter on contracts for putting up in Dwellings, etc., on the newest - and most approved plans, the HOT WATER APPARATUS for Heating. The character of the work which the firm of A. HERMANS & SON has been in the habit of performing, is a sufficient guarantee that the Heating Works set up by them will be thorough ard efficient. Parties anxious to inspect the Heating Process, as built by A. Hermans & Son, can do 80 by calling any day at the private residence of the firm, on Bayfield Street. Boilers on hand. Coils, etc., manufactured on the premises as required. A. HERWANS & SON. Charlottetown, November 30, 1887.—6i man Sieoes = — ———— ——————— NEW STORE. NEW GOODS. — TEWART & GATES beg to inform their friends, and all who will favor them with their patronage, that they have opened a New Grocery Store, in the premises formerly known as “the Seven Cent Store,” where they are prepared to give as good value for your money as any house in the trade. _ _ We import direct, and pay cash, and as our expenses are light, we are in a position to do as we say, FLOUR, Choice Brands. TEA, Very Choice. SUGAR, All Qualities, BEST AMERICAN KEROSENE OIL, Very Cheap; a large assortment of General Groceries which we will Sell Very Low. Give us a call and see if we do not mean what we say. Goods delivered to any part of the city. J, STEWART, A. GATES, Dev. 2, 1887—ty th fri wat BEER & GOFFS, * us bi