1September 1993 2 3 John A. Macdonald and the Formation of the National Policy 4 5 ..edited by Marijan Salopek 6 7 ================================ 8 9 ... The resolution speaks not only of a reasonable adjustment of 10 the tariff but of the encouragement and development of 11 interprovincial trade. That is one of the great objects we 12 should seek to attain. Formerly, we were a number of Provinces 13 which had very little trade with each other, and very little 14 connection, except a common allegiance to a common Sovereign, and 15 it is of the greatest importance that we should be allied 16 together. I believe that, by a fair readjustment of the tariff, 17 we can increase the various industries which we can interchange 18 one with another, and make this union a union in interest, a 19 union in trade, and a union in feeling. We shall then grow up 20 rapidly a good, steady and mature trade between the Provinces, 21 rendering us independent of foreign trade, and not, as New 22 Brunswick and Nova Scotia formerly did, look to the United States 23 or to England for trade, but look to Ontario and Quebec, -- 24 sending their products west, and receiving the products of Quebec 25 and Ontario in exchange. Thus the great policy, the National 26 Policy, which we on this side are advocating, would be attained. 27 Hon. gentlemen opposite laughed very much when they heard that 28 part of the resolution relating to reciprocity of tariffs and 29 reciprocity of trade; but I will tell them that, if there is one 30 thing more than another in the minds of the people at the present 31 time, it is this very subject. There is no mistake about it, for 32 during the summer I had the opportunity of visiting all parts of 33 the country, and have met many who profess themselves to be 34 Reformers, Grits, or Liberals, upon whose minds the idea has been 35 impressed. It has taken fast hold of the people of Ontario. 36 Hon. gentlemen may depend upon it that the country will have it. 37 The country will not have the present unjust policy. The country 38 will have fair play, and will not allow our markets to be made 39 use of by the manufacturers of a neighbouring country when they 40 can find no better market elsewhere, and at the same time have no 41 access to their markets. 42 43 Source: Extract, Canada, Parliament, , 1878, p. 854.