re important as a
relief to the consumer than as a means of buying markets abroad for the
producer. Instead of waiting for the distant day when Great Britain
should set up a tariff and give Canada reciprocal preference, the
Liberals now pressed for giving an immediate and unconditional
preference on British goods. A resolution to this effect, moved in the
House of Commons by Mr, now Sir Louis, Davies, was voted down by the
Conservative majority, but it was to bear notable fruit later.

[1] _Confederation Debates_, p. 44.

[2] See p. 131.

[3] 'During the last few years of his life, when asked if he were an
Imperial Federationist, he would reply somewhat after this fashion:
"That depends on what you mean by Imperial Federation. I am, of
course, in favour of any feasible scheme that will bring about a closer
union between the various portions of the Empire, but I have not yet
seen any plan worked out by which this can be done. The proposal that
there should be a parliamentary federation of the Empire I regard as
impracticable. I greatly doubt that England would agree that the
parliament which has sat during so many centuries at Westminster,
should be made subsidiary to a federal legislature. But, however that
might be, I am quite sure that Canada would never consent to be taxed
by a central body sitting at London, in which she would have
practically no voice; for her proportionate number of members in such
an assembly would amount to little more than an honorary
representation. That form of Imperial Federation is an idle dream. So
also, in my judgment, is the proposal to establish a uniform tariff
throughout the Empire. No colony would ever surrender its right to
control its fiscal policy."'--Pope, _Memoirs of Sir John Macdonald_,
vol. ii, p. 213.

[4] Address on Canada and her Relations with the Mother Country.
Newcastle-on-Tyne, November 21, 1895.

{153}

CHAPTER VIII

THE END OF A REGIME

Abbott and Thompson--Tariff reform--Manitoba school question

The strain of a winter campaign proved too great for Sir John
Macdonald's weakened frame. On June 6, 1891, died the statesman who so
long had guided the destinies of Canada. All Canada felt the loss. No
one else voiced the common judgment with such discrimination and
generosity as did the leader of the Opposition. Speaking in parliament
a few days later, Mr Laurier declared:

Sir John Macdonald now belongs to the ages, and it can be