Thus the much-boasted British preference is to a large extent a delusion. In spite of the preference, British goods still pay a higher average tax on entering Canada than American goods. Here are the figures:–
CANADIAN IMPORT DUTIES
Year ending June 30
Average Duty on British Goods
Average Duty on American Goods
1897
21.1 per cent
14.3 per cent
1901
18.3 per cent
12.4 per cent
Even if it is claimed that the act was a pure offering of goodwill, it is not contended that the colonies will generally follow the example, making concessions and receiving no preference in return. The only Zollverein proposal which claims serious discussion is one based upon the general adoption of preferential treatment within the Empire, involving on the part of Great Britain herself an abandonment of Free Trade with foreign