Page:The empire and the century.djvu/136

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OUR TRADE WITH ARGENTINA
105
British Imports from Argentina. British Exports to Argentina.
Million £. Million £.
1900 13·1 1900  7·1
1901 12·4 1901  6·8
1902 14·0 1902  6·9
1903 19·1 1903  8·0
1904 23·0 1904 10·8

—figures which closely resemble those of our trade with Canada during the same period.[1] They are, however,


British Wheat Imports, 1904.
From Foreign Countries. From British Possessions.
Million Cwt. Million Cwt.
Russia 23·5 India 25·5
Argentina 21·4 Canada  6·2
United States  7·1 Australia 10·3
Other foreign countries  3·4 Other countries  0·4
Total 66·4 Total 42·4

less favourable; and it is vital to the argument to draw a close comparison between the two cases.

We give every advantage to Argentina that we extend to the Dominion. But Canada gives us a preference and Argentina does not. British goods entering the latter market pay duty at the ad valorem rate of 28 per cent. (the most severe rate levied in any neutral market), while in Canada, under the preferential tariff, the same goods pay at the rate of 17 per cent. only. The distinction is trenchant. Pursue the comparison further. Argentine wool enters our ports upon the same terms as Australian, and

  1. Last year Argentina came third on the list of wheat-growing countries shipping to the British market. But we also received 8,000,000 cwt. from the United States, and 2,000,000 cwt. from Canada.