new law through for a certain purpose, and he was willing to wait
patiently until he could secure the desired end.

His opportunity came at the Conference.

After the Colonial Secretary had answered the premiers that he thought
it better to wait a while before federating, the Canadian Prime Minister
made a very earnest speech.

Having first stated that the time had come to take some decided action,
he said that he and all the other premiers were of one mind that Great
Britain should make an end of all her treaties with foreign countries
which hampered her trade with her colonies.

He added that if this were done the various governments would see if
some arrangement could not be made by which a preference would be given
to British manufactures.

These remarks met with the most enthusiastic indorsement from the other
prime ministers, who requested that they be embodied in a resolution,
and presented to the Colonial Secretary for parliamentary consideration.

Mr. Chamberlain therefore laid the matter before the government, and it
was thereupon decided to end the two treaties mentioned.

Notice was accordingly sent to both Germany and Belgium that the
existing treaties would cease on July 30, 1898.

Canada and the colonies are highly elated over this matter, for it is
understood that this is but the first step toward federation.