Page:The empire and the century.djvu/136

 {| class="table horizborder"
 * colspan=2 |British Imports from Argentina. ||colspan=2|British Exports to Argentina.
 * |||Million £.|| ||Million £.
 * 1900|||13&middot;1||1900|||&ensp;7&middot;1
 * 1901|||12&middot;4||1901|||&ensp;6&middot;8
 * 1902|||14&middot;0||1902|||&ensp;6&middot;9
 * 1903|||19&middot;1||1903|||&ensp;8&middot;0
 * 1904|||23&middot;0||1904|||10&middot;8
 * }
 * 1902|||14&middot;0||1902|||&ensp;6&middot;9
 * 1903|||19&middot;1||1903|||&ensp;8&middot;0
 * 1904|||23&middot;0||1904|||10&middot;8
 * }
 * 1904|||23&middot;0||1904|||10&middot;8
 * }
 * }

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

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