The support given Skagway in its efforts to secure the right to carry Canadian goods in bond for sale in the interior by the White Horse Star is appreciated, and the invitation of that paper to our chamber of commerce to circulate petitions for an
endorsement of our position in Dawson, White Horse, Atlin and Bennett should be accepted. P. Scharschmidt, editor of the White Horse Star, is one of the best informed men in the north on all matters in connection with Canadian customs affairs and his suggestions may be followed with profit.
The information that the Canadian statutes already make provision for cases of this kind is gratifying, and holds out the hope that with proper action there
should be no great delay in securing the right sought.
The contention made by the Star that in this instance at least, Skagway's cause is that also of the interior points, whose merchants desire an accessible supply depot, from which to secure goods at a reasonable price and quickly, is self evident. The
Dominion government is now interesting itself in encouraging the development of the Yukon, and if it be made aware that the business men of that territory desire that Skagway merchants be extended the privilege of carrying Canadian goods in stock without being required to pay Canadian duty when they are shipped across the line there seems no reason to doubt that the commissioner of Canada customs will grant the request. This view is supported by the fact that must be apparent to the commissioner that Canadian trade would be expanded by his giving his seal of approval to the plan. If the Skagway stores were added to the list of distributers of Canadian goods, their sales would certainly be largely increased.
Now is the time for the Skagway chamber of commerce to act. The Yukon steamers will soon tie up for the winter. Then, the means of communication will be more
difficult and more time will be consumed if the correspondence be put off until that time. If the purpose be to have all these things regulated by the opening of navigation next year, and it certainly should be the aim, there is not one day to !ose.
P. Scharschmidt is a good man to handle the matter inside. He has already offered to undertake the task. The chamber of commerce should put itself in correspondence with him. Officials of the White Pass and Yukon have offered to work in connection with the chamber of commerce to secure this much desired right. The chamber should avail itself of the tender. Now is a time when every business man and property owner should forget everything save the fact that there is work to be done to make Skagway THE CITY of the north. By doing this work every individual will promote his own prosperity and be doing a service to every miner and merchant accessible by this route to the Interior.
Let's quit talking and get to work.
