its suggestiveness is too important to be entirely ignored." The feeling of the merchants of St. John's was also said to be tending in the direction of Confederation. "The unionist leaven is slowly and surely permeating the whole commercial lump and preparing the way for that inevitable change in our political system which, judging from the signs of the times, will not be delayed much longer.' Harbour Grace Standard went further than this, and declared that "the acceptance of Confederation is merely the question of a few years," and added that the quicker it came the better if suitable terms could be secured. The During September, Mr. P. T. McGrath, Editor of the St. John's Herald, visited Canada, and, in Toronto, was interviewed by the Globe, of September 26th. He expressed himself as being strongly in favour of Confederation. "While the question is not a live one at present (in Newfoundland), the sentiment in favour of union is steadily growing. The old-time, unreasoning animosity to it has vanished, and it is now being discussed on practical lines.' The advantages to Canada were obvious. The improvement of the St. Lawrence route by means of better lighting arrangements and fog alarm stations off the coast of the Island was the first consideration-the minimizing of the evil which had caused a loss of $2,000,000 through wreckage upon the Canadian route during the past year. The great trade possibilities of the Island were also worthy of regard in this connection. Half a million tons of iron had this year been shipped to Nova Scotia; there was a large lumbering interest developing; the pulp industry was a certainty of the future and the Fisheries were akin to those of the Maritime Provinces in character and mutual interest. Following this expression of opinion the Globe interviewed a number of prominent citizens of Toronto on the subject. Mr. C. B. Watts, of the Dominion Millers' Association, foresaw a greatly-increased market for flour and farm products in Newfoundland, if Confederation were accepted. Confederation, too, would be of the greatest assistance to our Government in handling the Fisheries question, as then the interests of Newfoundland and the Maritime Provinces would be identical." Mr. Andrew Darling thought that union would help in bringing about the fast Atlantic Line through the adoption of increased safeguards on the Canadian route. Mr. W. R. Brock, M.P., favoured the policy but did not want too much added to the debt of Canada, nor did he like the French Shore question. Mr. Gerhardt Heintzman expressed the belief that it would largely increase trade and drive American competition out of the Island. Messrs. S. Nordheimer and R. Gourlay would like to see the French Shore question settled first. A few days later the Hon. J. R. Stratton, M.P.P., of Peterborough, in a lengthy address expressed himself strongly in favour of union. Imperial unity should be preceded by the consolidation of the Empire units. Newfoundland had to buy much of what Canada sold-flour and grain and dairy products. At present this trade was decreasing ; under union it would instantly develop. The Island had coal, iron and copper mines of almost fabulous wealth. He was not alarmed by the French difficulty. "If the French Shore question is to be settled, it can be settled with greater ease by Canada than by England." The French population of the Dominion would help rather than hinder this end. On October 5th, Mr. N. W. Rowell expressed the view that union would help in obtaining a general reciprocity with the United States by giving Canada full control of the Atlantic fishing ground. Messrs. Walter S. Lee, E. F. Clarke, M.P., J. Herbert Mason, Lieut.-Col. H. M. Pellatt and Lieut.-Col. James Mason all favoured Confederation. On October 26th, Dr. G. R. Parkin, C.M.G., told the Globe that the union of the two countries was inevitable. He thought that an active policy of union would hasten the settlement of the French Shore question. Even if France refused to settle it the terms of union should still be consummated. "In my opinion Canada is pledged to the British Empire through thick and thin." We should all stand together and compel the settlement of that problem. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the one man in Canada who could, he thought, play the part of a statesman and leader in this matter. Lieut.-Col. George T. Denison expressed himself in favour of union. "Newfoundland would be an important addition to the Dominion and would round off the country very well." The Hon. Mr. Dryden, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, took the same view. "The state of development of agriculture on the Island, I think, would afford an opening for our own products, and also, in so far as future development is concerned, give us an opportunity to sell thorough-bred stock profitably." Mr. R. S. Williams, Jr., thought union would benefit the musical and other manufacturers of Ontario. The opinion of business men was, he believed, generally favourable. "I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that we could compete with European manufacturers were Newfoundland a part of the Confederation. Canada can well afford to be generous in the matter of concessions to the Island. The French Shore question should, it is unnecessary to say, be settled before the final step is taken." The press of Canada seemed to be largely favourable to the policy of union. The St. John Sun of July 30th foresaw trouble in a revival of the Bond-Blaine Treaty negotiations with the United States and thought that Canada and the Empire should be willing "to make up to Newfoundland whatever she stands to lose by substituting union with Canada for an advantageous entanglement with the United States." It would be beneficial all round. "It would perhaps open up to Newfoundland the possibility of a fast Atlantic steamship route, with connections and an eastern terminus in that Province. Union with Canada may also offer the first and most simple solution of the French Shore question." The Quebec Chronicle of August 13th thought Newfoundland and Greenland the eastern keys of the Dominion, which should both be in its possession. "In such a movement, Canada as the larger and richer country should be willing always to make the advances and to be the most generous." The Halifax Chronicle about the same time pointed to the early objections of Nova Scotia to union with Canada and declared that there was now only a fast-dwindling remnant who were not as loyal to the Dominion as to their own Province. "Canada for all of us has become a great, a living entity." It would soon be the same to Newfoundland. The Manitoba Free Press of August 24th declared union "a consummation greatly to be desired," but it did not like the French Shore question and hoped for its preliminary settlement. The Toronto Globe of September 27th was explicit regarding the matter. "It would seem natural and convenient that the Island should be a part of Canada and one has to look not so much for reasons in favour of the union as for reasons which have hitherto prevailed against it." There were many favourable reasons and only one objection-the French Shore question. That should, if possible, be disposed of first. The Hamilton Spectator of October 9th referred to this point and declared that until it was settled there would be "the strongest possible objection to the admission of the Island." The Toronto Mail and Empire of October 21st stated that "in this country there is not a doubt that the desire to make Newfoundland, on fair terms, a Province of the Dominion, is general." If the settlement of the French difficulty could be hastened by union it was believed that the people of Canada would be "ready to make some sacrifice in order to gain the desired end." The Montreal Herald thought that Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the one man who could vitally contribute to such a settlement. La Patrie of Montreal, however, opposed union on the ground of debt and the fisheries question, and was supported in this view in a speech by Mr. F. X. Lemieux, M.P. Mr. G. W. The Liberal Premier of Ontario spoke at Lyn, in the Riding of Brockville, on June 13th, and proclaimed the policy of his party for the next Provincial elections. Mr. J. A. Mackenzie, President of the Reform Association, occupied the chair, and after a speech by Mr. Andrew Pattullo, M.P.P., the Premier commenced his Address. He stated that in November, 1899, he had made certain promises. Nearly everyone of them had been "fulfilled in letter and in spirit." The first was to punish persons reported by the Judges for corrupt practices. In Halton there had been 9 convictions, and $2,600 in fines; in South Ontario, 19 convictions, and penalties of $4,600; in South Perth, 2 convictions, and fines of $300-as a result of his efforts. "In some cases prosecutions were impossible, because the persons reported had left the country; in other cases the offences committed, gross though they were, were not within the Election Act." In this connection he referred to the "gross irregularities" in West Elgin, and expressed the belief that he had done all that was possible. The penalties for offences against the election laws had been greatly increased and the difficulties of evasion made more pronounced. He had also promised a commission of Judges to investigate the West Elgin irregularities. This had been done and, after examining under oath the Liberal officials in that riding, the Commissioners had reported that "we cannot trace to these persons, or to any of them, any knowledge of, or participation in, fraudulent and illegal practices." The promise of a Commission to report upon the Financial condition of the Province had also been carried out. More important still was the pledge to attempt a vigorous development of Ontario's resources. To aid in opening up 117,000,000 acres of undeveloped soil in New Ontario, he had promised subsidies for the construction of railways. This had been done in the Algoma Central Railway, running from Sault Ste. Marie northward, a distance of 140 miles, with a land grant of 7,400 acres per mile. Of that road 50 miles had already been built without the expenditure of a dollar of public money. The promoters were bound to place 10,000 settlers in the region within ten years, and to make the development of that country their first duty. Then the Manitoulin Railway, 330 miles in length, had been provided for during the previous Session, and under similar conditions. Another promise had been the exploration of the northern parts of the Province. This investigation had been duly performed, and it was stated that, from the Quebec boundary to the Lake of the Woods, there were at least 16,000,000 acres of good agricultural land; 3,000 million feet of pine timber which, under ordinary conditions, should yield a revenue of $9,000,000; and 288 million cords of pulpwood which should yield the Treasury a sum of $115,000,000. Cold storage stations were promised, and legislation was accordingly carried, giving every possible aid to the building and equipment of proper facilities. A measure had been proposed to encourage the dressed meat trade with Great Britain, but statements made to them had induced the Government to withhold it for the present. Regulations had been made to keep the wood-pulp for Ontario industries and the nickel matte for Ontario manufacture. The promise to help the pulpwood industry had been kept in the arrangements on the Spanish River, the Lake of the Woods, and elsewhere. Technical education and the University of Toronto had been aided. Mr. Ross concluded his speech with the following summary of Liberal policy in the Province of Ontario : 1. The early settlement of the unoccupied lands of the Province by colonization and by projection of railways into New Ontario. 2. The manufacture within the Province, and so far as practicable by Canadian labour, of the products of our forests, such as pine and spruce, into lumber and pulp, and the smelting and refining of our mineral products, such as iron, nickel and copper ore, for the markets of the world. 3. The increase of our agricultural wealth by improved methods of husbandry, fruit-growing, dairying, cold storage and the production of beet-root sugar, and by reclaiming the undrained lands of the Province. 4. The extension of our trade with Great Britain in all natural products, but especially in cattle, horses and dressed meats. 5. The disposal of our forest wealth, with a view to its perpetuation by reforestry, timber reserves and parks. 6. The improvement of transportation by the better construction of highways and the removal of tolls. 7. The regulation of rates for passengers and freight on all railways subsidized by the Province, and the ultimate control of such railways, at the option of the Legislature. 8. The application of public revenues for the development of the Province and the relief of the taxpayers. 9. The revision from time to time, as the public interests may require, of the laws governing the municipal and political institutions of the Province, and the improvement and enforcement of all laws affecting public morality. 10. The maintenance of the independence of the Legislative Assembly as the guardian of the constitutional rights of the Province. 11. The application of sound principles of education to the courses of instruction in all our schools and colleges, including technical schools for those concerned in industrial pursuits, agricultural schools for those concerned in husbandry, and schools of mining and engineering where a wider range of scientific knowledge is required. Speaking at Underwood a few days later, on June 18th, Mr. Ross reviewed the general policy or his Administration. He spoke of the appointment of a Good Roads Commissioner and the setting apart of $1,000,000 for the improvement of public highways. The share of each county was to be in proportion to its area, the money was to be expended under the direction of the County Council, the work must be approved by a Government engineer. The manufacture of beetroot sugar was to be encourged. A profit of from $20 to $30 per acre was within easy reach of the farmer and to meet the necessity for large capital in the industry the Government had set apart $225,000 for the payment of a bounty of half a cent a pound for each of the first two years after a factory was established and a quarter of a cent the third year. Mr. Whitney had objected to this policy on the ground that the farmer who grew the beets should receive the bounty. Mr. Ross stated that he did not agree with this view because the farmer had no more risk in growing beets than any other crop, while the manufacturer had to invest large sums of money before getting any return and was liable to various forms of financial accident. Upon this as on other points, Mr. Marter had opposed his own party and supported the Government. After referring to the railway policy of his Administration Mr. Ross then dealt at length with the Education question. During the last Session, following the established practice that school laws should only be amended every five years, the Minister of Education had submitted certain legislation. Not a single amendment was offered to the High or Public School Acts by the Opposition. The Department was attacked, but that was all. They had done much to help the University of Toronto but in doing so the Government had to bear in mind the great predominating interest of the Public and Separate Schools with their 500,000 enrolled attendants in the constituencies of Ontario and the High Schools with their 23,000 pupils as against the 700 students in the University. He thought private beneficence should do something for that institution and in another ten years or so additional aid might be given by the Government to the $1,000,000 which they had practically just added to the capital of University. At New Hamburg, on October 17th, the Premier dwelt upon the present position of the Province as illustrated by its place at the Pan-American Exposition. Out of 21 medals at that Exhibition given for horses, cattle, sheep, swine and cheese, Ontario had secured sixteen and besides this had won the only gold medal for cheese. Yet we had four million cattle, and the United States forty-four |