to the United States for brewing purposes. But, apart from
the obstacle of the recently high duty placed on barley by the
United States Government, it is observable that the Americans are
paying more attention to the production of barley in their own
country, and are also using, it is said, substitutes for malt in the
manu&cture of beer. It is to England, therefore, that Canada
should look for a fresh market for this grain. But the description
of barley hitherto grown and supplied to the United States has been
chiefly that known as six-rowed, whereas the sort demanded by
English maltsters is the two-rowed barley. The full results, there-
fore, of the experiments now being made in the growth of two-rowed
barley will be awaited with- the utmost interest.

Such are a few of the prospective openings for fresh commercial
enterprise on the part of Canada, to which might, of course, be added
many of large significance, such as those in connection with the
developing trade across the Pacific Ocean and also with the West
Indies, in regard to which Canada, as illustrated by the part she is
taking in the Jamaica Exhibition, is fully on the alert.

But I have purposely selected examples from agricultural pro-
ducts because the number of persons engaged in agriculture in
Canada far exceeds the number dependent on other industries, and
also because the trade of Great Britain and Ireland is, as everybody
knows, the largest in the world, Germany and France taking the
second and third places, and the United States coming next.
Whatever, therefore, may be the future commercial relations be-
tween Canada and the United States, the trade with this country
will always be of immense importance, and any influences which
may have led to increased attention being given to that trade will
not have been otherwise than beneficial.

But what are to be the future relations between Canada and the
United States ? It is the vast interest and importance of that ques-
tion which will cause the present poUtical campaign in Canada to
be watched with earnest attention by this country. The recent



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Hi Canada.

inielligeuce of an immediate appeal to the Dominion electors and
the announcement of the chief feature of the policy on which they
will have to record their votes came somewhat as a surprise ; but
it must bo remembered that the old reciprocity of 1864 which it is
now proposed to restore, with any necessary modifications, was
annulled after the American War, not by Canada, who wished to
renew it, but by the United States, who refused to do so owing,
it was supposed, to a feeling of irritation at that time against
Britain on account of the Alabama case and other matters. Since
then both Liberal and Conservative Canadian Governments (the
former having been in office from 1874 to 1878) have from time to
time attempted to negotiate an arrangement of the same sort.
Again, so recently as on the occasion of the Fisheries Conference
at Washington in 1888 it was understood that the Canadian Govern-
ment suggested a form of reciprocity as one of the bases of agree-
ment, though without result. During the past few months, however,
other negotiations have apparently paved the way for an understand-
ing on this pohit ; nor must we overlook the influence of the very
remarkable results of the recent American elections, when the tariff
legislation was of com*se the most prominent question before the
voters. As to the presentation of this question to the people of Canada,
it must be noted above all that it is not unrestricted reciprocity that
is proposed by the Government. There lies the distinction, and a
most vital distinction it is. There is no need for us to regard as
disloyal those who advocate unrestricted reciprocity or complete
commercial imion between Canada and the United States, for
among the supporters of that policy are men of unimpeachable
integrity as well as great ability. But the point is raised as to
whether, if Canada does not desire to become merged in the United
States (and L believe the leaders of the present Opposition m Canada
disclaim any idea of annexation), it would not be running too grave
a risk to enter into an arrangement which might at any time enable
the power at the other end of the rope to pull Canada into a position
which by a hostile tariff would inevitably result in the breakage of
the present connection with the Mother Coimtry, and consequent
probable amalgamation with the United States. There are some
people who regard this as the manifest destiny of Canada. I pro-
test against such an assumption. Just as Canada has a history, so
has she also a destiny of her own. And siurely no epoch in her
career could bo more inopportune than the present for even the
suggestion of anything that would divert her from the working out
of her own career and the consummation of her own destiny. It is



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Canada, 145

not yet many years since the freshly opening prospects of Canada
drew forth from the most eloquent of her many distinguished
Governors such inspiring words as these, uttered hy Lord Dufferin
at the then infant city of Winnipeg : —

'' It was here that Canada, emerging from her woods and forests,
first gazed upon her rolling prairies and unexplored North- West,
and learnt, as by an unexpected revelation, that her historical terri-
tories of the Canadas, her eastern seaboards of New Brunswick,
Labrador, and Nova Scotia, her Laurentian lakes and valleys, com
lands and pastures, though themselves more extensive than half-a-
dozen European kingdoms, were but the vestibules and antechambers
to that till then undreamt-of Dominion whose illimitable dimensions
alike confound the arithmetic of the surveyor and the verification of
the explorer. It was here that, counting her past achievements as
but the preface and prelude to her future exertions and expanding
destinies, she took a fresh departure, received the afflatus of a more
imperial inspiration, and felt herself no longer a mere settler along
the banks of a single river, but the owner of half a continent, and
in the magnitude of her possessions, in the wealth of her resources,
in the sinews of her material might the peer of any power of the
earth."

And Canada is only now beginning to enter into the full fruition
of the great Confederation of 1867, which was itself in no small
measure promoted and attained as a result of the difficulties con-
nected with the export trade and other matters which Canada had
to grapple with at that time. Without confederation it is doubtful
if the Canadian Pacific Railway would now be an accomplished
fact — that great achievement, with all its potent influence, not
only in development of resources, but in uniting and consolidating
the various parts of the Dominion ; aye, and not of the Dominion
only, but of the whole vast fabric of the British Empire. That is
a rich theme which has been fully dealt with by Sir George Baden-
Powell in his able lecture before the London Chamber of Commerce
this very afternoon.

Then there are the opening prospects of the new swift steamship
lines, not only from the western parts of Canada to China, Japan,
and it is to be hoped eventually to Australia, but also an improved
direct service between this country and HaUfax or Quebec.

But I refrain from enlarging upon this part of the subject lest I
should seem to be inflicting upon you a very inadequate digest of
what we have all had an opportunity of reading in the newspapers
during the last few days.



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140 Canada.

Meanwhile our fellow subjects and fellow citizens in Canada will
observe, not without satisfetction, the ever-increasing interest witli
which their afiGairs are watched and discussed in this country. It
would be absurd to suppose that this interest is based upon mere
selfish interests. It proceeds rather from an increased acquaintance
with our Colonies which has led to an intelligent sympathy, an intelli-
gent appreciation, and a just pride concerning what those who are
boneof our bone and flesh of our flesh have done, are doing, and will
yet do. To my mind the solid loyalty of the Canadians and their
attachment to the British name and connection is all the more
admirable in view of the &ct, which I think must be admitted, that
there has not always been in former years on the part of Great
Britain a sufficiently plain indication of appreciation of the Colonies.

But during the past twenty years there has been a distinct
mending process, which is now advancing more rapidly than ever.
We at least know more of the geography of our Colonies. We do
not so often hear remarks, like one which I heard quoted lately,
of a person who, when asked if he had any relations in Canada,
replied that he had a cousin who he thought had a ranch in Winni-
peg. But even this was better than the Continental paper which
related (alluding probably to the new railway bridge at Montreal)
that a bridge was to be erected, one end of which was to be in the
State of Maine and the other in British Columbia.

Still there is room for much more instruction about the Colonies,
and happily there is now no end of literature upon the subject, and
of this the latest addition as regards Canada may be found in two
little volumes on the history and geography of Canada by Mr.
Greswell. These excellently written and useful books are pubUshed
under the auspices of the Boyal Colonial Institute, most appro-
priately in accordance, as a writer in last week's Canadian Oazette
justly remarks, with the long course of ser\aces which the Institute
has rendered both to the Colonies and Great Britain.

Canada has contended against and overcome many an obstacle,
and the process will continue. She has a race difficulty. So has
the United States. Let us hope that it may be said of the latter,
what may, I believe, be certainly said of that in Canada, that it is
a diminishing difficulty. I allude of course to the French element.
And in justification of the opinion of many of the most far-seeing
Canadians, that it will not eventually interfere with the success of
the country, let me quote some noble words spoken so recently as
1889 by M. Laurier :—

'* If there are any amongst my fellow countrymen who have ever



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. Canada, 147

dreamed of closing themselves into a small community of Frenchmen
on the banks of the St. Lawrence I am not one of them. It would be
an act of black ingratitude if, after we had sought from Britain the
privileges and rights of British subjects, we were now to reject the
responsibilities of subjects; if, having sought the protection of
Britain to grow strong, we were when strong enough to attempt to
stab the friendly hand and to refuse to cast in our lot with those
who are fellow cormtrymen of ours, and whose birthright we claim
as our inheritance. When confederation was established it was
not intended that it should be based upon the humiliation of any
one race, that any one should give up its characteristics ; but it
was expected that, though every nationality might retain its indi-
viduality, yet that all would be actuated by one aspiration and
would endeavour to form one nation.*'

Yes, Canada is not only a British Colony, she is, as Principal
Grant of Kingston has expressed it, a British nationality, and she
will not sell her birthright for a mess of pottage. And in conclusion
what are the classes of persons who are likely to benefit themselves
and Canada by making it their home ? Fortunately it is not now
necessary to dwell upon the absolute necessity of most careful selec-
tion in the matter of emigration. All the Canadian agents of that
department testify to the improvement in this direction. Canada
need not fear that there will in future be any attempt to tranship
failure and incompetency to her shores as a means of getting rid of
these commodities. It is becoming understood that not only will-
ingness but ability to work is indispensable. And it would be un-
pardonable if we in Britain were to allow any deteriorating elements
of population to be exported to those lands of our fellow subjects
where the best material is most needed.

But let me guard against a misapprehension. I do not be-
lieve because, for instance, children have been left destitute or
forsaken that they will after proper care and training in this
country be, on account of their first condition, inehgible for the
Colonies. Let me quote some statements which I heard confirmed
when I was in Canada as to the operations of one well-known
institution. During the period from January to the end of October
last no fewer than 1,04G requests were received at the Toronto
Home in writing from farmers asking for boys to be apprenticed to
farming work. Only 801 could be sent. And a similar demand came
to other branches of the institution. Of course even among trained
and tested children there may be occasional failures, but in the case
of this institution, which is Dr. Bamardo'S; the failures have not

l2



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148 Canada.

reached 2 per cent, of the whole number placed out. Similar are
the results of the operations of other societies, such as the Self-
Help Emigration Society and many others, owing to the care and
experience which are now brought into operation. And what applies
to children may in no small measure apply to adults, though they
may have been unfortunate after the necessary process of testing
and selection has been thoroughly secured.

As to the openings for young women eUgible for domestic service,
there is, of course, a great demand for such in Canada ; but, as Lord
Lome said in his ** Canadian Pictures " in 1886, those who wish to
become teachers &c. had best stay at home. When, further, it is asked
if educated young men will find scope there it cannot be said that, so
far as regards the professions and clerkships, there is room. It could
hardly be otherwise with the splendid facilities for education which are
provided in Canada. But in farming, where the opening does exist,
there is now so much occasion and scope for the application of science
that a man, especially one whose tastes are in the direction of natural
history and natural science rather than the arts, need not regard
his educational training, especially the training of a public school,
as wasted, if he decides to resort to Canada. Doubtless he will find
it necessary to exert himself, and there will be need of patience and
perseverance, and moral backbone, but in the very exercise of
these qualities he will be braced and invigorated. He will only be
following in the steps of those brave pioneer settlers who have laid
the foundations of a vast and splendid natural structure. For it is
not only because her territory is so immense and her resources so
vast and so various that we look with such confidence to the future
of Canada — it is because also her people are imbued with a firm
and splendid spirit of self-reliance, with a determination that
liberty and good government shall prevail, and that they will do
their part in promoting tlie welfare and prosperity of their land,
which, so long as this disposition and purpose prevail, is surely
destined to a grand and glorious future.

** I hear the tread of pioneers,
Of Nations yet to be ;
The first low wash of waves where soon
Shall roll a human sea."



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Cattada. 140



Discussion.



Sir Geobge Baden-Poavbll, E.C.M.O., M.P. : In obedience to
orders I willingly open the discussion, but I am sure I should have
the sympathy of this great and representative audience in this grave
difficulty — there cannot be discussion unless there is difference »
and I am in the awkward position of being unable to differ from
any one single statement in the extremely able and interesting
address to which we have just had the pleasure of listening. Lord
Aberdeen told us of the preacher whose best passage was said to be
his *' passage '' from the pulpit to the vestry, but I feel certain I am
interpreting rightly the feeling of this meeting when I say that the
passage from the desk to his chair at the conclusion of his address
was the most painful and regrettable passage in connection with the
address. Lord Aberdeen had the advantage during his visit of
personal experience of an unusual kind. We all know the remark
of the cantankerous lawyer — all lawyers are not cantankerous — that
the worst of personal experiences was that, in the language of the
law, nothing personal could be real. But I am confident you will all
agree— especially those who understand Canada — that the personal
experiences of Lord Aberdeen are extremely real, and I may say
this — I was in Canada myself at the time— that not only Lord
Aberdeen, but Lady Aberdeen also took especial and almost unpre-
cedented pains to become acquainted with life and opinion in
Canada by, for a time at all events, starting a home of their own in or
near Hamilton, thereby acquiring a very familiar acquaintance with
Canadian life. I think, therefore, that unique value attaches to
Lord Aberdeen's paper if only on that account. Undesignedly,
Lord Aberdeen has brought before us the great subject of Canada
at a moment when the eyes of all good citizens of this Empire are
turned to that country to see which way the pending elections will go.
I must confess for myself, from what I have heard and know concern-
ing both parties in Canada, that I do not believe for one moment that
either party is disloyal to the LnperiaJ unity. I know that the head
of one great party has issued a manifesto, which is to my mind one of
the finest productions in the English language, describing what should
be the feelings of every citizen in our great Empire, and I venture
to say that the politick opponents of Sir John Macdonald will one
and all only regret that they cannot put into such fine language the
sentiments which, I am sure, animate them of loyalty to the British
Empire. The remarkable point is that both sides are putting in the
forefront of their political programme the attaining of further outlets



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160 Canada.

for the trade of Canada, and as to that I am sure tlie people of the
old country are only too anxious and eager to extend to Canada what
I may call the right hand of trade fellowship. - It is a matter which
is coming before the British public every day with increasing force.
They desire that the faciUties for intercourse should be increased —
that any barriers — customs tariffs, shipping dues, or anything which
interferes with trade— should be done away with, or at all events
mitigated in their severity as far as possible. Lord Aberdeen has
spoken of the present position of Canada and of her prospective
growth. He said that at all events in the French portion of Canada
the growth would be exceedingly fast, because — I think he said —
the families there averaged forty-three! I cannot vouch for the
accuracy of that statement, but this I may say, that the French
Canadians are a pecuharly hard-working and thrifty people, for
whom I have a great affection, and that in my opinion they do and
will work to profit one of the finest portions of the great Empire to
which we belong. I would wish to recall this fact— which is often
forgotten — that already Canada does more than half its external
trade with coimtries other than the United States. We often see
references to the McEinley tariff and its effect on the trade with
Canada, as though the trade with the United States was the great
and only salvation of Canada. Now, £19,970,000 is the value of
the trade with the United States, while the value of the Canadian
trade with other countries is £20,890,000. It should also be re-
membered that along the great land frontier, extending over 8,000
miles, there must be a great deal of intercourse that goes to swell
the trade with the United States, but which is not strictly in
the character of international commerce. One other point. I
have recently had the opportunity of reviewing the figures of our
timber trade, which is a large trade, and I found, to my sur-
prise, that we take from Canada in bulk of timber six times as
much as we take from all the rest of America put together. I
also found that that trade involves five times as much tonnage o
shipping being employed as that of the rest of America in the
timber trade. Lord Aberdeen has referred to the fact that re-
ciprocity is no new move in Canada. It is not brought forward, as
I saw stated in a very able article in the Times, for the first time
this year. In 1854 a reciprocity treaty was made with the United
States, and was denounced in 1866 ; but let me call attention to
tois fact, which was, I believe, first mooted by Mr. Colmer, that the
abrogation of reciprocity in that year found Canada more than ever
dctermiued on a union of her provinces, and what I hope and



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Canada. 161

believe is this— that all this present talk of reciprocity, as in the
previous case it confirmed the union among her own provinces, so
in this latter it will lead to closer union with the Empire. If we in
England exert ourselves and show we are ready to extend to Canada
the right hand of trade fellowship, I believe that, as reciprocity with
the United States in years gone by promoted the union of her own
provinces, so the present movement will end in a greater union with
the Mother Country. Lookuig at that map (Mercator's Projection)
I could almost find fault with the Boyal Colonial Listitute. By
itself it indicates, no doubt, that Canada is a most important
country, but I think you ought to have alongside of it always
another map, which should place Australia, perhaps, in the centre
instead of Great Britain, in order that we might realise how close
Canada is to China, Japan, and AuslraUa. You will understand
from this remark what I mean, and what I hope will soon be the
fact — the establishment of mcul routes through Canada to the Far
East. It is called the Far East in England because we are accus-
tomed to travel by the Mediterranean and the tropics by Singapore to
China and Japan. If, however, we go the other way we cross the
Atlantic in five days in large and comfortable steamers ; in another
five days we cross the great Canadian continent by a railway per-
fectly equipped, and then we find ourselves — steaming steadily
across the North Pacific — within 6,000 miles of China and Japan.
This route will, I am convinced, soon be developed, and will greatly
assist the commerce with Canada. It will, I believe, not only
develop the commerce between Canada and Australia, but will foster
the growth of this great conviction — that as England has in a
century girdled the world with prosperous settlements, so now she
is ready to support the patriotic enterprise of Canadians and
AustraUans in establishing a great Empire route of ocean steamers.
The noble Chairman has spoken of the hospitaUty of the United
States. I have been to the States and to Canada, and have been
" dined and wined " in both coimtries, although I decline to confess
whether, in the Chairman's words, I lost consciousness or not
(laughter) ; but this I will say, that I have never lost, and never
shall lose, my consciousness and appreciation not only of the hos-
pitality of Canadians, but of their sterling good qualities. Nurtured
among the snows of North America, the Canadians are, I believe,
destined to infuse horse-hke vigour into the whole continent. I will
only add, in conclusion, that I believe Canada will never lose con-
sciousness of the FeiTices rendered her, and that no services has she



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152 Canada.

cause to regard with more satisfaction than the advocacy of eminent
men like Lord Aberdeen.

Major W. Clabk (Winnipeg) : I have been for the past ten years
a resident in Canada— Winnipeg is my home — and I have had the
privilege for some years of going backwai*ds and forwards between
thiscoimtry and Canada on Dominion Government work, which has
necessitated a more than ordinary stady of the different provinces
of the Dominion. With the exception of Prince Edward Island, I
have travelled through every province, and I am therefore able to
thank Lord Aberdeen for the true and kind words he has spoken. I
confess I would have liked Lord Aberdeen to continue hia journey
on paper a little further West, but his utterances have been on broad
lines, and he could not afford to discourse, for example, on the
magnitude of the North-West or its possibilities ; neither could he