MY NEW IMPRESSIONS OF CANADA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3355, 3 January 1927, Page 2

MY NEW IMPRESSIONS OF CANADA.

(By the Key. F. W. iNorwood, D.D.)

My recent seven weeks’ visit to Canada was my first of any consequence, so naturalfy .1 formed many new impressions. The most powerful of these was that of the immense possioilities of trie country as a foyal and important section of tne British Commonwealth. \ A big wave of prosperity is sweeping over the whole of the American Continent, and with the awakening of the East and the increasing development oi the Pacific Ocean, the position ot Canada upon the map wiff become more and more central from the economic point of view. Her eastern coastline is nearer Asia than are those even of the United States, and in coming years her strategic strength will become much more easily apparent. Every loyal Britisher, of course, wants her to remain within the bounds of the Empire, but there are some facts in this connection which ought to be faced. At the present moment there are mighty economic forces working to draw together the British Dominions in the north and the great .Republic in trie south. The 3500-mile boundary line which for more than a century has been entirely free of defences inevitably leads to a closer association of the two countries. Canada just now is somewhat overshadowed by the United States. A country with a population of HO millions has a powerful magnetic influence upon one which only numbers eight or nine millions. For one thing, the higher wages prevailing in the south and the greater opportunities offered by the big American cities lure away many of Canada’s finest young men. Canada and the States, too. might co-operate with advantage in various ways. For example, the Eastern Maritime provinces of Canada realise that there are few facilities for transporting their special products (chiefly perish-' able goods) to Europe, and there arc many difficulties in the way of their absorption by the western provinces. Their natural markets he to the south, in the great eastern cities of the United States; but the tariff barrier prevents the exploitation of these markets. Some day, in their mutual interests, the two countries will probably join in breaking these barriers down. Thus is the need for broad statesmanship and a widely tolerant spirit in Britain, for if the unity of the Empire is to be maintained, too much strain should not be placed on sentiment. At present the bond is very dose, and it would be more than a pity if this bond were felt to be a galling fetter. When one considers that Canada rc alises these things, her universal loyalty to the Mother Country is indeed striking. A certain number of Americans have been talking too freely of ’annexation, but Canadians have immediately stiffened 1 their backs against it. There’is no doubt in my mind that the predominant feeling in the country is pro-British. Even in Quebec Province the same feeling exists, although a big proportion of the population there are of French descent, Canada, however, needs more men, end needs them quickly. So far as one can see at present, Britain can only supply them to a limited extent. Meanwhile, others continue to pour in from various European countries, and it is not to be expected that their sentiments will in every case be pro-British —even though at present I could nol detect the slightest weakening of loy alty. _ _ Respite the obvious identity or in forests of the two countries in many respects, the Britisher who comes from the F.S.A. is at once conscious of u pronounced change of atmosphere. In 1 lie States, the great majority of the newspapers appear to ignore Europe altogether, but on the northern side of the border one finds that Europe, and especially Britain, has a close and intimate place. Not only do, Canadians love to hear of the Motherland, hut they are interested in all her leading personalities. As an Australian. T was constantly i omparing the vast Southern Continent with the still vaster expanse of Canada. Who that has seen them can forget the great chain of lakes forming such a mighty highway along the southern boundary; tl\? broad prairie lands with their illimitable wheatgrowing capacity; the great cities occupying sites which hut a few years ago were covered with rolling prairie ••ml wandering Indians; the majesty of ihe Rocky Mountains? Such was the land from which I came away with a. lively consciousness not only of its great opportunities, hut also of the tremendous responsibilities of those who control its destiny. ’I Canada is to fulfil her present promise, not only for her own good hut for that o” ‘be great body of nations of which she is a member, we need at once the fullest recognition of the right of selfgovernment. and a coherent and eonstrnctive Empire policy. A little hit of the London of Dickens hj 1 s changed hands in the sale by Lord O’ esham of the Burlington Arcade. This arcade is a quaint glass-roofed Message 200 yards long, which connects Piccadilly with Burlington Gardens close to Bond street. Shops which have comparatively recently exchanged lattice windows for plate-glass open out of it on either side. It has been a fashionable resort ever since ISIS, when it was built on a then open space alongside Burlington House. whos« owner. Lord George Cavendish, said it would “prevent people throwing things over his garden wall.” Picturesquely dressed beadles were long employed as watchmen at either end, and two chairs thev occupied are still to he seen at the entrances. Rome of Ihe shop leases are running out. and dm value of the site makes rehuikiin<r operations probable. i The record price of C-*0 lias hist h j( pair! for a Scottish pearl found in 1 o'-l-Venn aeh nr. One nsuallv assn-fiat' l '- 1 pearl-fishing with the translm-eie waters and cloudless skies nf the Fh«l rather th°n with tb« cold northern streams and lochs, and vet there are few nF Scotland's rivers that have not i vielded valuable pearls lit one time or a nother.