MARITIME PROVINCES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 83, 9 April 1928, Page 11

MARITIME PROVINCES

UNION LIKELY CANADA'S PAR BAST (From "The Post's" Representative.) VANCOUVEB, 7th Marcli. Tho proposal for the union of the threo Maritime Provinces — Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward island — seems to bo slowly gathering support. Hitherto,, the provinces have acted independently, and lat terly, though economic depression, have reached a level far below the average of prosperity of the older provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the Prairie provinces, and British Columbia. The report of the Boyal Commision on the Maritime Provinces last year dropped a hint that has gradually been taken up, and the idea of a Merger, or Union into one- Atlantic province, has been gaining adherents. The aspirations and problems of the threo aro identical. If united they could be represented at Ottawa by menwho would concentrate on Maritime in--terests. They could set up a strong department for the encouragement of the iishing industry, and for more scientific development of agricultural resources Superior farming methods on the same type of soil aro very marked once the international boundary is crossed. Union would spell greater achievements in higher education, and in all those phases of national effort where three could acliiovo more, relatively as welljxs absolutely, than one. There would be a saving of at least £100,000 a year in. official administration, where functions by one Parliament of the functions of, three would provide another effective economy of the public purse. Expenses of loan flotation would be less; terms of - borrowing would be better. Economic conditions in the Maritimes have improved in the last year or two. The reorganisation of the British Empire Steel Corporation's plant and mines in Nova Scotia has given the people renewed hope in tho future of this industry. The old lethargy jis being. thrown off, and plans are being made for the active development of natural resources. In the newer and brighter outlook, it is hardly likely that tradition and prejudice "will prevent the people of Canada's Far East weighing tho practical advantages of union.