A FIGHT FOR A DOMINION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7533, 6 May 1903, Page 4

A FIGHT FOR A DOMINION.

Few people recognise the peaceful struggle which is going on for the future possession of the Dominion of Canada— a struggle which is as determined and as keen as any war waged by a first-class Power. Little is heard of it this side of the globe and we doubt whether, if the question were asked at Home, one in a thousand would even guess what was meant, while the remainder would probably think you insane. For it is a war of competitive invasion. The United States farmers are pouring in thousands into Canada, taking up yast areas of land, whilst eyery inducement ia being offered to Britishers to settle m the great Dominion and so minimise the Americanisation of British territory. Five years ago the number of dwellers in the Northwest of Canada who had come from the borders of the United States was insignificant—now, outside the larger towns they outnumber the native Canadians by two to one. During the ■ two years ending June 30 last, more than 60,000 persons from the United States took farm;> in the Canadian West bringing with them stock and belongings estimated as worth seven millions sterling. In the three years preceding over thirty thousand settlers had crossed over from the Republic to the Dominion, and it is estimated that there is a community of fully 135,003 farmers from the United States settled there. The reason for the remarkable influx of settlers into Canada is the cheapness and fertility of the soil. One of the most notable results of this settlement from a farming point of view, has been the introduction of flax-growing into that country. With land selling at £2 10s an acre and yielding an average of fifteen bushels to the acrej of flax, the newly-bought farms which haye bten sown with this plant have paid for themselves in the first year. Flax can be sown and harvested in ninety days, aud with the rich soil and long daylight of the Canadian Northwest it constitutes an ideal crop for that country. Cereals are also grown very extensively aud the crops are very profitable. Fruit-

growing is successful, so far as the hardy fruits are concerned, while dairying is being carried on in an increasingly large-scale. Arrangements are being made to induce settlers from the Old Country to take advantage of the magnificent opportunities available, and the peaceful struggle for supremacy will be watched with interest as the situation develops.