CANADA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 May 1936, Page 6

CANADA

ADDRESS TO ROTARY CLUB BY DR. DAVID LANG Some impressions of Canada were given to the Nelson Rotary Club to-day by Dr. David Lang M.A., a visitor from that Dominion, who described himself as “a humble Presbyterian.' Dr Rang spoke of Nelson, in'British Columbia a town of similar size to its New Zealand namesake, where the Doukhobors, extreme pacifists who came irom Russia, had settled, and now numbered about 15,000. whose method c’ protest against war and the system of education was to take off their clothes and march through the streets. The Canadian Government had had great trouble in dealing with them and had sent many to a Pacific island. Canada was composed ol 51 per cent. British, and 29 per cent. French, with the remaining 20 per cent, a mixture of nationalities, all living together in peace!ill citizenship. One good reason for that peace was that the Church had kept pace with the pioneer spirit, and life disregard of law and lack of punishment so evident in, the United Slates were not found in Canada. Close to Nelson mining was proceeding, said Dr. Lang, and the high price of*gold had caused many abandoned mines to he reopened. The speaker referred to the wonderful discovery four years ago at the Great Bear Lake, on the shores of which was found a great bed of pitch blende from winch radium was made and this discovery had done much to reduce the price of radium. Also at- Lake Superior wore the nickel mines from which was drawn o2 net cent, of Hie world's simply. The great transport system of Canada with ’ls 56.000 miles of railroad for the 11.000.000 population was commented on, and Ibe sneaker said that the Canadian National Railway was run at a deficit. losing 100.000.000 dollars last year. Dr. Lang said that he felt very strongly that, one of the reasons for the depression bad been the high tarih walls. The unthinking had believed in the past, that reciprocity of Canada with America would mean annexation but that prejudice had been overcome, the loyalty of Canada to the Emnire was stressed. Though the idea of annexation was as dead as the dodo Canada was living in t-’e very friendliest relationship with her neighbour, and the, 3090 miles of bonier between the two countries were without fortification.