OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13543, 16 March 1906, Page 6

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

(FECI! OUE OWS CORRESI'OXDEXT.)

OTTAWA, January 27. This has been a remarkable, if not unprecedented, January. Invariably it is regarded as the coldest, month m the year, characteiised by heavy snowfalls, severe winds, and low lemperaturo. Conditions almost the reverse of these have prevailed up to tho present dale. The snows of December have nearly disappeared beneath tho continuous sunshine or the rains which have frequently fallen. Of course, we have notlost faith in the generally accepted view that what we should havo had in January will come to us in February, perhaps as late as March, otherwise wc should be alarmed, for cold weather is essential to Canadian life. Wc are dependent upon it for all our ice, and for tho carrying on of' the extensive lumbering operations of nearly all the provinces. It. is the low temperature and the snowfalls which bridge tho innumerable waterways of tho wilderness, and provide roadways through the forest. It would bo a calamity if the winer should be continuously mild.

In this connection a word of caution may not he out of place. A statement recently appeared in one of our trade reports to the effect that numbers of people in Australia, and New Zealand wcro contemplating coming to Canada. This may or may not be true. If it is, then the prospective emigrants from tho Antipodes should know precisely what is before them. If they intend taking up land in the Northwest—and they should not go anywhere elso unless they arc skilled artisans—they ought to rcaliso that they are going to a very cold country. The winters are long and trying. Of oourec, they can succeed in precisely tho same way that Englishmen succeed out here —by grinning and bearing it until they get used to it, aye, even like it. But they will hardly ho as well prepared for the change as the sturdy people who como out from the Motherland. Life below the Equator is not a good training for life in Canada. Notwithstanding the mild weather of the current month tho frosts have been sufficiently severe to make possible our winter sports. There are few villages now in the country which do not have a skating rink, and in the towns and cities these buildings are numeral's. In these the game" of hockey goes merrily on from December to April The clubs are organised into leagues, and it is almost safe to assume there aro as many of these organisations in Canada as there are football clubs in New Zealand, It is a. strenuous game, calling for speed, endurance, patience, and judgment. It is perhaps the most exciting of all the games in which white men engage. Seven player* on each side are required. Tlie hard rubber puck is passed from skater fo skater, along the ice according to football rules, and a goal is scored by shooting this puck into a net guarded by one of the players. Unfortunately, the game of hockey has taken such a hold upon the people" that snow-shoeing and tobogganing have almost been discarded for tho time being. It would bo a pity if this should continue, for those outdoor pastimes have much more to commend them, and arc more typical of our winter life than is hockey. The covered rink is responsible for the change, and as a result our people apparently prefer (o see U athletes struggle for supremacy under these conditions than to keep up the old-fashioned snowshoo tramps over the countryside, or to enjoy tho exhilaration of the toboggan slide. Moreover, the hockey match is fast approaching the professional basis, which is another thing to be regretted. Of course there will come a revival. People will realise in time that to watch, others skating swiftly over the ice in a contest of skill and endurance is a poor way to get valuable and needed exercise for themselves.

At all seams of the year, however, vro have odd things happening in Canada, just as you have in New Zealand, and as we will each continue io have while human nature rcma-ins the same freakish and whimsical thing it is. lie. that as it may, few things of a. more ridiculous character have occurred in recent years than happened the other day down in the Province of New Brunswick. In the city of St. John, whence come hard-headed men from the seaside to add strength and lustre to our Parliament, Miss Mabel French desired to tako up the profession of law. She developed special talents for the study and application of the statute?, and finally passed the prescribed examinations in brilliant fashion. Nothing now remained between her and her chosen profession except the license within the power of the Supremo Court. Before that august body of fivo judges she ran her ambitious craft against a snag which, for the time being at least, made complete shipwreck of all her hopes and plans.

The learned judges simply did not wish to recognise a lady at the bar. And so a majority of thorn scratched their wise heads and solemnly rendered judgment to the effect that, Miss French was not "a person" within the meaning of the act. This astonishing conclusion has not satisfied public opinion, nor prevented an outburst of general indignation; but. it lias kept Miss French from practising law, and it led, later on, to a very funny incident in tho Polico Court at St. John. A profligate woman was arraigned before the magistrate for drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The facts were against her, and the oullcok was rather ominous, when, to the. consternation of tlio court, she set up the jilea that she was not "a person" within the meaning of the by-law. Such a pleading had never' before been heard; but with the judgment of a bench of judges before his mind, and possibly with a shrewd desire to accentuate his own views, the magistrate decided to lake no chances, and therefore discharged the prisoner.

Interest is being manifested in the forthcoming New Zealand International Exposition, and it is practically certain that Canada will bo well represented. A special building will be erected by the Canadian Government, which will be devoted exclusively to tho display of exhibits illustrating tho natural and manufactured products of Canada. The Department of Agriculture will pay the charges of transportation one way, and free maintenance will also bo provided. Under this arrangement, apart from tho Government display, it is likely that those who send out exhibits will expect to dispose of .them in New Zealand. One thing is at least assured: (he Canadian section will not be discreditable. The Government has a permanent staff of men, who have had years of. experience in presenting and handling Canadian products at exhibitions abroad, and they may be depended upon lo exemplify the that " what is worth doing is worth doing well." They have all Hie equipment for work of (his character, and the Canadian Government is not niggardly in providing them the necessary means.

In fact, a fine representative display from Canada is but a natural complement to the recent action of tho Government in subsidising the new steamship service. Itis expected that the service will begin with full cargoes from Canada, and that eventually a considerable trado will ho worked up from the New Zealand end. The words " worked up" are significant. Such trade will come more by perspiration than inspiration, and your people must prove that "God helps those who help themselves." In this connection, our agent in Australia has recently reported that the Americans are commencing to ireet the New Zealand preference by cutting prices. This is especially truo of nails. Let them cut. The Canadian people are full of enterprise, and they are also fully versed in the cunning ways of brother Jonathan. The approaching Exposition will present a fine opportunity for the creation of now trade connections between the two colonics.

Sir Sanford Fleming, who has been appointed honorary commissioner in Canada by the Now Zealand Government in connection with tho International Exposition, is an exceedingly influential man. Tour correspondent accompanied him to Australia in 1893, when the way was paved for the Pacific cable and those closer trade re. lations which liave since brought about good results, and knows bim to be a far-seeing and capable man. Mr R. J. Younge, of Toronto, as the secretary of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association, is a wise choice as commissioner for the Exposition in Canada. He is in close touch with all the industries of the Dominion, and can place himself at onco in communication with tho men whoso assistance is needed—in short, such commissioners, backed up by the permanent staff of the Government, will he certain to get together a display which will be at once satisfactory to tho people of New Zealand arj the manufacturers of Eana.cl*i

Our Commissioners will at least represent a fairly sober people. During the last fiscal year 3,112,843 gallons ol spirituous liquor were consumed in Canada, valued at £1,240,000, as compared with 3,481,287 K*lions in the. pieoe'Jiiig year. Here was a, decrease of 363,444 gallons, in tho face of a swelling population. There was, however, an increase in the consumption of malt liquor, which was represented by 75,509,8101b of mait. These facts would appear to indicate that while a busy people may he thirsty they aro not disposed to encourage intoxication. We are, however, rather heavy smokers. During tho year thoro were consumed in Canada 8,115,9041b of tocacco, 93.084,295 cigars, and 6,708,800 cigarettes. These figures represent largo gains over 1304. being 401,1991b of tobacco, 4,522,309 i-ijar-, and 5,739,266 cigarettes. The last -!«-:n is perhaps to 1» regretted, as it a. ii.i.v. very largely to young men and hoys.

'i'.io Canadian commissioners will also be able- to toll an inspiring story of national prosperity during the past decade. For example, the aggregate trade of the Dominion during tho first half of the current fiscal year shows a. gain of £6,040,000 over the corresponding period last year, and tho relative value of these figures mav lie gathered when it is pointed out that this result, was nearly £10.000,000 better than for the whole year ItSS. In keeping with this expansion of trade, the federal income has steadily grown. Last year it. amounted to £14,000,000, with an. expenditure of sume £1,600,000 less. There was, however, an outlay on caflitnl account amounting to £2,400,000; so that tho net debt, for the first time in it number of years, showed an increase, This liability at the close of the last, fiscal vear totalled £55.600,000. The expenditure which created tho addition for the year was wholly on useful public works, and the net rate of interest wr.s reduced to tho record minimum of 2.26 per cent. Coupled with the foregoing facts, it is worthy of note that diirm;r the past, calendar year the failures were lighter than for a long pariod. The total insolvencies numbered 1347, with assets reaching £1,390,000 and liabilities £1,940,000. These failures occurred in all branches of trade, and the liabilities were materially increased by the collapse of several banking institutions of a private character. It. may be said, in fact, after reviewing the annual statements of tho chartered banks, just made public, that the commerce of the Dominion was never on a sounder or more promising basis. There is nothing in evidence bearing tho character of inflation, and the application of all tho ordinary tests reveals an exceedingly satisfactory stato of affairs. The outlook, too, is most, encouraging. Contracts for upwards of 500 miles of railway have been let since the opening of the new year, and this is but the commencement . of largo undertakings calculated to widen the bases of our domestic business life. ' :.

Tlio unusual buoyancy of stocks just now is an indication of general confidence in the future, although it is far from being an entirely safe test of actual conditions. A better estimate of internal resources is had from a. glance over the bank statements. With deposits in the' chartered and savings banks exceeding £120,000,000, as compared with much less than halt i.'iat sum 10 years ago, it will lie seen that we have tin* sinews wherewith to engage in large undertakings. The concrete wealth of the country is growing amazingly, and our people arc opening their eyes to the possibilities of tho near future, and directing: thoir energies accordingly. With this assurance of strength wiiihin ourselves comes a happy; sense of independence of our American neighbours, who treated us with scant courtesy in years gone by when we sued them for freer trade relations. After this, as one of our statesmen recently observed, wo will wait, until their card is on our doorstep.

Nevertheless, these very conditions, so inspiring in themselves, are creating problems which affect the very base of our national structure. Upon tho foundation of our pastoral resources wo aro seeking to build up manufacturing industries. We shall only make safe and permanent progress in this direction if tho conditions aro favourable. We must bo able to satisfy the labourers. There is peace just now within our boarders in this regard; but a wise man of affairs called attention n day or two ago to a fundamental' matter associated directly with the relations of capital and labour. He pointed out that the question of housing working men required prompt consideration. The crying newl of our industrial centres was suitable and sanitary dwellings, the rental cost of which should not exceed from £1 4s to £2 per month. Such habitations arc only now to bo had by the few, and unless the matter were taken up comprehensively and intelligently tho industrial situation, it was feared, would soon become serious.

The question calk for organisation and wise diplomacy. In times of prosperity working men are both independent and sensitive. They are apt to feel that their interests lie in the reverse, direction to that pointed out by the employers. Moreover, they would he disposed to resent anything approaching a separation from the general community. Yet. they would not prefer discomfort and wasteful rentals to opposite conditions, other things being equal. What the situation, therefore, demands, above everything else, is some measure which will save our wage-earners from the steadily descending scale of living, which has scarcely anything to do with cither comfort or genuine happiness. Snug dwellings, healthful surroundings, low rentals—in short, the simple life in an attractive and rational form—are the things which may tend to that end. Earnest and bright minds are now working on the problem.

Not at all separated from this line of thought, is the great spiritual awakening recently created in Toronto by Rev. Dr Torroy, who came here from Wales, and is widely known at the Antipodes. Ho has just closed a mission of four weeks' duration, which was marked by striking results. The whole city appears to have, been stirred. There were thousands of conversions.

A National Forestry Convention was held at the capital during tho past month, at which all the provinces were largely represented. The importance of preserving our forest area, and making the most out of those vast resources, appears to bo generally recognised. The Prime Minister presided at all the meetings, which covered a week of time. This was the first gathering of (ho kind in Canada.

The crusade against usurers in thri city of Montreal continues, and the heads of several alleged financial institutions arc under indictment for extortion and fraud. Hundreds of people have come forward to bear testimony to the character and extent of this terrible scourge.

A lad named Mooro was cleaning a 22calibre ride near St John, New Brunswick, tho other day, when the weapon was discharged, killing his mother instantly. The State funeral accorded to tho late Hon. Raymond Prefontaire, who died in Paris on Christmas Day, was, perhaps, the most imposing in tho history of Canada. The remains were brought to our shores bv Britain's largest and newest battleship, the Dominion.

Parliament will probably not meot for another month, so as to enable the Tariff Commission to thoroughly and satisfactorily finish its work.