IN NOVA SCOTIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14785, 18 March 1910, Page 4

IN NOVA SCOTIA.

A CABLE message that is contained in this issue, (stating that a proposal is before the Legislature of Nova, Sjcotia .having for its object the compulsory recognition of organised labour, directs our attention to a portion of the British kmpire of which we do not' hear so frequently as, perhaps, its importance warrants. I 1 ol - the New Year number of the Morning Chronicle, published at Halifax, makers a distinctly impressive claim on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia to be regarded as one of tho most progressive of British colonies. The publication is, 'indeed, of a character that may cause the New Zealande.r to wonder if, after all, he does not hide his light too much under a bushel. Not that we would fpr a, moment encourage that idea. The journal in question, however, has been in the habit of presenting to its readers every vear a summary of the educational, industrial, and material progress' of the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia during the preceding twelve months, and this issue which in its forty o; fifty pages leaves no aspect of Nova Scotian industry 'and commerce unexploited where there is evidence of progress to be demonstrated, is certainly a good advertisement for the Province, is interesting to the outsider in its very flamboyant optimism, and may be justified in results. The injunc tion of the Chronicle reads: " Do not misplace this issue of the papeT: keep it handy where you can take a dose of hopefulness whenever you are inclined to bo pessimistic about your native Pro-

vince." 'This sums up the gospel which it annually preaches to ils readers in bulk. Nova Scotia not being a country with which this Dominion is precisely in touch, it may be news to many a New Zealander to know that it lias an area about one-fifth as large as that of New Zealand, and a population of about half a. million. It is, in fact, the smallest in area but 0110 of the Canadian Provinces, but, judging by the accounts of themselves and their industries by which the faith of the Nova Scotians is annually stimulated, they ought to be strong in the belief that their' Province is making sure and steady progress and is contributing " perhaps more than its proportion in men and money to build another nation in this Western continent than any other Province in the Federation." Nova Scotia is proud of her educational system, and five college presidents contribute " interesting and inspiring messages" to the people of the Province through the agency of the Chronicle. Of these it is written with fervour: " Four are expatriates upholding the honour and dignity of our Province in the Western country. They are among our most valued exports, and are a part of the toll which Nova Scotia contributes for tne upbuilding md development of the West." But if we coma down to harder facts Nova Scotia supplies Canada, we suspect, with something even more valuable than college presidents. Much wealth is wrested from the sea by hardy toilers around her coasts, and the Province produces a third of the total value of the fish caught in tho whole Dominion. Its immense output in the way of coal and steel furnishes two other Tespccts in which Nova Scotia can claim to bo the predominating factor among the provinces of Canada. But tho story which the Morning Chronicle has made a very successful effort to tell would hardly be 'worth telling did; it not treat of "bountiful harvests, of prosperous farmers, of busy workshops, of expanding industries, of industrial development, of civic betterment, of educational progress, of provincial uplift, and' gratifying advancement all along the line." The Chronicle can certainly lake credit to itself for the publication of a, comprehensive and glowing compendium of the industrial and mercantile life of Nova. Scotia- during the past year, and the excellence of its purpose "to stimulate and assist Nova Scotians to a- better appreciation of tho great possibilities of their Province and to assist in its development and upbuilding" is undeniable. It may be that Nova Scotians are so' constituted j that they are the tetter for, and require, an annual bolstering up of their faith :n [ their own country, and a means, however boastful its savour, which encourages people to think the best and make the most of their country lias admittedly a great deal to recommend it. The extent to which faith in the resources of their country and in themselves is an integral the creed of the settlers in Nova, Scotia is not- without its lesson perhaps to those of us who dwell in parts of the Empire where journalism is pitched in. a rather more subdued key.