OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 45

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

(From: Ottk Own Corbespondent.)

OTTAWA, March 2.

Our estimable Postmaster-general has developed into a stamp crank of the most enthusi astio type. He issued a set of Jubilee stamps in 1897, and thereby netted, in the way of revenue, nearly 200,000d01. After about six months the Jubilee stamps were replaced by another issue covering all denominations. These stamps had four maple leaves on them — one at each corner. The denomination of the stamp was indicated by words, thus — "Five Cents," "Three Cents," "Two Cents," and so on. Then there came a complaint to the department that the stamps were not easily distinguishable; that the values should be indicated by numerals. The hint was accepted, and the " maple leaf series " became a thing of the past. Then came tho establishment of the Imperial penny post, and here again the Postmaster-general saw an opportunity of worrying the philatelists. The "' Vaster empire than has been " stamp was issued. It represents a map of the world on Mercator's projection, with the different portions of the British Empire printed ju red, and as Canada is the largest portion of the Empire so far as area is concerned, not unnaturally the big Canadian splash of red, Arctic regions and all, occupies a very prominent space on the stamp. lam told that the Home authorities do not like the bombastic inscription upon the stamp. Certainly there is a good deal of truth in Goldwin Smith's contention that it goes beyond the canons of good taste. Canada does not " Hold ( a vaster empi'.e than has been " ; she is simply a portion of the Empire. In view of the opinions held, in England I would not be surprised, therefore, if Mr Mulock withdrew his map stamp. Parenthetically I may remark that lie got his quotation from Lewis Morrison's " Song of Empire." V7e are now promised further changes in the Canadian stamp issue. An embossed stamp envelope of purple colour has been withdrawn fort an embossed red. The purple twos are also to be withdrawn. These frequent changes are driving the stamp cranks almost crazy, and they are anathematising the Post-master-general with no uncertain sound. Meanwhile the Canadian Postmaster-general rakes in the shekels, and ividulges in many a quiet chuckle to himself. By a recent mail from England the Post-master-general received a letter to the following effect:— "Training College, Stockwell road, S.W.— A class of 20 English children would like to tell the Hon. Wm. Mulock how much they liked the new Canadian stamp. The Postmaster-general was bo pleased that he sent four illustrated post-cards of Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and Niagara Falls to each of the children, with a few words by himself on the back of each. Each card had an Imperial stamp affixed to it, and cancelled in the Ottawa office. The whele lot was sent to the principal of the school, with the request that he would kindly address each set of four to the 20 children. . The question of annexation of the West "<ndies to Canada has been greatly discussed during the past few weeks. From all accounts, the British colonies in the \\ eel Indies are in a bad way. Trade is deprps?fd, the sugar crop has been a failure, and hurricanes 'have devastated the islands. It J3 held that the union of Canada and the West Indies would be advantageous to the two countries; that Canada would be able to find a market in the West Indies former j manufactured products, her flour, her nsh, etc. , while the West Indies would practically secure the monopoly of the Canadian market j for her sugar. The subject is being ener- j getically discussed in both countries, but the difficulty of union seems to be jpretty much that of New Zealand and Jtustralia— the distance of 1500 miles between/tho two countries rendering the matter of' government a somewhat hazardous one. I Mention has just been made of the name of Dr Goldwin Smith. Professor Smith has" been a resident of Canada for many years, and during that time he has taken an active part, as a publicist, in the discussion of Canadian affairs. Time and again he has been asked to present himself a3 a candidate for representation in the Dominion House of Commons, but has always declined. Professor Smith has had the unhappy faculty of running counter to Canadian public opinion simply because he holds that the ultimate destiny of the Dominion is annexation to the United States, whereas 99.95 per cent, of the Canadian people hold a contrary view. However, apart from his views on this particular topic, and Professor Smith is too much of a gentleman to obtrude them at. unseasonable times, Canada is honoured by having so distinguished a man as one of her citizens. The other day., in a communication to a Toronto newspaper, Mr Smith explained how it came about that he took up his residence in Canada. He says: — " My settling on this side of the water has been ascribed to discreditable motives. The real account is simply this: I held the Professorship of Modern History at Oxford, the chair held before by Arnold, and since by Freeman and Stubbs, which was the summit of my limited ambition. I resigned it be- . cause family^ reasons obliged me to leave Oxford, requiring my presence at home. On my father's death, having independent means and no profession, I was rather at a loss for an object in life. I was offered a nomination to Parliament, and for a sure neat; but I know that I had neither strength for tho work nor any gifts that way. I had visited in America, and had formed the interest in American history and politics wliich has since led to my writing a little history of the United States. My thoughts were turned that way when I fell in with Andrew D. White, now American ambassador at Berlin, then President of the Cornell University, which was being founded under his own aiul other very noble auspices, for the sppcial benefit of poor students. White invited me to take a part as a historical lecturer in the enterprise. I consented, feeling that I should thus combine an object of practical interest with the fullest facilities for the American studies. Two very happy. and I hope not unfruitful, year 3 I spent at Cornell, with which I maintain a more than friendly connection. Then I took up my abode with members of my family, who had settled before me here, in Toronto, and presently I married and became permanently resident in Canada. I may say that while living here I have received offers, both political and academical, from the old country, which showed that I had still most kindly relations both with political and academical friends. This disposes of another set of reports. Since I have settled in Toronto I have allowed a sGries of these fictions to pass with the disdain due to those who cannot discuss public questions without assailing private character and feelings. I do not even know whether I ought to say what I am saying to you now, but I hope it will be taken less as an answer to my enemies than as a tribute to the opinion of my friendb." I Tho Minister for Justice has a very intsreßt-

ing question now under consideration. Lastf year the British Columbia Government passed a law debarring both Chinese and Japanese from engaging in- any labour in that provinoe for a company or corporation possessing a. B.C. charter. The fact cannot be gainsaid that this exclusive legislation is endorsed by public opinion on the Pacific Coast whsre th« effect of Asiatic competition in the labour market is severely felt. As a measure of selfpreservation, white men believe that Chinese and Japanese must be kept out of the country. The Government of Japan has lodged a protest with the British Government aga.'nst llin action of British Columbia ; and Mr Chamberlain has, through the Government at Ottawa, asked British Columbia to remove the stigma which has been placed upon the people of Japan. The British Columbia Government is not prepared to comply with the wish of ther Imperial Government, and the result may be * disagreeable international complication \i steps are not taken to avert it. Japan threatens retaliation, and as the people of that country are both spirited and self-sacrificing, the threat may be put into execution, to the injury of British Columbia and Canada, and to the disturbance of peaceful relations between Great Britain and Japan. With the • Eastern question pressing for "solution. Great Britain cannot afford to sacrifice the mendship of Japan, and the embarra-jmen'.. by such legislation as that of the Pacific Coast ' province is intensified by the peculiar cirennv / starices of the time. The British Colv.mbia Government, in the face of the overwhelming sentiment in favour of the lawy may {eel iljselr powerless to provide the remedy, and as a, remedy must be found, resori may, and probably will, be had to the power of ' disallowance. This is a prerogative possessed by the Gover-nor-gene^al-in-Council at Ottawa, which body can veto any provincial legislation within ono year after it has been officially received at lha Dominion, Capital. Similarly, the Imperial Government can veto Dominion leginlation. within two years after it has been received a'j Downing street. One of the greatest sources of complaint which the Opposition has had against the Ministry in connection witli trie Government ot the Klondyke country is that Government officials have been permitted to acquire mining claims. It was represented that being "on the inside," they were in a better position than ordinary mortals to secure authentic information as to the value of properties, and thus get in on the "' ground floor. The Government has denied the existence of such an abuse, but it looks as if some basis lor criticism did really exist, ac the Minister' of the Interior has just issued an order prohibiting Government officials from acquiring an interest, • directly or indirectly, in any mining claim*, timber lands, on town site 3, trader penalty of speedy dismissal from the public service. The past year lias witnesral a wonderful development in Canadian miling. A branch ~ line of tho Canadian Pacific, 390 miles in length, has just been ' opened. I" taps the gres,t mining region of Southern British ..Columbia,, and wiH'enable coal areas covering thousands of' acres to be . developed. ' Shares N iii the ooal company affected by the ppening up oii ihits district, whicb three years ago were quoted xfc 2dol, have now gone up by, leaps and bounds as high at) 54d01. Cheap fue) was badly needed Ln the Kootsnay district of British Columbia, as many of the ores in thit section are low grade, and consequently it dpe« not pay to handle them tinlas* the smelting charges are moderate. Hence the opening up of these ooal ai-eas cupplies the one grsais essential to the speedy development ol tho different mines, both gold and silver. . „ While Canada can boast of at great fishery rwouvces as any other' country in the world, swinge to say little attention has been paid io the scientific aspect of the fisheries. The British Association, which met at Toronto two years ago took the iuattet* up, and a locel committee of Canadian scientist? has been pressing it since. The result is seen in th« announcement that the Dominion Government will establish a marine biological station in \'ew Brunswick, where Canadian scientists •will have every facility afforded them fc? studying all forms of marine life. Our provincial lesuslatures are fond of aping British customs, aner often go one better. Tlma at the opening of a Provincial Houcc •o£ Assembly in Canada, it is not unusual to sco more fuss and feathers than is customary when her Gracious Majesty o^ens the Imperial Parliament in person. At Toronto, Quebec, Halifax, Fredericton, Winnipeg, and the othec provincial capitals, the military are called 'out*, flags fly, cannons roar, bands play ; all this on the occasion of a dominion-appointed official coming down to open what is liUls hotter than a good-aized county council. In connection with the opening of the Quebec Legislature recently, a funny incident occurred. Lieutenant-governor Jette ordered in England * resplendent official uniform, with lots of gold lace, cocked hat, sword, etc. The costume arrived all right, and Vr Jette supposed that the Customs department would allow the garments in free of duty. However, the Minister for Customs could not seer it in this lights and he intimated that the Lieutenant - governor would have to -pay for his coat just like an ordinary mortal who goes abroad for a new suit of clothes. His Honor replied that if this were the case, he would open the Legislature in plain clothes as a protest against what he considered a small piece of business on the part of hi« Ottawa friends. This is what was done ; but if Governor Jette thought in so doing he was going to get revenge upon somebody, h* was very much mistaken. The country is laughing at him for cretting in a huff, and say?, in view of the fact that he is the recipient of a good salary from the Dominion, he can just a* ■ well afford, as ordinary mortal', to pay ths customs charges.

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