OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 88

OUR CANADIAN LETTER.

(Fbom Ovs Own Correspondent.) OTTAWA, October 31. The general elections took place on the ,' 26th inst., and resulted in a victory for the Liberal party led by Sir Wilfrid i Laurier. This* will mean a continuance in office for the Liberals for another four or five years. They acceded to power in 1896, after having been in Opposition for 18 years. During the days of Sir John Macdonald they made scarcely any headway. Sir John was not only a shrewd politician and a marvellous tactician, but a far-seeing statesman as well. He was very much* an Imperialist. His personality was strong. He was a born leader. He could be all things to all men, which is another way of saying he could adapt himself as well to a meeting of coalheavers as to a gathering of diplomats. He was also a great wit. Speaking once before an august assemblage in London he said : " Canada will give her last man in defence of the Empire. I know that ; becsfuse I myself will be that last man." When Sir John Macdonald died in 1891 the Conservative party fell back upon Sir John Thompson, an exceedingly able man ; but when he died, at Windsor Castle in I 1894 the Conservatives became like sheep without a shepherd. Sir Charles Tupper became the Conservative leader in 1896, after Sir MacKenzie Bowell had vainly endeavoured for a year and a-half to hold together a disorangised and factious Cabinet. Sir ; Charles went down to defeat on his firsfe ] appeal to the people, and since that day i the Liberals, under Sir Wilfiid Laurier, have been strong and triumphant. In the j years between 1877 and 18S1 the issue I between parties was Protection. The I Liberals first contended for Freetrade, next for Commercial Union with the United States, and finally, in 1896, for a revenue tai-iff. In the meantime, and following the elections of 1891, the Conservatives had also swung away from Protection to Tariff Reform ; so that with the incoming of Sir Wilfrid Laurier political parties in Canada had practically the same platform. The people chose the Liberals to do the reforming. This situation has remained unchanged during the past 12 years. The Liberals made substantial reductions in the tariff, and yet managed to avoid the hostility of the manufacturers by retaining a considerable element of Protection. Then, in 1897, began the period of expansion and prosperity which has continued to this day. Tne Conservatives could not the battle-cry of Protection under such conditions. A low tariff is popular in times of advancement and buoyant commerce; but seldom so when the pinch of adversity comes. The opponents of the Government were driven to other expedients for election purposes; but the response was not encouraging. While in this somewhat negative attitude they changed leaders again. Sir Charles Tupper had passed his eightieth year, and a younger man was deemed necessary. Mr R. L. Borden was selected for the post, a man above reproach, capable and tactful ; but he does not appear to catch the popuar imagination. He has a personality ; but it is not striking, as was that of Sir John Macdonald, Sir John Thompson, or Sir Charles Tupper. Thus it came about that in the general election of Monday last there was- absolutely not a trace of anything like a definite issue between parties. Sir Wilfrid Laurier won on his personality and the strength of his Cabinet. Mr Borden losfc because he was without a policy, and was also somewhat weak in his parliamentary following. The campaign was embittered, however, by charges of malfeasance against Ministers, which the electors were unprepared to consider fnlly proven. In Ontario and Quebec the strength of parties was unchanged. In Nova Scotia the Conservatives made gains, while in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island the Liberals picked up six seats. In British Columbia, owing probably to the bitter feeling in that province against Oriental immigration, the Government lost four constituencies. In the North-West Provinces the Liberals carried a considerable majority of the ridings. The net result is to leave parties just about where they stood in the last Parliament. The new Parliament will consist of straight Liberals and straight Conservatives, or Grits and Tories as we call them. There were not more than three or four Independents in the contest, and but one Socialist. They were defeated by decisive majorities. This fact may be taken as indicating the stability of party lines and the conservative disposition of the Canadian electorates. For example, Socialism, which has obtained such a firm foothold at the Antipodes, is neither urged I nor generally understood here. An Independent in Canada is utually a man who has fallen out with his party and wishes to split the vote; for there is nothing ia the country approaching an appreciation or demand for independence. Thus the political battle has * but two contestingparties — Liberals and Conservatives, — and they are not now very far apart in their notions of policy, as has been intimated. In the recent struggle there was a feeling that the Conservatives were not friendly toward the trans-continental railway project now half completed, and this possibly injured their chances. We shall now settle down as a people to the serious work of developing Canada, as to which there is no controversy. By an unusual coincidence our American neighbours were at the same time engaged in their Presidential struggle, which always has a disturbing influence on business. Until it is over there is uncertainty as to the maintenance of this policy or that, and Canada ia sympathetically af/ected by this state of things. Now that both nations have disposed of their political squabbles for the next four or five yenrs, it is hoped that the depression which has prevailed for more than »

year in the United States, and has been felt in Canada, will give way to confidence and activity. That Canada has experi- ( enced a revival in advance of the United States is clearly indicated by the relatively more rapid absorption of idle cars ■which has taken place on our railways ( during the past four months. The com- ( plaint at this moment is with respect to : shortage for the -moving of grain. | The falling-off in foreign trade which began in April last, and has continued ever since, has not had any appreciable effect on the cost of living. Staples continue at high-level figures, and this autumn the situation has been aggravated by unusual prices for apples. Winter keeping varieties are selling retail at from 18s to £1 4s per barrel. Beef, which was expected to come down, still sells at from 7d to 9d per lb, according to locality. Butter is just now sold over the counter at 15d, and eggs are at the same figure per dozen. These are prosperity prices, and yet they spell hard times to the salaried classes, especially in cities. In fact, all farm products are dear. Strarige to say, however, the selling value of farm lands in the older provinces is not above what it was 30 years ago, which fact is accounted for by the rapid opening up of the North- West, where Government land is to be had free and railway land at from £1 to £2 per acre. Nevertheless, it is clear that the scale of living has gone up in a more marked degree than has the so-called cost. The importation of luxuries demonstrates this. For example, within 12 years the consumption of ' foreign ribbons has grown from £158,500 to £344,300; silk goods, from £346,000 to £920,000; fancy goods, from £293,000 to £667,000; jewellery, from £59,000 to- £230,000, and even raw furs, which are a native product rose m our imports from £126,740 to £600,000. This last item is explained by the fact that the Hudson's Bay Company, which controls the Canadian fur trade, sends all its pelts to England, and we are compelled to buy them there. Then wealth demands the rarer furs of Russia, and that means big figures. Yet all the facts, which could be considerably amplified, plainly point to the rising demand tor things which cannot be classified as necessaries of life. If our politico are practically free iroin the disturbing influence of Socialists ar.o. Independents,' there are indications that the suffragette movement is producing a sympathetic reflex in Canada. Already a" irmnbeT of associations have been formed in -the larger cities having for object the extension of the franchise to women. If &n agitation having behind it the force of numbers should result from these organisations it will ba the first thing of the kind in the history of the Dominion. As has bssn intimated in previous letters, there has never been either a general ox limited feeling in Canada looking to female suffrage. A negative condition has always prevailed. The subject has frequently bt-en debated in en academic way, but it ha* not at any time become a factor in the political situation. Tins has probably been directly due to the passive attitude of Canadian women themselves ; but it may be that the time •has come when all this will be changed. If our women should directly and by a clear majority ask for the franchise, it is not likely they would be refused. Cobalt is booming again. The steady addition of pioducang mines to those in operation a year or two ago and the widening of th« mineral area has pioduced a marked revival of interest in the camp. The stocks are very active just now. Of course, there are many ivho have not forgotten how their fingers were burned a couple of years ago, and it is doubtful if the frenzied spirit of speculation which then swept over the country can be fully revived. Yet one cannot be sure about this. Men and women aie seldom sane when such a movement igets under way. They hear of this one and that one making a forture, and a hypnotic influence seems to dsnve prudence out of doors. At all events, people who would be on their guard in relation to the purchase of potatoes throw caution to the winds when they are offered mining shares. The real wealth of Canada lies in. her agricultural resources, and.it is giat'fyii g to know that at this time tlve railway are 'taxed to ttaair utmost in movuig western grain. In the production ot ■wheat there is no room, for the speculative idea. It is a matter for hard and intelligent work. The first step is to get possession of a sufficient area of tuoL'2 land. As a.n indication of what is be'Jtr done in tliis direction it may be said that in the district of Moose Jaw, which is only on© of many in the Noith-We-t, 2599 pre-emptions and 751 homesteads w-crs granted during the month of September, while 103 farms were purchased ?«nd, 200j applications w-c/ts 011 file. In -ea- h instance the aiea involved was 160 acic--. A pre-empt.lon is granted in tii>3 case of Government laivds,. peridinig the perfcimanoe of settlement duties. If th&t-e are carried out a patent free of cost is given to the settler. Settlement duties, speaking broadly, consist of Eds months' it'-i-----dfuice on th-a land during two sut-ce^ai\e years and the bringing into cultivation of co many acres. These figuies demonstrate the activity which is just now being exhibited in ail the Western provinces. Some day. oi course, all the free land will have boen alienated., although it will be generations "before it is all brought under cultivation. In many instances these homesteadeis a>o foreigners, and this very fact creates a, problem which every year is becoming more serious. They do not readily assimilate. They segregat-3 in communities. They resist education. They do not readily learn our laws. They are apathetic to missionary influences. In this situation, the disposition of the authorities is to patiently await the rising of a second generation; but the childien me •likely to follow in the footstep* of thcupa.renis unless they- can ba brou e iit to t! *> Echoolbouse-3 or Sm>Ja,y school-. I'M %bicu3 considered, this U> one of tlie

gravest matters just now engaging the attention of the Canadian people. Canada has begun the free delivery of mail matter in rural districts. The experiment has not thus far extended outside of Ontario, and has not been generally applied in that province ; but once a service of that character hae be*n begun by Government it is not likely to l>e withdrawn. It -will probably be carried to other provinces having districts sufficiently populous to justify the cost. The Dominion has really an excellent postal system, and its expansion, has been marvellous during the past 10 years. Up to 1898 Are hid a postal rate of l£d per half-ounce. It was then reduced to a i penny for one ounce, apd the financial results have amply justified the policyadopted. Previously tliere had been an annual deficit. There is now a surplus amounting to more than £200,000, so that the reduced postage has resulted in a direct gain. It was this situation which gave encouragement to the new system of rural delivery. The autumn hunting season is now in full swing. It is not confined to any particular province. Ontario is the natural habitat of the red deer; but this beautiful and timid animal is to be found in large numbers in other parts of the Dominion. The giant moose is also peculiar to New Brunswick, although tound elsewhere as well. At one time reckless pot-hunting created the danger of extinction, whereupon a close season of five years was adopted, and this r.oble class of game was saved. In British Columbia bears are still exceedingly numerous, although the value of the grizzly skin is leading to a good deal oi wasteful slaughter. A painful feature of each recurring season for shooting is the number of lives sacrificed. The duck-shooter who pulls his gun toward him by the barrel frequently loses his own life, white the hunter who mistakes a human being for a deer is responsible for the death of many others. This year the casualties have been unusually numerous. There are men living who remember the discovery of coal in Nova Scotia. It was a very long time thereafter before the mines began to produce considerable quantities. Now they have a very large annual output. The western prairies wtre until a comparatively few years ago believed to be without sufficient fuel to sustain a large population ; but they turn out to be underlaid with coal. Extensive development work is under way. During the past year the mines in Saskatchewan produced 153,934 tons of coal, and wide carboniferous areas have been located. Thus the fuel problem has been solved. The coal, however, is bituminous. The Canadian requirement* for anthracite are supplied wholly by the United States at an average cost to householders of £2 10s. This class of fuel is practically indispensable in houses fitted with hot water or hot air heating systems. An extensive counterfeiting plant was recently discoveied near the American boundary in Ontario. A man named Crozier and his son had come over from the United States, purchased a secluded farm, and there begun the production of bank notes. His neighbours noticed tha£ he neglected his farm, and as he appeared to be living in affluence suspicion was ci roused. An investigation by the Dominion police revealed one of the most elaborate counterfeiting outfits ever used in Canada. The father has just been sent to prison for U\o years and the son for two. Cyrus C. Dent, of Lambton dainty. Ontario, was engaged to \llss Kva Pilkey, and the marriage day had been set. During the recent election, however, young Mr Dent and his prospective father-in-law had many hot discussions over their diverse political views, and finally, in a burst of temper, Mr Pilkey declared that hi& daughter should never marry a Liberal. The lover was determined. He cast Ij's vote accoiding to announcement, and then eJoped v> ith ML-s Pilksy, just as lenirs have been doing for ceuturles past. The other day an American lady travelling on a Canadian Pacific dining car had a dispute with the conductor. Failing to convince him that her point of \icw u^.i correct, she readied down and drew a icvolver from her stocking. Th-s car \»\i v immediately emptied of passcngei.-, ;. ml the conductor fled to the kitchen. She nftei wards explained that she came ftom California, and that a majority of Californian ladies travel with revolvers in thr>ir s'.ockings. The football season is not yet over, ard VviU jvohub]y be finished on i toy en ground. Tliciv has not been any pvofessiunali&m thi 1 - jear. and public interest in the contests has been desper than ever before.