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very great difficulties would present themselves in providing for the powers which it should possess and the subjects w r ith which it should be authorised to deal. As to the commercial arrangements with the colonies of the Empire, they present very great difficulties also, the different colonies having ,each a definite policy of its own, and one which has been in existence for some time, and in most cases one on which their financial arrangements depend, containing generally the principle of protection, all of which makes it very difficult to deal with that proposal. To begin, as I might say, at the other end of the matter, and provide for free intercourse and exchange of news, would undoubtedly be most desirable. VIII. From J. George Garneau, Esq., Quebec : — I believe that it is in the common interest of England and her colonies to draw as closely as possible the ties of commercial relationship, which give a practical basis for that feeling of interdependence and solidarity which is the best safeguard of the common weal. As the glorious constitution under which we live was gradually evolved from the teachings of experience, so must the idea of Imperial unity be arrived at by the aspiration of the component elements, united by the comprehension of their common interests. In order to arrive at this comprehension it is essential that ignorance and prejudice be dispelled, and any means tending to this end must be a step in the right direction. The British Empire embraces many races and languages, and the spirit of loyalty to a common Crown and Government must be fostered by a broad and just tolerance of the individual characteristics and legitimate aspirations of its component races. An Imperial Intelligence Department, such as suggested, to centralise and distribute reliable information, cannot but do much good, and your idea about the chain of Empire cables seems a very practical step towards the realisation of that object. IX. From Monseignor J. A. K. Laflamme, Laval University : — I have read and read over again your letter addressed to the Canadian Club, and I have great pleasure in saying that I approve it in the main. You are right in saying that before trying to unite the various national elements of the Empire it is prudent and even necessary to make those elements acquainted with each other. I imagine that by going too fast we might reach the opposite extreme. A solid public opinion, the only kind upon which one can safely count, is not a thing that can be improvised ; still less can it be imposed. It can only be reached by long and patient effort. Evidently the first step to take is to circulate abundantly all information calculated to spread knowledge throughout the Empire, and make known the mind of the various populations. Then only we may be able to say what scheme is fit for realisation, and in what measure. Allow me to say that the Province of Quebec would be specially glad of the creation of such a Bureau of Information. She might then hope to be better known by her neighbours in the west. Let us commence, as you have so well said, by acquiring a better knowledge of each other, and we will end, as I hope, by reaching a better understanding. X. From Sir William C. Macdonald, Montreal : — I can find only words of commendation for what you have written, especially the point you make of laying as speedily as practicable a chain of State-owned cables and telegraphs to link together the Mother-country and all her outlying colonies. This is really the first step to be taken, binding together with cords of steel, and affording time for reflection as to what should follow next. These cables will be to the Empire what the nerves are to the human body. XI. From Professor Adam Shortt, Professor of Political Science, Queen's University : — I have just read those letters to the Canadian Club of Ottawa, and the central idea expressed in them I entirely agree with and have often expressed. Indeed, I am so fully convinced of the transcendent importance of getting the British peoples into touch with each other not on one line only, but on all possible lines, that I quite expect when this is reasonably well accomplished they will find the need for any special or formal machinery, such as an Imperial Council, Ac, quite unnecessary; having then, as a matter of fact, secured something as far superior to it as the broad, flexible, and ever up-to-date British Constitution is superior to any possible written Constitution. XII. From Benjamin Suite, Esq., Historian, ex-President Royal Society of Canada : — The great question of the day is the unification of the Empire—the more perfect union of all the parts. But the parts do not know one another. So long as this ignorance of one State or Province in regard to another remains, with all the prejudices it engenders, so long will it be perfectly impossible to iiccomplish anything practical and lasting. Let us commence by getting to know one another. It is too early for a Council; it is just the time for an Intelligence Department, together with a cable service linking the principal groups of the colonies to the Mothercountry. This first step being taken, and some knowledge acquired thereby, we will see how to proceed further in the direction of mutual arrangements, if then found possible.