The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-19
THE ITALIAN BIsrops.-The unfrocking O
british Colonial Ifen,x.

The Union of the two colonies of Vancou-
yer Island and British Columbia has, since its
eonsummation, produced nothing but discon-
tent and complainings. No sooner did the lar
ger colony on the main land get the power
into her hands than she commenced to lord it
with high hand over the weaker colony of
Vancouver Island, which had trustingly sur
rendered its independence to her. Double port
charges were at once levied on goods landed at
Victoria, which we believe had hitherto been
free port. ofcourse this gave great dissatisfac-
ton, and the government, tbs said, were think
ing about relinquishing portion of the funds
thus collected, fearing rupture Of some kind
Even the newspapers that supported the union
scheme are grumbhng omiuously, and just now
begin to see clearly that British Columbia was
reckless extravagant Colony which Vancou-
yer Island should not have united her fortunes
with. The British Columbia authorities APP
pear tc regard the poor Islanders in much the
same light that victorious army looks upon
captured city and its inhabitants, rs useful only
to be robbed, sacked and plundered. The Vic
toria Colonist says
"There are hundreds waiting only to see
what turn things will take under the much
fauutcu " uloA pei0fe leaving TO seek their for
tunes elsewhere, and while the country is thus
trembling in the balance the most skillful
craftsmanship is requisite to avert the zone
poor scruple" that will turn the scale and shake
the Colonial edifce to its foundation"
The Montreal Herald says: "The commit
tee appointed by the Council of the Quebec
Board Of Trade so enquire into the practicable
ity of the winter navigation of the ST. Lawrence
have Ieported the project possible under certain
conditions, but under the most favorable not
likely to be profitable. The risks greatly out
weigh the advantages. The con mittee find
that "no insurance could be effected during the
months OF January and February, and that the
premium by steamships sailing early in De-
cember or in Mach would probably be 8 per
cent, under such circumstances. ofcourse, trade
would be practically impossible. But all the
difficulties, they think, will be met and remov-
ed by the construction of the Iatercolonial
Railway. Very likely. In fact, the Committee
seem to have had no littls trouble in making
up their minds what they should report First
steamships Constructed specially ter the pur-
pose, might ascend, but then there would be no
use in their doing SO, because there would be
no cargoes, the Intercolonial would destroy the
chances of profitable tsade by the St. Law
rencer and finally, the Committee advise the
government to test tho matter by. providing
suitable steamer to navigate the Gulf in De-
cember, March and April"
The only organ Of public opinion in the
Red River Settlement believes that the Colony
would prosper better under Confederation as a
separate Colony, endowed with all the attri-
butes of a local government, than if it was an
nexed to Canada; and at the same time states
that memorial to that effect is now being
signed for transmission to the Colonial Office,
along with resolutions in favor of Confedera-
ton FlHaf aa af