New-York tribune., 1900-08-11
CANADA AND THE EMPIRE
LEADERSHIP IN COLONIAL. POLICIES
SINCE CONFEDERATION-TH CA
MADAM OFFICE IN LONDON.
London. ,Julv 0S

questioned leadership in colonial policies After
confederation in 1867 there were emigration
agents in various cities with chief in London
and there was an agent-general for six wears
Iutu the Office Of High Commissioner for Canada
vas created in 1850 Other seIf-governinR
colonies have been represented by agents but
Canada, by virtue Of confederation. has en-
j0yed the distinction OF having a High Com
missioner. who is the doyen OF the Colonial
Diplomatic Corps in London. Sir Alexander
Gait was the first head Of the enlarged Canadian
Cf5c=. and his successors have been men Of emf
nerce Sir Charles Tupper. Sir Donald Smith
and Lord StraJhcona. An official residence in
Cromwell Road was taken for long term, the
Offices in Victoria-st. were enlarged. and the
relations between Canada and the mother
country were conducted with dignity and ef-
fciency worthy Of group OF important colonies
Australian confederation viii probably open the
way Tor the appointment OF another High Com
missioner and the consolidation of half dozen
Offices. but the leadership and supremacy OF
Canada IN colonial representation is not likely
n be menaced. Canada, as the elder brother.
win remain the head of the colonial family and
The importance Of the High Commissioner for
-he Dominion VIII steadily increase as the
mother country is brought into relations with
one confederation after another.
The Canadian once in London combines the
functions of q colonial embassy, consuIate-gen-
eraI. emigration department and bureau OF mill
ta-y supplies. Il receives instructions from the
Dominion Government, conducts relations WITH
the Colonial ONCE promotes the commercial and
business interests Of Canada exercises super
vision over The emigration agencies, negotiates
temporary or ordinary loans for the Confedera-
ton. acts as trustee Of various sinking funds
purchases stores for the militia and mounted
police. and transacts a large amount Of general
business. The High Commissioner is at once the
diplomatic representative Of Canada al the Court
C -. James and the commercial and business
agent who discharges the functions Of a consul
general. He attends conferences and congresses
1EuCrs commercial negotiations with Paris
Madrid and other capitals and carries on an ex-
-e-s5vs correspondence with the Colonial Office
The Ottawa Government and the mercantile com
o-unity Z Canada The Canadian Office with its
small bur exceedingly competent STAFF has be-
come great centre q colonial business. and its
correspondence increases n volume year by
gear The Office has had the advantage OF a per
r-areur secretary, for Mr.. J. G. Colner has re-
u-et-=d IN charge Of the routine Of the business
from The appointment Of the first High Commits
ssne-. and The STAFF is admirably organized for
systematic work
The Canadian colony in London is small but
influential The timber trade is the chief bust
ness interest Of the Dominion which is repre-
se1red II the United Kingdom and there are
merchants, bankers and retired business men
from Toronto Montreal and Halifax There has
been z Canadian Club in London for over a cen
ru-y. and irs dinners are well attended Ionin-
Ion Day IS celebrated every year with 2 banquet
over which the High Commissioner presides. and
there are usually two hundred al table. The
Canadian Office is q rendezvous for visitors from
the Dominion all the year round and there is q
comfortable library and reading room for their
accommodation, with files Of the leading Cana
dian newspapers and magazines There are as
many as thirteen thousand visitors IL the course
Ct twelve months, and the ordinary commercial
correspondence includes over ten thousand let
ters on trade subjects requiring inquiry and
answer Canadians in London have all the ad-
vautages of an embassy and consulate, and they
also have The satisfactory feeling that the Do
ui1i0n is singled out for special distinction
among rhe estates Of the Empire and is repre-
serted by the recognized leader Of the colonial
diplomats.
The colonial agents Of the other seIf-goverr-
ing colonies include the Hon. Henry Copeland
CT New South Wales; Sir A. Clarke, OF Vic
rcria5 Sir . Tenant, Of Cape Colony; Sir Walter
Peace. q Natal; The Hon. ". P. Reeves, Of New
Zealand; Sir H Tozer, Of Queensland DIT. J. a.
C1ckburn. Of South Australia; Sir Philip Fish,
q Tasmania. and sir Z H Wittenoom. OF West
Australia among these experienced colonial
representatives. Lord Strathcoua occupies the
first rank. by virtue Of the importance OF the
federated colonies and his own talents and ac-
c0rrIlshueuts. He is a favorite at Court and
IN society. entertains his friends with a free
hand in town and in country, and although he
has reached the age Of eighty after a busy
career. begun II the service Of the Hudson Bay
Company. he shows few signs Of overwork and
The burdens Of years. He has an uurivaied
knowledge OF the resources and interests Of
Canada IS an astute sootchman. with lucidity
O. intelligence, and is conspicuous for refine
1nent ot taste His generosity and public spirit
n eguipping al his own expense picked body
q six hundred mounted troops known as
srrathcona's Horse. have sealed his popularity
II London. and especially II the councils OF the
empire although this final demonstration Of
loyalty 70 the Crown was hardly requisite when
his position the first Of the colonial diplomats
tn service was already ablished-
Il Is evident that the good relations OF Canada
and the mother country have been steadily pro-
noted since the Office Of High Commissioner was
created The presence Of this colonial diplomat
IN London has been z sign for twenty years Of
the leadership Of Canada among the self govern
ing colonies. The most practical result has been
the expansion Of Canadian commerce with the
United Kingdom, and this has opened the way
for SIR Wilfrtd Laurier's policy OF q preferential
tartr. The results OF the tariff changes can be
discussed only tentatively since the increased
preference from % 10 33 per cent has been in
operation since July !; but even with q
lover percentage there has been an enlargement
Of British export trade with Canada, and the
gains ought naturally 70 be considerable with
The added advantage Of 5 per cent The i'm
ports into the United Kingdom from Canada are
Steadily Increasing. Copyright is about the only