Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-24
The Canadian Census

Inc nrSt oHiChti puiIetin on the new
Canadian census has just been issued
at ottawa. and there is no denying the
fact that ii is a distinct disappointment
ia our friends across the border The
past few years have been prosperous
ores for the Dominion. Its trade has
largely expanded. new railroads have
been constructed. fresh industries es-
tablished and great deal accom-
plished in the development of the coun
try's natural resources. The people of
Canada have reasonably anticipated
that progress so marked would be ac-
companied With a corresponding in
crease in population. \ census which
shows an increase for the decade of
only 505.6t4 is. therefore. all the more
disappointing. Doubtless this result
has been. in large measure. due to
to the States-a movement that has
been but little more than offset by
immigration and natural increase.
Citizens of the Dominion are somewhat
loath to take this view of the situation.
They have. for some time past. con
tended that the increased demand for
labor in the provinces. with its conse-
quent narrowing of the margin be-
tween the wage scale there and in the
United States has not only operated To
check the emigration Of their people 10
This country. but has actually caused
left TIE Dominion a substantial net
gamer. All this has been naturally
pleasing 10 Canadian pride and
patriotism. nor can there be any
question of their entire good faith in
taking this view of the case.
The are. naturally. surprised and
chagr med 10 be 50 clearly shown in
error by the census returns. 1t is al
most too much to expect OF human ma
tuTe, that they will concedc III. SUI
perior drawing powers of this country.
hence we find them casting about foI
PLANTATION of the situation. The only
az ailable one in sight Is the charge
now quite generally made by the
Canadian press. that the census Of
ten years ago was seriously padded
and misleading. This plea will not
stand the test of "A rigid analysis. but
it serves very well as temporary
balm OF gilead.
The figures OF this census. which
We're published in the Journal news
columns last Saturday. are worthy Of
study They show the total popula
time to be 5.33s, $50 which as we have
stated is only about half million
greater than il was ten years ago.
British Columbia and Manitoba
lead the procession with n net
gain for the decade Of $4,000 The
territories show a gain OF III 600 Icav-
ing only 1919. 00o.as the total gain of the
five remaining provinceS-an average
OF less than i0.0 900 each.
A comparison with the figures Of our
own census of last year may serve to
throw a few side lights on the above
figures Five different states Of the
Union. viz. New York. Pennsylvania.
Ohio. Illinois and Texas. each made
greater gain in population for the
decade than was made by the entire
Dominion Of Canada.
Tie gain Of population for the ten
years in the city Of New York alone
was nearly four times as great as the
total gain in the Dominion OF Canada.
But our friends across the border
! need not feel discouraged. They have
a country wonderfully rich in natural
resources and it is altogether likely
| that in the decade to come American
capital will be more and more at
| tracted by the possibilities OF their
development. With industries comes
population, and the next census of the
Dominion is bound to make far bet
| ter showing than the one that has Just
| been completed