The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-03
CANADA TODAY.

oAiAWAs OCt. e. Inc NAuauAoh aIiN-
nent has now been in continuous session
for little more than seven months. Some
OF its critics charge, and some Of its friends
admit, that much Of the time has been
wasted in fruitless and petty discussion.
This declares nothing, except that the
Canadian Parliament is quite like all such
bodies the world over.
For the last three months the central
feature Of the work has been the consdera-
ton OF the proposal for . new transconti-
mental railway, the general plan Of which
was fully outlined in The Sun during the
month OF July The plan was brought
forward as a Government measure, and
Immediately upon its submis ZION to the
House 1t encountered vigorous opposi-
ton. which is still maintained. The oppo-
sition has come not only from the political
opponents Of the controlling party in the
Parliament. but also from members Of that
party, from notable portion of the press,
and from the public. At the present time
opposition is taking the form Of signed
protests from cities and towns throughout
the country. These are coming daily, in
! scores. Without at all questioning the
honesty or the good faith Of the signers
OF these documents. it ia safe to assume
that the adoption OF the same tactics by the
| supporters Of the bill would lead to coun-
terbalancing torrent Of petitions in favor
OF the measure.
1t may be said that in the main there
has been no very marked change in the stu
alton. The desirability Of the construc-
ton OF new line from Winnipeg to the
Pacific, north OF the Canadian Pacific, is
generally conceded. difference Of opin-
ion exists regarding the financial arrange
ments for its construction and operation.
There has been. perhaps, some lessening
| OF the almost bitter opposition which was
earlier manifested toward the construction
Of the Winnipeg Atlantic end of this line.
| While it now seems probable that the bill
will be passed, it is not at all likely that the
| opposition will discontinue its fight. An
effort will undoubtedly be made to have
the measure submitted to the country for a
public expression OF approval or rejection.
| A Redistribution bill, called by its oppo-
nents gerrymander. has also been a
bone Of active contention. Its supporters.
the Liberal party, declare that a readjust-
ment Of divisional lines in certain districts
is not only justified, but demanded by an
increase in population. The Conservatives
| denounce it az plan to secure an increased
| Liberal representation. The Liberals bark
back to an experience in 1880 when the boot
was on the other leg. II Canada's popula-
| ton continues to increase at it's present
rate. there is promise that coming Parlia-
ments will have abundant opportunity to
| nj rraI
| Liberals will doubtless win In the present
instance, and then both parties will stand
evenly equipped with the arguments Of an
alleged disgraceful precedent.
| While the Canadian Parliament drags on
its days OF wearying and evasive discus
sion, the Canadian people are busy with
other than political affairs. They are
gathering crops and threatening railway
blockades with the shipment Of them, not
withstanding greatly increased facilities
in storage capacity and railway equipment
Fall trade is setting in in good volume and
the outlook for business during the corning
months is exceedingly good. The tide Of
immigration, both from the United States
| and from abroad, continues; and necessary
purchases by the newcomers help not a
little to swell the volume Of general trade.
Various gatherings Of Importance have
been held within the last few weeks. The
meeting Of representatives from the Cham
bers Of Commerce from other parts of the
British Empire has done much to bring
Canadas wonderful resources, and their
rapid development, before the people of
other lands, and cannot fail to be of adj
vantage to all. The Canadian Manufact-
urers Association, representing an in
vested capital of more than 100000. 900,
has held it's annual meeting and discussed
plans and methods for the furtherance Of
Canadas manufacturing interests.
The Trade and Labor Congress has held
its meeting and discussed trade and labor
conditions from its point of view. That
trade unionism in Canada is quite up to
date is indicated by a resolution passed
at this meeting. 1t charged the Manu-
facturers' Association with using political
influence with the Department Of Labor
to induce that department to bring in, az
immigrants, foreign workmen TO take the
place of Canadian workmen who dared to
belong to labor organizations, or who
sought to secure wages sufficient to meet
the increased cost of living, in rent, fuel
and many Of the necessaries Of life 1t
pronounced the Manufacturers Associa-
ton to be NOISY, self-important and
arrogant" body. Canada il rapidly be-
coming big enough to maintain a Board
of Arbitration.
With many other gatherings. there
have been those of the Ontario Christian
Endeavor Union and the Canadian Con-
ference on Charities and Correction. The
interest shown in these meetings gives
evidence that while Canada is busy with
her material interests. the moral and So
Geological welfare of the country is not
entirely neglected.
The disaster at the 500 finds faint echo
from another of Canada's important in
dust rial centres, that Of Cape Breton, al
though it is perhaps nfar 10 class the
Sydney experience as a disaster. 1t is
rather a misfortune. The Dominion Iron
and Steel Company felt itself obliged to pass
it's dividend on the ground that present
earnings did not justify its payment. 1t
has also cancelled its lease of the Dominion
Coal Company, which has undoubtedly lost
bv its connection with the steel company
1t liz in no way probable. if it be at all
possible, that the Sydney properties will
have any such experience as that Of the 500.
All the requisites for a successful business
are there. There has been some over
expenditure doubtless, although some Of it
l,t>I TIa, ~ In in tb..