The sun., 1903-11-11
Canada's Missing Province.

Canada's Missing Province.
Newfoundland, with its mainland de-
pendency, Labrador, belongs TO Canada
geographically and strategically, but
not politically. 1t sustains toward Eng
land practically the same relation that
Canada does, being, like Canada, Brit
ish colony having federal responsibility,
1t declined to enter the provincial confed-
GRAFTON at the time of the organization OF
the Dominion, in 1857 Since that time
there has been a series OF spasmodic
occurrences Of movement looking tow
ard the political amalgamation which
was then declined. Such a movement
is again on foot, and the United States is
not without interest in its development,
in view of the pending treaty of reci-
procity with Newfoundland.
The island the oldest OF England's
colonies occupies to-day peculiar po-
sition. 1t is bone OF friendly conten-
tion in which various countries have an
active interest. Canada would welcome
it as a part Of her political hegemony;
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN would see it en-
braced In his scheme Of empire; and the
United States has an interest In its trade
il not in its annexation. Hanging upon
the outskirts OF all this there stands
France with q collection OF valuable
rights ceded to her by the Treaty OF
Utrecht, in l7l3. This circumstance be-
came conspicuous only few months
ago when the treaty was invoked as the
ground Of justification for French inter-
ference with the operations of an Ameri-
can organization which has opened a
copper mine near the waters covered
by the treaty.
A new confederation party has been
formed on the island. under the leader
ship Of Sir WILLIAM WHITRwAY and Mr..
DONALD MORRISON, both OF whom have
been persistent advocates Of oonfedera-
ton ever since the establishment Of the
Dominion and the refusal Of Newfound-
land to become part Of it. Prince Ed
ward Island also held out at that time,
but six years later linked her political
fortunes with those Of her sister prov
inces. Newfoundland stayed out, and
has remained an isolated political en-
tity, debt burdened, a rugged and little
fruitful island lying directly in the mouth
OF Canada's main channel Of traffic.
Canada's attitude has heretofore been
somewhat that Of the celebrated Mr..
BARKs, She has been 'willin',' but
has been shy about making overtures.
It has been felt that overtures should
como from the island. For various rea-
sons, political. financial and personal,
tho two have kept apart. For the last
six or eight years the matter has been
generally quiescent both countries being
quite absorbed In their own affairs Both
have been quite prosperous, Canada
notably so. A year ago Sir ROBERT
BOND, the Premier Of the island, made
the following statement:
Confederation v not. with us. live issue %
present. II has been discussed. Of course. but 1t
Is not question with which we are Immediately
concerned. / might say, indeed, that the hostility
Of the Canadian press or at least o portion OF IT,
has tended TO set this matter back in tho minds
OF the people. do not mean that the Canadian
press has been hostile the idea Of confederation
and arrangements and undoubtedly the result OF
that has been to put people out OF favor with tho
Idea of confederation"
Should the United States give favor
able consideration to the pending treaty
with Newfoundland, the measure would
doubtless delay indefinitely the union
of the island with Canada. The desire
Of the island is, Of course, larger mar
ket. Its annual exports now approx
mate s9,0O0,000, about so per cent. Of
which is represented by sea products.
An interesting feature in the commerce
of the island is the fact that Brazil is its
best customer, taking nearly one-quarter
Of its entire export, while England takes
about one-ffth. Portugal takes about ~
per cent, the United States about 10 per
cent, and Canada about per cent. The
remainder Is divided among Spain, Ger
many and other countries More than
90 per cent of her imports are quite
evenly divided among Canada, England
and the United States.
The commercial interest of the United
States in this trade is mere drop in our
bucket Newfoundland's entire COM
merce is only bagatelle to England.
But in Canada's economy, the island
stands for much, both commercially and
politically.