The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-26
Nv.

The fourth OF Canada's geog raphical
divisions the prairie section. Sloping east
ward to Hudson Bay and northward along
the valleys OF the Peace and Mackenzie
rivers. rising again on the west toward
the Rocky Mountains comprises what are
now known as the Northwest Territories
OF these the territories Of Assiniboia and
Alberta are the most southerly. bordering
on the American boundary from Manitoba
20 British Columbia Assiniboia presents
vast expanse Of the most fertile prairie
well fitted for the growing OF wheat and
9th Ell grains while A IBERIA Possesses special
aptitudes for grain farming and ranching
just above these lie the Territories Of Sas-
katchewan and Athaba sea both compre-
bending thousands Of square miles OF well
watered prairie lands ThefoImer has nota-
ole possibilities asa grain growing country
and even the latter is well endowed by
nature as arc many lands which in times
gone by have supported a considerable
population in conf ort Still further toward
the Arctic Circle stretch the territories OF
Mackenzie and Yukon The former is still
an almost unknown wilderness containing
almost no white inhabitants save few
missionaries and traders II is we'll known
that the Yukon has recently been found 10
possess considerable mineral wealth. the
exploitation of which during the last few
wears has occupied growing population
Finally there is the huge district Of Kee-
wafin. comprising the long strip of territory
which extends around the western shore Of
Hudson Bay and south to the northwestern
boundary ~ Ontario.
Our author points ont that collectively
the Northwest Territories have few attrac-
tons for the immigrant except a fertile
soil The climate in all Of them ia severe
vet there prevails in the atmosphere a
drynes- which lessons the discomfort
caused by the extreme cold There are
reasons for believing that the mineral
wealth Of some OF the territories is CON
siderable. but the belief is not yet thor
ouehv verified. Timber is not present
in abundance. fact that NAV retard the
development Of the country Neverthe-
less The inflow Of -ette Ter, has been large
especially during the last decade Part Of
the influx into the territories has been
at the expense Of the older parts Of the
Dominion hut the new lands have drawn
upon Europe 70 no inconsiderable extent.
Most Of the European settlers have been Of
British origin, but the encoura cement
offered 10 immigration by the Canadian
Government has brought in number. Of
Galiclans, Icelanders Doukhobors. Firms
and other non British peoples the assimi-
latlon OF whom will be a matter Of more or
less difficulty DR. Munro deems il a hope
ful sign. 80 far A. Canada is concerned
that there has recently been considerable
inpour OF settlers from the United State.
He sees that this inflow should II continue.
will easily Offset the influence Of the alien
element in the population Of the territory
The Indian population is comparatively
small and may almost be left out OF &C
count. Practically all the Indians are kept
on reservations and are partially main
tanned at The public cost, In our author =
judgment the red man ~ the Northwest
Territories is destined 10 become extinct He
recalls that quarter Of century or more
ago there was good deal Of intcrmarrv-
ing between French traders and indians