New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-25
Toronto, September II.

listments in Ontario and Quebec can
not fail to be reflected for years IN
the labor situation in the two prov
inces in such way as TO have an I'M
portant industrial significance. The
joint effect of what is practically an
unimpared labor supply and the lower
standard Of living in Quebec now give
it a decided advantage over the moro
progressive upper province. lndica-
tions are not lacking that Quebec will
experience a period of rapid expansion
and development after the war which
may exceed that of Ontario. The for
mer will get new industries, simply
because in many cases it can offer
manufacturers costs of production con-
sidcrably lower than those in the COM
peting province.
The bi-lingual issue and the failure
Of the French Canadian to recognize
Imperial responsibilities have already
caused considerable ill-feeling between
Ontario and Quebec. Now there is .
prospect that this may be intensified
by an industrial rivalry, in which Que
bees advantage will be duo In large
measure to the comparative sloofness
Of that province in regard to the war.
The Price of Patriotism.
The French Canadian has not re-
sponded as he should to the call for
men. Ontario has raised 81 per cent
of its pro rata proportion Of 100000,
based on the number of men of mill
tary age. Enlistments in Ontario to
the end Of July totalled 146,s0s. Que
bee at the same date had enlisted ST.
448 men, or less than 33 per cent Of
its pro rata proportion of the 100000
authorized. According to the last
Canadian census, there were in Que
bee 1,605,339 French and 3l6,1o3 Eng
disappearing residents. Yet the Eng
disappearing portion of the population
has contributed fully as many men as
has the French element. The number
of French Canadians recruited from
Quebec will not exceed 1900, and
wastage, including assertions, etc, will
considerably reduce this total.
Ontarios population was placed by
the last census at 2,529,274. OF this
number only Is per cent are men Of
military age. Official records show
that Ontario has given to the Canadian
forces close to 100000 men, including
a large proportion Of its best indus
trial workers. This drain naturally
has handicapped Ontario industries
and, at the same time, increased COM
petition for men to such an extent as
TO cause a general increase in wages.
The same factor has not been opera
tive in Quebec TO anything like an
equal degree.
Quebec Rich in Natural Resources.
While more backward in develop
ment, Quebec is quite as beautifully
endowed with natural resources as is
Ontario. There are historical facts
and racial considerations which ac-
count in part for the fact that those
resources have not been exploited,
that the province, except for strip
along the st. Lawrence, is largely un-
developed, and that a great area in
Northern Quebec is barely explored.
When Quebec comes to be developed
industrially its natural wealth and adj
vantages will astonish the world. That
development will be done almost GER
tainiy by Englsh-speaking interests.
The French-Canadians, with a few ex-
ceptions, have not the qualities Of the
successful promoter. Yet English
speaking capitalists will find in Quebec
a good supply of cheap, unskilled labor,
which is so important factor in the
costs OF production in many indus
tries. In this respect Ontario cannot
hope to compete for years to come,
end probably never.
Electric Power Helps Ontario.
II should not be overlooked that On
tario possesses certain advantages
which will help to offset the lower
priced labor in the French province.
Most important of these is cheap cleo
trio energy. The Hydro Electric Power
system of Ontario is well-managed
public ownership enterprise which so
far has been remarkably successful. II
provides electric power at much
lower cost than II is available In any
other country in the world. Moreover,
the development, although already Of
important proportions, is still capable
Of great extension. Hydro-electric
power may gain and save many indus
tries for Ontario in the days of keen
competition which seem TO be ahead.
Quebec has an abundance OF water
power. but the rights are almost COM
pletely held by private interests, and a
power development such as that in On
tario appears TO be out of the question.
Municipal msmanagement is a weak
ness Of not a few Quebec communities.
The extravaganza which this involves
probably counterbalances the heavier
financial burden which Ontario cities
and towns have assumed in connection
with their war contributions.
Toy Industry Expanding.