Williams news., 1916-09-21

SIaI6S 1OllOW6u lue COSlly duu tive civil war.
 Mir. Robins, in an address before the Bondmen's Club of Chicago, expressed the opinion of a far-thinking mind and the review of an experience of the last of his numerous trips through the Ca nadian West. When he said he re- garded the spirit of the Canadian people, as he found 1t, the most ad- mirable and encouraging feature of the entire situation. They are facing the sacrifices of war courageouSly and with calm confidence as to the result, and in similar spirit they face the eco- homie future, confident, but expecting to solve their problems only by dint of hard and intelligent effort.
 An important part of MT. Robins address, which invites earnest atten- tion, is that in which he refers to the land situation, and when his remarks are quoted they carry with them the impression gained by one who has given the question the careful thought of man experienced in economic ques- tions, and specially those relating to soil and it's production. He is quoted as saying:
 Agricultural Canada was never so prosperous, and immigration of agri cultural population both during and after the war seems a logical expecta- tion, finding support in an increasing immigration at present from the Unit ed States, in spite of numerous ca nards spread broadcast throughout the United States to discourage emigration to Canada. The lands of Western Can ada, however, as long as they are as at present the most advantageous for 1 the settler of any on the continent, must continue to attract, despite mis- representation, and on the increase of it's agricultural and other primarily productive popula ton depends the eco- homie future of Canada. All other | problems are secondary to this, and the large interests of Canada, recog- niZing this fact, are preparing to se- cure and hold this population both dur ing and after the war. They are con- tent to let city development and other | secondary phases and superstructure follow in natural course. This recog- | milton of the true basis of economic development is an encouraging augury for the future.'
 "The war has brought the United States and Canada nearer together economically than ever before. The total investment of United States capi- tai in Canada doubtless exceeds $1,O00,- 100000, of which $3OOOOO,OOO has been invested since the war began. Except for Great Britain, Canada is the Unit ed States best customer. Our exports to all of South America in the last three years were less than a third of our exports to Canada in the same pc riod, although Canada has been rigidly reducing her imports since the war be- | gan. Even France, a good customer of the United States, bought S7O,O0O,- 900 less than Canada during 1913, 1914, 1915. And yet Canadas purchasing power is in the first stages of develop ment only., It has been estimated that the United States can support a popu- lation of 600,OO0O00. Using the same basis of calculation in reference to nat ural resources, Canada can support population of 4OO,0O0,OOO.
 Canada is potentially the most pop ulous, and, in primary production, at least, the richest unit of the British empire, and it behooves us in the Unit ed States to know our Canada"
 The social conditions throughout Western Canada are everything that could be desired Schools have been established in all districts where there may be ten or twelve children of school age, and these are largely maintained by liberal government grants. A fund for this purpose is raised from the revenue derived from the sale of school land, one-eighteenth of all lands being
 set aside as school lands. All the higher branches of education are cared for, there being high schools at all
 important centers, and colleges and
 universities in the principal cities.
 The different religious denomina-
 tions prevail, each having it's separate
 church, and religious services are held in every hamlet and village, and in far-off settlements the pastor finds an attentive congregation. The rural tele- , phone is one of the great modern con- yeniences that brings the farm home . nearer to the market
 : It is not saying too much to state } that in matters of social importance, , in the most remote settlements they l carry with them the same influence as
 is to be found in the most prosperous farming districts of any of the states of the Union.-