Year: 1859

the creation Of near market; so that taking AL
these things into account, there would be little real
loss in going TO Ottawa now, even If Q1ebec were
made the Federal capital ten years hence.


The position OF the Federal Union question has
Just been made known by the dispatches on the
subject which have been laid before the Leaisla.
ture On the formation of the Cartier Macdonald
Government, last August. it was announced TO
Parliament that a Federal Union would form
part of their policy. After the prorogation, an
order in Council was passed, authorizing two mem
bers of the Cabinet 10 60 TO England 10 urge the
matter on the attention of the Imperial Govern
ment. Whether for this or some other purpose,
three MiI listers went home - Messrs Cartier,
Ross and Gait; and IN JOINT letter to
Sir T. Bulwer Lytton, Colonial Secretary, they
urge the necessity of Federal union Of all the
British American Provinces, from a Canadian
point of view: and for imperial consolation they
add that it would forever do away with the fear
that these colonies may go 10 swell the power OF
another naton-the United States being, of course,
meant. The delegates represent that difficulty
regarding the adjustment of the representation IN
the legislature between Upper and Lower Canada
has arisen; that Lower Canada, with smaller
population, has the same representation as Upper
Canada: that Upper Canada demands an increased
representation in proportion TO its population, which
Lower Canada is unwilling to grant; and that
the difficulty which has thus arisen, increases with
the disparity Of the population in the two sections
of the Province. As means OF getting rid OF tins
difficulty a Federal union of all the British Pro
yinces is suggested, and authority for a meeting
of Delegates from the different Provinces to deter
mine upon the basis ON which such union could
be effected is asked. This the Colonial Secretary
refuses 10 grant until he has assurance that the
other Colonies prepared to entertain the ques-
ton At the same time, the Canadian Govern
ment undertook to open correspondence with
the other Provinces on the subject. New-Bruns-
wick replies in effect, that the matter should not
be hurried. but that time should be given for
consideration: from NOva-ScOta there is no reply;
Prince Edwards Island acknowledges the receipt
of the communication, and Newfoundland will be
ready to appoint delegate as soon as authority
for meeting OF delegates is given by the Imperial
Government. This is the position of the question
of federation at present. II came out in conyer-
saton in the House, that there are some other
communications on the subject beside the dis
patches laid before the Legislature, but they are
private.


The session is not expected to be a long one.
Very little legislation is promised IN the Royal
Speech. A readustment OF the tariff on ad valo-
rem principles will take place. Some further COM
pensatiOD in addition To the > 600, 900 voted In
1914, to the one hundred and twenty selgniors,
whose casual rights are in course of extinction,
will be made. The estimates will be laid before
the House at an early date, instead of being left TIL
the close OF the session, as is too frequently the
case Like that of the United States, our Govern
ment may have to make temporary loan to ride
over the present period of commercial stagnatlon.