PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
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GROUP C.
Principals or other Heads of Universities and Colleges.
1. Rev. S. G. Bland, Wesley College
2. Rev. Chancellor Burwash, Victoria University 3. Rev. Robert A. Falconer, Presbyterian College
4. Very Rev. Principal Gordon, Queen's University
5. President Hannah, King's College
6. Rev. Prevost Macklem, Trinity University
7. Rev. Principal MacLaren, Knox College
8. Very Rev. Monsignor, Mathieu, Rector Laval
University
9. Rev. Principal Patrick, Manitoba College 10. Principal Peterson, McGill University
11. Rev. Principal Scrimger, Presbyterian College
12. Rev. Principal Sheraton, Wycliffe College -
GROUP D.
Winnipeg. Toronto. Halifax. Kingston. Windsor, N.S. Toronto.
Toronto.
Quebec.
Winnipeg.
-
Montreal.
Montreal.
Toronto.
Prominent Clergymen from whom Letters have been received.
4. Coadjutor Bishop Carmichael
1. Rt. Rev. Lord Bishop of Algoma
2. Very Rev. Dr. Armstrong, Moderator
3. Rev. Dr. Barclay, St. Paul's
5. Most Rev. Archbishop of Halifax
6. Rev. Dr. Moore, Ex-Moderator
7. Most Rev. Archbishop of Montreal
9. R. Rev. Lord Bishop of Niagara
8. R. Rev. Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia
10. R. Rev. Lord Bishop of Ontario
11. R. Rev. Lord Bishop of Ottawa
12. Rev. Dr. Potts, Methodist Educational Society
13. Rev. Dr. Pollock, Ex-Moderator
14. R. Rev. Lord Bishop of Quebec -
15. Rev. Dr. Rose, Methodist Centenary Church
Sault Ste. Marie.
Ottawa,
Montreal.
Montreal.
Halifax.
Ottowa.
-
Montreal.
Halifax.
Hamilton.
-
Kingston.
Ottawa.
Toronto.
Halifax.
Quebec.
-
Hamilton.
In examining the extracts appended, one cannot fail to notice the unity of thought (however variously expressed) which distinguishes nearly all of the letters. This is the more remarkable when it is borne in mind that the writers were widely separated by distance, and had no opportunity, even incidentally, of mutual consultation. This circumstance cannot fail to establish much confidence in the general conclusion reached.
The evidence adduced gives the strongest possible support to the suggestions herein made, with respect to the practical development of what has been styled "the organisation of the Empire," a subject which Mr. Howe introduced to the attention of the people of England in an eloquent speech delivered in the Town Hall of the city of Southampton on January 14th, 1851, and which he, as leader of the Government of Nova Scotia, afterwards discussed at great length before the Legislature of that province.
Half a century has passed since then. Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa have come to the front. Great changes have been wrought in each of these countries, as well as in Canada and the Mother Country. There is perhaps more need to-day than ever before for a unity of ideas on this matter which so deeply concerns all. But we ask ourselves the question, "Has there "been a single decisively practical step made to organise the Empire?" It is difficult to give a direct and satisfactory answer in the affirmative. Indeed, the feeling is gaining ground that there will be but little advance made until some new method, such as that now suggested, be inaugurated.
Our Mutual Needs.
As an illustration of the great need of an Imperial intelligence organisation such as that which has been outlined, I may instance the following facts :-- A remarkable address was delivered by the Honourable Alfred Deakin (now
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Prime Minister of Australia) on June 14th, 1905. It was published in Melbourne by the Imperial Federation League of Victoria in pamphlet form, but as far as I know not a single copy of the address, in any form, reached Ottawa until January 25th, 1906. On that day I read the address for the first time, and I unhesitatingly say that this very able and scholarly deliver- ance on a momentous question, in which all citizens of the Empire are as much interested as Australians, should have long since been placed before every Canadian. The State cable which unites Canada with Australia lies idle at the bottom of the Pacific for more than 20 hours in each 24; it has a complete staff of the very best operators in constant attendance, and it would add absolutely nothing to the working expenses of the undertaking to have the cable usefully employed during some of its idle hours. The address, containing probably 10,000 words, could easily have been transmitted in one day, and still easier by instalments in several days, in any case without interfering with ordinary cable business. This thoughtful utterance of an Imperial statesman of the first rank is precisely the kind of literature which a discerning officer of the proposed Intelligence Department would select for transmission by cable soon after its delivery, but it only reached Canada
incidentally, after seven months had elapsed. Comment is unnecessary. The single case cited is quite sufficient to show how much would be gained by using the means placed at our command or within easy reach.
The half-hundred names in the foregoing lists belong to gentlemen who, for the most part, entertain the idea that we should never forget the legend, Festina lente. They are representative names of the learned classes in Canada, men of prudence, men of patriotism, men of foresight. Their names carry with them ample evidence that they are well qualified to speak, not only for themselves, but for others, and it is of the utmost moment that the several British communities should be wisely counselled at this stage in our history.
The views expressed by these gentlemen may fairly be regarded as the voice of Canada. They are in substantial agreement with the recorded opinions of the commercial men of the Empire, and it can scarcely be doubted that they will be found in accord with prevailing opinions in the United Kingdom, in New Zealand, in Australia, and in South Africa. All heard from are substantially of one mind as to the establishment of a great channel of communication, linking together in an electric girdle the self-governing British communities; they appear to think that it is of transcendent importance to inaugurate an Imperial cable service which, while satisfying in the highest degree the needs of commerce, would at the same time perform the functions of a continuous spinal cord encircling the globe, by and through which would freely flow every national aspiration—every sympathetic impulse of the British people in every longitude and latitude.
I humbly think that such a consensus of opinion may be taken to indicate the policy which, without unnecessary delay, it would be wise to follow, at this stage, in the evolution of the sea-united Empire.
I have, &c.,
The Right Honourable the Earl of Elgin, Secretary of State for the Colonies.
APPENDED LETTERS AND PAPERS.*
Sandford FLEMING,
(1) Letters Nos. 1 and 2 to the Canadian Club, October 21 and 26, 1905.
(2) Extracts from Letters of eminent Canadians :-
Group A.-Statesmen and Political Students. Group B.-Judges of Supreme and other Courts. Group C.-Heads of Universities and Colleges.
Group D.-Some Leading Clergymen.
(3) State Cables and Cheap Telegraphy as Aids to Imperial Consolidation.
• Not reprinted.
I 2