^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V. // f/ fc r^ r^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 lU u |25 ■ 22 1^ iHUt. L4 11.6 1^ V >>. V /A 4^ °\4k ^V -^ '^' « ' 6^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHfVi/ICiVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 i Technical Notes / Notes techniques The institute has attempted to obtain the best originai copy available for filming. Physical features of this copy which may alter any of the images in the reproduction are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur exempiaire qu'il lui a At* possible de se procurer. Certains dAfauts susceptibles de nuire A la quality de la reproduction sont notAs ci-dessous. 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L'exemplaire film* fut reprodult grAce A la gAnirosit* de i'Atabiissament prAteur sulvant : La biblloth*que des Archives publiques du Canada Las cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour Atre reprodultes en un seul cllchA sont filmAes A partir de Tangle supArleure gauche, de gauche A drolte et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Le diagramme sulvant illustre la mAthode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 t i-lj^ grittalr (Bmipixt fta^m in Canaira, m Its <®ri0m, Conatttntton and IBQ-lotoa, INCLUDING H^port ol ^pmal (S^n^ral ^^Bting, HELD AT ,** OTTAWA, MARCH 4th. 1896. * \ ■ TOBONTO : Thb Cabbwbll Go. Ltd. Pbintebs. 1896. T^e British Eigpire League ^ OFFICES: AT THE LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Botolph House, Eastcheap, London, E. C. |3rrsibfnt: His Grace The Duke of Devonshire, K.G. m '^an» treasurer : The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P. Cbairman of (&xnviti\it : Sir Robert G. W. Herbert, G.C.B. ^ucretarg : C. Freeman Murray. ^)jt Iritislj (Bm^ivt league iln Cana5a« 10 Equity Chambers, Adelaide St. East, Toronto. President : Lt.-Col. George T. Denison. Tice-Presldentfii lor Provinces : D'Alton McCarthy, t^-C., M.P., Alex. McNeill, M.P., Ontario. Sir Donald A. Smith, K.C.M.G., Arch. McGoun, Quebec. Sir Leonard Tilley, K.C.M.G., R. C. Weldon, Q.C, M.P., New Brunswick, Lt.-Governor Daly, His Grace Archbishop O'Brien, Nova Scotia. Lt.-Governor Howlan, Prince Edward Island. Lt.-Governor Mackintosh, N. W. Territories. Lt.-Governor Dewdney, British Columbia. Xlon. Secretary: George E. Evans, Hon. Treasurer; J. T. Small. * » THE BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE IN CANADA. ITS ORIGIN, CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. , Upon tho (liHHolutioii of tlic Council of the Imperial Federation League in England in 1894, t\w City of Lon- don Branch, tliroupli their President, Sir John Lubbock, requeHted the Canadian Branch to assist them in an endeavour to reconstruct tho Loaguo upon a Htronger and more durable baHis, and, if possible, to confer with them as to the best means of achieving this result. Accordingly, at the annual meeting held in Ottawa on tho 29th May, 1894, the following oflQce-bearers and members were appointed a committee, with power to add to their number, to confer with the members of the City of London Branch, with the object above set out in view, and to report upon the result of such con- ference: — Lt. Col. G. T. Denison, the President of tlie League in Canada; Sir Donald Smith, K.C.M.G., one of the Vice-Presidents of the League; Larratt W. Smith, Esq., Q.C., LL.D., the President of the Toronto Branch; George E. Evans., Esq., the Hon. Sec. of the League in Canada; H. J. Wickham, Esq., the Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Major Denison, the Secretary of the London Branch, and J. L. Hughes, Esq., one of the Council. At a preliminary meeting of the Sub-Committee, held at Sir Donald Smith's rooms in London on July 19th, 1894, Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., G.C.M.G., who way present and expressed his willingness to act, was added to the deputation. imiTisii F.Mi'im: i.KA'iiri:. rpon .liil.v 20, a mi'^'tinK wiih licld in Rir .lolin Liib- bock'H lioiiHo of tlioHu iiitoreHtc'd in ilio reor^oini/.ution of the Ini|«'riHl FtMli'mtion Li^a^uc. Tliure were promMit to meet (he (jtinadinn (U'piitatiiui tlir ftillowin^: — Hir John Lubboi'U (in th(> clmir); Field MarHhal lionl KobrrtH of C'andalnir; Sip (JIunloH Tnpper, Hir WeHtby Percival, A^ent (hnrral for Now Zcaianil; llu* Won. T. A. HranHcy, MeuHrH. C. Froonian Murray, W. (yulvcr .lanicH, W. II. Day, W. ]t(>(ko(( Hill ((Jhainnan of Or^Miiizin;; Ocnn- niittoo of City of Loiulou Itruuch}; Itulph Vouug, 11. VV. MurcuM and otlu^t'H. Aftor ronmdorablo diHt^UHHion, it was decidod that a now orjfanization bo forniod, to bo callod '* Tho HritiHh Knipiro LoaKuo," and at a HubHcqucnt mcotinj? of the City of London liranch of tho old Inipi-rial Fodoration Loaj^ne, hold in th<* Chanibor of Coinniorco, tho follow- ing Organizing (yonnnittoo wcih? appointed, along with the Canadian deputation, to undertake tho work of the recouHtruetion of the League : — The Earl of Derby, Earl of Jersey, Earl of OuhIow, Earl of Dunraven, Field Mar- Hhal Lord Koberts of Candahar, Lord BrasHoy, Lord Tennywon, Hir John Lubbock, Hart., M.P., Hir Algernon liorthwick, Jtart., M.r., Hir (;harl<'H Tapper, lla . Sir Westby Percival, Hir Frederick Young, Major-tUueral Kalph Young, Lt.-v'ol. V. K. James, Dr. W. (hilver James, Messrs. F. Faithful Kegg, M.l*., W. Herbert Daw, £. M. Headley, W. Beckett Hill, Nevile Lubbock, Her- man W. Marcus, John F. Taylor and C. Freeman Murray. As a result of the efforts of such Organizing Com- mittee, at a large meeting held in the Mansion House, London, on the 27th January last, and presided over by the Lord Mayor, the British Empire League was form- ally inaugurated, a ronstitntion (a copy of which is ap- pended) adopted, and the following resolution, moved by Hir John Lubbock, unanimously carried : — " That " the attention of our fellow-countrymen throughout the '' Empire is invited to the recent establishment of the " British Empire League, and their support by member- " ship and subscription is strongly recommended." MUniSlI KMIMIIK LKAJJirE. i Tlu- folIowliiK «»fll»»'iH wi'ie oleitJMl:— i'lTHiat'iit, the Duko of Ih'VuuHliliv, K.U.; CJhulnuau of Kxecutlv**, tiiv Kobert (1. W. lli'ibort, U.C.H.; lion. Trt'UH., Hlr John LubljoeU, Hart., M.l'.; Uou. Hec, C. Fiv«Mium Murray, Khu. I'pou llu' HMflpL of tlu' above rcMolutlon of Hlr .I<»hn Lubb(Mk, a HiM.'clal K«'iu'rul nu'ctliiK of tlu' Imperial Federal Ion Leaj?ue In (Janada wan held in tlie Tower Kooui, lIoiiHe of (JoniinoiiH, Ottawa, on tlie 4t]i Mareh, lHi)«, to eouHider tlie anniial report of the Exeeutlve Committee and tlie reetmimendation therein contained, that the Leajjae Hhonld ehanj^e ItH name to that of the HritlHh Kmplre Lea^nie In Canada, and alllliale with the ItritiHli Empire i.ea^ue. Lt.CoI. (Jeor^'e T. DenlHon, I'reMident of the League, oceupied the chair. Among tlume preHcnt were :— Sir CharleH Tapper, IJart., (J.C.M.U.; Hlr Donald Smith, K.C.M.U. ; The Hon. Arthur K. Diclcoy, M.R ; Senatora W. J. Almon, C. A. Itoulton, .lohn DobHon, Thomas McKay, Clarence I'rimroHe, W. I). Terley and Joslah Wood. The following menil)erH of Parliament : W. H. Itennett, (J. F. Halrd, T. I). Craig, G. K. U. Cockburn, Ih'ury Carglll, (Jeorge F. Casey, F. M. Carpenter, G. E. Corbould, i3r. Hugh Cameron, Emerson Coatsworth, I). W. Davis, Eugene A. Dyer, Thonuis Earle, (;harle« Falrbairn, W. T. Ilodgins, A. Haslam, Major S. Hughes, David Horulerson, Charles E. Kaulbach, .1. K Mills, A. C. Macdonald, J. H. Marshall, JameH Masson, J. A. Mara, W. F. Maclean, D' Alton McCarthy, G. /. Mcln- erney, John McLean, H. F. McDougall, Major R. R. Maclennan, Alex. McNeill, W. B. Northrup, Lt.-Col O'Brien, IL A. Powell, A. W. Ross, Dr. Thonuis Sproule, J. Stevenson, William Smith, Lt.-Col. Tlsdale, Thomas Temple, Lt.-Col. Tyrwhltt, Dr. N. W. White, R. C. Wel- don, R. D. Wllmot, W. H. Hutchlns, Major McGilllvray, William Stubbs, J. G. Chesley, A. B. Ingram, and Messi-s. S. J. Alexander. Sandford Fleming, C.M.G., N. F. Hagel, Q.C., James Johnston, Thomas Macfarlane, Archibald Mc- Goun, C. C. McCaul, Q.C., Joseph Nelson, J. 0. Pope, E. E. Sheijpard, J. G, Alexander, J. Coates, Joseph 9 BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. Kelson, McLeod Stewart, R. W. Shannon, Major Sher- wood, Major Clark, Dr. Kingsford, Dr. Beattie Nesbitt, Trof. Robertson, Dr. Rholston, Lt.-Col. Scoble, Captain Smith, George E. Evans (Hon. Secretary), and others. The President moved the adoption of the annual report, which contained a copy of the constitution of the British Empire League, and recommended that the Canadian League aflBliated with that body. He referred to the dissolution of the Council of the Imperial Feder- ation League in London, and to the delegation which had been sent to England pursuant to the resolution passed at the annual meeting held in Ottawa in May, 1894, for the purpose of aiding to reorganize a central organization in London. He described the meeting which took place between the delegation and a number of members of the City of London Branch, at Sir John Lubl)ock's on the 20th July, 1894, the outcome of which was the constitution which was now before the meeting. He thanked Sir Charles Tupper, for the very kind and valuable assistance he rendered to the Canadian dele- gation on that occasion. The present was a most opportune time for the Colonies to unite together and aid in bringing about the consolidation of the British Empire. Reference had been made to the " splendid isolation " of the British Empire. He would like to see it flrmliy and closely con- solidated, so that whenever any danger threatened from abroad, a firm and unbroken front would be presented to the enemy, and if any point was threatened, our full strength and power would be thrown with overwhelm- ing force to its support. Car (la i^^ an outpost on this continent, and in some respect, ik j most exposed outpost in the Empire. Its whole futu is at stake in this question of having the Empire thOi. aghly consolidated. When that is done, the people of this country will have more confidence. Men emigrating to this country would have confidence; they would look upon its future as assured, and realize that there was no possibility of any change taking place. Men would come here knowing that they would not be jmiTISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. likely to have to change their allegiance, and that in case of necessity they would have the whole power of their countrymen behind them. Let the Empire be con- solid.ated, and no matter whether she is isolated or not, no matter where the attack came from, she would be in a position to defend herself. As to the question of changing the name of the League, he said that the Canadian delegation had urged the retention of the name Imperial Federation League, but the arguments in favor of the change were so great that they felt they had to yield to the wishes of their English brethren. The word Federation was objected to by some, and there is no doubt that to attempt to pro- pare a fixed and written constitution for a federated Empire, with all its divergent interests, would be a very diflBcult thing to do. If a dozen of the very ablest men in all the Empire were to devote any amount of time and their greatest energies to prepare a scheme for such a federation, and succeeded in making one prac- tical and workable under existing conditions, might not ten or twenty years so change the conditions as to make a fixed written constitution very embarassing and unsuitable? Such a method is not in accord with the genius of the British Constitution. The British Consti- tution is unwritten ; it has " broadened down from prece- dent to precedent," always elastic, always adapting itself to changing conditions. So should the idea of British unity be carried out. Let us work along the lines of least resistance. The memorial included in the report urges a conference to consider the trade question. A confer- ence might arrange some plan to carry out that one idea; in a year or two another conference could be called to consider some other point of agreement. Soon these conferences would become periodical. Soon a committee would be appointed to carry out the wishes of the conferences in the periods between the meetings; and then you would have an Imperial Council, and Im- perial Federation would have become evolved in accord- ance with the true genius of the Anglo-Saxon race. Let us take onei step at a time, and we shall slowly but surely realize our wishes. 10 BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. Now was the ripfht time to move in this matter, for the public mind was in a receptive mood. Opinion in England was fast veering in our favor. He had re- ceived a letter from a prominent member of the Imperial House of Commons, which he thought very significant, as showing a very remarkable change of feeling on the part of the English people. The letter, after alluding to recent events and tht? declarations of loyalty made in this country, goes on to say : — " These expressions " of loyalty have greatly moved and stirred the people " here, and I believe there never was a time when the "people of this country were more ready tlian now, to " meet Canada half way in the promotion of any " measure for the mutual benefit of the two most im- " portant divisions of the Empire." The Chairman concluded his remarks in the follow- ing words : — " Nothing is more encouraging than to see such a change of feeling, and while it is tending in that direction, I hope j'ou gentlemen here — members of the League who sympathize with me in the interest and future of the great Empire to which we belong — will try and do all you can to advance this great object. Try and get beyond your party struggles occasionally, and think of this great idea of Imperial unity, and go in and work for something that will not only be of the greatest advantage to Canada, but will add great strength to the Empire." The motion was seconded by Mr. McNeill, and carried. CHANGING ITS NAME. Sir Charles Tupper was called upon to move the first resolution, reading as follows : — " Whereas the British " Empire League has been formally inaugurated in " London with practically the same objects in view as *' the Imperial Federation League, this meeting expresses " its sympathy and concurrence therewith and resolves " that hereafter the Imperial Federation League in " Canada shall be a branch of the British Empire League, "and shall be known and described as the British BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. 11 Empire League in Canada." Sir Charles indulged in a brief retrospect regarding the formation of the Imperial Federation League in London in 1884. It was inaugu- rated by the late lamented the Rt. Hon. W. E. Foster, and brought in such men as Lord Kosebery and the late W. H. Smith, then leader of the House of Commons, (ireat attention was drawn towards the question of con- solidating the Empire, and among the influences which helped to attract notice to the vital importance to the Empire of maintaining the connection between the Mother Country and her Colonies, no man's advocacy was more eloquent or more widely exerted than that of Mr. (}. K. Parkin. But the more the question was discusscjl the greater the feeling grew that a mistake had been made in calling the movement the Imperial Federation League, and Jifter a complete examination of the subject in all its bearings, there was a consensus of opinion, with but one exception, that the proposals for giving the Colonies representation in the Imperial Tarliament were impracticable, and Lord Koseberry, who was chair- man of the League, publicly expressed his regret upon more than one occasion that a term had been used which was misleading. The difficulty was overcome by the elimination of the word Federation and changing the name to British Empire League, not pointing out by what means the unity of the Empire was to be promoted in the designation. Sir Charles went on to point out how a small section of active gentlemen, seemingly losing sight of the object of securing the unity of the Empire excepting the one question of defence, turned their attention to using the Imperial Federation League mainly as a means of obtaining contributions from the various Colonies for the support of the Empire. He took exception to such views, and the difference of opinion finally culminated in the formation of a few gen- tlemen into what was called the Imperial Defence League. That organization was still in existence. Sir Charles said that his views in regard to the important question of naval defence would be found set forth in a recent issue of the Canadian Magazine. He thought all the subjects contained in the constitution of the ^^ 12 BRITISH EMPiriE LKXdUE. !!! IJritisb Empire League would command the hearty approval of every person interested in the unity of the Empire. He (Sir Charles) was glad to say that he was closely identified with Sir John Lubbock, the Duke of Devonshire, and Sir Robert Herbert, the latter of whom was for many years Principal Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the formation of the new organiza- tion. He might say that the prospectus of the League was brought before the leading merchants, bankers, and capitalists of London, and an overwhelming majority had declared their adhesion to its principles. He thouglit it was very important that this organization had committed itself to the policy of removing the obstruction to preferential trade with Great Britain in the shape of the treaties between Belgium and Germany. Anotlier subject dealt with in the constitution was the question of intercommunication between the Motherland and the outlying portions of the Empire. When it was remembered that Her Majesty's Government had con- sented to shoulder one-third of the expense of carrying out the great object for which Canada had been strug- gling for the last ten years, it would be seen that tre- mendous progress had been made. The question of naval defence was closely connected with fast and direct communication between Great Britain and this country, and he pointed out that the Lords of the Admiralty, after careful consideration, had put on record the declaration that there was no means by which for a moderate amount of money so much could be accom- plished in the naval defence of the Empire and the pro- tection of home trade as by the establishment of fast mail and passenger ships between the United Kingdom and her Colonies, which should be built under Admiralty supervision, and be capable of being instantaneously, whenever the occasion required, converted into Royal Naval Resei-ve war cruisers. There was no means that Canada could use for the defence of the Empire so effec- tive as defending itself, and every dollar spent in this way would be spent to good purpose. Sir Charles con- cluded by reading a few sentences from a letter written to him by Mr. James Lowther, President of the United HIUTISII EMPIRK LEAGUE. i;j Empire Trade League, in which the latter said he was glad to learn from Sir Charles' public utterances that he was plainly putting before the people of Canada the fact that recent events were rapidly making for the estab- lishment of preferential trade relations within the Empire. Mu. McCarthy, in seconding the resolution, said that he was happy to find that his resignation of the presi- dency, due to the suggestion of Principal Gran i— that the fact of his holding the office was deterring their fellow-subjects from joining— had not alienated any of the members, lie should still maintain the same inter- est as before in the Lenguo, tlionj^h servinjx only as a private. He recalled a conversation he had with the late M\\ W. E. Forster, when that distinguished states- man said that were it not for the difficulty of giving home rule to Ireland the object of the League could be accomplisehed within twelve months. He (Mr. Foster) thought that if there could be established an Imperial Parliament fit Westminster, with subordinate Parlia- ments in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, it would have been quite within the reach of statesmen to have caused that representation to have embodied people from the Colonies. It was quite clear now that in that idea the distinguished statesman, and those who followed him in Canada, were mistaken. The trouble was, the League had proceeded too fast. No mistake was, however, made in forming the League, because at that time, twelve years ago, the feeling was towards independence or annexation. The League did very much to divert public feeling in the direction in which it was now run- ning. As to the treaties between Great Britain and other countries, he did not look upon them as an obstruc- tion, but as an impediment. For his part, he was pre- pared to do anything to advance Canadian trade rela- tions with England at once, without postponing it until those treaties were terminated by Great Britain. Finally he declared himself ready to do all he could to further the consolidation of the Empire. 14 BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. I i Mr. a. McNeill, M.P., said :— " I confos-s some re- marks Ihat liavo l)(H>n made to-day have surpriHcnl m« vory much. Whik» 1 have always been one of those who disliked the term Imperial Fedenition, I did not dislike that term because I was satisfied that nothing in the nature of representation from the Colonies in the Impe- rial chamber could ever come about. I doubted the wisdom of that term, because I thought that in the minds of many people it impli(Ml thaf that must come about; that brinpinR that about was the only cour.se we intended to pursue. When the constitution of the Itritish Empire League was brought to our notice at Toronto— I think my friend Mr. Mcdoun was there .it the time — there was not a suggestion made that while we were willing to drop the term Federation, in doing so we pledged ourselves to the view that a representa- tion at some date or other from the Colonies in an Im- perial chamber was an impossibility, yet that is what I understood the Secretary of State to say to be the ground." Sir Charles Tupper : — " What I said was this : that after the fullest examination by gentlemen of both the great political parties in England, Lord Rosebery de- clared at a public meeting in the Mansion House, with the Lord Mayor in the chair, that an examination of the question had led the friends of the Imperial Federation league to the conclusion that anything like promoting the unity of the Empire by representation of the Colo- nies in the Imperial Parliament was impracticable. Of course, it binds no person in Canada or England ; but he gave that to the public as the maturer sentiment of these gentlemen of both parties who were c ncerne""'' Esq., M.r., Hcconded by Tlionias H. Sproule, Esq., M.U., M.r., and carried unaninioubly. It was niDve.l by Mr. Sandford Fleniinjr, seconded by Dr. Sproule, M.P., and carried :-" That tlie Officers -Council and Executive Connuittee of the Imperial " Federation Lea^me in Canada be elected Officers. Councd " and Executive Committee of the British Kmpire League " in Canada." 1 1 i^BB HIUTISH EMPIRE LEAOUE. 17 CONSTITUTION. 1. The Association to be called "The British Empire League in Canada." 2. It shall be the primary object of the League to secure the permanent unity of the Empire. .'{. The following to be among the other principal objects of the League : (a) To promote trade betweenthe United Kingdom, the Coloni(?s and India, and to advocate the holding of periodical meetings of representatives from all parts of the Empire for the discussion of matters of general com- mercial interest, and the consideration of the best means of expanding the national trade. (b) To consider how far it may be possible to modify jiny laws or treaties which impede freedom of action in the making of reciprocal trade arrangements between the United Kingdom, and the Colonies, or between any two or more British Colonies or Possessions. (c) To promote closer intercourse between the differ- ent portions of the Empire by thq establishment of cheaper, and, where required, more direct steam and telegraphic communication, preference being given to routes not traversing foreign territory. (d) To develop the principles on which all parts of the Empire may best share in its general defence, en- deavoring to bring into harmony public opinion at Home and in the Colonies on this subject, and to devise a per- fect co-operation of the military and naval forces of the Empire with a special view to the due protection of the trade routes. (e) To assimilate, as far as local circumstances per- mit, the laws relating to copyright, patents, legitimacy and bankruptcy throughout the Empire. 18 llinnsil KMI'IHE LEArJTE. 4. The Lca^nic nIimII unc cvt'ry coHHtihitioniil imaiiH to brln^j nl»(Mil Mm* oltjiTls for whicli it is rsliibliHlit d, wiitl Nliiill in\it(> lli(> Hiipiiort of nicn of all hIuuIi'H of poli- tical opinion tliron^Mioiil (ho Kiiipirc. 5. Tlio L<'.'ip:uo Himll sulvocnto Iho oNlablislinicnt of ju'riodical conforcnccM to (h-al with such (picstions as may apjM'ar ri|»o for considci'ation, on th«' linrn of tlu' London Confoivnco of 1.S.S7 and the Ottawa CiUiferuuci* ol 1891. 0. Tho inonibci'Hhip Hliall bo open to any Ilritinh Hubjcct wlio sKU'optH tho jn'inciph'S of the Loa^uc and payH a yearly HubHcriplion of at least one dollar. 7. The Lea^ne shall meet annnally in one of the prineijKil cities of (Canada, the time and place of meetint? for each year to be selected by the Executive Committee. 8. The business of the Leajjjue shall be conducted by i\ Council and Executive Committee, to be appointed at the annual meetiufj, and with power to add to their number. The Council and Executive Committee shall have charj^e of the work of the Leaj^ue in Canada; they shall adopt such means as they may find expedient to promote the objects of the League, and they shall fur- nish a report at the annual meeting. 9. The co-operation of men of all political parties in every part of Canada is sought for the establishment of branches, which shall have power to elect representa- tives on the Council. 10. The officers of the League to be a President, two Vice-Presidents for each Province, an Honorary Secre- tary and an Honorary Treasurer. imiTlHII KMIMJIK LKAnl'H. I{» FORMATION OF BRANCHES. 1. HrilisU Hubj<'''^M who Hvnipi'.llii/.c with the objects of the Ii('ii}::ii(' arc invited to enrol tlieinseive.s jih niein- herw, nn conditioiiH of iiit'iiilMTHliip iind fccH and huI)- NcriptionH Hhall be in accordance witli tlic foregoing; nilcH. 2. Tlic ot1l<-<'rH Hliall coiihIhI of: A <'1iniriiian, one or inor«» V1. The annual meeting for the reception of reports and election of ofticers shall, be held in the month of , unless the Committee appoint another time, and general meetings may be called for the reading of papers ok* transaction of business when determined by the Committee. 7. Seven members shall form a quorum of the Branch, and three a quorum of the Committee. 8. Secretaries shall endeavor to get good notices of all meetings of the League and information about its progress elsewhere inserted in the local newspapers, and send two copies of all such notices to the General Sec- retary. nitiTisii F.MPiiti: i.EAnnB. 21 Tho folliivviii;; Hon. Sir liuhert llvrhcrt, (i.C.H, (dhdirnum.) The St'crotury luivin;^ i\r.u\ t]\t\ mliiuti-'H of ii Npeeiul ^('lujrul iiHHitiii;; ol' tim IiM[M'iial FtMlcnitioii Lcji^^uc in CuIUdIiI held ill tllU 'lower Room, House of ('olllllloMM, OttjiNVU, on Wednesday, Miii'cli Itli, I. SIX), the President, Ijieut. Col. (jleoi'i^c 'l\ Deiiisoii, in the chiiir, and attended by over lit'ty nieinbers of the Dominion Parliament at wiiich the foHowint^ resohition was proposi'd hy the Hon. Sir Charles Tupi)er. Hart., (i.C.M.( 1., C.R, M.P. (Canachi), seconded by Mr. D'Alton McCartliy, (^.C, M.l*. (Canada) and carried unanimously: — ''riiat whereas the llritish "Empire League has been formally inaugurated in London " with [)ractically the name objects in view as the Imperial " Federation Lea<^nio, this Mieetinj^ exi)resses its .sympathy " therewith, and resolves that hereafter the Imperial " Federation Lea^aie in Canada shall be a branch of Uie " British I'^mpire I^ea^ue and shall be known and described "as the British Empire Lea^jue in Canada." The following' resolution was unaninion.sly ajifreed to : — ' That the Executive C/onimittee of the British Empire ' League record their hearty appreciation of the action " taken by the Imperial Federation League in Canada at " its meeting at Ottawa on Wednesday, March 4th, 1896, ' and hereby declare that body to be affiliated to the Parent " League under the title of the British Empire League in ' Canada."