IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // Vr ^ /. y. 1.0 I.I 1.25 H lis. 1.4 M 2.2 1.6 SSt-. <^ CM # /# 7. » "^ iV CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical Notes / Notes techniques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original 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 microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire qu'll lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. 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The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —►(meaning CONTINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. The original copy was borrowed from, and filmed with, the kind consent of the following institution: Library of the Public Archives of Canada Maps or plates too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les images suivantes ont dtd reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de I'exemplaire filmd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Un des symboles suivants appara?tra sur la der- nldre image de chaqre microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grdce d la gdn6rosit6 de I'dtablissement prdteur suivant : La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour §tre reproduites en un seul clichd sont filmdes d partir de I'angle sup^rieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la m6thode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 lUK fi^^) %\jt Jrittslr (Km|im S^api in Canaba. Its mitm, €ommiitus anh Conatttutton, INCtUDIMO H^port of Annual ^^^ting, BELD AT OTTAWA, APRIL 28th, 1897. • TOBODTO : The Cabsweix Co., Limitsd, Pbihtebb, 1897. na mmm \ i^.l The British Egpire League OFFICES: 112 CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C. |3i'csibcnt : His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, K.G, Dkc-Jpresibcnts : The Riglit Hon. tlie Lord Mayor of London. The Governor of the Bank of EnL^hmd. His Grace tlie Duke of Fife, K.T. His Grace the Duke of Rutland, K.G. The Most Hon. the Marquess of Dufierin and Ava, K.P. G.C.B., etc. The Right Hon. the Earl of Crewe. The Right Hon. the Earl of Jersey, G.C.M.G. The Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G. Lord Brassey, K.C.B. Lord Rothschild. The Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P. Sydney C. Buxton, M.P. 39on. treasurer: The Right Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., D.C.L., M.P. Jlcting 3i)oit. ^vcasuvev ; W. Herbert Daw, l^'.S.I. (Shairman of tocutibe : Sir Robert G. W. Herbert, G.C.B. ® C. Freeman Murray. CSxccutiUc (Eommittcc oi the QTouncil : The Chairman. The Hon. Treasurer. The Acting Hon, Treasurer. F. Faithfull^Begg, M.P. The Right Hon. Sir George F. Bovven. G.C.M.G. Lieut.-Gen. Sir Andrew Clarke, R.E., G.C.M.G., C.B., CLE. Hon. R. R. Dobell, M.P. (Canada). The Hon. Sir Charles W. Fremantle, K.C.B. W. Beckett Hill. Lt.-Col. P. R Innes. V/. Culver James, M.D. Nevile Lubbock. Herman W. Marcus. Sir Westby B. Perceval, K.C.M.G. Hon. Sir Donald Smith, K.C.M.G. Lord Tennyson. Hon, Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., G.C.M.G., C.B., M.P. (Canada). (Others to be added.) m COUNCIL OF THE mJM EMPIRE LEAGOE, The Lord Mayor of London, Vice-President. The Governor of the Bank of Ent^hind, Vice-Premfunt. Ri<,dit Hon. A. J. Balfour, M.P., Vire-President. *F. Faithfull Bepr Imperial Fetleration idea, he should be very sorry to thiidc that the great objects they had in view in promoting the unity of the Empire were tv) be deferred until that idea had been achieved. The diffi- culties in the way of a great Federal Parliament appeared to be insuperable. The fact that in a comparatively short period the population of the IJritish colonies, who would be represented in such a Parliament, would exceed that of the United Kingdom, wcMild make it very difficult to induce the British Parliament to place the control of Great Britain and the Empire in the hands of those who were now colonists, but who in such a Parliament would soon be in a majority. In the next place, he was inclined to believe that the people of Canada, and what he trusted at an early date would be the great confederation of Au.stralasia, would be equally indi.sposed to surrender those rights of sulf-government they now possessed, and be controlled by a Parliament sitting in London. Those who had given the closest attention to this subject had arrived at the conclu- sion that there was no means by which that great bond of sentiment between the Mother Country and the colonies could be better strengthened than by a combination of commercial interests that should make it of equal impor- tance to England and the colonics that trade between them should be upon a preferential basis — (hear, hear) — that.while a preference was given to Great Britain in the markets of Canada, Great Britain ought to return to the policy formerly in operation of placing the produce of the colonies in the markets of the Mother Countiy on more favorable BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. 19 terms tlmn that of foreign countries. Sir Charles bore testimony to the advance that pul)lic sentiment in favor of preferential trade had made in En<^dand, as evidenced by the speech of Mr. Joseph Chainhcrlnin to the Congress of Chambers of Connnerce, in IBiKI, when the latter declared he was prepared, under certain circumstances, to review the present policy of free trade in England and to reimpose the duty which fornicrly existed upon the products of foreign countries coming into competition with the pro- ducts of the e(jl<)nies in Great Britain. This sjieech had brought preferential trade within measurable distance of adoption, and it was now only a ijuestion of time. He did not intend to enter upon the debatable ground as to the best means of obtaining that object; he hoped the League would alwa^'s represent the gentlemen comjiosing both the great political parties. (Hear, iiear.) The leaders in each case had given their adhesion to this ([uestion, and its importance was fully appreciated by the great body of intelligent people in this country. The chairman had referred to the vast importance to Great Britain of a food supply. Before the Venezuelan difficulty had been a week old the attention of every intelligent man in England had been directed to this question, and an impetus was tliereby given to the subject of preferential trade which moved it considerably in advance of the position it had heretofore occupied. Mr. Long, in an article in the Nineteenth Cen- tury, had pointed out that the development of the North- West would entirely remove the difficulty of the food supply. In that view Sir Charles concuri-ed. The North- West possessed enormous possibilities which would be developed by preferential trade. They were sometimes reminded of the disappointnient they felt that the North- West did not develop with the rapidity at one time anticipated, but the change in the price of wheat since the time their sanguine calculations were made would, to a very large extent, explain that delay. From a price that gave the farmer a handsome return, wheat had dropped to a figure which gave little or no return. Bearing in mind 20 lilUTISII EMPIRE LEAGUE. hi , the reniotoness of the North-Wesfc Ironi the nuirket, prol'crontiiU trade would do what the Indian fannne fund had unfoi'tunately do!ie, to some extent, give an enlmnred vahie to wheat, and the result would be to make the North-West blossom as a rose. The result of havin<,' the products of the North-West admitted to the British market on better terms than were the products of foreii;n countries would be to transfer millions of capital and thousands of agriculturists to the North-West. Those people would be anxious to cultivate that country, and furnish Britain with all the food she required. He con- cluded by movin,i,^ "That this Leat^ue, feeling the great advantage to Canada and the Empire of establishing a s^'stem of preferential trade within the Empire, would respectfully urge upon the Canadian Government to take action upoii the suggestion made by the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain at tho Congress of Chambers of Commerce in London last Jur,« and arrange for a conference with him to consider the jest method of carrying out what is evidently the desire of, and would tend to promote the advantage of, the whole British Empire." Mu. Wm. Lount, M. p., expressed his deligh.t at the remarks of Sir Charles Tuppei'. It was quite evident that the purposes of the League were being developed with marked rapidity. (Hear, hear.) No one could help but notice how the idea of preferred trade within the Empire was growing. He could not but express himself in hearty accord with the resolution. The unity of the colonies was now moot pronounced. This confederation would be able hereafter to preserve Great Britain from all attacks, but so far as Canada is concerned she should be brought to contribute as largely as possible towards that result, pro- moting as she would at the same time her own interests. The resolution was adopted. niUTISII EMPIRE LEAGUE. 21 The Fast Line. Sill Donald Smith arose amid applause, and expressed tlie privilege lie felt at being present They were to have in Canada this summer the British Association and the British Medical Association, including men from every part of the United Kingdom. He trusted that the visitors would prove to be the very best sort of agents to advertise the advantages of this country in Great Britain. Referring to the growth of the grain trade in the Wes^'ern States, he said the settlers in Manitoba and the North- West Terri- tories possessed even greater advantages. He did not see why, if the proper means were employed, there should not be, within a comparatively short time, a population in tlie North-West which would ensure the prosperity of the whole Dominion. (Hear, hear.) Speaking of the projected fast line steamship service, he thought if properly managed it could not fail to be a commercial success. This was not a party question. (Hear, hear.) On this subject he moved the following resolution : " That this League views with satisfaction the prospect of the early establishment of a line of fast steamers between this country and Europe, and expresses the hope that before long Canada may have facilities of transport across the Atlantic equal to those employed by any other country." Continuing, and speak- ing on the subject oi preferential trade, he hoped that with the help of the Colonial Secretary and other Ministers of the Crown further steps in that direction would soon be taken. He moved the resolution in no party spirit, but solely with an eye to the best interests of the country. (Hear, hear.) Other countries had been moving in this direction for years. Why should Canada be behind ? They were determined not to be behind. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Alex. McNeill, who seconded the resolution, briefly expressed his pleasure at the notable advance made by the movement, which was especially significant in the jubilee year. 22 imiTISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. The resolution was carried after Captain Wickham had said a few words in support of the extension of the Royal Nava] Reserve system to Canadian seamen. Distinguished Visitors. This led Sir Charles Tupper to point out that this was a feature of the projected fast Atlantic service, which, he believed, would be of great help in promoting immi- gration, as intending settlers were afraid of the long ocean voyage, and therefore went to New York. With reference to the visit of the British Association to Canada, he men- tioned the fact that when they were invited tu Montreal some years ago, he had great difficulty in p/evailing upon Lhem to come, but there had been so nmch change of sentiment in the meantime that tlie invitation to Toronto for this year ^vas accepted without hesitation, and with the great enthusiasm. He agreed with Sir Donald Smith that the visit of the British Medical Association to Montreal was of the very greatest importance to Canada. Mr. McFarlane, Dominion Analj'st, wished to alter the wording of the constitution of the League, but was satisfied by the meeting reaffirming a certain resolution passed last year. Senator Boultox had a resolution expressing pleasure at the introduction of the preferential tariff by the Gov- ernment, but on the entreaty of Mr. McNeill not to intro- duce political or controversial questions, he agreed not to press it. Major Sam. Hughes, M.P., moved, and Dr. Ryerson, M.P.P., seconded, the appointment of the officers. The lists, as appointed, will be found at length on previous pages. The Hon. George W. Allan, moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper and carried. BRITIST EMPIRE LEAGUE. 23 In acknowlerlgincr the vote of thanks, the Chairman stated that he had received a cablegram from London, England, conveying the good wishes of the League at home. He also read Mr. Rudyard Kipling's poem" " Our Lady of the Snows," which was handed up to him by J. Ross Robertson, Esq., M.P., Toronto, who had had it cabled to him. It was received with great applause The meeting then adjourned.