IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

u 1^

2.2

1^ I 2.0

1.8

1.25 1.4

11.6

1 —

^ 6" —

►

^;j

■%^i^V^^

/(^

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

€S

n."

«?

t5 <

CIHM
Microfiche
Series
(l\Aonographs)

ICMH

Collection de
microfiches
(monographies)

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

<■<'

Tfmm^wt-

Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques

Th«
to t

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original
copy available for filming. Features of this copy which
may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any
of the images in the reproduction, or which may
significantly change the usual method of filming, are
checked below.

D
D
D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

Covers damaged/
Couverture endommagee

Covers restored and/or laninated/
Couverture restauree et/ou pellicula

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

Co'oured maps/

Cat tes geographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
Planches at/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Delie avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/
La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distorsion le long de la marge interieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may appear
within the text. Whenever possible, these have
been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^s
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela etait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas ete filmees.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires supplementaires:

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il
lui a eti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet
exemplaire qui sont peut-£tre uniques du point de vue
bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image
reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification
dans la methode normale de f ilmage sont indiques
ci-dessous.

□ Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

□ Pages damaged/
Pages endommagees

□ Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages rostaurees et/ou pellicul^s

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages decolorees, tachetees ou piquees

□ Pages detached/
Pages detachees

pot
oft
film

Ori(

bag

the

sior

oth«

first

•ion

oril

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of print varies/
Qualite inegale de I'impression

□ Continuous pagination/
Pagination continue

The
shal
TINi
whii

Map
difffl
antii
bagi
right
raqu
mati

Includes index(es)/
Comprend un (des) index

Title on header taken from:/
Le titre de I'en-tfite provient:

□ Title page of issue/
Page de titre de la I

ivraison

□ Caption of issue/
Titre de depart de la livraison

Masthead/

Generique (periodiques) de la livraison

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est filme au taux de reduction indique ci-dessous.

10X 14X 18X

12X

16X

20X

22X

:6X

30X

24X

28X

32 X

^ . TffiBPf

uil

:et

de vue

tion

Th« copy filmad hare has b««n raproducad thanks
to tha ganarosity of:

Library of the National
Archives of Canada

Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality
possibia considering tha condition and lagibility
of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha
filming contract spacificationa.

Original copias in printad paper covars ara filmad
beginning with tha front covar and ending on
tha laat page with a printad or Illustrated imprea*
sion, or tha back covar when appropriate. Ail
other original copias are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the laat page with a printed
or illuatratad impression.

The laat recorded frame on eech microfiche
shall contain tha symbol — ^ (maening "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END").
whichever applies.

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure ara filmad
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:

L'exemplaire fiimA fut reproduit grdca h la
gAnArositi da:

La bibliothdque des Archives
nationales du Canada

Les Images suivantes ont ixii reproduites aver, le
plus grand soin, compta tanu da la condition at
da la nattet* da l'exemplaire film*, at an
conformity avec lea conditions du contrat da
filmaga.

Lea exempleires originaux dont la couvartura an
papier est imprimia sont filmis an commencant
par la premier plat at an tarminant soit par !<i
darnlAre page qui comporta una ampreinte
d'imprassion ou d'illustration, soit par la second
plat, salon le cas. Tous las autras axamplaires
originaux sont filmis an commandant par la
pramiAre page qui comporte une emprainte
d'imprassion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par
la derniire pege qui comporte una telle
empreinte.

Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
derniire image de cheque microfiche, salon la
cas: la symbola — ^> signifia "A SUIVRE ", la
symbola V signifie "FIN".

Les cartas, planches, tablaeux, etc., pauvent Atre
filmis A des taux da reduction diffirents.
Lorsqua le document est trop grand pour itra
reproduit en un seul clichi, il est filmi & partir
de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche i droite,
et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombra
d'images nicessaire. Lea diagrammas suivants
illustrant la mithode.

1 2 3

32 X

CONFIDENTIAL,

POSTAL AND TELEGRAPHIC COMMUXICATIOX

BY ■

THE CANADIAN ROUTE.

Sahnitted at the Meetimj, of the Colonial Conference on the mh ami
'20th jijivU, 1SS7, h,i ]\rr. Saxdfobd Fleming.

Having given some attention to tlie question of Postal and Tele-
graphic communication, I avail myself of the privilege afforded
me of submitting my views to the Conference.

The Right Hon. the Chairman, in his opening address, sug-
gested that it is desirable to consider improved communication
as a whole, so as to bring into view a complete system. In the
remarks which I now propose to sulimit, I shall endeavour to keep
that suggestion prom incut ly in view, although, perhaps, being
associated with Canadu, and more familiar with the thoughts and
hopes of the Canadian people, it is not unnatural that I should
speak more particularly of the position which the Dominion
occupies in relation to the Empire and its needs.

The question cannot be considered without reference to the
relative geographical position of the great self-governing Colonies.
These are situafed in three distinct Continents— America, Africa,
and Australasia. According to our ordinary habit of thought,
Canada, in the western hemisphere, and Australasia, in the
eastern, are at opposite ends of the Colonial Empire, and
are as far asunder as it is possilile on this globe for two countries
to be situated. We all know now that this is a mistaken idea,
nevertheless it exists, and it is due greatly to the circumstance
that immigration from Europe takes oi)posite directions to
Australasia and to Canada. In consequence of this circumstance

I >.'' -^ '/

tho two sets of colonists have boen completely separated, and they
now find themselves perfectly distinct, without any social, com-
mercial, or political intercourse.

There are those in Canada, and, I doubt not, there are those
in Australasia, who have taken a somewhat enlarged view of the
situation. They have se?n that while the emigrant from England
to New Zealand traversed 180° of longitude east, and the settler
in Western Canada passed over 120° of longitude west, the two
are nevertheless not separated by the sum of the two distances.
By actual journey they are undoubtedly 300° of longitude from
each other, but by actual fact they are only 60° asunder.

True, the sixty degrees of longitude which separates them,
when it comes to be measured, is increased in mileage somewhat
owing to another circumstance, but the application of science
comes to our aid in connection with this question. If we resort to
the agencies of steam and electricity, the people of Australasia
and the people of Canada may, for all practical purposes, become
neighbours. And why, it may be asked, should they not be
neighbours as far as it is possible for art and science to make
them ? Are they not one in language, in laws, and in loyalty ?
Have they not substantially the same mission in the outer
Empire, and would they not, as good neighbours, supporting
each other, and with their energies directed to a common
cause, be of great advantage to each other? Would they not,
so united by friendly ties, add strength to the power to which
they owe a common and willing allegiance ?

If we have discovered ourselves in Canada to be much nearer
our sister Colonies in Australasia than we ever before supposed, we
have also awakened to the knowledge that there is no land

901118

between us and Asia, that we look across the Paeifae to India, and
that to reach the east the true path is to go west.
. These facts are recent revehitions to many of us, and I ask
your indulgence while, as briefly as I can, I relate the leading
circumstances which have brought Canada to realize her new
position-a position not any longer at the far extremity of the
Colonial system, but midway between the British Islandfi on the
one hand and her rich Colonies and Dependencies in the Pacific
and Indian Oceans on the other.

I think it will be olnious, from the few facts and dates which
I desire to submit to you, that it is in no small degree owing to
the benign influence of the Home (Government, bearing on the
people of the Canadian Provinces for many years back, that British
America has advanced step by step, and that successive adminis-
trations have from time to time been enabled to consolidate
liritish interests on the Western Continent. The more recent
efforts have succeeded in constructing improved means of com-
munication between remote parts of the country, they have
overcome obstacles once deemed insuperable, and their efforts
bave culminated in establishing across the widest part of North
America a great national railway, destined, we believe, to become
an essential factor in the defence and future prosperity of the
•Empire.

For a moment I sliall refer to the records of history.

In the reign of King William IV., the Home Government,
solicitious for the safety of British America, granted £10,000 to
be expended on exploration for a railway from the Bay of Fundy
to Quebec. The survey was entrusted to Captain Vule of the
Royal Engineers. This was in 183fi, fifty-one years back.

Ill 1839 im Appropriation was voted by tlie Imperial Parlia-
iiipiif for a military road through New Brunswick, leading to
Qucboc.

In 1843 the Iinporial Government directed further surveys
for a military road, having in view the same object.

In 1846 tlie then Colonial Secretary, ]\[r. Gladstone, issued
instructions to the Eoyal Engineers lo make a survey for a
railway from Halifax to (Jueboc, At this date the Imperial
Government was strongly impressed witli the importance of this
work, in a political point of view, as being essential for tlio
military defence of the British American possessions.

Sir John JTervey, in opening tlio Legislature of Nova Scotia
in 1847, spoke of the Halifax and Quebec liaihvay as being not
second to any project which had ever engaged the notice of any
Colonial Legislature in any part of the British Dominions, and
wliii'Ii would "constitute the most important link in that great line
of communication which may be destined at no remote period to
connect tlie Atlantic and tlie Pacific Oceans." I quote the exact
|.rophetic words used by the (Jueen's representative forty years
ago.

A letter from the Cohmial Secretary (10th March, 1851)
made mention of the strong sense entertained by the British
( Jovermnent of the extreme imjjortance, not only to the Colonies
directly interested, but to the Empire at large, of providing for
the construction of a railway by which a line of communication
might be established on British territory.

The Home Government despatched in 1857 a scientific
expedition to examine the interior of Britisli North America
extending from the settled portiims on the St. Lawrence westerly

to the Ivocky Mountains, with the view, aniong other things, of
finding a route for a grc^at line of cunununication witiiiu IJrilisli
territory to the Pacific coast.

Some years hiter the Home Government took active steps to
arrange with the liuilson liny Company for tlu; surrender of its
territorial rights, and encouraged the then Province of Canada
to acquire those rights and assume authority over the vast region
occupied only by scattered tribes of Indians.

In 1867 the Imperial Parliament passed an Act by which the
several British-American Provinces were united, and the Dominion
of Canada formed. One of the essential conditions was that the
confederated Provinces should construct a railway from JIalil'ax'
to (Quebec, the Impeyial Government assisting so far as to
guarantee the interest on three millions (i:o,()0(),000) of its cost,
A further provision of the British North America Act was tlie
entrance of British Columbia into the Confederation, and the
construction of a railway across the Continent to the Pacific coast.
It will be manifest from this brief referenc* to historical
facts that there luis been a continual solicitude on he [)art of
the Home (iovernment for the maintenance and extension of
Imperial interests in North America. That it was deemed of the
greatest possible importance to establish the best means of com-
munication (1) between the fortr(>sses of Halifax and (^lebec,
separated by 700 miles, and {2) between (iiu"l)ec and tin; Pacific
coast, some 3,100 miles. That Canada, in deference to Imperial
wishes and needs, has adopted the policy of establishing these
great lines of commmiication, and that she has steadily pursued
that policy, step by step, u.util the present time.

It will be borne in mind that the population of Canada is

comparatively small, confined for I he most prnt to the older
rrovinees. This limited population has incurred an eiumnous
expenditm-e in overeomintr obstaeh-s of veiy great magnitude in
opening up for colonization tiie fertile region recently acquired.
She has bad no little difliculty, and incurred no small outlay, in
connection with the Indian population, hut the greatest and most
costly of all her undertakings has Iuh'u the railway across the
Continent; and, in establishing this undoubtedly great work, slie
has been impressed with the conviction that slie was promoting
the general interests of the Kmpire, and cent ril)uting not a litth^
towards its consolidation and defence.

Thei-e is now a continuous line of i-aiiway from Halifax to
the Pacific, entin-ly on Jiritish soil. The Pacific K'ailway was
opened for public us,, last year, i'light months before it was
opened for public traffic the last rail was laid; but the last rail
had not been laid many days when a consignment of naval st(n-es
passed through to the station of the Xortli Pacific Fleet from
Halifax. The time occupied on the then unfinished railway was
seven days and a few hours, from tide water of the Atlantic to
Esquimault. Without the railway it would have taken some
three months to liave sent the same stores in a British bottom to
their destination. This one fact must be recognised as of strikin<r
significance, as it clearly shows the immense political value of the
Canadian Pacific Railway. This new line practically brings what was
once the most remote naval station, in the most distant colony
of the Empire, within about two weeks of Portsmouth.

I will not venture to take up your time by dwelling upon
the naval and military and political importance of the Canadian
Railway to the Pacific. The highest authorities in England have

tentififd to its value to the wl.oI.> Knipiiv. T ..uly drsiie to draw
attention to the fact that it is th.. outconio of a policy initiated
by the lionie Govenirnent and continually pressed on (janada by
the ITonie (lovernment. This great Imperial line of coin.nunica-
tion is the growth of half-a-century ; it has been established by
the Canadian people without cost to England. Kven the expendi-
ture made by the J Tome (ioveniineiit on the preliminary surveys
for the line between the fortresses of Halifax and (^uebee has
been refunded. The railway across the Contin.Mit has involved an
expenditure of £48,0()0,0()(), of which about £24,000,000 (the!
exact aujount is £23,900,000) has heen paid by the (lovernment
of Canada in subsidies, or without prospect of return.

Canada does not ask to be relieved of miy of the burdens
she has assumed ; she brings all her costly works as a contribu-
tion to the common defence, and she desires that they may
be made available in the most advantageous manner to the
Empire.

There are several ways in which the line through Canada
may be at once utilised for Imperial purpos(>s. I may mention
the following three, vi. ; —

1. As a postal and passengtjr route from England to tiie
Australasian Colonies.

2. As a i)ostal and passenger route from England to Asia.

3. As a telegraph route, protected by the British flag, from
the seat of Ciovernment in London to every one of the self-
governing Colonies, and also to India.

IMl'KKIAl. I'OSTAI- ROUTK.

First, as a |K)s(ai route. In your opeiiiuL;- addics<, Sir. vou

reffi-ml to the possibility of ivinfoicirij,' t he iiavvwitli fast incrdiaut
stciiiiiships. V<m pointed out how desirable it would he in the
event of war to have the means of si lengthening the fleet by the
addition of fast eruiscrs with ainianients ready prepared.

It is suggested fliat n.ail lines be estalilished from Vancouver,
the western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and that
the ships emi)h)yed be of a high sp.'cd, specially constructed to
meet the requirements of the Adnuralty witli respect to cruisers,
and with the most approved accommodation for p.-issengers.

It is obvious that a sufficient nund)cr of sucli ships for tlie
two ])Ostal services across the Pacific, available as armed cruisers,
would be of immense advantage in any emergency, while at
ordinary times they would be actively engaged in the develo])-
ment of commerce.

It is calculated that, by i»owerful steamships of tins class, the
mails could be carried from England to Australian and Asiatic
ports in considerably less time and at less cost than they are now
conveyed ; and it cannot be doubted that the establishment of
such lines would develop commercial activity, and promote the
general interests of tiie Empire on Pacific waters. It is not
necessary to abandon the old postal routes in order to establish
the new, but it is important that no time be lost in initiating a
service so jiregnant with possibilities.

The principle of growth is familiar to all colonists: it is one
in which they all have fai'h; but tiiere is one essential pre-
liminary—there must be a beginning! tSeed must be sown !

If it be not ])racticable at once to place on the (wo routes
acror,s the Pacific weekly lines of steamers, let it be so
arranged that they will lea\e at wider intervals. If we cannot

have 52 departures a year, let us have at first 2G. Ivather begin
with a service of Hrst-chiss steamships leaving every two wei'ks t liau
none at all. There are those in this room who can well remember
the time when the service between Europe and America was
confined to one line of small steamers leaving once a fortnight.
We all know to what gigantic proportions that service has now
grown. 3[ay we not confidently look to similar results on the
Pacific ?

Thus, by means of improved lines of postal communicat ion
across the Pacific, could (' - lunpire take advantage of tlie facili-
ties offered by Canada. All must admit it to be in cvcny way
desirable that commercial and other relations of intimacy should
spring up between the great Colonies now represented in this
room. The establishment of a direct postal service such as
suggested would plant the germs of a commerce which in a few
years may develop into a magnitude now little dreamed of.
I need scarcely say that the i)eople of Canada would hail with
great satisfaction the sympathetic co-operation of the Impeiial
Government and the Goveinments of the Australasian Colonies
in an effort to call into existence a new field for comir.ercial
enter[)i'is(>— an effort which is well calculated to stren<Tthen
]h-itish interests, and establisli Ih'itish predominance on the
Pacific. The question is a practical one of common concern to
all; and I feel warranted in saying that, although Canada has
already from her own unaided resources sunk an enormous
amount in rendering the new Imperial postal services possible,
she will be pre[)ared, as Sir Alexander Campbell will explain to
you, still further to render substantial aid.

II.

THE CANADIAN TKr.KCiKAl'll Koi'TK.

Yesterday I referred to tlH> value of the (\niadiaii I'aeilie Kad-
wav as a post al rout.> to Australasia, and to the l?rit ish DepeiahMieh-s
111 Asia. Th,. (,| her means hy whi.'h t iir ladih'c works ()!•( 'anada may
be turned to the use of the Kmpir.' is as a teh-crraph rout.>. There
can l)e no etiicient inlereourso nowadays wil hcut the tch-i,ria|)li.
The Chairman, on the lirst .lay of the ( '..nf.>renee, ,|uot.Ml fn.m an
oxeellent authority to show that i^cuonA m.4vanlih> l.usiness
eannot l)e eeonomi.'ally e,.n,hu-t.Ml without the tdeuTaph, thai, in
faet, tli<. teleoraph is an indisp.Misahle auxiliary to all rommoreial
transiietions between persinis s(>parat.Ml hy distance. In this view
Idon.)t set- it possihlo that any ].rolital.l,> business intercourse
can spimg up between Australasia and Canada without a direct
telegraphic connection. It is quite true that already tclegn,,,!,
wires extend from Cana.la to England ami from Kngland to
Australasia; but imagine for a moment business men .m opjiosite
sides of the Pacific being obliged to communicate with each other
by sending m.ssages round the globe no less than five-sixths of
its whole eireumference !

The h(-avy eharges by the circuitous route, the delavs and
tlie risk of errors conse(pu>nt on the numberless repetitions in the
trar...nnssion of messages, would jaove such an impedinumt to
general intercourse as to render the existing lim. bv wav of
Europe of little or no use. It could oidy be res,.rted to in
extreme cases.

TluM'.- eannot be ;.. do,,bt that, if there are („ b(; more
intimate relations, if .-my progr,.>s is lo be made tu\vai'd> a clo>er

union or iiitiinary of any kind, the first tliin<rlo|),. Hionirlif „r is
ii iliri'c't t el ograpl lie connection ; without it tlicyounif ni(>rciint ii(!
marine on the I'ueilie would he i-uinously handicapped, and t In^
succ(>ssf'ul deveh)i)inent of commerce nMidered ini[)()ssihh<.

l)Ut l)(>yon{l lh(> pioinotion of commercial and social relations,
there are other considerations of t he hiohcst im[)oHanc(>.

It is oidy necessary to look at a teh^L^r.iph map of tjie world
to see iiow dependent on forei^ni jiowers ( ireat I'ritain is, at this
moment, fort he security of its tejen^raphic communication with Asia,
Australasia, and with Africa — in fact, it may be said that tlie tele-
gra[)hic commuiucaf ion between the Home Government and every
important division of the Mmpiro, except Canada, is dependent on
the friendship (shall 1 say th(> protection?) of Turkey, is not
Turkey contiiinally exposed to imminent dauirer fiom within?
Is she not in dann-er of faUuiir a prey to covetous nei^■hl)ours,
whose friendship towards (ireat Ihitain may be doubted ? What,
has it, cost in Jiritish blood and treasure to obtain the goodwill aiid
give strength to a Tower so weak? And yet the Ottoman
(iovernment, on which we depend for communication with India
and Australasia, a])pears continually exposes! to im]iendiug disaster.
The Suez route has provcnl convenient in the i>ast, and it may
prove useful in t he fut ure, but when our object is to strengthen
the Colonial system, is it wise to b(> so dependent on a Power th(»
condition of whic'h is so crilii-al ?

T venture the I'emark that tln^ patriotism and enterprise of
Canada has o[»ened up the way by whit'h the l}ritish Kmpire
may he placed ent irely independent of any foreign I'ower with
respect to its telegraphic communications.

The western terminus of the Canadian racifioKaihvay— Aancou-

aclu'il

vcr— is in telegrapliic foiiuiiuiiicat ion witli London. Coinniunicu-
tions liave passed between London and Vancouver, and re])Iics
returned within a few minutes. From A'ancouver caliles may lie
laid to Australasia by way of Hawaii, or (liey may be laid from
one British Island to another,au(l thus brimr Xcw/caland and all
the Australasian Colonies directly into telegraphic connection
with Great Britain, without passing over any soil which is not
British, and bypassing only through seas as remote as possible
irom any dilhculties which may arise in I'lurope.

Again, India can be reached from Australasia by the lines
the Eastern Telegiaph Company ; South Afi'ica can be rea
through tJH' medium of tlie Eastern and South Afi'ican Company;
and thus, ])y supplying the one link wanting, tlie Home (ioveru-
meiit will have tlie nutans provided to telegra]>h to everv im-
portant British Colony and Dependency, ai'ound the circunderence
of the glolH>, witliout ai)proaching Europe at any jioint.

1 respectfully subnut that the establishment of a {elegra].h
from Canada to Australasia is, for tlie reasons given, a (juestioii
well worthy of earnest consideration ; and as a Canadian, it is a
matter of great gratification to me that it lias been brouglit, l)y
the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the notice of this
Confeicnce.

iNIyown views are given atsome length in ininted documents,
which liave been circulated within tlie past few days. I need not,
therefore, take up your time further in exjiounding tliem. I will
oidy notice very briefly the letters of Mr. .John Pender, which have
also been phiced in the hands of iAIembers of the Conference.
IMr. Pender speaks on liehalf of the existing Telegrapli Compa'i(>s,
and it is not unnatural that he, and they, should be hostile to a

new lino wliicli would undoubtedly dostroy tlioir monopoly, and
reduce the exceedingly high charges whicii they have so long
enjoyed.

Mr. Pender objects to th(> proposal to connect Canada with
Australasia, telegraphically, on several grounds. He states that
the line "would necessarily consist of long stretches, across
enormous and practically unsurveyed dejjths, terminating in coral
roei's," and he leaves the impression that the project is imprac-
ticable, or next to impracticable.

In Canada, and 1 doubt not in the other Colonies, we have
learneil to disrc'gard objections of this kind. At one time it was
declared by a very high authoi'ity, an [m[)erial Scientific Officer
specially commissioned to examine and report, Ihac it was quite
im]iracficahle to establish a railway through the Territories ncnv
forming the Dominion. This officer was not Chairman of any
Company whose profits were at stake; he was an able, earnest
man wilh a deservedly high rei)utafion. He was assisted by
a staff of scientists efjually able and reliable, who were engaged
with him in exploring the country for a period of four years. I
shall give a piuagraph from his report, addressed in 1862 to His
(.race the Duke of Newcastle, tluMi Colonial Secretary.

"The knowledge of the country on the vhole would never
lead me to iidvocate a line of communication from Canada across
the Continent to the Tacitic, exclusively on British territory.
The time has now for ever gone by for effecting sucli an object,
and the unfortunate choice of an astronomical boundary line has
completely isolated the central American possessions of (Jreat
l)viiain fiom Canada in the east, and also debarred them from any
eligible access IVom the Pacilic coast on the west."

Xotwithstiimliug tliis oxceedingly discouraging ilec-laratioii,
iho work has been grappled with and the railway is conytruete.l,
nnd, I may add, that a magnificent train service, witli appointments
for the most luxmious travellers, passes over it every day in the

wee

Is it surprising that (olonisls are disposed to reserve their
judgment when any project of a similar kind is ],rono.inced even
by good authority to lie iin])ractical)le ?

Tt is pcTfectly true that our iidormatiou respecting the
Pacific Ocean is incomplete, but so iar as it goes there is nothing
on which to base an unfavourable opinion. Two years back I
personally looked with altention into the whoh- matter, and 1
put on record the conclusien which F arrived at. I b.-g leave to
read a paragraph from a published lett(>r, whi.'h I addn-ssed to
the Premier of Canada, Sir John :\raodonald, Oct. iJOtli, ]88J:_
" There are, indeed, extensive cond reefs in the central
" and southern Pacific; but the most authentic hydrographic
"information establishes that those ivefs are generally in
" great grou[.s, separated by wide and deep depressions free
"from obstructions. It is further reveahMl by th(> latest
" bathymetrie data that those depressions or tn.ughs present
" (as far as ascertained) a sea floor precisely similar to that
" of the Atlantic, so suitable for submarine telegraphy.
"Those ocvan depressions, alike by tln-ir geographical
"position and their continuity, opt'u up the prospect of
" connecting Canada and Australasia by a direct cable."
Mr. Pen.ler says that a telegraph from Canada to Australasia
would not benefit the Colonies, and that " it would be inimical to
the interests of the telegraphing public."

1;3

It is Hot at all iicL-essarv to occ'U|iy your tiiuo at any groafc

h'unrth in ivfutini; this contention. I shall only remark that the

Canaflian Pacitie Railway Company have made arrangements to

transmit all Australasian telegraph hiisiness over their wires

across the Contiiienf: for two[)enee half-penny (2^(1.) per word,

and that the ordinary eharge across th(> Atlantic is sixuence (Gd.)

per word, maldng a total charge of eightpence half-ponny (8id.)

per word from Vancouver to London. A'ancouver is ,'j,r;00 mih's

from l-ondon, and the nearest point of Australasia is fijOOO miles

from \'ancouver. N'ancouver to London is therefore the shortest

half, but if the actual charge for transmission on the short lialf

be 8id., at the same rate messages sent the whole distance

would be a little more than double, or say Is. Hh\. per word. On

reference to the publislied tariff of the Company, represented

by :\rr. I'eiider, I find that the charges for ordinary messages

are as follows, viz.: —

Per word.
, 9/0

Ijondou to Xew South Wales

„ -i»ueensland

„ South Australia

„ Victoria

„ • Western Australia ...
,, Tasmania ...
„ New Zealand ...

From this it appears that the lowest charge for the trans-
mission of ordinary messages, by the existing line, to any one of
the seven Colonies, is nine shillings and fourpence (9/4) per word,
i ask if a reduction from 9/4 to 1/8 per word would be
iuinucal to the interests of the telegrapliing public, and no
benefit whatever to the Colonics?

... 9/9

... 9/4

... 9/11

... lO'G

ti
ai
fo

on
pe
pu
ref
th.

tho

T have based the comparison on the actnal Atlantic charrres
at the present time, and on a decision deliberately anived at by
the Board of Directors of the Canadian Pacific liailway Company
with respect to Australasian bnsiness. On this basis I liave
reckoned one shilling per word for tlie I'aciHc service, but even
if that rate be douliled, it needs no words of iiiin(> to prove (hat
the gain to the telegraphing pul)lic and the Colonies would be
enormous.

I am sanguine enough to b(>lieve that the moment Canada
and Australasia are telegraphically connected there will be a won-
derful development of telegrapiuc activity, and business will far
exceed present conceptions.

Mr. Pender alludes to the Pacitic as if its depth was a serious
objection to telegraphic submersion. The souiKh'ngs which have
been matle on the route to be traversed go to sliow that the
greatest depth is from 3,U0() to 3,100 fathoms Tins is indeed
greater by about 100 fathoms than the depth of waters iu which
cables have been successfully laid, but the excess is tritlino- I
must, however, bj'ing to your notice that the depth is itself an
element of security. The cables in deepest water at tlu^ present
time are those of the Brazilian Submarine Telcgraiih Companv,*
and it is a singular fact that this Comi)any, witli cables sunk to a
depth of 2,!)60 fathoms, has paid far less than imy other Com-
pany for cable repairs. This Company owns to-day some 7,340
nautical miles of cable; if 1 am correctly iuformed, it has never
owned a repairing ship, and I believe it has only carried out two,
or three, repairs in the thirteen yeai's it has existed.

Docs not this go far to establish that telegraph cables are by

* I.iiid fi-oin I.i-l on to IVmaii.lmro, i„ South Anicrio:,, r!,t VivU-m arul Capt Vcrdc IsI.-ukIs.

il Atlantic eharctes
itely jirii\e(l ut by
Kailway Company
this basis I have
c service, but even
nine to prove tliat
2ok)nies would be

e moment Cana(Li
lere will b(> a woii-
I business will far

epth was a serious
(linos which have
U) show that the
This is ind(>ed
f waters in which
ess is trirtinrr. I
lepth is itself an
n- at the present
graph Company,*
1 cabh's sunk to a
1 :my other Com-
i-(lay some 7,o40
med, it has never
' carried out two,
:ed.
ipli cables are bv

(] Ciitie Vcrdc Islaiuis.

far .he ,„o.t secure in deep water? r»nly cables in shallow water
-H-h as those of (he Eastern an<l Eastern Ex.ension Con,pani..

are exposed to , he ravages of n.arine insects, and, in conse,uence,
wntnnially m,'ed repair and r.^n.-wal.

Mr. Pender urges that in case of war it would be impo.>ibI.
tu protect cables laid across the PaciHc. I venture to .m,,uire.
^ 'd it not be infinitely more difficult to prot<..t ,he .-ahles and
the land lines of the Companies represented bv that <.„,, l,.,nan •-
Look at the telegraph n,ap of the world and judge of th.u-
respective security. The lin.. of the Eastern and Eastern
Extension Companies have stations in two foreign c,.„ntrie.--
Kgypt and Java-the one under the sovereignty of Turkev the
otlun- of Holland. All, or nearly all, the cables of these Con.-
pan.es are laid in shallow water, and nothing could be easi.r than
to drag them to the surface anywhere. I<Von. England to E.vpt
they sku.t eve.y country in Southern Europe, and are exposed at
every point for the whole distance.

The Pacific cables, on tin- other hand, would not bo so
exposed. They would be far ren.oved from every count rv lil.:..l v
to prove hostile to England, ,hey would be lai.l in de.p water a.
ti.e Atlantic cables are, and they woul.l be laid under ..ircumstanee.

which would render it no easy matter for a foreign ship to find
them.

Mr. Pender contc>nds that the cables of his Companies
woul.l "be the special ohj.-ct of the vigilant care of the Poval
^<avy.' If I may ha.ard an opinion, it is not improbable that
the ships of the I^oyal Xavy would have other work more urgently
.lemanding their attention than standing sentry on every mile
of the cables extending from Engk nd to Aden.

I tliiiik it must be obvious, without furtlier argument, that
all tli(> cables of the Eastern Telegraph Company are so vul-
nerable, that the existence of an alteraative line tlu-ough Canada
ami llie I'iuHic, woul.l b,. ,>f incalculable advantage. The
l)ossibility of s(Miding a single message in an emergency, via
Canada and the I'acific, might actually be worth more to the
KiMpire than the whole cost of the new lin(\

Mr. Pend(>r submits '-that the existing Company, as the
pione(>r of telegraphic communicaticm with Australasia, is entitled
'o a large share of consideration at the hands of the Colonies."
'I'here may be nuxch truth in this, as T am not familial with the
history of the work of extending submarine telegraph service to
the Australasian Colonies. I will only observe that this is not
the first time that a company or an individual has been called
upon to relin(|uish a monopoly by the exigencies of the public
welfare.

I do not wish that any injustice be done to this Companv or
to any individual. If they have any claims for consideration or
compensation, these claims should undoubtedly be met in a fair
and honourable manner. But, I ..sk, is it for a moment to be
thought that Canada and Australasia are never to hold direct
telegraphic intercourse because a Commercial Company stands in
the way? Are commercial relations between two of the most
imix.rtant divisions of the British family for ever to remain dor-
mant in order that the profits of a Company may be maintained?

lias Mr. Pender's Company inore claim to consideration than
the Australasian Colonies themselves? And are the people of
these Colonies never to be relieved of the exorbitant char<Tes
wiiich that Company exacts ?

, that
vu!-

anada
The

,c. "

Is Canada entitled to no consideration? Are all her efforts,
nil her expenditure, all her aspirations, to go for nought ?

Are tJK' vital interests of the Uritish Empire to he neglected?
Is the permanent policy of England to be thwarted? Is the
peace of the world to he endangered at the bidding of a Joint
.Stock Company ?

In 182:5 the instructions given to that distinguished Ambas-
sador, Lord Stratlonl dc liL-dcIitfe, ccmtained these words: —

" To preserve the peace of the woild is the leading object of
the policy of England. For this puri 3se it is necessary in the
tirst place to pre\fnt to the utmost of our power the breaking out
of new (juarrels; in the second place to compose, where it can be
done by friendly mediation, existing ditticuUies ; and, thirdly,
■when that is hopeless, to narrow as much as possii)Ie th(>ir range;
and, f'ourt hly, to maintain for ourselves an imperturbable neutralit v
in all cases where nothing occurs to affect injiu-iously our interests
or our iioniHU'."

I believe, Sir, that these noble sentences define the policy of
England to-day as they did sixty years back. The circumstances
are, however, not the same, and there are, if possible, stronger
reasons Ibr adhering to that 'lolicy than there ever were. Colonies
are planted in the fjur quarters of the globe, and Ihitish in-
terests are world-wide. The Eastern ciuestion has long been a
burning question, but England is no\v less concerned with
Europe than with Australasia, Africa, Asi;!, and America. If
to preserve the peace of the world be the leading object of
the policy of England, that object may most surely be attained
by England concenung herself less with Europe, and n.ore with
the English p(>ople and the (>>ueen's subjects beyond Europe. To
follow such a course is to my mind dictated by a proper apprehen-

sion of tlie situation, no loss than a sense of duty to ourselves.
'I'liH entire future of the liritish Knipire may largely depend on
'W wisely availing ourselve of opportunities which are now pre-
sented, to strengthen the cohesion of tlie Colonies to each other
find to the mother country.

If that end is to be accomph'slied, I respectfully submit that
Canada's contribution, on which she has incurred liabilities which
will tax her people £1,000,000 sterling a-year for all future time,
should not be lightly regarded.

If there is to be any practical progress made in consolidating
the Colonial Empire, the establishment of such new lines of
Imperial communication as I have alluded to, by telegraph and
by fast merchant cruisers, is to my mind an absolute necessity.

Would not the establishment of such coiumunications ojjen
the way for securing to thr Empire in perpetuity a masterful
liold on the Pacific ? Prepared for the worst that may happen in
Europe, would not England, occupied with her own people, and
pursuing her own noble aims, be in a position to regard the
luistern question with comparative indilTerence ?

Is it not tne duty of the British people scattered around the
globe to set about putting their house in order ? Is not that one
of the main jjurposes of this Conference ? Is it not wise and
proper to strengthen the coru of patriotism which nni^ through
Canada and Australasia, and every one of the Ci>iouies in the two
iiemispheres ? Is not everything else secondary to the obligation
resting upon us to attend to vital affairs which concern us in
*. 'r^;ron?

'•'hese v;ews, suggested to me by my own more immediate
ra;)ge ol thought, ,ro submitted to the Conference with all
deference.