On May 8 it was announced from England that H.S.H. Prince Alexander of Teck was to succeed Field-Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught as Governor-General. The announcement was received with general approval. The speech which the Prince made at the Canada Club, in London, on May 28, was widely copied in the Canadian Press. Owing to the war, the Duke of Connaught consented to remain at the head of affairs, while Prince Alexander went on duty to the front.
An important Act passed during the session was the British Nationality, Naturalisation and Aliens Act (Chap. 44, 1914). This Act remedies a state of things which caused inconvenience throughout the Empire. After some years of discussion with the Home Authorities and the other Colonies, it is now provided that a colonial certificate of naturalisation shall be effective throughout the British Dominions. The applicant for a certificate must have a complete knowledge of English or French, The Canadian Act is based on the British Act (p. [209]), 4 and 5 Geo. V. cap. 17.
On May 29 the announcement was made of the terrible disaster to the steamship Empress of Ireland, and the loss of over a thousand lives (Chron., May 29). The Government at once began a Canadian investigation; and a Royal Commission, including a British representative, was appointed to make a searching inquiry. There was the usual crop of reports, assertions, contradictions and explanations. The subject was however dealt with prudently in Parliament and there was no useless debate. The Royal Commission consisted of Lord Mersey, Sir Adolph Routhier and Chief Justice McLeod of New Brunswick. The sittings were held at Quebec; and many counsel, English, American and Canadian, were engaged. The Report of the Commission placed the blame for the collision on the officers of the Storstad (see p. 599, Sess. Paper No. 21b, 1915). Extensive litigation has been going on since the Report was presented, and the amounts involved are large.
The session closed on June 12 with a degree of excitement and confusion which continued for some days after. There had been much discussion between the two parties regarding the Representation Bill, which was eventually passed in both Houses. But the increase in the number of Senators from the West had to be provided for by Resolution, praying the Imperial Parliament to alter the British North America Act, 1867, so as to enable the new Senators to be appointed. When the measure went to the Senate, the Act relating to the increase in the membership of the House of Commons was accepted. But the proposals regarding the increase of the Senate did not meet with the approval of the majority in that House, which was still opposed to the Administration. An amendment to the effect that the increase in the number of Senators should not take place till after the next general election, was refused by the Government. An accusation of bad faith was made by the Government against the Opposition in regard to an alleged agreement to pass this Bill and Resolution at the same time as the Representation Bill. This accusation was denied. Controversial statements as to this agreement were issued after the close of the session, by the Premier and the leader of the Opposition. And there the matter ended, to be taken up no doubt in the session of 1915.
On June 11, the day before the close of the session, both houses agreed unanimously on an address to H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, Governor-General, on what was at the time thought to be his last official appearance in Parliament. This address was presented subsequently to the proceedings at the close of the session. The following paragraphs may be quoted:—
In visiting every portion of our Dominion, and in the earnest endeavour to acquire by personal contact with all classes of the community a full and accurate knowledge of the varied conditions prevailing in this country, and of the purpose and aspirations which animate our national life, Your Royal Highness has but given another evidence of that high devotion to duty which has always inspired your actions and has ever been associated with your career.
The Canadian people will not fail to cherish a happy remembrance of the deep and practical interest which Your Royal Highness has invariably manifested in literature, art and industrial pursuits in the Dominion, as well as in all philanthropic and charitable undertakings; and they recognise most fully that Your Royal Highness has always been ready to associate yourself with every movement designed to improve the conditions and add to the happiness of those to whom has been entrusted the great task and duty of possessing and developing this portion of the Empire.
His Royal Highness, in reply, after expressing his cordial thanks and his profound appreciation of the kindly sentiments of the representatives of the Canadian people, said:—
During my three years of office it has been my earnest endeavour to become acquainted with the many problems affecting the welfare and progress of this great Dominion. Nothing has struck me more than the energy and tenacity shown in all circumstances by its people, and I hope that a strong sense of duty will always pervade those to whom its destinies are entrusted.
Of their loyalty and devotion to the King and to the Empire I have had many proofs, and I hope that Canadians will always be true to themselves and to that great Dominion with which it has been my pride to be connected.