If my words can be heard beyond the walls of this House in the province from which I come, among the men whose blood flows in my own veins, I should like them to remember that in taking their place to-day in the ranks of the Canadian Army, to fight for the cause of the allied nations, a double honour rests upon them. The very cause for which they are called upon to fight is to them doubly sacred.
The Prime Minister then followed in a necessarily more elaborate address. He complimented Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his patriotic address. He spoke earnestly of the efforts made by Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey to preserve the peace of Europe. He discussed all the treaties by which the peace of Europe had been guaranteed. And with regard to the action of Germany in Belgium, he said:—
I cannot resist the conclusion, and I do not think that any man who reads these documents can resist the conclusion, that it was the deliberate intention of the Government of Germany, formed many years ago, to violate the neutrality and independence of Belgium in case war should break out with France. I say that because every man in this country, every man throughout the world, knows that plans of campaign are not made after war breaks out. Plans of campaign are made long in advance, and the German plan of campaign which has been carried out in the present war is one which involved as a first step in their warlike operations the absolute violation of the independence of Belgium.
On the subject of the value of the British Navy to the Colonies and the world, he made the following statement, which is likely to become part of the future policy of Canada:—
It is barely two weeks since war broke out. Already nearly every pathway across the ocean has been cleared. Our foreign commerce has been but little interfered with, very little indeed. The splendid organisation of the British Navy has enabled this to be accomplished. Those who are familiar with the religious service used at sea will remember that prayer goes up from the men of the Navy, in peace as in war, that they may be a safeguard to their Sovereign and his dominions and a security for such as pass upon the seas upon their lawful occasions. The quaint words of that old prayer express as perfectly as may be that which is most essential for the security and integrity of this Empire, a safe pathway across the seas. Surely that prayer has been fulfilled even in this appalling war, for already the silent victory on the sea has been won. The Atlantic now is, and we have every reason to believe that the Pacific shortly will be, practically as safe and secure for those under the protection of the flag as in times of peace.
The Prime Minister outlined the steps that had already been taken to make the action of Canada prompt and efficient. The sum of $50,000,000 was for the present voted for war purposes. Authority was taken to issue Dominion notes to a limited extent, and to enable the Government to act on the general interest of the country in regard to banks, etc. In the Senate, the proceedings were equally prompt, unanimous and patriotic. The session closed on August 22.
Meanwhile every form of public and private patriotism was stimulated. Volunteers came forward in larger numbers than could be handled. A camp for 30,000 men was formed at Valcartier in Quebec. The Province of Ontario gave $500,000 to the Imperial Government, the Province of Nova Scotia, 100,000 tons of coal for the Navy. A large sum was instantly raised for a hospital, or hospital ship, at the request of H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught. The Patriotic Fund for the maintenance of those dependent on Volunteers was swollen to a very large amount. The province of Prince Edward Island gave 100,000 bushels of oats, Saskatchewan 1,500 horses. Manitoba sent a million bags of flour. A regiment was offered by Major Hamilton Gault of Montreal, who, with his wife, went to the front with his men. H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught went to live among the troops at the camp, where his presence was inspiring, and his experience valuable. The Volunteers embarked about the end of September, under convoy, and were in training under hard weather conditions till towards the close of the year, when at least a portion of the contingent was sent to the front; the results had not been officially stated at the close of the year.
The Provinces.—The Legislature of Ontario met on February 18. Two Bills only, of any consequence, were promised, a Redistribution Bill and a Workmen's Compensation Bill. An amendment to the Address, regretting the absence of any effort to remedy the conditions of labour in the Province, was defeated by 58 to 19. A surplus of $230,000 was announced by the Treasurer. New taxes were imposed on business corporations, to provide about $600,000 extra revenue. The total expenditure for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1914, was calculated at $17,437,738. A general election (June 29) resulted in the success of the Whitney (Conservative) Government by a majority of 55 members, a decrease of 9 from the majority at the close of the session. During the early autumn the Ontario Premier (Sir James Whitney) died; and he was succeeded by the Hon. W. H. Hearst, who was first elected in 1908. The new Premier reorganised his Ministry (Oct. 2); but no session had been held at the close of 1914.
The Quebec Legislature, which was sitting at the close of 1913, resumed business on January 7, 1914. On January 23, charges having been made against certain members of corruption, a House Committee was appointed to investigate them. A somewhat sordid state of affairs was revealed. Acrimonious and prolonged debates took place. Finally the Committee reported on February 12 against one member of the Lower and two of the Upper House; these latter resigned their seats. The Legislature was prorogued on February 19.