The Nova Scotia Legislature met on February 19. The Speech from the Throne was a review of the year very favourable in character. A Bill for redistribution of seats and for changing the character of the franchise was promised. Some disagreeable episodes regarding slanders on members, and some accusations of members trafficking in public lands, occurred; but nothing came of them in the end. The Prime Minister of Nova Scotia later in the year made active and successful efforts to provide help for the Belgians.
The New Brunswick Legislature met on February 26. It was announced that the financial claims of the Province against the Dominion had been settled, and that the Province would receive a revenue of $66,382 in addition. On April 6 charges of corrupt dealing with revenues from public lands were made against the Hon. J. K. Flemming, the provincial Prime Minister. An investigation was ordered by the Government itself. The result was a report unfavourable to the Minister, who accordingly resigned.
The Legislature of Prince Edward Island met on March 11. The Speech declared that the prosperity of the Province during the past year had been unequalled. The business of fur-farming had proved abnormally successful, and further enterprise in that business was expected. The Budget was encouraging. The public accounts showed a surplus of $15,500 for the first time in many years; and a surplus was estimated in the current year. The question of the representation of the Province in the Federal Parliament was discussed. This question has been settled by the Representation Act passed by the Federal Parliament.
The Legislature of Manitoba met on December 11, 1913, but did not begin business till the close of the holidays in 1914. The Legislature asked the Dominion Government to transfer to Manitoba all the natural resources of the Province. A redistribution Bill was passed. An appropriation of $2,500,000 was made for the improvement of roads; and a Commission was appointed to conduct the expenditure. The Budget showed a surplus of $473,221. A general election on June 10 resulted in the support of the Roblin (Conservative) Government, but by a very largely reduced majority, owing to the prominence given to delicate questions like temperance and separate schools.
On September 15-18 a special session was held to express the loyalty of the Province, to encourage enlistment, and to provide for the continuance and safety of the public business.
The Alberta Legislature met on October 7. The Prime Minister announced a surplus of $100,000, in spite of the general stringency. The response of the people of Alberta to the call for troops was pointed to with pride, in the speech of the Lieut. Governor. The surplus for the coming fiscal year was estimated at $1,176,967. The speeches on the Address were all of a loyal character, and no partisanship disturbed the short session.
The Saskatchewan Legislature met in special session on September 15. The special business was of a practical character; to grant extension of time to railway companies engaged in construction work; to regulate transactions of foreign companies; to enforce the closing of places where liquor was sold; to take power to regulate executions and debts in real estate transactions; to grant aid to the Patriotic Fund.
The British Columbia Legislature met on January 15. The principal item in the speech related to the long-discussed question of better financial terms for the Province. The public accounts, ending March 31, 1913, showed a deficit of $1,846,228, due to expenditure on public works. A measure for raising a loan of $10,000,000 was passed. Further aid, much discussed, was granted to the Canadian Northern Railway, and other railroads. The session closed on March 5. [For the attempted immigration from India in the Komagata Maru, see p. 407.]
III. NEWFOUNDLAND.
The general depression which prevailed throughout the world was severely felt in Newfoundland during the year. One of the large iron mines on Bell Island closed down early in the year, and since the war commenced the other company has also stopped operations. The ice conditions prevailing early in the year hindered trade and commerce, and the fishery operations were seriously impeded by the late ice blockade of the coasts.