This page needs to be proofread.

284

THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — CANADA

communication between the Dominion Government and the foreign Consuls in Canada. An arrangement has been concluded between the British and Canadian Governments to provide more complete representation at Washington of Canadian interests than has hitherto existed. Accordingly, it has been agreed that his Majesty, on the advice of his Canadian Ministers, shall appoint a Minister Plenipotentiary, who will have charge of Canadian atfairs, and will be at all times the ordinary channel of communication with the United States Government in matters of purely Canadian concern, acting upon instructions from and reporting direct to the Canadian Government. In the absenee of the Ambassador, the Canadian Minister will take charge of the whole Embassy, and of the representation of Imperial as well as Canadian interests. A Dominion Bureau of Statistics was established in 1919, for the centralization and organization of statistical work.

High Commissioner for the Dominion of Canada in Great Britain. — Hon. Sir George H. Perley, K.C.M.G. ' \ 19,VictoriaStreet,

J London, S.W. 1.

Permanent Secretary. — W. L. Griffith.

Provincial Government. The nine provinces have each a separate parliament and administration, with a Lieutenant-Governor appointed by the Governor-General at the head of the executive. They have lull powers to regulate their own local affairs and dispose of their revenues, provided only they do not interfere with the action and policy of the central administration. Among the subjects assigned exclusively to the provincial legislature are : the amendment of the provincial constitution, except as regards the office of the Lieutenant- Governor ; direct taxation for revenue purposes ; borrowing ; management and sale of crown lands ; provincial hospitals, reformatories, &c. ; shop, saloon, tavern, auctioneer, and other licences for local or provincial purposes ; local works and undertakings, except lines of ships, railways, canals, telegraphs, &c, extending beyond the province or connecting with other provinces, and also except such works as the Federal Parlia- ment declare are for the general good ; marriages ; administration of justice within the province ; education. Quebec and Nova Scotia have each two Chambers (a Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly) and a responsible Ministry. In New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and Saskatchewan there is only one Chamber (the Legislative Assembly) and a responsible Ministry. The members of the Legislative Council of Nova Scotia number 18, and Quebec 24. The membership of the Legislative Assemblies is — Prince Edward Island 30, Nova Scotia 43, New Brunswick 47, Quebec 81, Ontario 111, Manitoba 49, British Columbia 47, Alberta 58, and Saskatchewan 62. The North- West Territories, comprising all the territories formerly known as Rupert's Land, and the North- Western Territory except the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the district of Keewatin, and the Yukon Territory, are governed by a Commissioner and a Council of four, appointed by the Governor in Council at Ottawa. The territory of Yukon is governed by a Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Council of three members elected by the people.

Area and Population.

Tear

Population

Year

Population

1801 1825 1851 1861 1871

240,000

581,920

1,842,265

3,090,661

3,635,024

1881 1891 1901 1911

4,324,810 4,833,239 6,371,316 7,206,643

The following *re the areas of the provinces, in 1911, with the popu ation