wever, no
present indication of any change being desired by the Canadians, and it
may be safely presumed that the existing conditions will continue for
many years to come. This is not to be wondered at, for Canada though
nominally a British colony practically enjoys almost all the privileges
of an independent state. She possesses a constitution similar to that
of the United Kingdom, with a parliament of two houses, called the
"Senate", and the "House of Commons". The Sovereign of Great Britain
appoints only the Governor General who acts in his name, but the
Dominion is governed by a responsible Ministry, and all domestic
affairs are managed by local officials, without interference from the
Home Government. Canadians enjoy as many rights as the inhabitants of
England, with the additional advantage that they do not have to bear
the burden of maintaining an army and navy. Some years ago, if I
remember rightly, in consequence of some agitation or discussion for
independence, the late Lord Derby, then Secretary of State for the
Colonies, stated that if the Canadians really wished for independence,
the Home Government would not oppose, but that they should consider if
they would gain anything by the change, seeing that they already had
self-government, enjoyed all the benefits of a free people, and that
the only right the Home Government reserved was the appointment of the
Governor-General, although it assumed the responsibility of protecting
every inch of their territory from encroachment. Since this sensible
advice from the Colonial Secretary, I have heard nothing more of the
agitation for independence.
From a commercial point of view, and for the welfare of the people,
there is not much to choose to-day between a Limited Monarchy and a
Republic. Let us, for instance, compare England with the United
States. The people of England are as free and independent as the
people of the United States, and though subjects, they enjoy as much
freedom as Americans. There are, however, some advantages in favor of
a Republic. Americans until recently paid their President a salary of
only $50,000 a year; it is now $75,000 with an additional allowance of
$25,000 for travelling expenses. This is small indeed compared with
the Civil List of the King or Emperor of any great nation. There are
more chances in a Republic for ambitious men to distinguish themselves;
for instance, a citizen can become a president, and practically assum
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