CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.
Two interesting expositions of the Canadian attitude towards Imperial questions have just been published. Both are series of lectures delivered at the University of Toronto last autumn. The late Prime Minister of the Dominion, Sir Robert Borden, lectured on Canadian Constitutional Studies (H. Milford, 4s. 6d. net), while Dr. Newton W. Rowell, who was the Liberal Leader of the Opposition in Ontario, and who acted as one of the Canadian representatives in the War Cabinet in 1918, lectured on The British Empire and World Peace (H. Milford, 12s. 6d.
net). Sir Robert Borden's historical sketch of the development of " the principle of equal nationhood and complete autonomy," now established, is instructive, and is fortified with many useful notes and references. But it is rather disappointing to find that his conclusions are negative. He is very anxious to insist on Canada's rights, but " it remains to determine the system and method by which that principle [of equal nationhood] shall receive vitality and force in the practical administration of the Empire's affairs." He states the question but he has no answer to give. As to naval defence, in particular, he will only say that Canadians find " a difficulty in gaining the true perspective," and that " for this purpose a comprehension of our probable expenditure as a separate nation would be useful." It is a pity that a Canadian statesman of such wide experience as Sir Robert Borden has had should have no advice to give on one of the uncial problems of the Commonwealth. Mr. Rowell, who covers a wider field in his advocacy of measures for the main- tenance of peace and his account of Canada's contribution to that great cause, is more candid than his old opponent and friend. He is as strongly convinced as Sir Robert Borden that Canada must have the status of a nation within the Common. wealth, and that she ought, for instance, to send a Canadian Minister to Washington. But he admits that rights imply duties, and he says plainly that
" Canada should be prepared to consider what the strength of her naval force should be for the protection of her coasts, of her commerce, and of her vital interests as one of the nations of the British Commonwealth. Such action will not be to increase naval armaments, but it will enable us, as self-respecting citizens, to feel that we are paying our own way and not imposing upon the more heavily taxed citizens of Great Britain. We should not expect the taxpayers of Great Britain to pay for the naval defence of Canada and of our shipping upon the high seas."
Mr. Rowell naturally refers with pride to the fact that Canada. has been at peace with the United States for over a hundred years, and that the long boundary between them is wholly undefended. We may fairly add that British diplomatists by their tact and patience largely contributed to this happy result. Mr. Bowel's English readers will be glad to be reminded of the Joint Commission, established by a Canadian-American Conven- tion of 1909, and consisting of three Canadians and three Americana, which has settled " all disputes relating to boundary waters and all other matters arising along the common frontier."
It is a practical example, tested by experience, of the method of settling international disputes as they occur which has been embodied in the Covenant of the League of Nations. Mr. Rowell's general remarks on the British Empire have much -wisdom :- " The British Empire itself is contrary to all theories of government. There has never been anything lie it in human history. There is no standard by which we can judge it. There is no rule by which we can measure it, and there is no limit we can place on its future and the service it may render humanity if its leaders of to-day are as wise and practical in meeting each exigency as it arises as have been its leaders in the past."
But while Mr. Rowell deprecates the application of old theories to the Empire, he is conscious that it must have some organiza- tion, and he makes one or two suggestions to that end.
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