CANADIAN COPYRIGHT.
[To THY EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—This agitation is a Canadian edition of the "Three- Tailors of Tooley Street." We have a scarcity of live poli- tical questions, so that it is a Godsend to both parties, pre- videntially giving them the opportunity of buying patriotic fame in the cheapest, and selling it in the dearest market. Official statistics show that the printers, newspapers pro- prietors, &e., in the Dominion number five hundred and eighty-nine, but, according to Mr. J. G. Ridout, barrister, cf Toronto, our leading patent authority, who has investigated the subject, there are not thirty members of the Copyright Association, and some of them inform him that they are thoroughly indifferent. He finds that there are not more than ten printers, &c., and two outsiders with axes to grind, who are interested. I stated in the Toronto Wed, our leading literary journal, some objections to the proposed Bill..
(1) the Act would be a breach of the Eighth Commandment ; (2) a few printers wish to forcibly seize the property of British authors and publishers, paying at their own valua- tion and convenience ; (3) in Ontario over one hundred and seventy thousand farmers own their farms, and most have from ten to thirty acres of bush-land ; (4) put it thus to them :—" It is proposed that outsiders should be allowed to seize and keep any part of your farms not actually under crop, or which is not cultivated in the best manner, on paying a rent to be fixed by such pirates, and payable as it suits them." Is there a farmer who would vote for such a law ? Mr. Ridout explained in our Press the injury to Canadian patentees, copyrights, &c., of allowing such a Bill to pass. The Government should study his facts and arguments. The sense of humour is not so strong here as in London, otherwise the hollowest cry of this generation—by ten printers and two axe.grinders—" We, the people of Canada," &c., would be universally laughed at. The Canadians do not care a cent about the question, but as a cheap election-cry it deserves a gold medal.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Toronto, September 28th. JOHN C. GARDNER, Senior.
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