SCHOOL EMPIRE TOUR TO CANADA
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sra,—The efforts of the- School Empire Tour Committee have been fully justified- by the success of the tour which has just returned from Canada. The thirty-four • boys who went, representing most- of the well-known Public Schools, had a summer's enjoyment that will never be forgotten, as well as a vivid education in the meaning of Empire.
The itinerary was planned- mainly in collaboration with members- of the Lands Departments in each Province with the object that the party should spend as much time as possible in the country districts and come into contact with all the various industries.
Something of the complicated nature of Canadian nationality was revealed to us when we discovered that, apart from the predominance of the French Canadians in Quebec, there are areas farther West where in mining towns or on the prairies as much as forty-six per cent. of the population comes from various parts of Europe. A general satisfaction was expressed at the experiment of sending the 8,700 harvesters from Great Britain ; the vast majority appeared to be thoroughly satisfied with the work and conditions provided. Obviously there were some failures to be expected ; but the cases where there was real ground for dissatisfaction were comparatively few.
The delight of travel in Canada is the diversity of interests.
We never repeated our experiences ; each stopping - place had its own special industry or type of scenery for us to visit— forestry work, lumbering, pulp and paper mills, the wheat fields, fruit farming, ranching, gold mining, steel works, off- wells, fisheries, and harbours—there was something of real practical life on a big scale in every district.
The real freedom of holiday was found in the Rockies—at Jasper Park on the outward journey, at Lake Louise and Banff on the return. There all could suit themselves with walking, climbing, fishing, boating, or riding horses up the mountain trails ; most were lucky enough to see something of beavers and black-bears, deer and mountain sheep.
In one way and another we were enabled to get a fair insight into the educational system of the Dominion, and there stood out the evident determination to put education into the foreground.
The conclusion of the tour found the party still fresh and enthusiastic, from Quebec to Prince Rupert, from Vancouver to the Maritimes, from Sydney to St. John's interest was never strained and a profuse welcome was always spontaneous- ly given. Such tours must give more than pleasure and education ; they give knowledge of the Empire and of the world ; they create friendships and cement good will. May the next tour to New Zealand bear the same fruit. [Inquiries as to the tour to New Zealand, which will start in the firat Week in Janinuy; may be sent to the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. -Margaret Best, at the Committee's office.]—I am, Sir, &c.„,
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