XXXII THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
they would thus be supplied with much profitable business for general 
dissemination. 
The private cables were for the most part established with com- 
mendable enterprise many years ago. They received generous Gov- 
ernment assistance. They have done useful pioneer work and this 
work has already yielded to the enterprising investors rich returns. 
The time has come, however, when circumstances demand a change. 
It has become a matter of public expediency that the State should 
control an unbroken line of telegraph established for the safety and 
well-being of the Empire. It is possible, therefore, that the companies 
may have to rest content with more moderate gains than hitherto, at 
least until there be a new development of business under the changed 
condition. That a development of telegraph business beyond all 
ordinary conception will result from the establishment of the Imperial 
service there can be no doubt whatever. 
In the event of a determination being reached to complete the 
Imperial telegraph service, before proceeding to lay a State cable 
across the Indian Ocean, the private company now owning it should 
be given the option to transfer, at a fair price, the private cable recently 
laid by them between Australia and South Africa. And arrangements 
should likewise be made to connect the Cape with the United Kingdom 
by a State-owned cable, and India East and West should be brought 
within the range of the Imperial cable girdle. These, with the Pacific 
Cable, will complete the Globe-encireling telegraph line designed to 
link together the Transmarine home lands of the British people on five 
continents. It will prove an Imperial service in every sense. It will 
greatly promote the commercial and industrial well-being of all the 
parts. It will strengthen their relationship, and enable the whole 
fabric the better to withstand any stress or strain which the future 
may bring. 
There is a rapidly growing desire on the part of the British people, 
everywhere, to strengthen the ties and multiply the links which unite 
the Mother nation with the daughter states. This feeling of attach- 
ment prevails in Australia and in New Zealand. It is especially marked 
in Canada, and we are warranted in expressing the foregoing views 
on behalf of like minded Canadians. Their name is legion and they 
are prompted only by one spirit. Their ardent desire is to join cor- 
dially and actively in building up the Empire on an enduring basis, 
that it may long continue to confer benefits on the human race. 
It was moved by Dr. O. Klotz, seconded by Dr. J. H. Coyne, that 
the following members form the General Printing Committee:—The 
Honorary Secretary, Dr. J. Edmond Roy, Dr. B. Sulte, Dr. Adam 
Shortt, Dr. O. Klotz and Professor E. E. Prince.—Carried. 
Professor W. Lash Miller moved, seconded by Mr. J. 8. Plaskett, 
that the Council be requested to consider the desirability of making a 
grant not to exceed ten pounds towards the expenses of the International 
Commission for the annual publication of Physical and Chemical con- 
stants, with power to make the grant if they see fit.—Carried. 
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