EARL GREY'S APPRECIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 



SPEECH AT DIGBY, NOVA SCOTIA, 

 August 13, 1907. 



IT is now almost three years since I landed at Halifax to take up the duties 

 of Governor-General. I have employed the interval in visiting as much of 

 Canada as possible, in making the acquaintance of its people, and in learning 

 and studying the stimulating and unending story of her illimitable resources. 

 Every Province in turn has captured my heart and confirmed my faith in 

 the majestic future of your Dominion. And I have no hesitation in saying 

 that so long as the heart of the people is sound, wholesome, honest and 

 patriotic and you must remember that no river can ever hope to rise above 

 its source then so long will you be justified in entertaining the ambition 

 to make Canada one of the greatest, perhaps the greatest, of all the self- 

 governing Dpminions which contribute to the might and glory of the Crown 

 and to the civilization of mankind. After three years' study of Canada I 

 am prepared to hold the field against the world that great as are the re- 

 sources, advantages and attractions of her sister Provinces, Nova Scotia 

 need not be afraid to pit her charms against any of her sister Provinces, 

 however fair they may be. Any one making a fair and impartial investiga- 

 tion of your material resources and able to form a correct estimate of the 

 effect of climate and position on the life and character of people, can only 

 rise from his investigation with one conviction, and that is, if you do not 

 reach greatness you have only yourselves to blame. 



It is with great regret that I leave the shores of your beautiful Province . 

 I have seldom enjoyed a day's travel more than yesterday, when I motored 

 over sixty miles through the famous Annapolis valley which lies behind you. 

 The rich crop of potatoes and other vegetables, the prosperous and com- 

 fortable homesteads, the soft and refreshing air, the evidence of general well 

 being, and the absence of any sign of hardship or poverty all these things 

 caused me to realize more vividly than I had ever had occasion to realize 

 before, how great are the privileges enjoyed by the people of Nova Scotia, 

 and what desirable advantages your Province offers to those who coming 

 from across the seas seek to create a new home under the free and happy 

 flag of Britain on this side of the Atlantic. 



