60 General Information about Canada. 



arises from the fact that every farmer is the owner of his acres, is his 

 own master, and is free to do as he wills — a state of things conducive 

 to a condition of freedom unknown in older countries. Then, again, 

 taxation is comparatively light, and many social difficulties, still under 

 discussion in Great Britain, were grappled with in Canada years ago. 

 Beligious liberty prevails ; there is practically free and unsectarian 

 education; a free and liberal franchise exists; local option in regard 

 to the liquor traffic is in operation ; the duration of the Parliament 

 does not exceed five years, and the Diembers are paid for their services ; 

 marriage with a deceased wife's sister has been legalised ; and there is 

 no poor law system, although orplians and the helpless and aged of 

 both sexes are not neglected, being cared for under the municipal 

 system. And, again, a good system of local government is at work in 

 every province. The system of education in force — under the super- 

 vision and guidance of the Provincial Governments — enables the best 

 education to be obtained at a trifling cost, and therefore the poor, as 

 well as the ri'ih, can make themselves eligible for the highest positions 

 in the country. In principle the system in operation is the same in 

 the different provinces, although the details may differ somewhat. In 

 each school district trustees are elected to manage the schools for the 

 inhabitants, who pay a small rate towards their support, the balance 

 being met by considerable grants from the local governments. 



British subjects settling in Canada do not require to be naturalised. 

 They are entitled to all the same rights and privileges as their fellow 

 British subjects who may have been born there ; indeed, the removal 

 of a family to Canada makes no more difference in their position, as 

 British subjects, than if they had gone instead to any city, town, or 

 village in the United Kingdom. Of course it is a different thing if they 

 go to the United States or any other foreign country, In that case they 

 must renounce their birthright, and their allegiance to their sovereign 

 and their flag, before they can enjoy any of the political advantages 

 of citizenship ; and in many parts of the United States land cannot 

 be bought, or sold, or transferred, excepting by naturalised persons. 



Intending settlers in Canada are strongly advised 

 Government ""'-to communicate, either personally or by letter. 

 Agents in the with the nearest agent of the Canadian Govern- 



United Kingdom, ment in Great Britain (see Preface) before they 

 leave, so as to obtain the fullest and latest 

 advice applicable to their cases. Cards of introduction to the Govern- 

 luent Agents in Canada are also supplied to desirable persons. Any 

 information supplied by these gentlemen may b( thoroughly relied upon. 



Then, again, on reaching Canada, or at any time afterwards, the 

 nearest (3}overnment Agent should be consulted, as they are in a 

 ])osition to furnish accurate particulars on all matters of interest to 

 the new arrival. 



The Dominion Government has agents at Quebec, Mon- 



Government treal, Halifax, and St. John, the principal ports of landing 



Agents in in Canada ; and the various Provincial Governments also 



Canada. supervise immigration as far as possible. At Toronto, 



Ontario, the Superintendent of Immigration is Mr. D. 



