56 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 



circumstances. The two things most needed to open up the New 

 Ontario are population and capital. British capital and emigration 

 are turned towards the United States, in many parts of which a 

 British citizen cannot hold a foot of ground in his own name ; and 

 towards the Transvaal, where he has no civil rights, and pays the 

 great bulk of the taxes without even the privilege of educating his 

 children in the schools in his own tongue. He could depend on 

 getting fair treatment and the security and all the rights of citizenship 

 if he came to the New Ontario instead, and he might find there 

 scope for all his energies. 



But it is an old saying that the gods help those who help them- 

 selves. If we take a proper interest in the north country ourselves 

 we may do much to turn it to a good account. We do not lack for 

 men or capital. Our men in far too large numbers cross over to the 

 United States to swell the population of that country. Much of our 

 capital is in the banks. The official statement for the month ending 

 31st December last shows that there was deposited by the public in 

 the chartered banks of Canada the very large sum of $187,119,573, 

 whereof $119,667,176 is presumably drawing a low rate of interest, 

 it may be 3 or possibly 3)^ per cent, while $67,452,397 is at call, 

 drawing none. There must be openings in the New Ontario for 

 investing a portion of this capital with a chance of realizing good 

 profits ; and every investment of this nature there is patriotism, as 

 well as enterprise and pluck; by which I mean a real investment, 

 where there is some risk of loss as well as of gain, not a loan upon a 

 gilt-edged mortgage. Ought not the policy to be, That we ourselves 

 possess the land and win its wealth ? 



