Commercial Relations with Canada. 32* 
the Dominion and the net profits amounted to $7,000,000. 
Canada is engaged to-day in a work of stupendous 
dimensions, the connection of the Canadian Pacific 
Railway in order to unite the whole system of railroads 
between the Atlantic and Pacific. The total length of 
line from Montreal to Fort Moody in British Columbia 
will be 2,900 miles — and it is said the whole line will be 
in running order in 1886. 
The acquisition of the Great North West, the entry 
of British Columbia into the Federation, and the duty 
of opening up and settling a vast territory has necessi- 
tated this gigantic undertaking, and its completion across 
the continent will be of incalculable benefit to the Do- 
minion of Canada. Being the shortest route to the East 
it will bring the commerce of China and Japan, Australia 
and New Zealand, nearer to London, and will give 
England a direct means of communication over British 
territory with her empire in the East. To use the words 
of the Hon'ble W. H. Seward, one of America's most 
distinguished statesmen, upon the value of the Canadian 
Pacific Railway, "having its Atlantic seaboard at 
Halifax and its Pacific near Vancouver Island, it would 
undoubtedly draw to it the commerce of Europe, Asia, 
and the United States. Thus British America from a 
mere colonial dependency, would assume a controlling 
rank in the world. To her, other nations would be 
tributary, and in vain would the United States attempt 
to be her rival, for she never could dispute with her the 
possession of the Asiatic commerce nor the power which 
that commerce confers." I observe it is stated in the 
Colonies and India of the 6th June, that " Passenger 
traffic is expected to commence towards the end of June 
