1-t-fiL—:d<z§',;~ai~);‘(&‘g

- W .11.» .1...

., V /

4a; ,.; 5.; ,‘ "3"":1" , J'- : :L” i

1. z

5 i ’i V“ -, “ ‘ | vt N3 ,4; ,1 - 4. rt}: .‘9 ' 51’} ‘z 1 l x' l .

..,--4..

OUR ISLAND STORY ~ 1' ‘ ‘61-.

kg...

% g. t a g ’1; , ‘1

ing them frOm countries which would receive our produce in} ex-

))

l 1 1. . ”1..

change. , The second proposition was that, even if the relative circum- ,

stances of Canada and this Island rendered a union practicable, .

”the evident injustice of the terms agreed to by the Quebec Con-

ference would prevent them being ratified by this Island. This

Island, it was urged, was called upon, according to those terms,

“to transfer to the Confederate exchequer a steadily increasing

revenue, and that too, under a comparatively low tariff, for a fixed

and settled annual subsidy of a greatly diminished amOunt. Un- ’ der those terms there would be representation acCording to popu- lation. This would, it was maintained, be particularly objects ionable as applied to Prince Edward Island in connection with Canada, “from the fact that the number of our inhabitants is, and must continue'comparatively small in consequence of this Island possessing no crown lands, mines or minerals,lor other extraneous resources, and that we never can expect to become to any great extent a manufacturing people by reason of our navigation being closed for nearly half the year, and all trade and even communi- cation with other countries,—-—except by telegraph and the medium of a fragile 1ce boat—stopped. ” If a federation of the provinces were consummated upon the basis of the Quebec Terms, it was held, the number of the Island s representatives in the Federal

Parliament would, in the course of a comparatively few years, be diminished to a still smaller number than that proposed to be allotted. -

The third objection to the proposed union lay in the insular position and numerous harbors furnishing cheap and convenient water communication which renders expensive public works here unnecessary, so that the revenue to be drawn bv the proposed Federal Government from this Island and expended among the peOple of Canada and the other piovinces in constructing rail- ways, canals and other great public works thereby creating a trade which would build up cities and enhance the value of property In various parts of those provinces—advantages 1n which this Is- land would enjoy a very small participation—find to our complete

. Isolation during five months of the year when 1ce interrupts our