102 CANADA AND THE EMPIRE.

colonies, we are as good, if not better, Imperialists
than even the Protectionists claim to be. It is the
purpose of this chapter to suggest some spheres
of activity for the Home Government which are
indicated in the fulfilment of our Imperial policy.
As the colonies have developed they and the
Mother Country have come to know more and
more about one another, and a desire has thus
been produced for closer intercourse, It is as one
of the fruits of that desire that the present agitation
 has arisen. Though as Free Traders we are
opposed to Protection, and as Imperialists we are
opposed to the preferential attempts which must
result from the adoption of Protection, yet as
[mperialists again we can welcome the spirit which
we believe to be at the base of the movement, and
it is clearly our duty to suggest some methods of
satisfying that desire. In suggesting the topics
that are dealt with in this chapter we do so in the
hope that each suggestion may be discussed and
considered on its merits, and we trust that we shall
not be charged with the presumption of forming
an Imperial programme.

COMMUNICATIONS.

There are few things more earnestly desired by
the people of Canada than an improvement in
maritime communications. Between Canada and
Europe there are three main routes :—
I. From the ports on the St. Lawrence (Montreal,
 Quebec, &amp;c.).