less susceptible to Christian influences, and, on the whole, they are less dependable and more eager in business methods than the Chinese. Hence, their unrestricted coming into British Columbia and their projected plans for entering Alberta, are strongly resented by the white men, and a few years ago there were fierce riots in Vancouver in protest against the invasion of the country by Asiatics.

This led to action by the Dominion Government, which appointed a Commission to investigate and report. As a result, a conference was held with Japan, because Japan, being an ally' of Great Britain, could not be asked to submit to a legislative bar against her subjects. But, by mutual consent, it was arranged that not more than six hundred would be allowed to leave Japan for Canada in any one year, which was a large reduction as compared with several thousands in 1907. It was also agreed that Canada could refuse to admit Japanese immigrants who came from any other place than direct from Japan itself, and as most of those who had arrived came from the Hawaiian Islands, another gain was secured. Since that time there has been no further trouble.

There are many other phases of the problem that could be dwelt upon, but space forbids. One can, however, say that our people must face

this problem in a spirit of self-examination and humility. We must remember that these Eastern nations have an extraordinary advantage because they are sober nations, and we must recall our part in the opium trade and opium wars with China, in order to see that we have reason to walk softly when the treatment of Asiatics is being considered. In these days of swift travel and swifter communication, the world is getting very small, and the relationship between nations must become closer as time goes on. China and Japan are, most emphatically, nations to be reckoned with in the future history of the world; and it will be well for us to study earnestly and prayerfully our duty in regard to them.

In addition to the Chinese and Japanese we have the East Indians in British Columbia to the number of several thousand. They began to come eight or nine years ago in small numbers by way of Hong-Kong. Their strange appearance attracted attention and their loneliness awakened sympathy. They got work at good wages. Then they sent word home to India about the great opportunities in Canada, and their friends began to come in great numbers. Soon protests began to be made against their coming on somewhat the same ground as against other Orientals, and the conflict over

their coming is still on. However, women have not been allowed to come, as it is not thought well to allow these exotic people to establish homes. But the Church ought to care for those who are here. We have received much from Asia and should ever keep this in mind.

The most distinctive thing in regard to the future of British Columbia is the certainty of enormously increased development on the completion of the new transcontinental railway lines, the Grand Trunk Pacific and the Canadian Northern. These two roads will open up a vast area that is suitable for agriculture and pasture and pass through much highly mineralized country also. The advent of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 was a commercial awakening nothing short of marvellous. It was not a revival so much as it was the creation of a new life. The same will be the case with the coming of the other roads, as there is ample room for all. Already Prince Rupert and Hazelton and Fort Fraser and Fort George and other places on the Grand Trunk are coming into prominence as the forerunners of many new centres that are to be.

Social problems are acute in British Columbia in other directions. The fine climate and high wages attract a great many working people

and there are often problems that arise out of unemployment. Certain phases of the atheistic type of socialism are in evidence, and the Church must be alert to study the situation. Then the vices that are characteristic of new countries and frontier communities are there, and give rise to anxious efforts on the part of Christian workers. But British Columbia has been, on the whole, a remarkably law-abiding country, and all over the Province there are men and women who give an immense amount of time, energy and money to the cause and Kingdom of Christ. The Province will draw to itself great increases in population, and it behooves the Church to keep abreast of the tide and hold the great Western seaboard of Canada for the highest things.

CHAPTER VII.

THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES AND THE QUEBEC SITUATION.

UNDER this general heading we may consider the Eastern Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, keeping Newfoundland also in mind, and then pass on to Quebec. To many who only look in a cursory way over these Provinces in relation to the rest of the Dominion, it might seem that they have passed beyond the point where they could properly be regarded as part of the Home Mission Field. Compared to the parts of Canada we have been studying, these Provinces are old. It was by the Treaty of Utrecht that Nova Scotia came into the possession of the British, and at that time Nova Scotia included what is now New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton remained in possession of the French till 1785, when Britain took possession of them. The French were not very docile, and harassed the English settlers almost incessantly until they were swamped by larger numbers in the process of immigration, or were deported. Longfellow, in "Evangeline," has thrown around one of these deportations the beauty of his poetic thought, and the wonderful power of