POLI

DOLITICALLY, economically, industrially, and in matters of religious significance the year just closed has been a most important and fruitful one in Canadian history.

In provincial politics, unusual changes have occurred. In Ontario, a continuous Liberal rule of nearly thirty-three years was brought to a decisive close. So long an administration of affairs by one political party is perhaps without a parallel. The veteran premier, Sir Oliver Mowat, who led the government for a quarter of a century, seemed to be invincible. His legislation was wise and progressive, his conflict with the federal authorities invariably triumphant for him, and his long career without a blot or stain. Summoned, in 1896, by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the new prime minister of the Dominion, to the cabinet of premiers," and subsequently to the lieutenant-governorship of Ontario, a great void was left in the office which he had so ably filled. The Hon. A. S. Hardy, Sir Oliver's trusted first lieutenant, and a man of unques tioned ability, stepped into the breach, but illhealth soon caused his resignation, and, a little later, his death. The hopes of the Liberal party next centered on the Hon. George W. Ross, who had been Sir Oliver's minister of education, and one of his most effective campaigners. Impartial and competent critics have placed Mr. Ross at the very front among the platform speakers of the continent. His personal integrity, too, has never been questioned.

THE CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IN ONTARIO.

From the standpoint of political power, Mr. Ross held the premiership amid evil days. The majority which he inherited was small, and the first general election held during his term reduced this almost to the vanishing-point. Then came the sensational charge by a member of the opposition that he had been bribed by one of the ministry to support the government. The Tatter was investigated by a judicial commission, and the accused minister exonerated, but, in the minds of many people, there remained grave misgivings. Other charges of electoral corruption at the polls were heard. These were few. and on the whole no more chargeable to one party than to the other. Yet, in view of the long tenure of office and the peculiar position of the government, they told against the Liberals.

content because a further step was not taken toward the total suppression of the liquor traffic. After struggling along for a year or two with an almost impossible majority, Mr. Ross reconstructed his cabinet, and appealed to the country, early last year, to meet with an overwhelming defeat. The Conservative ministry, a novelty in the province, under the Hon. J. P. Whitney, has made a good start, and its further progress will be awaited with interest, and good will even of political opponents. The dismissal of certain license inspectors for seemingly no reason other than to bestow party rewards is at this present moment calling forth a good deal of unfavorable comment.

DOMINION POLITICS.

In Dominion national affairs the year will also be memorable. The general elections in the previous November resulted in a great Liberal triumph, and when parliament met, last March, Sir Wilfrid Laurier was more firmly intrenched in power than ever before. The session at once became interesting over a measure for the incorporation of two western provinces,-Alberta and Saskatchewan. A provision to retain separate schools was the bone of contention, and even good Liberals, who greatly admired Sir Wilfrid's skill in guiding the ship of state amid the shoals and the reefs of the Manitoba school imbroglio, were apprehensive that he was at last heading for the rocks. The speeches and debates were long, the protests and petitions many, but the measure was passed by a great majority.

What will the country say? was next queried. The first deliverance was the return by acclamation of the Hon. Frank Oliver, the new minister of the interior, from the heart of the scene of dispute. Later on, the Hon. C. S. Hyman, on assuming the portfolio of public works, was elected in London by a largely increased majority. Another election, however, was held on the same day, when the Liberal majority was greatly reduced. A few months afterward four more by-elections were held, which left the representations in parliament the same, though the Liberal majorities at the polls were smaller than in the general elections. In view of the school dispute, great interest centered upon the first general elections in the new provinces. The first was held in Alberta, with an unprece

tives securing only one seat, which is yet in dispute. The Saskatchewan elections, held on December 13, were less decisive, but gave the Liberals substantial majorities.

THE SCHOOL QUESTION.

It is clearly evident, therefore, that the new provinces, which were represented in the east as bound and shackled, are not impressed with a grievance. The school system will be that which has been in vogue in the territories, separate and public schools having the same standards, and alike under provincial supervision. The section for religious instruction applies to both, and provides that the last half-hour of the day may be devoted to this purpose, should the board of trustees so decide. No child, however, will be compelled to be present against the parents' wish. The conviction grows, much as national schools might be desired by many, and in Dominion rather than in provincial form by the writer, that the government has been true to the constitution, while the principles of the public. school are in reality maintained in the west.

INDUSTRIAL GROWTH.

Industrially, 1905 has been a great year for Canada. The new transcontinental line called the Grand Trunk Pacific was formally launched. This enterprise was the subject of two long debates in successive parliaments, and now there can be but one opinion,-that the undertaking will be of momentous import to the country. The west is growing by leaps and bounds, and present transportation is all too inadequate. The Grand Trunk Company, which has given splendid service in the older provinces, may be relied upon to push its vast project with speed and thoroughness, which when completed will be an incalculable factor in Canada's further development. Among the other industrial features of the year have been a greatly increasing immigration, harvests such as have never been, and work in nearly all departments of activity more than could be overtaken. more, the present industries give promise of good and better times for years to come.

SALARIES OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

And

So encouraged were the legislators with Canada's outlook that before parliament was prorogued a notable increase was made in their own and the judge's salaries. The prime minister's allowance was increased from $8,000 to $12,000. This has not been criticised, and it is reported that it was at his own request that the amount was not made $15,000. The salaries of

vision is made by which they, and all ex-ministers who have given five years' service in the ministry, will be granted a retiring allowance of one-half the salary received while holding cabi net positions. This feature has been roundly censured, but that something should be done was again illustrated a few weeks ago, when the Hon. A. B. Aylesworth retired from a lucrative law practice, bringing him perhaps many times the salary which he will now receive as postmaster-general. The only alternative would be to make the salaries more adequate and dis pense with the retiring allowance. A new de parture was made in granting the leader of the opposition a regular allowance of $7.000, and this, too, has been loudly condemned, but it seems unfair that a man in this position, who must necessarily neglect his private business or profession, should not be remunerated for his public services. The increase of the sessional indemnity from $1,500 to $2,500 for members of parliament and Senators alike has also evoked a strong protest from different quarters, particu larly with regard to the latter, and on the ground that in both houses there are those who do not give service for this amount. This may be true: but there are those who do give service, and in view of the increase, more faithful and regular service may be expected in time to come. More over, Canada, in her growing time, with an enormously increasing public business, should not fail in the generous acknowledgment of those who are faithful to her national affairs.

DENOMINATIONAL UNION.

In affairs of church the year 1905 will also be remembered. The writer contributed for the June REVIEW OF REVIEWS a sketch of the move ment to unite Presbyterians, Methodists, and Congregationalists in Canada. The subsequen months have been fruitful in committee work and now a general gathering is called, bu too late in the year for report in this article Since that time, too, the Baptists and the Fre Baptists of the maritime provinces have joined their forces. The United Brethren have als voted to come with the Congregationalists if basis can be agreed upon. A conference ha just been held by a joint committee from bot bodies, and a declaration made that union is pos sible. The Church of England, through its Gen eral Synod, placed a ban on the marriage of di vorced people. The Congregationalists have bee wonderfully successful in winding upa movement started two and one-half years ago, for the dis charge of their mortgage indebtedness. nearly all denominations has been felt a reviva

1

IN defense, as in other matters, a nation usually

adapts itself to climatic and other natural conditions imposed upon it, taking advantage of these wherever possible, and training its soldiers accordingly. For example, the troops of Holland go through intricate maneuvers on skates; the French, Italian, and Swiss armies maintain battalions of Alpine infantry, who are both crack shots and expert mountaineers, provided with ropes, ice-axes, and alpenstocks; and the armies of Norway and Sweden have for ages been supplied with "ski" during the long Scandinavian winter.

As far back as the days of Magnus the Good, in the middle of the eleventh century, we hear how the Duke of Finmark, with his archers on ski, attacked and utterly defeated King Regner at his winter quarters in Bjarmeland, a defeat which astounded the northern nations, who could not conceive how a snow-sliding rabble of bow. men could possibly vanquish trained soldiers who had overcome even the dreaded legions of imperial Rome.

The ski of Norway and Sweden are long slabs of wood ranging, according to fancy or requirement, from 6 to 10 feet in length and from 2 to 44 inches in breadth. All are curved upward All are curved upward at the toe, and to a lesser extent at the heel.

inches behind the center, with a toe-strap and some thongs. In former days each province,each district almost,-had its own type of ski; but nowadays there is a tendency to adopt a universal pattern suitable for all requirements.

Nevertheless, for racing, Alpine climbing, and ski-jumping.-a great sport in Norway nowa. days, special kinds are always needed. Swedish and Norwegian ski are referred to by many writers as snowshoes; but while this conveys a fair idea of the use to which they are put, it is not correct. The snowshoe is employed for walking purposes, while the ski, as its name implies ("ski" in Norway, "skida" in Sweden, meaning something which slips or slides), is designed for sliding and gliding movements, and probably came originally from central Asia.

To this day the savage Tchukchis living on the shores of Bering Strait and the Sea of Okhotsk use an instrument for locomotion something between the snowshoe of the American Indian and the long ski used by the Lapps and the Finns.

It is clear that ski have been used for ages, and for practical purposes; but, at the same time, the peasants of Scandinavia have for centuries indulged in leaping and racing competitions, which in recent years were adopted by the peo

feats performed on the hill of Holmkollen, outside Christiania, are quite remarkable. The skiers siide down a slope at great speed, and then take a flying leap. The record was made three years ago with a jump of 134 feet.

Norway and Sweden, being preeminently "Lands of the Snows," it was but natural that the military authorities should turn their troops into ski-ers. For nearly two centuries the modern armies of Norway and Sweden, as distinguished from medieval forces, have maintained permanent regiments of troops mounted upon ski, and stationed for service in regions where their presence would be most useful. Certainly, the Norwegian ski-troops had every advantage against the Swedes in the fighting that marked the early part of last century.

The wonderful dexterity, the swift marches, and the holding of snowy positions

thought to be impossible so impressed the powers of Europe in those days that, first, Germany, and then in turn Austria, Italy, and France, likewise mounted some of their Alpine troops on ski,though, of course, not on the same scale as is