bilities of the All-Red Route was made a recent banquet in London of the Liberal Colonial Club by Mr. Clifford Bitton, a former Minister of the Interior for Canada. The idea of " doable line of British steamers across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and connected by fast overland expresses in the Dominion is one which appeals intensely to the Canadian imagination; asin material example of bonds o Empire it must exercise a strong attraction in many other quarters. When the proposal was first brought before the Imperial Conference last April it was opposed by those who resent subsidy as the thin end of the Protectionist wedge and on its own merit was deemed impracticable in the face of, the Suez Canal's obvious ce petition, Mr. Sifton dit of this objection by pointing out that in the event of a war not only the Suez bat the Cape route would be open to atruck while the Canadian route should alwa; remain sore. It would serve military path to India, and as Canada is fast becoming the great grain-growing country of the world, it would ensure a constant and plenteous food supply to Enghnd. Together with these considerations Mr. Sifton drew attention to the fact that the distance from Belle Isle to Liverpool was considerably less thoo from New York to liverpool and could easily be covered in four days and twelve hours. As a proof of Uaoada's eagerness for the undertaking Sir Wilfrid Laurier has promised to contribute one-half of the expense of the Atlantic service apd a considerable amount towards that of the Pacific. To give an illustration of how shipping companies are is to regard the fature of Ps trade, a recent from " The World" of Vancouver might be quoted according. to which negotiations are on foot between the Grand Trank Railway and the Cunard Line for the joint) handling of Canadian passenger and freight traffic. It the Cunarders begin to enter the Pacific there will be some pretty competition between them and the gallant Empress ships for the AN-Red
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.