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Canada: Colony to Kingdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2017

Extract

I suppose there is a stage in the development of the creature at which opinion may very well vary as to whether it is a tadpole or a full-fledged, or rather a four-footed, frog. Canada, constitutionally, is in a somewhat uncertain case; for, if you say that she is a colony, you will be confronted with some well-developed legs, and if you say that she is an independent state, you will be asked to explain away the remains of the tail. What sort of compromising language a biologist would apply to his dubiosity, I do not know; but, with reference to Canada, I am prepared to make a distinction, — to say that she is nominally a colony, and really an independent state. A veritable bit of the actual tail is still visible; there may not, indeed, be enough for performance of its former function of control, but quite enough to betray the origin of the animal; while the legs can very clearly kick, if not speak, for themselves. Nominally, I say, Canada is a colony; the forms, the nomenclature, the legal appearance still exist. But in reality Canada is independent and governs herself. A short summary of Canadian political history will establish that point.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of International Law 1913

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References

1 The above has no reference, and, as far as I know, no application to His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught.

2 Can. Seas. Papers, 1860, No. 38.

3 British Blue Book, Commercial, No. 5, 1903; Can. Sess. Pap., No. 24, p. 7.

4 Hans, ., May 12, 1887, p. 396; and see Canadian Sessional Papers, 1894, No. 56A, p. 98 Google Scholar.

5 Quoted, Hans., 1907, 8, p. 1260.

6 Colonial Conference, 1902, pp. 47, 48

7 Proceedings, p. 5.

8 Cd. 5745-2, p. 1.

9 52, 3 Vic, c. 73.

10 At the Dominion elections of 1891, the question of closer trade relations with the United States was the principal issue, the Liberals strongly advocating a policy of unrestricted reciprocity.