I wrote to a friend of mine in Toronto for some figures. I shall
leave out the hundred thousands.
In 1881 the population of Canada was between 4,000,000 and
5,000,000; in 1901 it was 5,372,000; in 1908 it was 6,940,000;
and in 1909, between 7,000,000 and 7,500,000. Now, then, what
are their bank deposits? In 1880, thirty years ago, they were
$96,000,000; in 1884, $131,000,000; in 1890, 176,000,000;
in 1900, $358,000,000; in 1908, $593,000,000; in 1909,
$917,000,000; showing an increase of almost 63 per cent. in one
year.
What was the value of the farm products of the Dominion last
year? $532,000,000, an increase of one hundred million in one
year. They have the largest continuous wheat-field in the
world. One field nine hundred miles by three hundred miles.
I am talking about money, and this is Canadian money, with a
population of between seven and seven and a half millions; and
they have deposits of $917,000,000 in the bank.
We all know the phenomenal growth that Canada has had and is
destined to have. When I asked, “What are the resources of
Canada?” my friend replied, “I don’t know, Marling, but they are
beyond the dreams of avarice.” Then I got this telegram from him
to back it up:
“According to the census of 1901, the capital invested in
Canada was $2,356,000,000 and the value of the products
$992,200,000.”--ALFRED E. MARLING, “Student Volunteer
Movement for Foreign Missions,” 1910.
(2090)