MARITIME PROVINCES’

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 9

MARITIME PROVINCES’

THIRD UNION DEEMED LIKELY. Vancouver, March 7. The proposal for the union of the three Maritime Provinces —• Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island—seems to be slowly gathering support. Hitherto, the provinces have acted independently, and latterly, through economic depression, have reached a level far below the average of prosperity of the older provinces of Quebec and Ontaria, and Prairie provinces, and British Columbia. The report of the Royal Commission on the Maritime provinces last year dropped a hint that has gradually 'been taken up, and the idea of a Merger, or Union into one Atlantic province, has been gaining adherents. The aspirations and problems of the three are identical. If united they could be represented at Ottawa by men who would concentrate on Maritime interests. They could set up a strong department for the encouragement of the fishing industry, and for more scientific development of agricultural resources. Superior farming methods oh the same type of soil are very marked once the international boundary is crossed. Union would spell greater achievements in higher education, and in all those phases of national effort where three could achieve more, relatively as well as absolutely, than one. There would be a saving of at least £lOO,OO a year in official administration, where functions by one Parliament of the functions of three would provide another effective economy of the public puree. Expenses of loan flotation would be lees; terms of borrowing would ibe etter. Economic conditions in the Maritimes have improved in the lost year or two. The reorganisation of the British Empire Steel Corporation’s plant and mines in Nova Scotia has given the people renewed hope in the future of this industry. The old lethargy is being thrown off, and plans are being made for the active development of natural resources. In the newer and brighter outlook, it is hardly likely that tradition and prejudice will prevent the people of Canada’s Far East weighing the practical advantages of union.