Easterners Get Earful About North

Toronto Business Leader Tells Meeting About Needs of Vast, Rich Territory
TORONTO, Sept. 15. — Ardent espousal of the cause of Northwestern Ontario and Northern Ontario was made in a stirring address here today by J. J. Miller, vice president of McLean Investments, Lid. He was addressing the Riyerdale Kiwanis club.

Mr. Miller reviewed graphically the development of the gold mining Industry which, lie said, was only in its infancy. He declared:

"Ontario's gold, as we all know, comes mostly from the north. In respect to our provincial gold fields we occupy a position similar to that of Canada toward British Columbia fifty years ago. True, we are more alive to the value; and no range of mountains intervene. But the fact remains that, to many of us here in Old Ontario, the north is a far-away land which just happens to be part of our province—a land from which some people draw dividends and others draw disappointments.

The Vaguely Known North

"We know it is a big place. But how many of us know that it comprises an area of 335,000 square miles? We know vaguely that it is inhabited and only partially developed. But the country itself, its people, their problems, their ambitions and aspirations, we do not know intimately.

"I have been in the North. I have seen a portion of its bastness and potentialities. I understand in my own limited southern way of the spirit of its people—a virile, enterprising, dauntless spirit—the spirit of pioneers who are moulding a new empire in the heart of Canada. And this 1 say in its behalf; that we citizens of Old Ontario—we Torortonians in particular—are false to our country. to our province and to ourselves, if we do not study and concede its importance in the broadest sense.

"There has been talk of secession in the North. It may not be widespread, but at least it indicates dissatisfaction. Personally I do not take it seriously at the moment.

"Not without reason do the people of the North complain. They have been long-suffering, but their patience is not inexhaustible. They ask for no special favors; they ask merely for an opportunity to work out their own destiny under modern advantages. They look to the south for co-operation on a more adequate scale hasten the future which they visualize—and they are not getting it.

"Let us swallow these facts and hang our heads in shame.

"First of all, I think, the North should be given greater voice in framing its own policies. This is no reflection on those Northern members who make themselves heard to good purpose in the legislature.

"And I think there should be more supervision of the mining industry at its source, from the driving of the stakes to the pouring of the bricks and still more rigid enforcement of the Security Frauds Prevention act,

"Finally, I call for a more sympathetic and unselfish attitude toward the North. Toronto is not the center of universe"!



North-western Ontario

"What has happened in the Porcupine and Kirkland Lake districts Will happen again——it is happening now —at Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods. For every older mine that is playing out, fifty new ones are coming in; and, granted good management, honor and decency in the promotion, every one of them is a safer speculation than the present big mines were not many years ago.

"In that immense district, 210,000 square miles in area, which constitutes North-Western Ontario, there is not even a lateral railway line to tap the hinterland; and only within recent years, largely by the courage of northern men, has Hydro been extended into new mining localities.

"One thing let us never forget. No matter what the obstacles or delays, the trend of discovery and development is northward and westward. Nothing can stop it."

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