Trafalgar School - Echoes Yearbook (Montreal, Quebec Canada)

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The St. Lawrence Question NE of the greatest problems facing Canada tO ' day is the St. Lawrence Question. And so it V — ' seems that it will not be out of place to discuss briefly the principal points in that connection. The western part of both Canada and the United States is growing steadily. This means that the wheat trade, the trade of the west, is also increasing. What shall Canada do to help her western people? The St. Lawrence River, with its extensions the Great Lakes, is a most important factor in the transportation system of North America. Grain is shipped to it from as far west as the Rockies. The grain comes by train to Fort William or Port Arthur, where it is stored in elevators, cleaned and put on large lake boats specially made for the purpose. It has to change again at Detroit, but when the Welland Canal is complete this change will take place at Prescott, where it is put on smaller boats and brought to Montreal. Here it is again stored in elevators, and from there shipped to all parts of the world. All this adds greatly to the cost of the grain. Competition is arising in other countries, so Canada must do something to lessen the cost of her grain. The only way to do this seems to be to deepen the St. Lawrence. The plan now is to enlarge some of the canals and also to deepen the River from Prescott to Montreal, a distance of about a hundred and twenty miles, to allow ocean going vessels to go as far as Fort William. Some people say this will affect the lake trade, but this is doubtful. The lake boats are specially built for the lakes and the lakes have a navigation of their own. Another factor in the case is that navigation is open about ten days later and opens earlier on the lakes th an on the St. Lawrence. Thus it is probable that the lake boats will bring the grain straight to Montreal, where it will be put on ocean ' going vessels. But grain is not the only thing which passes through the lakes. The other goods are more expensive to ship and therefore the gain will be much greater. There have been many treaties with the United States during the last hundred years which give them the right to the free use of all the canals and waterway systems on the St. Lawrence. The United States will of course have to bear their share of the expense of deepening the river if ( ' anatlii agrtvs. On tin- othcv liaiul ( anada may decide to do it all herself, a very costly proceeding

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be the work of a few, but have made it a representative record of all that we, as Trafites together, have made of igiS ' ig? And now our time has come! It is not without qualms that we see matric. looming ever nearer, and we look with wondering admiration at those who have gone before, in whose footsteps we must follow to the best of our ability. May we accomplish, at least in part, what they have done so splendidly. Think of us sometimes, and know that you are not forgotten. We shall meet again somewhere, sometime, somehow — so, for the moment, let it be no more than Au revoir. SCHOOL OFFICERS Marjorie Lynch Audrey Doble Gretchen Tooke Nancy Stocking PREFECTS Jean Darling Hope Laurie Kathryn Wood Anne Byers Audrey Ellis FORM OFFICERS Form President Vice-President Upper VI. Marjorie Lynch Audrey Doble Lower VI. Hope Laurie Nancy Stocking Upper V. Alma Howard Sallie Ward Lower V. Barbara Tooke Pauline Scott IVa. Editha Wood Margot Seely IVb. Barbara Haydon Marjorie Evans IIIa. Mary Pae Jean McGoun IIIb. Betty Robb Joan Henry IIIb Special. Beatrice Climo Lois Fosbery Upper II. Audrey Grafton Anna Thompson 11. Nancy Murray Ruth Oliver Upper I. Griselda Archibald Dorothy Brooks Remove. Janet Porteous Margaret Montgomery I. Jane Seely Lois Malcolm

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and one which may disturb the good feeling existing between Canada and the United States. If Canada does this the United States will most certainly develop the Albany-Hudson waterway, because she must have an outlet to the sea. New York may then become Montreal ' s rival. This danger would also face her if she decided against the plan altogether or if she postponed it for any long period. Another factor in the case is the tremendous power that can be developed. Shall Canada develop this power? If she does, will there be a market for it? It is most likely that as soon as it is developed a market will be found for it as in the Queenston-Chippawa power development of the Ontario Hydro ' Electric. Another suggestion has been made that Canada should export her surplus power until such time as she has a market for it. The objection to this is that it would be hard to get it back when it was wanted. But apart from material considerations which would decide this question there is also the matter of sentiment. Canada has been in the habit of pointing with pride to the more than a century of peace which has existed between her and her neighbour to the south and the carrying out of this project in common would forge another link in the chain which binds them together. Greta Larminie, Form Upper VI. On Wild Birds Flying South A trailing streak, that twists amid the frown Of dark November ' s clouds, sends back a call That echoes through the leaves, which, like a pall Descending from the sky, come sifting down: Not long ago the trees in gold and brown And all the russet colours of the fall Reposed against the blue, till the first squall Of winter stretched their multi-coloured gown And left them useless, bare, with twisted arms. And now they stand, while past them slips the line Of wild birds, drifting to the South, to find The missing Summer, and the Sun that warms — Though they have passed, in fluttering file so fine, I still hear their farewell upon the wind. Margaret Hill, Form Upper V. Imagine My Embarrassment! By E. M. BARASS A candy sweet was given me. The other day when out at tea; I heard a snicker at my side, And then I very nearly died. Td given candy up for Lent — Imagine my embarrassment ! f 19 I