Manitoba

Crops.

Rapid development of grain growing came when the C.P.R. provided an outlet to the Great Lakes through Port Arthur in 1883. Since that date and with the settlement of the Western Provinces, of which Winnipeg is but the gateway, Manitoba has been far surpassed in grain production by Saskatchewan and Alberta. This is partly because of its more limited prairie areas, and because, in this oldest of the settled areas of Western Canada, there is a much greater development of mixed farming than further west. To some extent the forest cover north and east of the Winnipeg district has been invaded by farm settlers—mostly of non-British origin—engaged in dairy and mixed farming, but progress here has been slow. Three hundred miles of rock and forest wilderness separate the fertile and occupied Red River valley from its great eastern outlets Fort William and Port Arthur at the head of Lake Superior.

tion were French and Metis. In 1869 the Canadian Government purchased the Hudson's Bay territories, including Assiniboia. The French and Metis, fearing for their land titles and for their religion, and led by the half-breed Louis J. Riel, rebelled against the intending assumption of government by Canada. In 1870 General Wolseley's expedition was sent to ensure order and the Province of Manitoba was created with a population of some 12,000 people (1,565 white, 558 Indian, 9,84o Metis). A decade later there were 6o,000 ; communication by rail with St. Paul (U.S.A.) existed, and a land boom anticipated the rail connection with Lake Superior. Population (1931) 700,139.

Since that date recent political questions have been concerned with—(i.) The struggle against the monopoly clause of the C.P.R. grant. (ii.) The adoption of non-sectarian education. (iii.) The Hudson Bay Railway and the enlargement of the Province to the bay shores. (iv.) Prohibition.

Administration.

Provincial government is administered by the Lt. Governor and a Legislative Assembly of fifty-five mem bers elected for five years. Women are enfranchised and eligible for Parliament. The Province sends six members to the Senate and fifteen to the House of Commons of Canada.

The Laurentian Shield, however, contributes mineral wealth, timber, and water power, to the resources of the province. Thus

a valuable copper area—the Flin Flon and Mandy districts—are to be opened up by a railway branching from the Hudson Bay Line near Le Pas. The Manigotagan valley east of Lake Winni peg is a promising gold area. Power (16o,000 h.p.) is hydrauli cally developed from the Winnipeg River and much greater powers at present too remote for development exist on the lower Church hill and Nelson rivers. The Hudson Bay Railway is to be com pleted to Fort Churchill, and not, as originally intended, to Fort Nelson. The Bay should be open for ocean navigation from two to three months each year, and as Fort Churchill is about as near to Liverpool as is Montreal, much wheat is expected to take this route.

History.

In 1670 the Hudson's Bay Company received a char ter for territorial rights over much of the north-west of the con tinent, including what is now Manitoba. Apart from the trading ports of this company and of its rival, the North West Fur Com pany, there was no attempt at settlement till Lord Selkirk in 1811 planted a little colony on land acquired from the company at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Opposition from the fur traders culminated in the affray of Seven Oaks, when Governor Semple and his followers were killed by the Metis incited by the North West Company in 1816. The settlement was re-established at the close of the year.

Assiniboia, as Lord Selkirk's district was called in the record of the Hudson's Bay Company, was re-conveyed to the Company in 1835 who then controlled its Council until 1870. During the regime of the Company, development was slow. There was no out let for farm produce, and a large proportion of the small popula Any amendment of the Provincial Constitution; direct taxation for revenue ; borrowing ; the management of Crown lands ; educa tion ; internal local works, etc., are matters assigned to the Pro vincial Government. Elementary and Secondary education is carried on in free schools supported by general taxation. The Manitoba University and the Agricultural College are situated at Winnipeg (q.v.). (L. R. J.)