Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 16.pdf/175

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
134
The Green Bag.

to the treaty are Great Britain and the United States, although it is Canada that is directly interested in the dispute. We also recognize that the general interests of the Empire, of which we form an integral part, are not to be ignored, either on moral grounds or grounds of expediency. And it may be claimed that for some reason which has not been made public it was necessary to submit to the demand of the United States for territory on the Alaskan border which, we say, belongs to us. But if this was the mind of the British Government, we have three things to say:—(i) Giving in to the demands of the United States, from time to time, and ignoring some very questionable diplomatic proceedings relating thereto, is not the way to secure their respect and co operation. They have naturally come to the conclusion that a very mild threat is all that is necessary to bring England to their terms; and ihf feeling among their politicians may be expressed in a remark which has actually been made—"England is playing our game for us with Canada." (2) If it be necessary to secure their good-will, by giving up por tions of our territory, it is not consistent with the dignity of British statesmen to be parties in the solemn farce of joining in the formation of a Board of Judges to adjudicate upon one of these territorial claims, under the conditions and circumstances hereinbe fore referred to. (3) If so necessary, as aforesaid, Canada can well say that she has the right to be consulted, and to be a party to the deed of gift. Her patriotism and loyalty to the Empire (proved on many occa sions and sealed by the blood of Vier sons) will be equal to the strain. In conclusion, let it be understood, once and for all, that Canada is an integral part of the British Empire. . . . She is as much a part of the Empire as any portion of the British Isles. The thought of annexa tion with the United States is dead and buried long ago and beyond possibility of resurrection. . . . There is as we say no shadow of a thought in this Dominion of any dismemberment; but simply that, should the occasion arise, we shall insist upon our

rights so far as they are consistent with the welfare of the Empire as a whole. A NEW scale of allowances to witnesses in criti mal cases has been authorized by the Home Secretary. The scale is the outcome of the report of Sir John Dorington's com mittee on the subject. These are the prin cipal allowances: Per day—Legal and med ical witnesses, i guinea; ditto (two or more cases), 2 guineas; ditto (over three miles), 2 guineas; solicitor for prosecution, 6s. 8d.; expert witnesses, I guinea; expert analyses, medical examinations, plans, etc., extra at discretion of court; interpreters, i guinea; ordinär) witnesses, maximum, 75.; ordinary witnesses, if detained all night, 55. (these al lowances are double the old rates, but the maximum is not always to be given); chil dren, servants and unemployed, is.; laborers, 35.; artisans and mechanics, 55.; others, 35.: right allowance, 55. (only half these allow ances to be paid if detention is under four hours). First-class fare is not to be allowed "unless there is reasonable ground for sup posing that the witness ordinarily travels first class."— The Law Times. THE Central Law Journal (January i) op poses the appointment of trust companies as executors, administrators and guardians. It concedes that there are many aiîvrmtageous features connected with a trust com pany's handling" a trust estate, but says: These considerations do not apply to the more personal relations of executors, admin istrators and guardians. While these are also in their nature trust relations, there is also a personal aspect that cannot be avoided. The executor stands in the place of the dece dent toward the rest of the family during the interim of administration. During this period the property of the estate and possibly the entire income of a family is tied up in his hands as an officer of the court. If the exec utor, who thus becomes a member of the family during the period of administration, is a stranger, or worse still, a corporation whose officers must naturally insist on everv legal