In the present paper I propose first to discuss the place of geography among the sciences, and then to show how modern geographical technique can be applied with fruitful results in the fields of history, economics, anthropology, sociology, and linguistics.

At the University of Chicago, one of the three leading research institutions in America, the four general divisions of undergraduate study are the social, physical, and biological sciences and the humanities. It was found desirable to give geography a place in the first two divisions, thus emphasizing its liaison character. Indeed the relations between geographical research and such subjects as history and biology are so close that the writer feels that geography might well have been given representation on the boards of all four divisions!

From an early date Canada has been on an export basis in respect of dairy products considered as a group. From Confederation until the early years of the present century, expansion of production was to a large extent dependent upon the expansion of export markets. The extent of this dependence is indicated by the figures showing the exports of cheese and butter which, in the period in question, were the only dairy products exported. In the case of cheese, exports mounted steadily from 6,141,570 pounds in 1868 to the high point of 233,980,716 pounds in 1904. As for butter the amount exported, while somewhat irregular, was on the whole very considerable and in the later years of the period became extremely large. In 1868 exports of butter amounted to 10,649,733 pounds, whereas in each of the two high years, 1903 and 1906, they exceeded 34 million pounds. Since the latest years mentioned above, however, exports of both cheese and butter have tended decidedly downward. From the high point reached in 1904, cheese exports have fallen until for the year ending March 31, 1935, they were only 60,213,000 pounds. The amount of butter exported has varied widely but in only three different years since 1906 have exports exceeded 20 million pounds and in most years they have been well under 10 million pounds. In several years they have been from one to two million pounds and in the year ended March 31 last they fell to the record low level of 446,600 pounds.

A study of the trade position of the province of British Columbia shows clearly that the major part of the manufactured goods consumed in the province are imported from Eastern Canada, mainly Ontario and Quebec. At the same time the major portion of British Columbia products must be sold in outside markets. Thus British Columbia citizens are directly or indirectly dependent upon the revenue arising from British Columbia exports with which to pay for imports from Eastern Canada. It is obvious, therefore, that if British Columbia export prices fall as a consequence of declining prices on world markets, British Columbia will not be able to purchase Eastern Canadian manufactures to the same extent as formerly unless a corresponding reduction takes place in Eastern Canadian prices. Should British Columbia continue to purchase at the former rate, ultimately a financial strain would be placed on the province. Further, when British Columbia producers find their export prices declining, they must sooner or later make internal adjustments to meet reduced income. As a result, employment and other factors in economic activity will ultimately be adversely affected. Our study of British Columbia's trade position has shown very clearly a definite relation between the general economic activity of the province and world trading conditions.

Rural population in the three Prairie Provinces increased from 1921 to 1931 by 17 per cent., and land in farms in these provinces in 1931 totalled 110,000,000 acres, an increase of 23 per cent. since 1921. A study of the census returns reveals that the largest population increases occurred in the northern territory. Rural population in Manitoba has been relatively stable with normal increases in the northern census divisions 14 and 15, while there is a 50 per cent. increase in population—over 10,000—in census division 16 which reflects the mining development of The Pas. When we turn to Saskatchewan we find that the census divisions 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17 had a population of 234,015 in 1921 and the 1931 census lists the population at 308,399, an increase of one-third in the decade. As we move further west we find that in Alberta the census divisions 10, 12, 13, and 14 were rather less than 100,000 in 1921 (95,916) and this increased to 136,308 in 1931, an increase of slightly less than 40 per cent. The Peace River population in census divisions 15 and 16 increased from 18,000 to over 41,000, an increase of over 100 per cent. The census divisions in which Saskatoon and Edmonton are to be found are not included in these figures. Both these cities increased their population heavily in the period.

By the gains of trade is meant the gains from free trade between nations or the advantages of free trade as against no trade or the advantages of more free trade as against less. Historically the concept has been bound up with the doctrine of comparative costs, which has purported to be not only an explanation of the terms of international trade—of the conditions of international equilibrium—but also a guide to policy, a demonstration that each nation's gains are a maximum under free trade.

Lately the doctrine of comparative costs has been attacked by Angell and Ohlin among others on the ground that it does not provide an adequate account of equilibrium. With this side of the subject I shall not deal, taking it for granted that an account of international trade equilibrium should be at least as adequate as the present theories of general equilibrium, and that, therefore, the doctrine of comparative costs must either be dropped or be so transformed as to be indistinguishable from the ordinary price theory, or perhaps be retained for a while simply as a pedagogic device. But as Viner has pointed out in his notable article on the subject, the critics of the doctrine overlook the fact that it was forged as an instrument of policy and they themselves, though dropping real costs, make statements about policy which are very infirm without a basis in real cost theory.

The legislation of the past session of the Canadian Parliament is of particular interest for three reasons. Firstly, it was a pre-election session; secondly, it witnessed further “anti-depression” efforts; and thirdly it indicated the nature of Mr. Bennett's “reform” programme. The purpose of the present article is to review the legislation passed at this session of Parliament and to attempt a brief analysis of it. Some sixty-six public Acts were passed but not more than twenty will be mentioned by name here, and only a few of these twenty require any detailed discussion. The forty or more undiscussed Acts consist of Supply Bills, minor Acts, and minor amendments to existing statutes. Although it is difficult to draw a precise line between “reform” legislation and any other kind, the analysis here will be in terms of “reform” Acts and of other general Acts. This division allows some general discussion on a topical basis.

In his radio broadcasts in January, 1935, Mr. Bennett announced a programme of “reform” legislation including certain general proposals then outlined, and other legislation arising out of the recommendations shortly to be made by the Price Spreads Commission. The report of the Royal Commission was presented in April, 1935. The legislation originating from these two sources will be discussed under the general heading of “reform”.

First in the “reform list” come the Acts whose constitutionality—because their subject matter is assigned to provincial jurisdiction—depends upon the treaty-making power of the Dominion. The specific Acts so passed are the Employment and Social Insurance Act, the Minimum Wage Act, the Limitation of Hours of Work Act, and the Weekly Rest in Industrial Undertakings Act. The preambles of these Acts indicate clearly that their constitutionality is tied to the treaty-making powers of the Dominion government.