This excerpt that follows is from the Canada Yearbook for 1910 and it makes for fascinating reading.
It is yet another example of how the BIG PICTURE impacts on the SMALL: There was legislation passed in 1910 regarding insurance. As it is, Herb Nicholson’s financial problems, which he passed onto his parents, were mostly with respect to some insurance he took out. Even after reading the letters, I don’t understand what it is all about, but he owed big money to the insurance people. And this debt almost brought down the family. Herb insisted he was tricked by the agent. I have always assumed this was an excuse, (he had so many) but it seems there were some dirty dealing in the insurance business prior to 1910, or they would not have needed this legistlation.
Here is the excerpt:
The second session of the eleventh Parliament of the Dominion of Canada opened on November 11 1909 and closed by prorogation of May 4, 1910, resulted in the passing of 177 acts, of which 62 were public and general and 115 private and local.
Of principal interest in the former category were the measures which relate to the establishment of the Canadian Naval Service, insurance, the currency, the investigation of detrimental trade combines, immigration and prevention of the importation of destructive insects and pests.
The insurance act of 1910, wheich came into force on May 4, repeals previous legislation and brings under new regulation all kinds of insurance in Canada.
It will be remembered that six years ago the revelation of certain abuses in connection with the administration of life insurance companies in the United States caused general uneasiness on the part of policy holders and ld to the appointment in 1906 of a Royal Commission.
The Currency Act enables the Government to provide a gold currency in denominations of 10, 20, 5 and 2.50 dollar gold pieces.
The Combines Investigation act providing for the investigation of combines, monopolies, trusts, and mergers, is modelled in principal upon the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act of 1907 and similarly will be adminstered by the Department of Labour. In short, a combine means any contract, agreement, arrangement, or combination which has the effect of increasing or fixing the price of any article of trade or commerce to the detriment of consumers or producers.
Chapter 27, a new Immigration act, repeals previous legislation as passed in 1906. The new act reinstates many measures of the old and contains others designed still further to strenghten the lalaws in Canada against the admisssion of undersirable persons. Precise definitions are applied to the terms “Canadian Citizen” “immigrant” “Passenger” “Stowaway” “rejected” etc.
Special provisions as to passengers by land give the Authority the right to make regulations imposing upon transportation companies similar to those of masters and owners of vessels bringing immigrants upon the sea.
Under sections 13-24 the Minister of the Interior is authorised to appoint at any port of entry a Board of Enquiry consisting of three or more officers with authority to determine whether immigrants shall be allowed to enter and remain in Canada or shall be rejected or deported. The law whereby immigrants can be deported is strengthened in many directions.
Telegraphic news from Great Britain. Grants. Sums not exceeding 12,000 dollars for 12 months ending June 30, 1911, and less amounts yearly until 1915 to assist in maintaining an independent and efficient service of telegraphic news from Great Britain for publication in Canadian newspapers.
By chapter 13 drivers of automobiles or motor vehicles are brought within the operation of the criminal code when guilty of causing injury by furious driving or other wilful misconduct and are rendered liable to fine or imprisonment for failure to stop after the occurrence of an accident.
In January, serious distress was caused in France by floods, especially in Paris by the overflowing of the river Seine. The Dominion of Canada appropriated therefore a sum of 50,000 dollars in aid of the sufferers and as a practical expression of the sympathy of the people of Canada.
The death of May 6, after only a brief illness, of King Edward plunged the whole of the British Empire into the deepest grief. Owing to the late King’s lofty character and the extra ordinary personal influence which he had wielded this grief was sincerely shared by all the nations of the world, who took every means of testifying their respect for his memory.(Long tribute follows.)
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales succeeded to the throne upon the death of his Father, and on May 9, he was proclaimed King George V, with due observance of the stately and ceremonial formularies of the ancient usage.
The careful political training which his Majesty enjoyed under King Edward, his wide personal acquaintance with every aspect of the British Empire and, above all, his own excellent character, have inspired his subjects throughout his Dominions with the highest hopes that he will follow worthily in the splendid examples of his immediate predecessors.
