Wilkes-Barre Paper - Canadian Mining-Law

For some years past, those interested in the development of the increasingly important mining industry of Canada, havc urged the adoptioi~ by the Dominion Parliament of a federal mining-law, which would have the force and stability of statutory enactment. At present, placer-mining in the Yukon Territory is governed by the Yukon Placer Mining Act. All other mining under federal jurisdiction is governed by Orders in Council and Ministerial Iiegulations. In the earlier stages of development, it is perhaps a matter of neces~ity that these important matters should be so dealt with; but it is now felt that the time has come when mining-rights in the extensive regions under federal control should be put on a permanent basis, and that any changes required from timc to time should be made only after full and open discu~sioii in Parliament. A short sketch will suffice to indicate how vast and varied the interests affected really are. When the Dominion of Canada mas constituted by the Inlperial Statute known as the British North America Act of 1867 (which into force by proclamation on July 1 of that year), it comprised only the present Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nora Scotia, and New Brunswick; but provision was made for the inclusion of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, Rupert's Land, and the North West Territories. Subsequently Rupert's Land and the North West Territories were acquired, the Crown Colonies of British Columbia and