Tímarit Þjóðræknisfélags Íslendinga - 01.01.1934, Side 24

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF
GANADA
lT GIVES ME much pleasure to offer my
most cordial greetings to all Canadians of Icelandic
descent on the occasion which will commemorate the first
arrival in Manitoba of settlers ' from Iceland in the
Autumn of 1875.
According to the Dominion census of 1931, there were
then in Canada 19,382 persons of lcelandic origin living
mainly in the Western Provinces of Ma/nitoba, Sa-shat-
chewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The progress of
the Icelanders as pioneers in Western Canada is well
hnown and with their descendants they have made a very
real contribution to the development of this Dominion.
In the history of the World, Canada ranlcs as a you/ng
country. Iceland, on the contrary, was settled by a
vigorous race of people long before Canada had been
discovered by Jacques Cartier. Thus, in addition to their
personal qualities the Icelanders, who came to make their
homes in this Dominion, were able to bring with them a
fine old cultural tradition, for Icelcund Jias always been
renowned for song cmd poetry.
I am sure that the Icelandic National League will
enjoy every success in its efforts to commemorate tJús
important event in our national life and I send my very
best wisJies to all those ivho will be celebrating the sixtietJi
anniversary of the first arrival of tJieir Jcinsmen upon our
shores.
(Sgd.) R. B. BENNETT.
Prime Minister of Canada.
Office of the Prime Minister, Canada.
Ottawa, Feb. lst, 1935.