Premier Sir James Whitney�s 1912 Address - delivered by Alan Williams

Mayor Schmalz and Citizens of Berlin, 

It was my great pleasure to visit your fine city in 1910 when you gave your support to our Power Legislation, which ensured the supply of electricity to all the citizens of Ontario and helped us overcome the private interests opposed to the legislation. 

Today I thank you for our invitation to celebrate with you all the awaited status of �City-Hood�.  You have by hard work and ingenuity developed many important industries and have raised your city to the front ranks of the Dominion. 

Your progress is the result of good management and labour relations.  Workers will always respond to fair treatment including good wages and living conditions with results beneficial to employers and employees.  Results which are demonstrated by the fact that 80% of your residents own their homes. 

When you became a town in 1822 the population was 2,636 supporting 14 small industries.  By 1900 these figures had increased to 9,676 and 62 factories while only six years later the population stood at 12,125 with 80 industrial plants. 

Today the number of industries has grown to over 100 making Berlin the Canadian centre for the fabrication of many products, particularly furniture, leather, skirts, collars, buttons and felt. 

No wonder that your coat of arms is a beaver, this befits a frugal, industrious and enterprising people who are almost wholly German or of German descent.  The German love of home, education, music and social amenities accounts for the progress Berlin has made and contributed to the melting pot from which the city has been cast. 

Mayor Schmalz, I am sure that you and all your residents can look forward to a prosperous future for Berlin as it continues to attract those who have talent and a will to work study and become productive citizens.  In your city I can see and feel a widening of public spirit and a deepening interest in the welfare of everyone. 

When I return to Toronto and report to the Legislature I will certainly tell them, as I did years ago, go and visit Berlin for lessons in enterprise and progress.  Again I thank you for inviting me today and once more demonstrating what an inspiring, charming and friendly city Berlin is.  God bless you all and Ich sage �Auf Wiedersehn�.