High on the agenda was an address by Prime Minister Baldwin to 800 leaders from the Montreal business community. The New York Times covered the speech and noted that the audience was struck by the attire chosen by the visitors from across the pond to wear at the special function.

“The Prince of Wales displayed an informality not unlike that of Mr. Baldwin by appearing in gray flannels and a sailor straw among the top-hatted and black coated social leaders of Montreal,” the paper reported. “Mr. Baldwin arrived at the hotel in a sack suit, with a fawn waistcoat and before the luncheon was over, he was again smoking his now famous battered briar pipe. The day was warm and sunny and the crowded dining room was stuffy. Before the food was finished Mr. Baldwin rose and took off his coat, then struggled out of his vest. The club members were frankly astonished, but after a moment's hesitation Mayor Mederic Martin took off his morning coat and Brig. Gen. E. de S. Panet, President of the Canadian Club, also peeled off his coat. Half the guests followed their example.”

You can read some of PM Baldwin’s speech below.

Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin: In Canada you know far better than I what your problems are, but even as I regard them 3,000 miles away, I can see as the years go by that the highest test of statesmanship will be called for in reconciling the interests of agriculture and industry, of reconciling the interests of East and West, of binding together East and West and Central, and of guarding the progress of the country, remembering always that you in Canada typify-especially in this part of Canada-the finest civilizations of Europe, that of France and that of England, civilizations that have worked against each other, that have fought each other for ideals over the centuries, but always in the van of progress.

Try as the years go by and let your statesmen try that kind of civilization. That kind of civilization never gets too much diluted, and do not be in too much of a hurry to become wealthy. Remember that the quality of the nation is far more important than the quantity.

Time is on your side. You have a thousand years before you in which to develop this great continent. Nothing can stop you. You must progress with the world's progress. You may someday be the greatest nation in the world, but lay your foundations deeply and firmly. Give the best you have got in your men to guide the fortunes of your nation that, when in the future years she has attained that position which I pray to God she may attain, she may be a nation to which all the peoples of the world will look with respect and with affection, and it may be that she will still typify in the highest degree that magnificent civilization in which her roots were first planted centuries ago in Europe.