ion of that kind--a fact which the House general agent in charge of emigration in and country would be glad to learn. Of England would take charge of all the course, it was impossible to discuss that agencies of the several Provinces, and see particular item to any great extent at that that every agent was attending to his partime, but when he introduced the Bill, as ticular field, and that full information he would probably do at a very early day, respecting all the Provinces was placed for the re-organization of the Government within the reach of every person in the of the North-West Territory, and consoli- districts where the agents were to work. dation of the laws relating to it, he would This was the difference in the statements enter more fully into the operations of the of the Speeches from the Throne this year police force, and present to the House a and last. The resolutions aimed at by complete picture of the country as it at the representatives of the different Propresent stood in respect of the execution of vinces would be placed before the House, the laws in force, or supposed to be in which would then have the opportunity force, but which were not being executed of seeing what system had been adopted. when the police force took possession of The hon. gentleman had regretted very the country. He would say nothing as to much the omission from the Speech of all the Insolvency Law, as it would be dealt reference to the Reciprocity Treaty. He with by his hon. colleague, the Minister was satisfied that the hon. gentleman was of Justice, who had given his utmost at- merely joking when he remarked on that tention to the subject, and would invite omission; he could not, from his knowthe opinion of the members of the House ledge of the practice of Parliament, have thereon, so as to obtain the most practical been serious in his remarks. There was measure possible. But the leader of the no reason why any mention should be Opposition had alluded to his (Mr. MAC- made of that subject. At opening of ParKENZIE'S) own opinion at a comparatively liament last year, the Government had to recent period as to the necessity of con- announce the course taken in regard to the tinuing the present law. His opinion negotiations then in progress, and these then was, and his individual opinion re- negotiations had not been concluded at the mained to a great extent the same, that it close of the session, and, indeed, were not would have been advisable then to have even now concluded. The hon. gentleman allowed the law to lapse for a year or two. presumed that the Government had not He was bound to say that the commercial received notice, at the time the Speech opinion of the country was generally was prepared, of the action of the United opposed to his opinion on that matter. He States Senate; but they had no notice of was equally bound to admit that in exe- the action of the Senate at this moment. cuting the office that he held he must con- All they knew was that the draft treaty, sider the commercial sentiment of the which would be laid on the table of the country in a question of that kind, and to House on Monday, was submitted, with a certain extent subordinate his opinion the approval and sanction of the Governto it. He would say nothing as to the re- ment of the United States, as the law marks of the leader of the Opposition con- required for the action of the Senate, and cerning the revenue; no doubt his hon. the Government did not know at this friend, the member for Cumberland, would moment what was the action of the Senate. discuss the question with him at a later But he would have no difficulty whatever day. The question of immigration had in defending that treaty, and he was satisalso been mentioned. It was not pre-fied he could be able to show, when it came cisely, as his hon. friend had supposed, a up for discussion, that it bore a favorable repetition in the remark in the Speech contrast with some treaties that might be from the Throne last year. There was a discussed in the House. He was delighted combined effort last year, but it was not to hear the leader of the Opposition state the same sort of combination as now. An that on all occasions when a treaty was to endeavor was made to induce the Domin- be negotiated, the opinion of Parliament ion and Provincial immigration agents to should be obtained before the ambassadors act in harmony. Now it had been arranged that the several Provinces should pay a certain proportion of the Dominion emigration office, and that the Dominion Hon. Mr. Mackenzie.

set out.

no.

Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD-No,

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-What was

He

proper for any member of the House, or for | done that would deprive us of the confithe House itself to even insinuate any instruc- dence that the Indians reposed in the good tion to an ambassador setting out to negotiate faith of the Canadian Government, and he a treaty. He (Mr. MACKENZIE) was induced was sure the leader of the Opposition —and he had regretted it ever since-to allow would not insist on the views which he the leader of the then Government to set out somewhat injudiciously gave utterance to for such a purpose without an expression to-day on this subject. With respect to of the opinion of the House having Ministerial explanations, he had not the first been obtained, but he supposed the slightest objection to give the explanations hon. gentleman possessed such an extended asked for. He had also been reminded of knowledge of the wants and peculiar cir- his omission to do this last year, but he cumstances of the country as would enable was not to blame for that omission. He had him to have that treaty executed in such stated that after the address was passed he a way as would not call forth the condem- would be prepared to give the explanations nation of the people afterwards. He would whenever asked, but he was never asked not now discuss the Reciprocity Treaty, to give them, probably owing to the ill and therefore would say nothing further on health which necessitated the frequent abthat point. The hon. gentleman on the sence of the leader of the Opposition. He present occasion had given the House a was glad to observe that the hon. gentlesomewhat different definition of the power man was not better able to attend to of the Crown in respect to treaties, laying his parliamentary duties, and he would down the principle that it was not capable give these explanations on Monday, toof executing any treaty without the same gether with an explanation of the changes having been submitted to and sanc- made in the Government last year. tioned by Parliament, and he took was particularly anxious at the earliest the ground that the treaty with the opportunity to refer to the changes in the Indians could scarcely be held to be Government last year, because he conceived a treaty without its having received the that the Minister of Justice had been sanction of Parliament. This, however, grievously and unjustly dealt with by the was not the first negotiation with the In- members of the Opposition, as he would be dians since Confederation, and he had no able to show when the time came. recollection of the hon. gentleman submit- was not aware that there was any other ting any previous treaty for the approval subject which it was necessary for him to He apof Parliament. The hon. gentleman had refer to on the present occasion. either changed his views or had neglected preciated the courtesy of the hon. gentleto perform his duties; he must accept one men of the Opposition in taking the course or the other alternative. The poor In- they had taken in reference to the Addians on the plains would not be able to dress, and he had merely to say one word understand that the treaty was of no force in conclusion in reference to HIS EXCELand effect until it had been discussed and LENCY's official tour in the West, to which approved in Parliament; and he would the leader of the Opposition had very state frankly that the Government did not happily referred. No better emigration propose to submit the treaty with the In- agency was ever adopted than the publicadians, for the approval of Parliament, be- tion of HIS EXCELLENCY'S speeches-esfore considering it already ratified. The pecially his speech at Toronto-and the Government would not deal with the In- record of the tour generally; and a very dians in that manner. Everything that great deal had already been accomplished devolved on us in consequence of that by this means, in securing for this country treaty would come before Parliament. The the favorable notice of the English public. immediate result of the treaty was that we During last year a large number of distinhad obtained possession of their lands, and guished gentlemen from England visited a sum would be placed in the estimates to Canada, their first impressions being depay for them, and the very voting of rived from some of these very speeches. the money for the purchase of these lands He joined with the leader of the Opposiwas in itself practically the adoption of the tion in congratulating the hon. members treaty by the House. It was of the ut- for Levis and East Elgin upon the ability most importance that nothing should be they had shown to-day, and their introducHon. Mr. Mackenzie.

B

He

of which I gave him notice privately on Saturday last. In the Speech from the Throne, which we replied to on Friday, there was an intimation that papers relating to the troubles in the North-West would be laid on the table at a very early day. Now, sir, the question which I propose to ask my hon. friend is twofold: Firstly, as to when these papers will be brought down to the House; and, secondly, as to whether it is the intention of the Government of which he is the head, to submit to the House the proposition founded on these papers, having reference to the subject of an amnesty to the people engaged in the disturbances in the NorthWest some years ago, and also with reference to the cognate subject of the position of Louis Riel as a member-elect of this House.

my

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Sir, hon. friend is right in his remark, that he gave me notice of his intention to ask this question, and I am quite prepared to answer it. I expect to be able some time this afternoon to place these papers on the table of the House; they are not yet quite ready but I hope they will be before the House rises. The Government intend to deal with both subjects as soon as the papers are before the House, and I will place a notice of motion on the paper to-night for Thursday night in order to proceed with the consideration of these questions.

WOODEN AND IRON BRIDGES.

and Iron Bridges on the Intercolonial Railway, be printed and circulated as public documents usually are.

Mr. SPEAKER suggested that this should take the shape of a formal notice of motion.

Hon. Mr. HOLTON said, the hon. gentleman was quite right in taking this method to bring the subject of the printing of these returns, made last session, before the House. The motion, as a matter of course, went to the Printing Committee without the question being put by Mr. SPEAKER, under Rule 94.

Mr. BLAIN. The difficulty is that the Committee is not yet appointed.

Hon Mr. HOLTON.—When the Committee is appointed, the motion goes to it as a matter of course.

THE VETERANS OF 1812-14.

Mr. DELORME asked whether it is the intention of the Government to grant a pension or a gratification of some kind to the veterans who served in Canada as soldiers of the sedentary Militia during the years 1812, 1813 and 1814.

Hon. Mr. VAIL-The Government have that matter under their consideration, and have placed an amount in the estimates which they think will be ample to grant a pension to the veterans of 1812.

A COURT OF ADMIRALTY.

Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the intention of the Government to establish a Court of Admiralty for the inland waters of the Dominion during the present Session of Parliament.

Mr. BLAIN—At the close of last session I moved for certain correspondence relating to the comparative value of iron Hon. Mr. FOURINER-A corresponand wooden bridges on the Intercolonial dence has been opened between this GovRailway. The Committee on printing had, I ernment and the Imperial authorities on believe, broken up and were unable to this subject. From the answers received, consider the question whether these papers it appears that some legislation would be would be printed or not. I therefore, sir, necessary in order to extend to inland with permission of the House, would waters the jurisdiction up to this time. move that these documents be printed. I confined to maritime waters only. The *suppose it would be irregular to send them Imperial Government having expressed to the Printing Committee, as part of the their willingness to accede to the request papers belonging to the session, without a of this Government, it has been deemed special motion being made; and I therefore, advisable to ask, during this session of the as I think the information is very desir- Imperial Parliament, that the necessary able, seeing we have so many public works legislation should be passed. now going on, move :

"That the documents laid on the table last session, in anwser to an address for certain papers and correspondence, relating to the comparative cost of Wooden

Hon. Mr. Holton.

M. FOURNIER répète en français ce qu'il vient de dire en anglais :

Il y a eu, dit-il, échange de correspondance entre le gouvernement impérial et ce gouvernement, et le résultat est qu'il

est nécessaire que le gouvernement impérial légifère sur ce sujet pour étendre aux eaux intérieures du Canada, la loi relative aux eaux sujettes au flux et au reflux. Sous ces circonstances le gouvernement a décidé de demander au parlement impérial de passer cette législation.

THE WELLAND CANAL.

Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the intention of the Government to deepen the Welland Canal, so as to secure four teen feet of water on the mitre sills, instead of twelve, as at first contemplated.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-It is not the intention of the Government to go to a greater depth than twelve feet of water. I may tell my honorable friend that the harbor capacity of the lakes does not seem to fairly contemplate a greater depth of water than that, as they could not possibly be used without an enormous outlay, and the outlay on the canal even would be so serious as to deter the Government from entering into such a great expense. We have given the question careful consideration, and think that the plan adopted is the one we must adhere to.

ST. LAWRENCE CANALS.

Mr. WOOD asked whether it was the intention of the government to proceed with the enlargement of the St. Lawrence Canals, and how soon, and whether they will be of the same capacity when finished as the Welland Canal?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—It is the intention of the Government to proceed with the enlargement of the St. Lawrence Canals at an early day. There is not any pressing hurry for them, however, as we believe transhipment to smaller vessels in Kingston harbour can be accomplished without any very great expense. The plan for the ultimate works is to make the locks the same size. The survey has been made upon an intention to deepen the St. Lawrence river to no greater depth than twelve feet. The expense to get fourteen feet would be still more enormous than to get the same depth on the Welland, as it would involve the deepening of a large portion of the channel of the river. It is the intention of the Government to proceed, as time and circumstances may justify them, in doing any enlarging of the St. Lawrence canals, to the same depth as the Welland.

Hon. Mr. Fournier.

INSPECTORS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES.

Mr. WOOD asked whether it is the intention of the Government, during the present session, to introduce an Act proof insurance companies, both fire and life? viding for the appointment of inspectors

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The hon. gentleman will observe that in the Speech from the Throne one of the measures foreshadowed is a general Insurance Act. That Act will provide for a general inspector of insurance affairs.

INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY CARS.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked whether tenders have been advertised in Nova* Scotia, for the coal and hay cars required by the Intercolonial Railway?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Perhaps the House will allow me to ask whether the question refers to the present or what time?

Hon. Mr. TUPPER explained that he meant the supply of hay and coal cars the Superintendent of Railways intimated it was the intention of the Government to put on the road. The question was put in consequence of a telegram from a contractor in Nova Scotia who had seen no notice and had not had an opportunity of competing for the cars.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Proposals were invited, as I understand, from the various manufacturers of cars in the Dominion for a certain number of cars, and a firm in St. John sent the lowest tender of any, either in the United States or Canada. I was afterwards told that another firm, in Halifax I think, which was in the habit of doing this business had not seen any notice, and as the first tender did not comprise all that was required by the road, I understand that the superintendent gave a contract to the Halifax firm at the same rate as the other.

THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER.

Mr. BLAIN asked whether the Government have caused to be made a survey of the St. Lawrence with a special view to ascertain whether a depth of fourteen feet of navigable water can be obtained at a reasonable outlay; and, if so, what is the result ?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-A careful survey has been made of the River St. Lawrence and the Government are in