individual enterprise, There was just as much reason in subsidizing a tug line between Montreal and Quebec, or between Detroit and Sarnia, as a line between Kingston and Montreal. The principle was an unsound one, and the less the Government attempted to bolster up anything of this kind, and the more they left it to free competition, the surer was the commercial prosperity of the country to be advanced. He believed, and all Englishmen believed, in individual effort; and all attempts to regulate the prices of articles by Government advancing money was a great mistake. They had no more right to maintain this line than to grant a subsidy to bakers to regulate the price of bread, or to cotton mills to regulate the price of cotton fabrics. He had an interview last summer with a large number of forwarders in Kingston on this subject, and gave notice that the tug service would be discontinued on the 1st of August. They entirely agreed with him, but believed it should be continued for the season, leaving it open to competition in future. The hon. member for South Grenville was entirely mistaken if he thought the forwarding trade wanted the service continued. Mr. YOUNG complimented the Government on having pursued the policy they advocated when in opposition.-Item 117 passed. On the item $5,500 to provide for the examination of masters and mates, Mr. PLUMB wished to know why there was a reduction in this item. He hoped the Government did not intend to impair the efficiency of this service. Hon. Mr. SMITH said the efficiency of the service would be maintained. The examinations would be continued as before, but by a new arrangement a saving of $1,500 was effected. The item passed. On the item $4,000 for the purchase of Life-Boats, Life-Preservers and Rewards for Saving Life. Mr. PLUMB asked why there was a reduction of $2,000 in this item. Hon. Mr. SMITH said he found a very general desire that life boats should be provided at more places than hitherto, and the supplementary estimates would contain a larger appropriation for this service. He It was a very dangerous coast, and many valuable lives had been lost on it. heartily coincided with the views of the hon. Minister of Marine and Fisheries that the appropriation should be increased. Hon. Mr. SMITH said it was the intention of the Government to provide life-boats at all places on our coasts where they thought they would be of service in saving life. The item passed. Item 120-$2,500, to provide for investigation into wrecks and casualities and collection of information relating to disasters to shipping, was passed without discussion. On item 121-$6,000, expenses in connection with Canadian Register and classification of shipping, Mr. KILLAM inquired what the policy of the Government was on this subject. Hon. Mr. SMITH said he was not prepared to say exactly what the policy of the Government was, but his own policy was in favour of the classification. There had been some feeling on on the subject for a time, which prevented the Government taking any steps to put the law into operation. He thought, however, that bye and bye the feeling would be in favor of it, and he was also of opinion that more than likely the Government would bye and bye put the Act into operation. Mr. KILLAM said he agreed with his hon. friend on this question. Items, 122, $1,600 for Secretaries of Pilot Commissioners at Halifax, and St. John; 123, $1,000 for coasting packet service, Prince Edward Island; 124, $14,090, Montreal Water Police; 125, $28,200, River Police, Quebec, were passed without discussion. On item 126, $142,024, salaries and allowances of light-house keepers, Mr. HORTON complained of the reduction of the amount for the light-house at Goderich, and thought it was unfair that the light-house keeper at Chantry Island should be paid $400 a year while the officer at Goderich, which was a larger and more important station, was paid only $300.— Item passed. Item 127, $270,643, maintenance and repairs was passed without discussion. On item 128, $120,000, construction of Mr. FARROW asked if it was the intention of the Government to place life-boats on the coast of Lake Huron. | new light-houses, Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) desired to know what had been done regarding the applications made for light-houses at the Chats Rapids. Mr. SMITH said he would be glad to see his hon. friend in regard to where he would like the light-houses in question to be placed. Mr. BUNSTER commended the liberal policy of the Government, and said that British Columbia wanted several lighthouses, but were very delicate about the subject in consideration of the Government building the railway.—Item passed. Mr. PLUMB enquired where the fish were to be found in the district of the hon. member for South Waterloo. Mr. YOUNG said there was some valuable fish in the Grand River. He repeated his complaint that the fishery He did regulations were poorly enforced. not desire to make complaint against any particular officer, but he merely stated, in general terms, that so far as his experience went they were sufficiently, and indeed more than sufficiently paid for their services. Mr. OLIVER said the subject had been brought before the Government several times and irregularities pointed out, but so far they had failed to put a stop to them. As a matter of fact, so far as the been enforced with sufficient rigour above river Thames was concerned, the law had the city of London, but between that point and the lake, people were allowed to use the river with the same freedom as if no restrictions were imposed. He took this opportunity of pressing upon the Minister of Marine and Fisheries the desirability of having the law carried out on that portion of the river as vigorously as above the city of London. He also On item 129, salaries and disbursements, complained that on the Grand River, of fishery overseers and wardens, $45,400. branches of which ran through his county, Mr. BERTRAM complained that the people were deprived of the pleasure and Fishery Officers in Ontario were inade-profit of fishing in order to conciliate a quately remunerated. He knew of one place where the officer was paid only $100, and it would not be surprising if, under such circumstances, the duties were poorly performed. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) said there was no fishery officer in his locality but he agreed that the salaries generally paid were too small. Mr. YOUNG did not know how it was over the country generally, but in his section he thought the fishery officers got more than they were worth. Their duties were miserably performed, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they could be got to move at all, even after people called their attention to irregularities. Mr. PATERSON was willing to admit that there were grounds of complaint, but they should be made against the proper quarter. The blame rested not so much with the officers as with the Government, who refused to strengthen their hands in the discharge of their duties. Mr. Haggart. few. Hon. Mr. SMITH inquired whether the complaint was that that river was obstructed by saw-dust or what was the complaint. Mr. OLIVER said there were complaints that fishing with nets, which was prohibited by law, was permitted. He was assured that the fishery officers of the Thames had not been below London upon the river for several years. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) asked whether it was the intention of the Government to apply any portion of this vote for the protection of fish in Gatineau and Ottawa rivers. Raids were made into Canada by pothunters from the United States, against whom there was little or no protection. Hon. Mr. SMITH said the amount appropriated for Ontario was only for the payment of the officers he had seen, whose names his hon. friend would find in the Public Accounts. Public Accounts. If his hon. friend would inform him of any place where a warden On item $37,000 for grant for meterological observatories including instruments and cost of telegraphing weather warnings, Hon. Mr. SMITH in reply to Mr. OLIVER, said that no change was proposed in the distribution of that appropriation. On item $5,000 additional for geological or guardian would be of advantage he, the fact that other arrangements had been would be very glad to appoint one. He made. might add that he was largely in the hands of the representatives from the different parts of the Dominion as to where the officers were required, and when representations were made and he was satisfied the money would be well spent, he would not fail to make an appointment. He admitted that there was some ground for the complaint that the salaries were too small. So far as the remarks of his hon. friend from South Oxford were concerned, he had only to say that he was surprised that the hon. gentleman had not laid the information before the Department before this time. Mr. ROCHESTER expressed his pleasure that there was a probability of an officer being appointed for the Ottawa and Gatineau. Mr. PATERSON said it was necessary there should be a fish warden on Grand River. That officer could only proceed a certain length in his action unless he received the direct sanction of the Govern. ment. His hands must be strengthened, and when he reported that mill-owners would not put down fish-ways, and cease fouling streams by emptying saw-dust therein, he should be supported, and then there would be no cause of complaint. Mr. PLUMB insisted that the fish in the rivers running into Lake Erie were not worth protecting. survey, Mr. BUNSTER said that British Columbia had been neglected on this important service, for one officer was not adequate to perform the duties over such a vast extent of country. Instead of one there should be three or four. Hon. Mr. LAIRD said British Columbia had received its due share of attention and one of the most efficient officers had been assigned to it. The item, however, was mainly intended to increase the salaries of some of the employees who were underpaid. The item passed.. Items 139 and 140 for Marine Hospitals passed without discussion. On item $500 for St. Catherines Hospital, Mr. NORRIS hoped the Government would increase the grant in the supplementary estimates. Hon. Mr. SMITH promised to consider the matter. He thought it would be expedient if a tax were imposed on vessels Hon. Mr. SMITH said he would con- in the inland waters of the Dominion for sider the matter. The item passed. In regard to the maintenance of a Government schooner employed in protecting the Gulf fisheries, for which no vote is asked this year, Mr. CIMON asked what vessel was intended to replace La Canadienne. Hon. Mr. SMITH said he had very considerable doubt as to whether it was desirable to repair the vessel so as to fit it for that service, and it would probably be used as a light ship. It was in the contemplation of the Government to provide a steamer to protect the Gulf fisheries, and a vessel would shortly be purchased. Items 132 to 136 inclusive, under the head of geological survey and observatories, were passed without discussion, Hon. Mr. SMITH in reply to Mr. FORBES, said that the omission of a vote for Halifax Observatory was due to Hon. Mr. Smith. the maintenance of sick and distressed seamen as was done on the seaboard. If that proposal meet the approbation of the House and the views of hon. members representing the shipping interests, he would have no objection to introduce a measure having that object during the present session.-The item passed. Mr. ROCHESTER suggested that the lumbermen engaged on the river Ottawa be included in the provisions of the promised bill. Item passed as were also items 143 to 146 inclusive. On item 147, to re-imburse Board of Trade, London, for expenses incurred in connection with shipwrecked and distressed seamen of the Dominion, $6,000, in answer to Mr. YOUNG, Hon. Mr. SMITH said the Board of Trade at London, took care of shipwrecked and distressed seamen of the Dominion landing in England, and sent them to their homes, and by arrangement they were to be reimbursed for their outlay in this matter. In Mr. LANDERKIN called attention to the need of some asylum for idiots. Ontario there were 3,000 of this unfortunate class and there was only asylum accommodation for about 30. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-That is a matter that belongs wholly to the Local Legislatures. I quite admit the importance of the subject, but it is wholly beyond our jurisdiction.-Item passed. On item 148, steamboat inspection, $14,200, Hon. Mr. SMITH said the Government did not wish to make any money out of this inspection, and therefore they only imposed such fees as were necessary to meet the expenses of inspection. They had recently been able to reduce the fees from ten cents to seven cents. Item passed. Standing Committee of this House on Public Accounts.-Carried. ENQUIRIES INTO PUBLIC MATTERS. Hon. Mr. BLAKE introduced an Act touching the true construction of the Act respecting enquiries into public matters. Hon. Mr. HOLTON asked for explanations. The title did not explain the object of the Bill. Hon. Mr. BLAKE said if the title did not explain it the preamble would, It was as follows: "Whereas it is the right and privilege of the House of Commons that the said House should itself institute and control enquiries into charges preferred in that House by members thereof against ministers of the Crown; and that such charges should not be made the ground of And enquiry by any other tribunal. whereas it is not fitting that such right and privilege should be infringed, cr that such charges should be made the ground The Committee then rose, reported pro- of enquiry by the executive through comgress, and asked leave to sit again. The House adjourned at 10.20. :++: HOUSE OF COMMONS. Monday, February 22nd, 1875. missioners nominated by the accused parties. And whereas such an enquiry was lately made conferred by an Act under re powers specting enquiries concerning public matters. And whereas thereby doubts have been thrown on the said right and privilege, and on the true construction of The SPEAKER took the chair at three the said Act, it is expedient that such o'clock. doubts should be removed." The Bill was to declare that the Act did not authorize the issue of a Royal Commission in such Mr. SPEAKER laid on the table a list of stockholders in the Union Bank of Lower Canada, the Ontario Bank, and the Bank | cases. of St. Jean. BILLS INTRODUCED. Hon. J. H. CAMERON-To consolidate and amend the acts relating to the Provincial Insurance Company of Canada. Mr. WRIGHT (Ottawa)-To confirm the articles of agreement and consolidation between the European and North American Railroad Company, for extension from St. John westward to the European and North 'American Railway Company of Maine, and for other purposes set out in this Act. Mr. YOUNG (Waterloo) moved that a message be sent to the Senate requesting their honours will give leave to the Hon. Mr. BELROSE, one of their members, to attend and give evidence before the Select Hon. Mr. Smith. The Bill was read the first time. Mr. SPEAKER informed the House that he had received a certificate and report relating to the North Wellington election, declaring said election void. The facts connected with the case were known to the House. Justice GWYNN had sent in a corrected certificate with a letter explaining his mistake in the first instance. the Under Act, however, he (the SPEAKER) had no power to withdraw the He first writ and issue a new one. therefore House. laid the case before the Hon. Mr. FOURNIER said it was a mere technical error. In transferring to the Judges the power to try controverted elections, the House also gave the Speaker its jurisdiction in relation to the issuing of writs. Under the acts of 1873 and 1874 SPEAKER could not of his own motion order a name to be struck off the Division List. If a name was entered by mistake the matter was brought up next day, and either by motion or general concurrency a correction has been made, but he was not aware of any case where a correction of that kind had been made by the simple order of the SPEAKER. the Speaker was only vested with the was in. He was of opinion that the right of issuing a warrant on receiving the judge's certificate. He had done so in this case, and was therefore defunctus officio, and had no power to issue another writ. The judgment was correct in this case, and the error was trifling. The judge was not bound to state in his certificate the statute under which he proceeded, and there would, therefore, be no difficulty in allowing the writ that had been issued to be executed. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD said he agreed with the hon. Minister of Justice that the course suggested was the correct one. QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. Mr. SPEAKER There is another matter affecting the House which I think I should call attention to at the earliest possible moment. A member of the House took his seat, and on one occasion voted without having subscribed the roll and taken the oath. I only discovered the fact on Friday evening, and I now lay the matter before the House, and will instruct the Clerk to strike the member's name from the Division List in which it occurs. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD said that with all due deference to Mr. SPEAKER he did not think the member's name could be struck off the list by the mere order of the SPEAKER. Although the Journals of the House were not read every day they were supposed to be, and if any one had any objections to make they were made on the opening of the House. In the absence of any objections the Journals were held to be correct, and could afterwards only be changed by vote of the House; and without the intervention of the House the hon. member must suffer the consequences of having unwittingly voted without taking the oath. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said it would be better to let the matter stand over for a day till he could look into it, as he had only heard of it last night. He believed the hon. member for Wellington was under the impression that having been elected for this Parliament and taken the oath, and his election having been set aside and he re-elected therefore it was unnecessary to take the oath again. Of course, no one would object to taking such steps as might be necessary to relieve the hon. gentleman from the position he Hon. Mr. Fournier. Hon. Mr. BLAKE observed that the nearest analogy to the present case was the case of a member voting and it being discovered subsequently that he was personally interested, and in such a case the House by motion struck off the name. The present case was if anything stronger, for the Constitutional Act prescribed that the taking of the oath should be a necessary pre-requisite of taking the seat, and, therefore, it was the bounden duty of the House to see that the name was erased. He apprehended that it would be the duty of the Premier to bring forward a motion to that effect, and that being done, if it turned out that any further loss was to be suffered by the hon. member, he supposed the House would agree to obviate it. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-I think the matter had better stand over for to-day, as I have not had time to inquire into the circumstances. Mr. ORTON wished to explain the circumstances under which he had taken the seat without taking the oath. When he came to Ottawa he inquired of some older members whether it was necessary that he should be re-introduced, and several members informed him that it was not necessary, and gave instances where members had been admitted to the House without being introduced, and, therefore, he considered it was not necessary. LONDON AND CANADA BANK. On motion of Hon. Mr. CAMERON (South Ontario), the Bill to amend thẹ Act incorporating the London and Canada Bank was read a second time, and referred to the Committee on Banking and Commerce. IMPERIAL LOAN AND INVESTMENT COMPANY, On motion of Mr. MOSS, the Bill to change the name of the Imperial Building, Savings and Investment Company to that of the Imperial Loan and Investment Company was read a second time, and referred to the Committee on Banking and Commerce. |