management of the affairs of a nation should be conducted on business principles. The Government should extend no special privileges to any religious sect or creed, and he did not believe they intended to do anything of the kind; they merely treated with these people as a colony. Now, were they adopting a correct principle. Was it right to recognize that protection shall be extended to this colony in order to settle our country. He was happy to see that the Government believed that special advantages might be given to the people of this country in order to increase its prosperity and develop its resources. The country was paying a bonus of $25 per head for those they were bringing into the land, or rather were contributing the interest on that amount for three years. He believed the adoption of this principle would pay, and he heartily sustained the Government policy. He found no difficulty in supporting the amendment of the hon. member for Chateauguay. The same privileges should be extended to Canadians that were granted to the Menonites. For some years, at least, the country would be bound by this principle, and Parliament would have to appropriate money on the same terms to all comers. He would support the item with pleasure, and he congratulated the Government on having at last adopted the principle of protection, thus offering larger inducements than any other nation, to those who wished to settle in the country. Mr. SINCLAIR observed that no immigration agent had been appointed for Prince Edward Island. In his judgment the grant was by no means too large; indeed it was not large enough. It was not merely that the Government had assurance that the money would be re-paid and even if it was not paid the country would receive value for it—but if one hundred thousand immigrants were settled in the NorthWest it would obviate the necessity of keeping up at great expense the Mounted Police. It was a pity that either the amendment or the amendment to the amendment should have been moved, because it was perfectly unnecessary to say that they would all be glad to see our fellow-countrymen who were in the United States, whether they were French or English Canadians, come back to this country. The amendment to the amendment was then put and declared carried. Mr. Paters. Items 48 and 49 were concurred in without discussion. On item, $50,000, to meet the probable amount required for pensions to veterans of the war of 1812, Mr. ROSS (Prince Edward) congratulated the Government upon their determination to recognize the services of the veterans of 1812, who deserved well of the country. There were There were a number of these veterans in his own county, from some of whom he had received letters, and he now desired to learn how it was proposed that application for a share in this grant should be made and the time within which it must be made, and whether blank forms would be supplied. Hon. Mr. VAIL said this matter had not yet been fully considered by the Government, and it was impossible that it could be considered for several weeks. The Government were getting a list of those who applied to the Imperial Government for pensions, when it was believed that the Canadian veteras of 1812 would receive their share along with the survivors in the regular army. His own personal view was that it would be necessary that boards should be appointed in the various military districts composed of militia officers resident therein, whose duty would be to collect proofs that the applicants were really entitled to a pension and to report the same to Government. His hon. friend might rest assured, however, that the whole subject would receive the early and best attention of the Government. Mr. ROSS (Prince Edward) said the Government should take the matter up at once, for it was unnecessary to remind them that nearly all the survivors of 1812 were over 80 years of age, and the time within which their services could be recognized in the way proposed, was necessarily very limited, as these veterans were passing He wished to know away each year. whether it was intended that this should be an annual grant. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE stated that the grant would be continued annually during the lives of the pensioners. He might add that the Government would require some evidence that applicants had seen actual service in the war of 1812-14. There could be no serious, difficulty in ascertaining who were entitled to pensions and who were not, and blank forms would be furnished to intending applicants. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT remarked that the claims of many of these veterans could be ascertained from the fact that they had received grants of land for which patents had been issued in their own names. Mr. SNIDER said that some of these veterans who had done good service for their country would have considerable difficulty in satisfactorily establishing their claims, in consequence of all the officers of their regiment and, in fact, all who served along with them having passed away. There was an example of this fact in his own part of the country, where there were but two survivors out of one company. He had received several letters on the subject, one of them from one of the two veterans he had referred to, who had served as an officer during 1812-13, and from the information contained in that letter he (Mr. SNIDER) had little doubt that this gentleman would have a good deal of difficulty in proving his connection with the service. for £20 at once, and a promise of £30 annually for his life. Hon., Mr. VAIL said it was very clear that some proof was requisite. The Government could not be expected to pay money indiscriminately to every man over 80 years of age, who came and told them that he was a veteran of 1812. Mr. ROSS (Prince Edward) inquired whether part of the grant would be paid to the widows of veterans. Hon Mr. VAIL replied in the nega. tive. On item 51, $8,000 compensation to pensioners in lieu of land, Mr. ROSS (Prince Edward) called attention to the fact that the widows of the pensioners under this head obtain a share of the compensation. He considered that the widows of veterans of 1812 who died three months ago, were as well entitled to compensation. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGIIT said the item was statutory and was not an annual vote. He thought the payment of pensions under this head was a transfer from the Imperial Government. The item was concurred in. On item 52, $36,000, salaries to the Militia branch and District staff, Mr. BOWELL asked if the hon. Minister of Militia could afford the information promised in regard to this item. Hon. Mr. VAIL said that if the hon. member would turn to the Public Accounts he would find all the details in connection with their vote and the allowances to the Deputy Adjutant Generals. He did not know that the Government would continue to make the allowance, but they would at least consider the matter. Mr. BROUSE agreed that there would be a good deal of difficulty in many cases with regard to proof of service. The other day a gentleman ninety-four years of age had travelled three hundred miles to prove his service, and he (Mr. BROUSE) believed that many of those who were really entitled to assistance were so old that they had forgotten the names of those who served along with them, and indeed except the fact that they had served and where they had served they could give little information that would establish their claim. He agreed with the member for Prince Edward that what the Government intended to do should be done soon. No less than four of those who had applied to him last summer and who to his own knowledge had served in the war had recently died. He considered the Government should not be so particular about proof, and as an instance of how the Imperial Government had dealt with the men in that position, he stated that one man with whose case he was conversant had applied to Chelsea Hospital for a pension, and upon his furnishing the name of the surgeon of his regiment, who was the only person connected with it of whom he had any remembrance, he got a warrant cussion. Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. BOWELL said it was owing to the fact that he had seen those items in the Public Accounts that he was led to make the inquiries. He knew that those amounts had been voted since 1867, but he had always doubted whether they were according to law; and he now again inquired why they were voted. · Hon. Mr. VAIL said that the item of $534 was the fifteen per cent. bonus given by the late Government; the $666 was the salary of the Deputy Adjutant General at headquarters. The item was concurred in. Item 53 was concurred in without dis On item 54, $40,000, allowance for drill, gentlemen on the other side, and he was instruction, not aware that any question had been asked which was not fully answered. Mr. THOMPSON (Haldimand) said that a large proportion of the grant was paid to drill instructors, who never did anything. He called the attention of the hon. Minister of Militia to this fact, so that he might make the necessary inquiries. Hon. Mr. VAIL said the subject had already engaged the attention of the Department, but after the remarks of the hon. member it would receive additional attention, with a view to ascertain if any improvement could be effected. On item 55, $40,000, Military College, Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said, in reply to Hon. Mr. MITCHELL, that the salaries of the commandant and officers of the college were fixed by the Act of last session. Mr. DOMVILLE asked for information as to the object and details as to its management. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he could afford no further information than was contained in the statute of last session. He trusted he would not have to read the statutes for the hon. member. Mr. McMILLAN said he was one of the members who was not in the House last session, and he considered it was most unfair, when information of that kind was asked, that members should be referred to the Acts of last session. The item was concurred in. Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT, in reply to Mr. PLUMB, said there were some 30,000 volunteers to whom it was necessary to furnish clothing, and upon the principle of giving the new uniforms every three years, an average of ten thousand each year were required. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) enquired whether it was the intention to alter the style of the uniforms in any particular. He called the attention of the Minister of Militia to the report of Colonel Jackson, in which the present forage cap was described as neither fit for winter or summer wear, and the difficulty of enforcing its use so great as to be absolutely a hindrance to proper military subordination. The recommendations of the gentleman referred to were worth being carefully considered. Hon. Mr. VAIL said the question of a change in this portion of the uniform had given rise, he noticed, to considerable discussion outside, and was worthy of consideration. On item 58, Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT said, in answer to Hon. Mr. MITCHELL,.that the Government had closed their account with the Imperial authorities. The hon. gentleman would see that there was no sup Hon. Mr. BLAKE said the law of the land was within the hon. gentleman's cog-ply from that quarter, and that there nisance even if he were not a member of the House last year. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE then read the statute referred to. The item was concurred in. On item 56, $40,000, ammunition, Hon. Mr. MITCHELL complained that the members of the Government treated the Opposition unfairly in the matter of giving information. He had no desire to obstruct the progress of the public business, but when a question was asked by an hon. member on a subject affecting the public interest, he thought it should be answered civilly. It was the only means the members of the Opposition had of justifying themselves in agreeing to vote the money asked by the Government. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Government would be most happy to give all the information required by hon. Mr. Thompson. would be none after this. Although the item appeared an increase, practically it was a great reduction. The item was concurred in. Item 59 was also concurred in without discussion. On item 60, $375,000, drill pay and other expenses connected with the training of the militia, Mr. PLUMB asked whether it was the intention of the Government that there should be volunteer cumps this season. He remarked that one of the finest reservations for military purposes owned by the Government had been alienated from its original purpose, and that negotiations were going on for the sale of a portion of it. Mr. ROSS (Prince Edward)-Before the question of his hon. friend was replied to, said he did not think that the military camp system was satisfactory to the country. He had himself had a good deal of experience in military drill, and he thought it was better that it should be conducted as a rule at the headquarters of battalions and companies. In this way the men were not taken away from their homes, as under the old system they frequently were, at the very busiest season of the year. Those who went to camp were formerly raw, untrained lads, and he thought that for the first and second years at least they should be drilled in battalion and company head-quarters, and, perhaps, it might be proper that they should go to camp the third year. Mr. THOMSON (Welland) said there was no land reserved at Niagara for military purposes that had been alienated or any that was proposed to be alienated. There was a strip of land which at one time was transferred to the Erie and Niagara Railway Company, but which, under the circumstances in which the company found itself placed, had not been used, but the title had lapsed to the Government. Since the railway had become a more prosperous corporation he, as President, had asked that the lands should again pass into the hands of the company, as it was intended to use the frontage for dock purposes and the remainder for pleasure grounds. be treated with the respect to which they were entitled. He considered the amount proposed to be appropriated was the smallest that could be granted, and although he was not a military man he would be willing to vote for a larger sum. There was one point, however, which was deserving the attention of the hon. Minister of Militia, viz. ; that one million of dollars would not be sufficient to defray the expense of drilling 40,000 volunteers, and that if only 20,000 could be drilled annually, the balance would be dissatisfied. He suggested the desirability of forming independent cavalry companies, for many young men would be quite prepared to organize such companies, provided the Government supplied them with arms. Mr. ORTON agreed with the hon. member for North Oxford that it would be well to keep up the military spirit of the people, and although, happily owing to the Treaty of Washington, there was no probability that we would require our volunteers for any warlike purpose for many years to come, it was through the influence of that spirit that we were recognized as a people and a nation, and he hoped that the people in this Dominion would unanimously endeavor to keep up their He endorsed to a certain martial spirit. extent the opinion of the hon. member for Prince Edward in regard to drills, and said that the fact of men having to leave the vicinity of their homes hindered many of them from joining the volunteer forces. He strongly advocated some mode of Hon. Mr.VAIL, in reply to the question by the hon. member for Prince Edward, said that the Government had not decided whether they would confine the drill this year to battalion and company head-recognizing the services of those volunquarters or whether they would have a camp. Personally, he agreed with his hon. friend that it would be better for the first two years to have the drill done at battalion head-quarters. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL again protested against the expenditure of the amount proposed for military purposes. Mr. OLIVER, on behalf of the young raen of the country, country, declared that declared that it was small encouragement to those who had expended much time and money in qualifying themselves for service to be told by hon. members that the proposed vote was enormous. We looked to the volunteers for our protection in time of danger, and thought that those men who had exposed themselves to danger and privation in the defence of Canada should Mr. Ross. teers who had been connected with the force for fifteen years and upwards. We had passed through times of danger and those men had always been ready to go to the front, and he thought that in some their services should way be recognized. Mr. GOUDGE endorsed the sentiments of the hon. member for Prince Edward, and observed that it was the opinion of practical men that camp drill as it had been conducted in the past have been productive of very little good, and that company drill at headquarters would make the men equally efficient. If we were to have a military system it should be as perfect as possible, and while he was not prepared to advocate the granting of a larger amount of money he hoped the subject of improving the military drill would receive the ! earnest consideration of the Govern- including assistance to rifle associations ment. Mr. THOMPSON (Haldimand) said he believed there was some good done by camp drill, but at the same time there was also a great deal of time wasted and much dissipation in connection with these camps. Young men who never had a uniform on their backs before went to the camps and had what they called a good time. If the camps were to be continued they should at least be held in places where there were the least possible temptations to immoral practices. After volunteers learned some drill at home they might be sent to camp. Mr. McCALLUM approved of this proposed expenditure and observed that there were three times as many men in the country fit for military service as were actually connected with the militia. Hon. Mr. VAIL said he wished the country to understand that we could only have 28,000 out of the 40,000 in camp each year. He was desirous that there should be no misunderstanding on that point. Mr. BROWN defended the volunteers from the aspersions of the member for Haldimand, and said their conduct in camp, so far as his experience was concerned, had been admirable. He congratulated the Government upon the fact that they had this year purchased the military clothing in the country, and he hoped before long that the Government would be able to obtain arms and equip ments also in this country. Hon. Mr. MITCHELL-No. and bands of efficient corps, $63,000, Mr. PLUMB asked how much of this amount was to be given to rifle associations. He would be glad if they received a liberal proportion, as he considered them the most meritorious associations in the country. He also trusted that some portion of this vote would be given to pay the expenses of sending a Canadian team to compete at Wimbledon. The presence of a Canadian team at Wimbledon each year was one of the best means of interesting the people of Great Britain in Canada and of promoting emigration. He repelled with indignation the insinuations of the hon. member for Haldimand, to the effect that the volunteer camps were scenes of dissipation and disorder. The camp at Niagara was near his own residence, and although there was a large number of men gathered together, he had not heard of any instances of disorder, and his grounds, though open, had never been disturbed. As to whether these camps afforded the best means of military training, that was another question, which he would leave to military men. Mr. WRIGHT (Pontiac) cordially sup ported the suggestion of the last speaker that a portion of this vote should be granted towards paying the expense of sending a Canadian team to Wimbledon. This country had no reason to regret such expenditure in the past. our example was row being followed by other colonies, and xt summer it is expected that India, Australia and the United States would Mr. BIGGAR said he was surprised nd rifle teams to compete at Wimbledon. that the hon. member for Cumberland It therefore behoved this country to send should wish to reduce the militia expendi-hr very best riflemen. The great diffiture to half a million. As he understood culty in the way in the past was the it, the Government of this country were uncertainty which existed as to receiving He spoke bound by arrangement with the Imperial aid from the Government. anthorities to spend at least one million with some knowledge upon this point, as dollars annually on militia and defence.` he had the honor of being a member of the Council of the Dominion Rifle Association. They had always received a grant from Government for this purpose, but owing to the uncertainty of receiving it they were frequently embarrassed in making their arrangements; and what he wished to press upon the Government was the propriety of placing this grant upon a permanent basis so that there would be no doubt about receiving it each year, As to the advantages of sending a Canadian team to Wimbledon, Mr. BIGGAR-Whether the Government were bound to do so or no he believed the money was spent to the satisfaction of the country and that the country got value for it. He spoke in high terms of the Deputy Adjutant General, and expressed the hope that that officer would be promoted. Item concurred in. On item 61, contingencies and gen eral service not otherwise provided for, Mr Gorge. |