sorry to believe at last that this work was to be virtually abandoned. He would vote against the amendment of the hon. Premier. Me. KIRKPATRICK congratulated the Government on the decision at which they had arrived in this matter. He thought they had done the right thing in adhering to the principle that money ought not to be voted by this House for works of doubtful practical utility. There could be no doubt that the Baie Verte Canal partook of that character judging from the diverse statements made by the two engineers who had examined the project. He denounced the principal laid down by the hon. member for South Bruce that money voted for a particular purpose should under certain circumstances be expended on others. The principle was bad and should not be countenanced. Mr. McKAY (Cape Breton) said during the discussion a few nights ago it was pretty generally understood that the amount in the estimates should not be expended till the Government obtained such information as would justify them in coming to the conclusion that it was an enterprise which they could properly undertake. For his part he hoped the Government would place no larger sum in the estimates than would be necessary to enable them to arrive at such a conclusion. He was surprised at the remarks of the hon member for Cumberland to the effect that there was an understanding between the Government and members from Nova Scotia, that if they would assist in killing off the Baie Verte Canal scheme they would receive grants of money to be spent in their constituencies. The hon. member must know that the same members from Nova Scotia, who were opposed to the Baie Verte Canal scheme, were opposed to it during the time of the late Government, and, therefore, their present opposition to it could not arise from any motive such as was attributed to them. Mr. DOMVILLE said that last year the Government had placed a sum of $500,000 in the estimates for this work, and he then asked the Premier if it was intended to spend that money. The Premier replied that he had but newly entered his department and it could hardly be expected that he could be in a position Mr. Palmer. more now, to form any definite judgment upon the question, and he (Mr. DoмVILLE) was disposed at that time to think that there was some justice in the remark of the hon. gentleman. But what was he to believe now when, after having placed $1,000,000 in the estimates, and having by advertisement announced that tenders would be called for, the proposition was made that there should be no expenditure upon the work at all, this next year, further than was necessary to procure information. In the first instance they promised in the Speech from the Throne that the work would be proceeded with; then $500,000 was placed in the estimates; then it was announced that tenders would be called for; then $1,000,000 was placed in the estimates; and when nearly all the rest of the estimates were passed, the Government came down and said they would only ask for a vote of $20,000. What were the people of New Brunswick to think of such a course as that? Would they not be justified in saying that the Government of the day had been deceiving them, and that the hopes they had held out of building this canal were entirely delusive. He would not have felt called upon to say one word on this subject, had he not seen that the majority from New Brunswick who supported the Government remaining silent upon this important subject. He did not apply this remark to the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, because as his con. stituency was specially interested in this work, it might be said that he had a personal interest in the matter if he advocated the prosecution of the project. The people of New Brunswick were strongly in favor of this canal, not only because it would be a benefit to them, but because it would promote trade with the Upper Provinces, and he did not think that they would be willing to accept as an equivalent, certain grants of money for other purposes. Especially, he did not think they would be satisfied if this money were spent in railways under the supervision of had been most men who concerned with their railways hitherto. Mr. GILLMOR said the hon. member for Kings had asked what the people of New Brunswick would think of the proposal of the Government. He (Mr. GILLMOR) did not like the hon. gentleman profess to speak for all the people of 't : New Brunswick, but for himself he ap- to be now. They were like the Irishman proved of the Government obtaining who was always willing to give away milk ample information about this work before after his cows went dry. When they were rushing into a large expenditure. The powerless they would have the people late Government were seven years in believe they would do wonders for them power, but they had done very little to- if they only had the chance, though when wards this work. They had left as a they had the power they did very little. legacy to the present Government a num- He thought the people would prefer to ber of unfinished projects, and unsettled try the present Government a good while questions, and he believed the people of longer before they called the Opposition New Brunswick were willing to give the back to power. He was reminded of the Government a reasonable time to complete story of a man who had been a hard these projects. The policy of the late drinker, but who had reformed. He took Government seemed to be to start a great sick and had one spasm and the doctor many projects, and accomplish none. told him that if he did not take a little With regard to the Baie Verte Canal, he liquor he would have another spasm, and was inclined to think that many of those the third one would finish him. CC Well," who had spoken on the subject underrated said the sick man, "I have had its commercial value, at the same time he one spasm and will run the risk of believed the Government were justified in having another before I will take drink taking ample time to satisfy themselves as again. He believed the people had to the value of the work from a commer- enough of the late Government and would cial point of view and as to its cost. This run the risk of having two spasms of the country had experience enough of under-present Government before they tried taking expensive works that were non- them again. productive. The policy of the Opposition Mr. PLUMB thought if the members seemed to be to create discussion in the of the Government wished to have ample Dominion and to make the Maritime time to build the Canal, the House ought Provinces feel that their interests were to have ample time to discuss the question. neglected, but he did not believe they At the proposed rate of expenditure, would succeed in that unpatriotic | $20,000 per annum, it would take three course. It had been stated that the Pre- hundred years to complete the work, and mier was influenced by the hon. member that would be time enough for the old profor South Bruce. He (Mr. GILMOUR) verb to be realized" Makehaste slowly." believed that the Premier had a mind of He desired to say one word with regard to his own, and would perform what he the Premier's expression of opinion with promised. The Premier was taking a wise regard to Boards of Trade. The public course in deciding to obtain the fullest in- were indebted to the gentlemen constituting formation before entering upon the large the Boards of Trade, for the manner in expenditure necessary to construct the which they discussed commercial questions, Baie Verte Canal. He did not say this and it was not seemly for members of this because he was opposed to that canal; on House, especially those who were not com the contrary, he would be glad to see it mercial men, to sneer at their opinions. It constructed; but the Government were so happened, however, that Boards of right in proceeding with caution. He was Trade in their discussions had recently run very much surprised at the position taken counter to the views of hon. gentlemen on by members from Nova Scotia on this the Government side of the House. He question. He did not wish to charge expressed himself in accord with the views them with being influenced by sectional of hon. gentlemen who condemned the feelings, but he was bound to say that it practice of keeping in the estimates a large looked very much like it. much like it. He would like sum for the construction of the Baie Verte to see the Maritime Provinces more united Canal if it was understood that the amount so that if ever it became necessary for was not to be expended for that but for them to resist injustice on the part of the other purposes, because it was just offerlarger Provinces, they would be in a posi- ing a bait for political support. Such tion to do so effectively. The Opposition action was entirely unworthy the stateswere not half so anxious about this workmanship of a gentleman who aspired to when they were in power as they profess lead this House. Mr. Giumor. The amendment was carried on a divi- | This Bill was to place under one Act the sion. whole of the railway system of the Lower Provinces. PRIVATE BILL. CANADA SOUTHERN RAILWAY. Mr. MACDOUGALL, (East Elgin), introduced a Bill to authorize the Canada Southern Railway Company to acquire the Erie and Niagara Railway, and for other purposes. REPORTING THE DEBATES. Mr. ROSS, (Middlesex), said the House was aware that in the early part of the session it was resolved that the management of the reporting of the debates should be entrusted for this session to the Joint Committee on Printing. That committee appointed a sub-committee to take charge of the work, and that subcommittee felt that their responsibility ceased this session, as the order of reference only applied to this session. It seemed to be generally desired that the official reports should continue, and he would therefore move, that a Select Committee consisting of Messrs. CAUCHON, TUPPER, DYMOND, BOWELL and the mover be appointed to make all necessary arrangements concerning the publication of the debates next session, and report to the House with all convenient speed. Carried. INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE introduced a Bill respecting the Intercolonial Railway. He said the object of the Bill was to place under one Act the administration of that railway. At present the portion of that road built by the Nova Scotia Government was administered under the Act of the Legislature of that Province; the portion built by New Brunswick under a New Brunswick Act, and the Intercolonial Railway proper under the Dominion Act. Mr. MacDougall. Bill read a first time. THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE introduced a Bill to amend and consolidate the laws respecting the North-West Territories. As he intimated on a former occasion the Government decided some time ago to establish an entirely independent Government in those territories. To a certain extent it would have been advisable, before such an Act was passed, if it could be done, to have the boundary of Manitoba rectified, but that was a matter which it was difficult to He deal with at the present moment. thought it would be advisable as soon a the boundary between the Province o Ontario and the North-West Territorie1 was established, that that boundary shouls become the boundary of the Province od Manitoba. At present the 96th degree off longitude was the eastern boundary of that Province, and the contention of the Ontario Government was that they owned the territory to the centre of the Lake of the Woods, and to a line running directly north from Lake Itaska, in Minnesota, to the head waters of the Mississippi. It was known from the returns laid before Parliament that the Government of the Dominion, and the Ontario Government, had decided upon an arbitration to define this boundary; and the Dominion Government had nominated ex-Lieutenant Governor WILMOT, of New Brunswick, while the Ontario Government had nominated Chief Justice RICHARDS. These gentlemen were to choose a third arbitrator, and both parties to the arrangement were to abide by the decision arrived at. The hon. member for Kingston, when leader of the Government, made a proposal to the Ontario Government two years ago, to have this matter referred to the Privy Council for settlement. While there was no particular objection to that course, it was thought advisable by the present Government that it should be settled in the way he had explained. Until that settlement had been reached, which he hoped it would be in a short time, as each side had prepared its case, and the two arbitrators would shortly have ameeting, it was difficult to define the bound aries of Manitoba in the east. The present | ings something like $30,000. By section Bill would be applicable to the territory of the Dominion east of Manitoba as well as to that to the west and north. He might mention that application had been made on behalf of the Government of Manitoba for an enlargement of their territory. They proposed, in fact, to have it made something like nine or ten times larger than it was at present. But there were other proposals of that Government in connection with this matter which rendered necessary the postponement of action for the present until a conference can be had with the Local Government. It was proposed by this Bill to have a LieutenantGovernor of the North-West territories who would be assisted by a Council. That Council would consist of five members appointed by the GOVERNOR GENERAL in Council; threestipendiary magistrates orjudges, to be appointed in a similar manner who would be members of the Council ex-officio- | and two others, perhaps the principal Indian Agent and some other person whose place of residence and occupation made it convenient for them to perform the duties that would be required of them. The first section of this Bill simply provided that the territories formerly known as "Ruperts Land, and the North-West territories," should continue to be styled and known as the North-West territories, and that there shall be a Lieutenant Governor appointed who shall hold office during the pleasure of the GOVERNOR GENERAL and receive instructions in the same way as Lieutenant Governors in the Provinces. The third section provides for the establishment of the Council, and the fourth that the seat of Government may from time to time be changed by the GOVERNOR GENERAL in Council. In the meantime the seat of Local Government for the territories shall be established at Fort Pelly, that being a convenient place to reach the Sascatchewan River and Fort Ellis, and other parts of the territories, and not beyond reach of the telegraph system about being established. The Government last season constructed buildings there for for the North-West police force, sufficient to accommodate two hundred men, a commandant house, an hospital and other buildings; and these buildings could accommodate the officers connected with the North West Government without any serious expense. Last year there was expended on these buildHon. Mr. Mackenzie. five it was proposed to pay the Lieut. Governor a salary not exceeding $7,000, and each Stipendary Magistrate or Judge a salary not exceeding $3,000, ard the other two members of the Council a salary not exceeding $1,000; and to the Clerk of the Council who shall act as Secretary to the Lieut. Governor a salary not exceeding $1,800. Sections six seven and eight simply provide for the consolidation of the laws and ordnances now in force in those territories, and the ninth section. that no ordnance shall be passed by the Governor in Council or the Lieut. Governor inconsistant with any Act of the Dominion Parliament. This section restricts the jurisdiction of the Council practically to that now enjoyed by the Lieut. Governor of Manitoba acting as Governor of the North-West Territories, and his Council. The next few sections provide for popular Government so far as it could be established under the circumstances of the country. The eleventh section provides that so soon as the Lieut. Governor is satisfied by such proof as he may require that any portion of the territory not exceeding an area of one thousand square miles contains a population of not less than one thousand inhabitants such district may be erected into an electoral district which shall be entitled to elect a member of the Council or asit may be of the Legislative Assembly. The sub-sections provide the machinery for holding the elections. The fifth sub-section provides that as soon as the Lieut. Governor is satisfied that any electoral district contains a population of two thousand, exclusive of aliens and unenfranchised Indians, he shall issue a writ for the election of a second member. The sixth sub-section provides that when the number of elective members amounts to twenty-one the council herein before appointed shall cease and be determined, and the members so elected shall be constituted and designated as the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territory, and the powers by this Act vested in the council shall thenceforth be vested and exercisable by such Legislative Assembly. One of the sub-sections provides that every bona fide resident and householder who shall have been in the district for twelve months may vote, and any person entitled to vote shall be eligible for election. barrels of whiskey. The exclusion of intoxicating liquor had already been very beneficial, so far at least as regards the condition of the Indian tribes, and we had reason to believe that it had given the utmost satisfaction. The police force would also act as revenue officers, assisting the prevention of smuggling. They collected some $1,000 or $5,000 of duties levied upon merchandize, in the legitimate course of trade, in the months of December and January, the duties previous to that time not having been levied. The other seetions of the Act, 72, 73 and 74, simply provided for the repeal of the various Acts now in force and in order to avoid all confusion, a schedule was given of the Acts now in force, and which would be repealed by the enactment of this law. Sections twelve to thirty inclusive contain | Dominion. He might say in connection provisions for the holding of real estate, with this part of the Bill that the officers and the administration of estates, the law of the police force now in the territory that prevails in Ontario with regard to have very stringent instructions about the property being introduced. Sections 36 destruction of intoxicating liquors, and to 44 inclusive make provisions for wills Col. MCLEOD, the officer in command at and their registration; and from 45 to 50 Belly river, at the flank of the Rocky provisions regarding married women defin- Mountains, had seized a large quantity of ing their rights as to property. Section liquor, and on one occasion knocked in head of forty-four 54 provides that the Governor may appoint the a registrar of deeds in and for the NorthWest Territories and the remuneration to be paid. Section 52 provides for the appointment of a Sheriff who shall reside in the territory; and the Lieutenant Governor is authorized by the 53d section to have local disposition of the police force in and for the North-West Territories established under the Act respecting the administration of justice in those territories. For the administration of justice the Lieutenant Governor is authorized by section 54 to appoint Justices of the Peace; and the Governor in Council may, by ordinances, subject to the provisions of this Act, set apart any portion of said territories as and for a judicial district, and may from time to time alter the limits and extent of any such district. Section 56 provides that a court or courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction, shall be held in said territories in every judicial district, and at such periods and places as the Lieutenant Governor may from time to time alter. Section 56 provides authority for the appointment of a stipendary magistrate, and magistrates within the territories. Section 59, and following sections, provide the jurisdiction of each stipendary magistrate, and the mode of holding the courts for the trial of criminal offences. Section 68, and following sections, provide for the administration of justice in civil cases. Section 71, and the sub-sections one to six inclusive, contain provisions for excluding all intoxicating liquors, prohibiting their introduction and their sale in the territories. This would give the Dominion a fair opportunity to commence with a clean slate in this enormous territory, and test practically the operation of a prohibitory liquor law where there has been no law on that or any other subject before. If we were able to accomplish prohibition in that territory it would enable us the better to accomplish the object that so many were petitioning for as regards the whole Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. KK Hon. Mr. CAUCHON asked if the place of residence of the Lieut. Governor was fixed. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Government had at Fort Pelly all the buildings necessary to fulfill all the conditions of a Governor's residence. Right Hon. Sir JOHN MACDONALD said this wasa Bill of so great importance that every hon. member of this House would feel it his duty to consider it fully, and it might occupy a good deal of time. However, they must address With reference themselves to the task. to the proposed settlement of the boundary lines, he was sorry to learn that the suggestions of the late Government were not carried out, and that matter was not referred to the judicial committee of the Privy Council for an He would like to authoritative decision. know whether it was the duty of these arbitrators (who would be acceptable, he was satisfied, to the country as they were to himself) to decide where the line is to run, or simply to decide upon a line which they would recommend to be adopted. the Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE replied that the exact instructions had not yet been |