without resolution. He had also consulted an experienced parliamentarian on the subject, and he had assured him that it was not nocessary. Bill read the first time. RATE OF INTEREST BILL. FIRST READING. MR. BARTHE introduced a Bill (No. 5) To fix the rate of interest in Canada. Bill read the first time. CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT. MINISTERIAL EXPLANATIONS. MR. MACKENZIE: I desire to say a few words to the House in connection with the changes made in the composition of the Cabinet during the recess. During the autumn the Hon. Mr. Cauchon, who was then acting as Minister of Inland Revenue, was offered the appointment of Governor of Manitoba, which appointment he accepted, and Mr. Laurier, the then member for Drummond and Arthabaska, and now member for Eastern Quebec, was offered a seat in the Cabinet as Minister of Inland Revenue, which was accepted by that hon. gentleman. I should now refer to another matter, which gives me a great deal of pain in making the reference. Hon. gentlemen will remember that towards the close of last Session the Minister of Justice was very seriously ill, and, soon after the Session ended, my hon. friend the member for South Bruce (Mr. Blake) placed his resignation in my hands. He was induced at the time to withdraw that resignation, in the hope, and, I may say, belief and expectation, on our part at least, that a comparative cessation from the very severe duties of that Department might result in his restoration to his wonted health. I am sorry to say that this hope was not realized, and towards the latter part of the year my hon. friend determined that it was necessary, on account of his health, that he should resign the position which he held in the Government. Of course, for such a reason as that, there is nothing to be said, except to express my extreme regret that I should be compelled to part with a colleague with whom I have acted all my political life, under whom I once served when he acted as. Premier of Ontario, and who has acted. with the present Administration so cordially since his advent to office. No doubt the loss of the hon. member for South Bruce (Mr. Blake) was a serious loss to myself especially, a serious loss to the Gova serious loss to the ernment, House, and a loss to the country; and I am sure I but speak the sentiments of everyone on both sides of the House in expressing my own deep regret that such a cause should have necessitated such a step. There was no difference on any matter of policy between my hon. friend and his colleagues, and I have no doubt whatever but that a short respite from the cares and labours of a laborious public life will result in restoring my hon. friend to his wonted health-a result which will cause feelings of rejoicing, I have no doubt, to almost everyone in Canada who takes an interest in the retention of men of great ability and high personal character in the councils of the country. would desire to say much more on that subject; but I am sure that the House will perfectly comprehend how much it pains me to have to refer to a matter of this kind, and that everyone will join with me in expressing sympathy and regret towards one who so efficiently discharged the public duties entrusted to him by his Sovereign. The defeat of the Minister of Militia in his county caused him immediately to place his resignation in my hands; and I at once offered the position which that hon. gentleman held to my hon. friend the member for Halifax, (Mr. Jones,) who at once accepted the position, and is now present in the House as Minister of Militia. In making these simple announcements to the House, I rejoice to know that I have not to record publicly in this way any cause of disagreement which necessitated the Cabinet changes to which I have referred; and that they were the result of simple and natural causes, such as will attach to every Government which may have power in this country; nor is it necessary that I I now in of the Government was not disturbed in his devotions on Sunday by the necessity of having to make new arrangements. MR. MACKENZIE: I was at church, as usual. should dwell any further on a subject not so plentiful in Canada that the of this kind, further than to make country can afford, or any party afford, the simple announcements that I to lose a man of his standing and have made. I will leave character and ability, and although the matter in the hands of the I am not in sympathy, politically, House, and, if it desires any further with the hon. member for South information as to matters of policy, Bruce, I cordially agree with the hon. I am prepared to give them, although gentleman, the head of the Govthe simple statement that no matters ernment, his wish, that rest of policy have become involved in the may restore that hon. gentleman changes which I have made, is, I pre- to health, from the want of which sume, a sufficient answer in anticipation he is suffering, and which has deprived to any questions which may be put. the hon. gentleman, the head of the SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: From Government, of the great strength the statements which have been made which that hon. gentleman gave to him by the hon. the Premier, I understand and to his Government while he was a that the recent changes have involved member of it. The last change is one no changes of policy; and that the that does not require observation. Mr. Government stood committed to the Vail, having been defeated, very prosame policy and that they will pursue perly placed his resignation in the the same policy that they have pursued hands of the head of the Government. since their formation, and since the This was late on Saturday night, and hon gentleman has led the House. II hope that my hon. friend of the head have nothing to say about matters of policy; but, respecting the changes made, and the one that the hon that the hon gentleman first alluded to-the transfer of Mr. Cauchon from a seat in the Cabinet to the Governorship of Manitoba,—I have no doubt that the hon. gentleman made that annoucement with as great satisfaction to himself as he made the subsequent one with regret. No doubt the hon. gentleman felt that the presence of Mr. Cauchon in the Government was a source of great weakness to him, as was announced by one of his present colleagues, and felt that he was relieved of a great embarrassment by that gentleman ceasing to be a member of the Government, as it enabled him to bring into the Cabinet the hon. gentleman from Quebec East, who, to to say to the least of it, will fill the duties of his position with as much ability, and more ability, and with more satifaction to the hon. gentleman, the head the Government, than the gentleman whom he has succeeded in the Cabinet. I can join, and I have no doubt that the hon. gentlemen sitting on this side of the House will join, in expressing regret that an eminent person like the hon. member for South Bruce, a man of ability, has been compelled to leave the Government for the cause assigned Public men of ability and standing like that of the hon. gentleman are SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: The hon. gentleman went to church as usual, and I have no doubt that he paid great attention to the sermon, especially if the sermon impressed upon the hon. gentleman the necessity of resignation. The loss of his position by Mr. Vail, of course necessitated his resignation, and he was replaced by another gentleman of standing, the member for Halifax, who now holds the office. This change is one that because he is an able man, and a strong does not require any observation, supporter of the Government, and his known high claims to fill that position which it was understood was a long time ago at his disposal have ennow actually take it. The only question, Mr. Speaker, to which I would like to call the attention of the House, and on which I would when can the hon. the Premier inform an explanation is: us that the vacancy caused by the retirement of the hon. member for South Bruce will be filled up? abled him to like to have MR. MACKENZIE: That is under consideration. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE FOR RICHELIEU DISTRICT. QUESTION. MR. BARTHE enquired, Whether it is the intention of the Government to appoint a Judge of the Superior Court, for the Judicial District of Richelieu (Province of Quebec), to reside at Sorel; and when it is proposed to make that appointment? MR. LAFLAMME: The hon. Judge who sat for the District of Richelieu has obtained leave of absence, which expires on the first of next month. He has not informed the Government of his intention to resign, or to demand retirement; consequently no action can be taken in the matter. SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: The Hon. Mr. Wilmot is acting on the part of the Dominion ? MR. MACKENZIE: Yes. RECIPROCITY WITH THE UNITED QUESTION. MR. BÉCIIARD enquired, Whether a treaty of commercial reciprocity between the United States of America and Canada is at present in question between the Governments interested? MR. MACKENZIE: There is no such treaty at present in question between the Governments interested. The Government of the United States has made no proposition to us; but, AND when the Government of the United States makes any such proposition, we will, of course, give it due consideration. MR. CHRISTIE enquired, Whether it is the intention of the Government to forward the mails by the Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway, and if so when? MR. HUNTINGTON: The matter to which the hon. gentleman refers is under the consideration of the Government at present. PAYMENT OF LABOURERS ON QUESTION. MR. FISET enquired, Whether it is the intention of the Government to bring in a measure during the present Session, to secure the payment in coin, "in cash," of the labourers employed on the public works under NORTH-WEST BOUNDARY OF ONTARIO. Government control ? SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: Who are the Commissioners? I forget I forget them now. MR. MACKENZIE: Chief Justice Harrison, Hon. Mr. Wilmot, late Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and Sir Edward Thornton. MR. MACKENZIE: It is not the intention of the Government to bring in any such measure, and I am not sure that we could well deal with it in that matter; but the matter has been under the consideration of the Government, with the view of adopting such means in letting out contracts as would secure to the men prompt payment of their wages, and I may say, in this connection, that the Government did take steps to enforce, as far as possible, with what power we had in our hands, the discharge of such duty to the men as seems to be necesfor the workingmen-that is, that sitated by fair play and consideration they should be paid in the current coin of the country at least every two wecks; and I have no doubt that the measures which the Government have taken will result in that being fairly carried out for the future. RECIPROCITY WITH THE UNITED STATES. QUESTION. MR. CASGRAIN enquired, Whether the Government has taken or intends to take any steps to renew or make a treaty of commercial reciprocity with the United States, under the sanction of the Imperial Government? Mr. MACKENZIE: The answer I gave to my hon. friend from Iberville a moment ago will apply to his question. I may just say, however, as the question is put here categorically, that we have not taken any steps in this relation; but, as I have said, we will be prepared when any steps are desired by the Government on the other side, to take such steps as to carry out our well-known views on the subject. MR. MACKENZIE: With regard to the laws affecting trade, I am afraid that the motion of my hon. friend is too general. It is difficult to ascertain what he means. MR. CASGRAIN: I will read my motion in French. Perhaps it will then be more explicit. MR. MACKENZIE: There is really no difference. The translation conveys the idea perfectly well. Yet the laws of trade may embrace, for instance, the law respecting public carriers; it may embrace the Insolvency Laws; it may embrace many Statutes in force over the whole Dominion; and, on the other hand, it may embrace some laws such as that which exists for the distribu23 Ition of insolvent estates in Lower Canada, which would be in force if there were no Insolvency Law-a system which is not in operation in some of the other Provinces; and of course the necessity for such a change as the general introduction of that particular measure would depend to a great extent upon the continued existence of the Insolvency Law; and I am not able to give a more definite answer to this very general question, unless my hon. friend should point out to me specially in another question, or privately, what he particularly desires to obtain information upon. REVISION OF THE DOMINION STATUTES. QUESTION. MR. CASGRAIN enquired, Whether the Government intend to revise and publish the Statutes of the Dominion of Canada. MR. LAFLAMME: Steps have been taken for the consolidation of the Statutes of Canada, and the gentlemen employed in the performance of this duty are at work; but no report has. yet been made. EXPENSES ON ACCOUNT OF SITTING BULL. QUESTION. MR. CASGRAIN enquired, Whether the Government has, or intends to call upon the Imperial Government for the payment of the expenses incurred in relation to the crossing of our frontier by Sitting Bull. MR. MACKENZIE: It is not the intention of the Government to make any representation on that subject to We have had an armed force in that the Imperial Government at present. territory for the purpose of enforcing order and maintaining the majesty of the law. Sitting Bull has only contributed to the necessity of the concentration of the force on that particular portion of our frontier. He has, no doubt, caused us some additional expense and may cause more, but we do not think that to be a matter of such serious importance as to justify us in making any application of that kind. The Government do not desire in any ' matters of minor importance to make any demands on the Imperial Govern ment. at the time,-reached the Department that some serious injury had been done, not to the breakwater, as I understood it, but to the foundation of the dwelling-house in which the lighthouse-keeper resides at RondMR. MACKENZIE: Not unless he from the lighthouse-keeper, Mr. Tomeau. Upon receipt of this information SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: I do not see how a Sitting Bull can cross the frontier. rises. SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD: Then he is not a Sitting Bull. IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER SYDENHAM. QUESTION. MR. STEPHENSON enquired, Whether it is the intention of the Government to put in the Estimates for 1878-79 a sum for the improvement of the navigation of the North Branch of the River Sydenham, from Wallaceburg to Wilkesport, in accordance with the surveys and plans already prepared by Government engineers and surveyors? MR. MACKENZIE : The hon. gentleman will find his curiosity satisfied when the Estimates come down; it is not easy to answer such questions in advance; they will be down within a day or two, and he will then observe what is in the Estimates. I may, however, say there is in them a general vote for dredging, and that this vote will probably comprise and effect at least we hope it will-what is absolutely necessary in the various ports of this Dominion. BREAKWATER AT RONDEAU. QUESTION. MR. STEPHENSON enquired, Whether the work of constructing, during the past season, a breakwater for the protection of the harbour of refuge at Rondeau was let by tender publicly advertised; and, if so let, whether it was let to the person whose tender was lowest of all those submitted, and the name and residence of the person whose tender was submitted? MR. SMITH (Westmoreland): I nay say to my hon. friend that information, I think in the month of September last-I was in Halifax linson was directed to repair to the spot, examine and make a report. Mr. Tomlinson did go the spot, and, while there, finding it necessary to take prompt steps, examined the work, made a report, and prepared specifications. I understand from him, that he there met three gentlemen, named George, Bell and Sopers. He had communication with these gentlemen, and, on his having prepared the specifications, he gave to these gentlemen a copy of them. He then returned to Ottawa and made his report, which was on the 2nd of October, while I was in Halifax; and I find, on reference to the papers, that, on the 5th of October, I telegraphed to my Deputy from Halifax to have the work done at once, under Mr. Tomlinson's report. Mr. Tomlinson, in the meantime, received. tenders from those gentlemen with whom he had communicated at Rondeau, and, as these tenders seemed to be much larger than he supposed the work to be worth, he communicated with Mr. Joseph White, of Ottawa, and asked for a tender from him. There seemed to be no time for public notice to be given in the public newspapers, to consult persons who were prepared to do the work, and Mr. White's tender being somewhat less than those of the gentlemen who lived on the spot, consequently, on the recommendation of Mr. Tomlinson, the contract was awarded to him, and he is now proceeding with the work, his being the lowest tender. MAILS ON THE MONTREAL AND QUESTION. MR. DESJARDINS enquired, Whether it is the intention of the Government to make arrangements for the organization of a regular mail service between Ottawa and Montreal, and the intermediate places, by means of the Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway, now in operation? |