cising their legal privileges, or that our flag Sir JOHN THOMPSON. By the British should be subject to insult and humiliation, Parliament alone. The contrary view was as has been the case in the past. I am not heid, to some extent, on the part of the aware of the precise legal mode in which United States; how far by their Government these regulations should be given effect to. I cannot say, but by one of the arbitrators, I That, no doubt, has been considered by the see, the view has been put forward in a disMinister of Justice and his colleagues. But, senting opinion, that the regulations have I think it would be a very great misfortune force and validity from the time of their if a fresh crop of demands should spring up announcement by the arbitrators. But the in consequence of such action as the Ameri- view is not only held by Her Majesty's Govcan press intimates is intended to be taken ernment that a statute of the Imperial Parby their cruisers. And I am sure the Ameri- liament would be necessary under the circan Governinent would object to making com- cumstances, but that view has been compensation whether these regulations had legal inunicated to the Government at Washingeffect or not, and, on the other hand, it ton; so that they are well informed that the would be very discreditable and humiliating opinion of the British Government is that for Canada or Great Britain to compensate the regulations are not in force and cannot their people under the circumstances. While be enforced without the assent of the ImI am on the subject, I may say that, if it be perial Parliament. As regards the procorrect, as stated publicly by the United cedure which may be adopted, the quesStates press, that from this time out the tion was discussed before the tribunal, United States are going to shepherd the and it was decided that that should be annual migration of these seals along our left to be provided by the statute which coast and to take upon themselves the en- should be passed with regard to the whole forcement of these regulations, it appears to subject. It would have been difficult, of me, Sir, that there should be an intimation course, for the international tribunal to argiven to the British Government, which rive at an exact knowledge of the procemaintains a squadron on the Pacific, that dure which might be proper in order to the Yankee cruisers may be accompanied by give full effect to the regulations of the tria British force to see fair play. Also, I bunal. But we have no doubt, and we have will take the opportunity to inquire whether made representations to that effect, that any arrangement has been made, formally the principles which have hitherto prevailed or informally, with the American Govern- with regard to that subject, should prevail ment whereby disputes arising through these still.. regulations may be submitted to a joint court, which Ithink it would be an expedient thing to do. I think some of our friends from British Columbia might be able to tell us what the position of matters is there, or whether there is any considerable risk of British Columbia scalers being caught on the present occasion. We would like to hear from them; we have not heard anything of their views on this subject. At any rate, I would like to know from the Government what the precise position of the case is, whether these regulations have been enforced, or what steps require to be taken to enforce them, and whether it is their intention, or so far as they know, the intention of the British Government, to take action. Mr. EDGAR. The modus vivendi ? Sir JOHN THOMPSON. Yes, in this respect, that when the regulations are made statutory, the procedure against British subjects or vessels shall be in British courts, and the procedure against United States vessels or persons, shall be in the courts of the United States. A draft Bill has been prepared for Parliament of Great introduction to the Britain with the view of giving effect to the regulations. The Canadian Government have been consulted on the terms of that Bill, and have expressed their views with regard to it; it may be that this time it has already been introduced, because the last we heard of it was that it would be intro duced very soon. I do not credit for a Sir JOHN THOMPSON. In reply to the moment the statement that the United hon. gentleman's question I have to say that States Government will attempt by a the regulations have no force or validity against British subjects until a statute has fleet of vessels or otherwise, to enforce been passed by the Imperial Parliament. No the regulations of the Paris tribunal. I doubt the obligation of Great Britain under am sure that if any project is contemplated the last treaty on the subject, pledges her to adopt the legislation which will be necessary to give the regulations force and effect; but the view is certainly held by Her Ma' jesty's Government, and is held by this Goyernment, undoubtedly, that a statutory pro of sending out vessels, it will be for the purpose of seeing that the rights which the United States possess, irrespective of the findings of the tribunal, will be observed, and that the regulations will be enforced if anything is contemplated on the part only when they have validity; and that vision is necessary by the Imperial Parlia- of the United States Government, it inent to give the regulations any force or effect whatever over British subjects. Sir RICHARD CARTWRIGHT. Statutory regulations by the British Government alone, or concurrently by ours? is of the enforcement against citizens the United States of the laws which Congress has passed or may pass, with regard to seals. We have had no intimation to that effect, but undoubtedly if, as is foreshadowed by the observations which Mr. MILLS (Bothwell). I suppose that the hon. gentleman has read in the press, it were intended, either before or after the passage of the regulations, that gunboats of the United States, or cruisers of the United States, should accompany our fleet of sailing vessels on the Pacific Ocean, we would request that some vessel commis-in our possession, so as to be better able to sioned by Her Majesty should be there to see that the duty was not too zealously discharged, or oppressively discharged, with regard to any of our people or their vessels. Sir RICHARD CARTWRIGHT. May I inquire of the hon. gentleman, while he is on his feet, whether the United States on their part assented to the proposition which I understood was made by the British plenipotentiaries, that offences committed by British subjects should be tried in British courts ? Sir JOHN THOMPSON. Yes, we understand they have, and that the draft of an Act which they have prepared, contains that provision. There was no objection made to that during the conference which took place in Paris; and in fact under the modus vivendi which has been in force, that procedure was insisted upon, was provided for, and was carried out. One of our vessels was sent to be tried at Victoria, B.C., when an adjudication took place upon it. Mr. EDGAR. Is the modus vivendi posed to be in force still ? the First Minister will have no objection to bringing down any correspondence that has taken place with the British Government, as soon as the measure is before the English Parliament. It seems to me that we should have, at an early day, that correspondence form an opinion on the subject. Of course, there is a difference between the treaties so far as the American Government and people are concerned, and the people of the United Kingdom. Under the constitution of the United States, a treaty is a part of the supreme law, and comes into operation without any Act of Congress ratifying it. I suppose that so far as people of the United States are concerned, the treaty is already in force, but so far as the people of the British Empire are concerned this treaty cannot come into operation until after Parliament has legislated. Sir JOHN THOMPSON. There can be no objection on our part to any paper being brought down on that subject-of course, we have to obtain the approval of Her Majesty's Government. The view with regard to the effect of the treaty in the United States undoubtedly affects the question, but there is still the question whether these regulations made under the provision of the Paris treaty, ought to be regarded as a treaty without receiving the assent of the sup-erican arbitrators; I cannot express an opinSenate. That is the view of one of the Amion upon it. Sir JOHN THOMPSON. No, it has expired. But I may add, we have already communicated to Her Majesty's Government the impropriety of making any provision with regard to the coming season which would be applicable at all to vessels which have already sailed. Sir RICHARD CARTWRIGHT. The only reason I called the attention of the hon. gentleman to the matter is this: He will notice that a very short time indeed can elapse, under article 2 of the regulations, before these provisions are supposed to come into force, and they are very positive: The two Governments shall forbid their citizens and subjects respectively, to kill, catch or pursue, in any manner whatever, during the season extending each year from the 1st May to 31st July, both inclusive, the fur seals on the high sea in that part of the Pacific Ocean inclusive of the Behring Sea which is situated to the north of the 35th degree of north latitude. So if the close season is to be enforced this year, there are barely five weeks now to bring it into effect. Sir JOHN THOMPSON. That prohibition can only be done by statute, and we have called attention to the position, in fact some weeks ago, before the sealers had sailed. Motion to adjourn withdrawn. CANADA TEMPERANCE ACT. Mr. DAVIES (P.E.I.) moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 11) to amend the Canada suggested is a very small one. Temperance Act. He said: The amendment Canada Temperance Act prosecutions, so Under the far as Prince Edward Island is concerned, stipendiary magistrates, but outside the city are in the city and town brought before and town they have to be brought before two justices of the peace, there being no stipendiary magistrates for the outlying been that a very large number of cases, the portions of the province. The result has Attorney General writes at least threefourths of them, are appealed from the justices to the Supreme Court, and a period of from one month to six months sometimes elapses before these appeals can be heard. The appeals are really re-hearings, the witnesses having to be brought forward again. The result has been that the witnesses are not forthcoming, and a large number of the prosecutions fail from the absence of witnesses, and justice is not administered. The attorney of the Island intends to appoint stipendiary magistrates, professional men of good standing, for counties outside of the city and towns, and the only amendment which I suggest is, that when these magis CUSTOMS SEIZURES. trates are appointed cases may be heard Mr. CHARLTON asked, Have the amounts before them, just as before the stipendiary | paid to officers of the Customs, or officials magistrates in the city and town. Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time. connected in any capacity with the Customs Department, for seizures made during the past three years, been returned by such officers or officials to the Government in cases CORNWALL CANAL-DAM AT SHEIK'S when the Government has subsequently re ISLAND. Mr. CHARLTON asked, Whether a contract has been awarded to Messrs. Davis Bros., or to Messrs. W. H. Davis & Sons, for constructing a dam at Sheik's Island in con nection with the Cornwall Canal? If so, funded the fines imposed, to the parties from whom such fines were collected, in consequence of reversal of rulings or decisions, by virtue of which such fines were collected? Mr. WALLACE. No distribution has been made, prior to refund, from the proceeds of what is the amount of the contract, when seizures made or fines imposed. was it awarded; and was it awarded to the LIGHTHOUSES IN THE PARISH OF STE. lowest bidder under public tender? Mr. HAGGART. A contract for construct EMILIE. ing the Sheik's Island dams has been made Whether it is the intention of the GovernMr. GUAY (for Mr. Rinfret) Rinfret) asked, with William Davis & Sons. Before taking this action, the superintending engineer sub-ment to provide and maintain lights for the mitted an estimate of the cost of the work, lighthouses erected some years ago by the which amounted to $374,000 odd, and he ex- Government, in the parish of Ste. Emilie, in plained that the most suitable material to the county of Lotbinière ? be had within reasonable distance from the work could be procured from contract No. 4, and that the adoption of the Sheik's Island scheme would necessitate certain additions at No. 20 lock and weir on that contract, and in that manner the two works were somewhat interwoven. Messrs. Davis & Sous were asked if they were willing to undertake the work at the contract schedule prices for contract No. 4, the work at those prices amounting, according to the quantities computed by the superintending engineer, to $374,000. The matter was referred to the chief engineer, who reported in favour of the acceptance of this offer, it being in his opinion in the public interests to do so, in which I concurred. The matter was reported to Council, and an Order in Council was passed authorizing a contract to be entered into with Messrs. William Davis & Sons, based on the prices in their contract No. 4. The contract is dated 19th June, 1893. It is a schedule price contract, but based on the quantities of work furnished by the superintending engineer; it amounts to $374,485. The contract was awarded in May, 1893. THE BOARD OF CUSTOMS. Mr. CHARLTON asked, How many times has the Board of Customs been called together for the transaction of business since the late Minister of Customs became Minister of Trade and Commerce ? Mr. WALLACE. There has been no formal meeting of the board since then, the present Acting Commissioner having only been appointed chairman of the board on 20th of January, 1894; but the opinions of the members of the board have been continuously obtained. Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER. In answering this question, I desire to do so more fully than to make a direct reply, as the circumstances relating to the lighthouses are rather peculiar. The circumstances are as follows: These are two buildings which were erected some years ago in connection with the scheme for lighting the 27-foot channel. They were not put in operation when completed, because the Montreal Harbour Commissioners found more trouble in completing the channel at Cap à la Roche than they had anticipated, and the branch pilots preferred using the Cap Charles range lights to which they were accustomed. In the meantime the two towers have been used as day beacons, and, I think, replace day beacons formerly maintained by the Harbour Commissioners. The Cap à la Roche channel has now been completed by the Public Works Department, and the lights are to be put in operation on the opening of navigation. The keepers of the two lighthouses were appointed in 1880, but the Order in Council provided that their salaries should not begin until the lighthouses were put in operation. Mr. MILLS (Bothwell). Then these lighthouse-keepers have been fourteen years in office and have done nothing? Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER. For those special reasons and under those circumstances. I. C. R.-EMPLOYEES DISCHARGED. Mr. DAVIES (P.E.I.) asked, How many employees of the Intercolonial Railway were discharged during the fiscal year ended July, 1893; and from which department of the railway, and in what numbers in each department? How many have been reappoint ed since that date, and in what numbers in each department, and at what salaries or wages? How many new men have been appointed since the above date? Mr. HAGGART. Since 1st July, 1893, forty-nine men have died or left the service of their own free will, thirty-eight men have been dismissed, making a total of eightyseven men. Of those, twenty-five were of the mechanical department, twelve of the track department, one of the stores department, three of the sleeping and parlour car service, and forty-six of the traffic department. The reappointments have been: mechanical department, fourteen men; one at 10 cents per hour, four at 11 cents per hour, two at 13 cents per hour, two at 131⁄2 cents per hour, one at 14 cents per hour, one at 141⁄2 cents per hour, and three at 15 cents per hour. Parlour car service: one man at $30 per month. Traffic department: one man at $25 per month, one at $1.20 per day, one at $1.50 per day, and one at $2.50 per day, two at $1. The number of new men appointed has been : mechanical department, thirty; track department, seventeen; stores, one; parlour car service, four; traffic department, thirty-two. Two boys in office. Total, eighty-six. Mr. FRASER asked, 1. Have the Government made definite arrangements as to the yearly date of payment of the bounties to fishermen ? If so, what is the date and when was it fixed? What was the date of last payment in Nova Scotia ? Have the Government or any member thereof authorize:1 Mr. J. G. Forbes, the Conservative candidate in the county of Guysboro', to state that he is promised by the Government or any member of the Government in case he is returned, to obtain large sums for break waters and other public works in the said county of Guysboro'? Have any promises for such expenditures been given by the Government or any member thereof? 3. What is the amount expended in the province of Nova Scotia since 1878, by counties, on railways, harbours, breakwaters, wharfs and all other public works in said province ? 1885, Inspector Venning reported that for cerned. I. C. R.-HARRIS PROPERTY. Mr. DAVIES (P.E.I.) asked, What is the total amount paid for the property acquired in the city of St. John for the Intercolonial Railway, known as the Harris property? How and at what times, and to what persons, and in what amounts respectively was What amount the purchase money paid? has since been expended on this property, and for what purposes has the property been utilized ? Has the fee simple yet been obtained and vested in the Queen in that part Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER. The of the property which at the time of the purfirst paragraph of the question concerns chase was leasehold? Has any, and if any, my department, and in reply I desire to say what moneys been paid to the possessors of arrangements have been made by which the leasehold interest in this property? bounties to fishermen are paid every year at the end of February. These arrangements were first carried out in 1889. The distribution for 1893 in Nova Scotia was made last month. If so, how were the sums to be paid to the respective parties arrived at? Does the total sum paid exceed the amount Parliament was asked to vote and did vote for the purpose? Mr. HAGGART. The total amount paid Mr. FRASER. I have only received an for the Harris property in St. John is $200,answer to one question. Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.· I know nothing about the second question. I did not know the hon. gentleman referred to me. 000, which was paid to the joint order of Messrs. Fred. Barker, agent of the Minister of Justice, and George Schofield, agent of the Harris estate: $75,000 on the 29th of January, 1892; $4,473.57 on the 8th of July, 1892, and $120,526.49 on the 2nd of August, 1892. Governor General in Council, or to any Minister No moneys have been paid by the Govern- | asking for the disallowance of the said ordinances ; ment to the possessors of the leasehold inter-3. Of correspondence between the Lieutenant est in this property. The fee simple has been Governor of the North-west Territories or the obtained and vested in the Queen of the Executive Council of the said Territories, and the whole property purchased, which includes Dominion Government; 4. Copies of the instructhe leasehold. $5,944 was expended in build- tions to the Lieutenant Governor of the North-west ing cribwork approach, laying tracks, floors, Territories, and of communications sent to the &c. The total sum does not exceed the par- Executive of the Territories in order to induce them liamentary appropriations. to amend the ordinances of 1892. THE SCHOOLS OF MANITOBA AND Mr. LaRIVIERE moved for: He said: Mr. Speaker, I feel it to be my duty to put this motion in your hands and to offer a few remarks upon it; and, imperfect as my English may be, I venture to ask the attention of the House while I attempt to address it in that language. Since the beCopies of all petitions, memorials and corres- ginning of the session hon. members of this pondence in reference to the appeal made in the House, on both sides, have carefully disname of the Roman Catholic minority of the cussed the commercial and financial position province of Manitoba, in reference to the school of this country. Nobody has yet alluded to laws of that province; also, copies of reports to its political situation, or rather to the grave and Orders in Council in reference to the same; national crisis with which we are face to also, copies of the case submitted to the Supreme face to-day-thanks, I am sorry to say, to the Court of Canada respecting aforesaid appeal, and unwise, imprudent and irritating policy of including factums and all materials in connection the Government on the school question. Pertherewith, and copies of all judgments rendered mit me, Sir, to use, as a description of that and answers given by said court on or to the ques-crisis, a speech which has recently been de tions referred to them. He said: Mr. Speaker, in making this motion, I do not intend at the present time to discuss the merits of the question that is involved. I shall wait until all the papers are put before the House and until the members are fully cognizant of the details of the question. I have my own opinion as to the merits of the case, and as to the action that has been taken thereon, and I intend, later on, as, I have no doubt, an opportunity will be given, to express that opinion in an unbiassed and in a fair and impartial manner. Motion agreed to. Mr. LaRIVIERE moved for: Copies of all school ordinances, school regulations or by-laws and amendments thereto, adopted by the Legislative Assembly, the Executive, and by any Board or Council of Education, in reference to the establishment, maintenance and administra tion of schools in the North-west Territories since 1885; also, for copies of all petitions, memorials and correspondence in reference thereto; also, for copies of all reports to and Orders in Council'respecting the same. livered in the city of Montreal by one of the leading Conservatives of the province of Quebec-the Hon. T. C. Casgrain, the Attorney General in the Taillon Cabinet. That hon. gentleman, speaking at a meeting of the Cartier-Macdonald Club, a few days ago-I quote from the Montreal Gazette of the 28th of February-expressed himself as follows: doors of the province of Quebec; and the storm is A terrible wind is now blowing even at the very so strong that it is shaking Confederation to its very foundations. It is a difficult and delicate question which I am now taking up, and I wish to say that I am now speaking only as a citizen of Canada. I am now speaking of the question of separate schools in the North-west. Confederation was the result of a compromise. In order to protect our fellow countrymen, who had carried the seed of civilization to the Northwest, we stipulated that they should always have the right to separate schools. Now, I contend that forbids to do directly. No one had the right to no one has the right to do indirectly what the law deprive the Catholics of the North-west of their separate schools. The Hon. Mr. Haultain, the Premier of the North-west Territories, understood He said: My remarks on the previous mo- that perfectly well. That is why he went in la tion also apply to this. Motion agreed to. Mr. TARTE moved for: roundabout way. He overhauled all the ordinances relating to the schools; and while the new ordinance reaffirms the rights of Catholics to separate schools, it makes these dependent on such conditions that they are virtually suppressed. So that 1. Copies of all correspondence between His Mr. Haultain has done indirectly what he could not Grace Archbishop Taché, of St. Boniface, and any do directly. The question put to the Federal Govmember of the Government since last session, andernment was, whether the law should be disallowed. in particular of the memorial recently sent to the Governor General, or to the Prime Minister, respecting the Manitoba schools, and of the ordinances adopted by the Legislature of the North-west Territories in 1892, and now in force; 2. Copies of all memorials, petitions and letters ad dressed to the We have the right to insist that the protection given our countrymen shall be respected. If the understanding arrived at when Confederation was formed can be violated by one party, then that contract is only a paper which can be torn at will. The Federal Government has the right, and I will say has the |