gentlemen connected with the Pacific Railway Company ought to have been driven from public life? If so, in the absence of an answer, I would refer him to the Statutes for 1871, where he will find among the parties praying to be incorporated to build the railroad, one who is now a Cabinet Minister. I think it well to mention this, because the Premier should either withdraw the statement or make it good.

Mr. BOWELL-I will call the attention of the House to one statement made by the Premier with reference to the charge preferred by several of his followers, and by the Ministerial press, to the effect that the Opposition press is responsible for having misled the mercantile community into the withdrawal of their goods from bond under the supposition that an increase of duties was to take place. I know that this is their favourite topic on every occasion since the Hon. Minister of Finance delivered his Budget Speech, although the Globe announced to the people of this country that the duties were to be raised. I shall refer in this regard to the action of a Ministerial candidate, and those who supported him so long ago as January last, to show that the Ministerialists are themselves responsible for misleading the country in this particular. It is well known that there was a deficit. I will just read a portion of a speech made by the hon. member for Montreal West, to establish that it was the intention of the Government to increase the tariff. We have already been told by the hon. gentlemen on this side of the House that the hon. member for Chateauguay made a similar state

ment.

Hon. Mr. HOLTON-I do not remember it.

Mr. BOWELL—I do not say this on my own responsibility; but it is what I have heard. I have such a high opinion of the hon. member for Montreal West that I do not believe that he would state anything which he knew to be incorrect. The hon. member's speech will be found reported in the Montreal Herald of January 27th, 1876. He said: "Gentlemen, it is "perhaps fortunate to some extent that "the present revenue of the Dominion

"has fallen off, because it will impose upon the Government of the Domi-"nion the duty of making certain "changes in the tariff. (Hear, hear.) I "know that these changes are occupy

ing the attention of the members of "the Government. They have been "quietly consulting and obtaining in"formation through the different “branches of manufacture, in order to "form correct views with reference to· "any changes which they may make. "Of course I am not at liberty "to state-in fact, I do not know— "what the proposed change will be, but "I might say, that there will be an in"crease in the tariff and that the increase "will tend to the protection of the manu"facturing industries. (Applause.) "What it will be I am unable to say; it "will be a large increase, however, in "the rate of many articles imported "into this country from the United "States."

hon.

Now there is a declaration made a a short time ago by a gentleman who had been brought into the field much against his will, through pressure brought to bear on him by the Premier with the First Minister, the himself; and after an interview gentleman appears before the peothe commercial ple of Montreal, of this Dominion, metropolis and deliberately tells them, them, that although he was not aware to what extent the tariff was to be increased, he knew that it was to be raised sufficiently to protect the industries of this country; and yet in the face of all this-repeated over and over again, not only in Montreal but elsewhere, by almost every man in the confidence of the Government--we find the Premier and his followers, not only in this House, but also in the country and in the press, attempting to fasten the responsibility of the belief which had taken possession of the minds of the people in this connection upon the Opposition press. But if any persons are responsible for the injury that has been done to our mercantile community, they are the supporters of the Administration who gave forth such an impression. Whether directly obtained from the Government or by inferences, certainly neither the Finance Minister nor any of his colleagues.

be effected.

I have seen it stated in a newspaper, which claimed to be prepared to prove it, that the Ministry had informed deputations, which waited on them a few days previous to the delivery of the Budget Speech, that such was their intention.

Hon. Mr. BLAKE-There never was any such resolution arrived at.

Mr. BOWELL-I did not say resolution, but intention.

Hon. Mr. BLAKE-I say, that there was no such intention.

Mr. BOWELL-I accept the statement of the hon. gentleman, because I have no means of denying it. However, there can be no doubt that an effort has been made to fasten the responsibility of producing such an impression upon the Opposition press, while it is equally certain that this should be borne by the Ministers and their supporters.

Mr. MASSON-I said just now that the hon. member for Chateauguay lead the people of Montreal to believe there would be an increase. Speaking of the anomalies in the tariff the hon. gentleman said, and it is reported by the Herald: :-" These anomalies had to be “redressed and the tariff thoroughly "revised. The positions of Mr. White "and Mr. Workman are identical as far

Chateauguay told the citizens of Montreal : "If you elect Mr. Workman, "you will have a better chance to ob"tain protection than if you elect Mr. "White." The hon. member for Montreal West, not only months ago, but three or four days before the meeting of Parliament, said the people of Montreal could trust the Government that they would give a certain amount of protection-not so great as they expected, but they might be sure of obtaining reciprocal duties with the Americans. I think it comes badly from hon. gentlemen opposite to reproach the Conservative press with having induced the merchants to take their goods out of bond.

Hon. Mr. HOLTON-I did not doubt at all my hon. friend had some quotations from some speech of mine that would seem to bear out his statement, but, of course, I had no intimation from the Government that they intended to change the tariff. The inference was general throughout the country that the tariff tariff would be revised, but certainly I certainly I never refrom the ceived any information Government leading me to suppose such was their intention, and I venture to think that my relations personally and politically with the Administration were so intimate, if they had communicated with any of their supporters on a matter of that kind they would very possibly have mentioned it to me. It was entirely a matter of in-ference, from facts that were patent to everybody, that the revenue had fallen off, and that the tariff would be opened. I am gratified to find that my hon. friends were enabled to make both ends meet without the necessity of imposing additional taxes. I thought, and I feared, before I came up here, we should find it necessary to impose additional taxation, and if the tariff question had been opened I should certainly have done my best to redress some of the anomalies to which I refer. But as this whole subject is to be up on Tuesday, I think we had better drop it for the present, and I ask leave to withdraw my motion to adjourn the debate.

The motion was withdrawn, and the House went into Committee of theWhole, Mr. Scatcherd in the Chair.

On the item "Privy Council $14,540," under the heading of Civil Government,

Mr. KIRKPATRICK complained of the increase of $160 over last year, and $2,000 over the vote for 1874. The House had been led to suppose that the Government were about to adopt a policy of retrenchment. He objected to the passage of this item without discussion after Three o'clock in the morning.

Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT explained that the increase last year had met with the sanction of the House without a wɔrd of disapproval, and the increase this year was but trifling, and was necessitated by the employment of an additional messenger.

Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD sug gested that the Committee rise and report progress.

Hon. Mr. HOLTON said no progress had been made; at least one item should be passed before the Committee should rise.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER objected to disposing of the item in this summary manner. The House and the country had been led to believe that a policy of retrenchment was to be inaugurated, yet here among the smaller items there was a decided increase for which no satisfactory explanation had been given, while the item for immigration purposes was largely decreased. He considered that it was of the utmost importance that the appropriation for immigration purposes should not be reduced. It was essential that we should adopt every means available to settle our North-West Territories.

Hon. Mr. BLAKE raised a point of order; the system had always been to allow no discussion in Committee of Supply except on the item under consideration.

The Chairman ruled the member for -Cumberland was out of order.

Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD protested against this ruling; it was interfering with the liberty of Parliament.

After some discussion the item was passed, and the Committee rose and reported progress.

The House adjourned at Thirty-five minutes past Three, a.m.

The following Bills were read the second time :—

Citizens' Insurance and Investment To amend the Acts respecting the Company.

To amend the Act 35th Vic., Cap.111, intituled "An Act to incorporate the Mail Printing and Publishing Company (Limited.)"

Respecting the Mechanics' Bank.

An Act respecting the capital of the Great Western Railway Company, and for the capitalization of certain charges and liabilities.

HALIFAX STATION HOUSE.

Mr. DOMVILLE asked was the iron station now at Halifax awaiting erection purchased privately or by public tender, and from whom?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The iron

roof was purchased from a firm in Philadelphia, not by public tender.

Mr. DOMVILLE-What is the name of the firm?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE--I made a memorandum of it, but have mislaid it. Mr. DOMVILLE-Suppose we let the question stand over.

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR
GENERAL.

Mr. MILLS asked, whether any correspondence has taken place between the Government and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reference to the instructions given to the Governor General with a view to make the instructions consistent with the undoubted authority of the Parliament of Canada?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-There was no correspondence that I can bring down for my hon. friend on that subject.

THE GEORGIAN BAY BRANCH RAILROAD.

Mr. WHITE (Renfrew) asked whether the contract made between Hon. A. B. Foster and the Government, dated 27th February, 1875, for the construction and working of the Georgian Bay branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway has been cancelled or modified; and if the said contract has been cancelled, whether it is

the intention of the Government to take such steps as will secure the early construction of the said branch line of railway?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-The contract with Mr. Foster has been cancelled. The Government will submit at a future stage of the business of the House what steps are proposed in the

matter.

SUPERVISION OF BANKS.

Mr. CASGRAIN asked whether it is the intention of the Government to in

troduce during the present Session any measure for the purpose of securing a more effectual supervision of banks, with a view to protecting the interests of depositors, shareholders and the public.

Hon. Mr. CARTWRIGHT--It is not the present intention of the Government to take any further steps in that direction.

THE PACIFIC RAILWAY.

been

Mr. THOMPSON (Cariboo) asked whether such progress has made in the surveys of the proposed Canadian Pacific Railway in the Province of British Columbia as to enable the Government to decide upon a route between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, or to enter into contract for the construction of the whole or any portion of the same?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-Such progress has been made as enables the Government approximately to decide upon the location, but the surveys are not completed yet, and we are not able precisely to decide upon the line through British Columbia. Until that is done

the Government will not be in a position to let out any tender on that section, and besides that, any tender that is let must be approved by the House.

BAIE VERTE CANAL.

by

Mr. MACMILLAN asked whose authority the Report of the Commission on the Baie Verte Canal was published; at what printing establishment it was printed; whether the printing was done by tender or not; how many copies were printed and what was the total cost thereof; whether the account for the publishing thereof has been paid, and if so by whose authority?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE--I think that is properly a motion that should be put on the paper for returns. It is quite impossible for me to answer the series of questions contained in one mass, I may say generally that the evidence was printed in order to enable the Commissioners to read it more clearly. I am not able to answer the other parts of the question.

GRAVING DOCK AT QUEBEC.

Mr. BLANCHET moved for an Ad

dress to His Excellency the Governor General for copies of all reports from the by Engineers, reports Quebec Harbour Commission, documents, correspondence and Orders in Council relating to the selection of the site for the construction of a graving dock at the Port of Quebec. The hon. gentleman said this question was a very important one, and he wanted all information relating thereto brought down. It was the subject of legislation two years ago, and last year when the commission was appointed it caused a passage at arms between the Hon. Premier and the hon. member for Cumberland. The trade and shipping are taxed for the construction of the work, and the interests of trade and navigation depended a great deal upon the selection of the site. The engineers chosen by the late commissioners, Messrs. Kinipple and Morris, of Greenock, were eminent men with a reputation on both sides of the Atlantic, and they reported in favour of the south side of the river, which they said presented most advantages both for cheapness in construction