bound to say on behalf of the Indians | that they asked no favours of white men. The land they lived on was their own, the money in the hands of the Government was their own, and he believed they were willing to pay their share of the taxes. He hoped the Hon. Minister of the Interior would give this matter consideration, and see his way clear to amend the Bill in the direction indicated.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said it must be considered that Indians were not in As a the same position as white men. rule they had no education, and they were like children to a very great ex

tent. They, therefore, required a great deal more protection that white men. He could not see the force of the remarks of the hon. member for South Brant, in which he asked for certain restrictions to be removed. He desired the Hon. Minister of the Interior to say how far the third clause changed the position of Indians.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-It merely gives a clear definition of the classes of Indians existing.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN thought the provision with regard to the severance of the connection between an Indian and his band should be amended. He did not think they should give a premium for the dismissing of an Indian from the band, as would be the case practically by the adoption of this provision. Was a man who was travelling for the purpose of improving himself to have his connection with his band severed, and if he ceased to be a member of his band was he to be deprived altogether of his land and money?

Hon. Mr. LAIRD said the clause was

substantially the practice of the Department. The hon. gentleman would observe that while the band was allowed the option of giving their consent, still the Superintendant General or the Department had the right to investigate into the case.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said that while he was in the Department that was done repeatedly, but in nearly every instance there were great difficulties either with the band or with the Indians themselves. He thought

that in one or two instances the order had to be cancelled.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-This Bill admits

of their coming back.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN thought one of the clauses of the Bill would interfere with the acquired rights of some of the people.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-All their present rights are respected. Does the hon. gentleman mean those parties who are in receipt of annuities or the whites who had taken leases of Indian land? Those half-breeds who have been living on the reserves are now regarded as Indians, the law fully protects them, and their full rights cannot be disturbed.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN asked if the clause with reference to the surrender of lands provided that the majority of all the male members of the band, or only a majority of the males present at the meeting, was necessary to a decision.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-Of course the majority at the meeting.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said there should be a certain proportion of the band present before a surrender of lands should be determined upon.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD said the Department took good care in their practice not to allow these surrenders unless the Indians were at home at the time.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said, nevertheless, this precaution should be taken for the protection of the Indians, and as little should be left to chance as possible. The same provision should be made for the proper election of chiefs. It should be made clear that a certain proportion of the tribe should be present at the election. The clause respecting intoxicants should also be amended to prevent the Indians from manufacturing liquor for themselves. The intention of the Minister of the Interior was no doubt good in proproposing to enfranchise the Indians, but the hon. gentleman would fail as he (Mr. Langevin) had done in 1869. The Aet of 1869 was framed to prevent jealousies by keeping the land in the hands of the tribe, merely giving the enfranchised

men a life interest in it. That did not succeed, and the same cause would make the Bill before the House inopera

tive.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD said the Bill was framed to meet the views of the Indians expressed at their grand council in Sarnia, the summer before last. If they did not carry it out the fault would rest with themselves and not with the Government.

Hon. Mr. LANGEVIN said it might apply to the Indians of Ontario, but it would not suit the tribes of Quebec. Some general plan would have to be adopted to educate the Indians and fit them for enfranchisement, just as a white boy would be prepared for manhood.

Mr. McGREGOR thought that the Bill was a step in the right direction, as Indians should have it within their power to obtain the full privileges of white men. The Leader of the Opposition had had the honour of attending at a banquet given to an Indian residing in the County of Peel. The latter's brother, if in the House, would hardly be supposed to be an Indian, and indeed, many hon. members would sooner be so considered than this per

son.

The Minister of the Interior had visited his county last year, and settled a dispute, which had long existed there between the whites and Indians, the males being allotted 100 and the females 50 acres of the land, the baiance being sold. They occupied about 8,000 acres. He egretted that the term of probation was not shorter, as three-quarters of the Indians in his county might very properly be enfranchised at once.

Mr. SNIDER had had a great deal to do with Indian Reserves and with Indians, who he knew were very grateful to the Minister of the Interior for

the interest the hon. gentleman had taken in their welfare. He had

with great pleasure shown educated Indians around the Parliament Buildings, and these he could say would do the House no discredit if they occupied seats on this floor, being more intelligent than the great majority of white men.

This

was a great improvement on former similar Bills, and the Indians were per

fectly satisfied with its provisions. He did not think that Indians could be so easily tempted with bribes as whites; and he hoped that the Bill would be made as perfect as possible.

Mr. FLEMING contended that the policy to be pursued with regard to the Indians, must be one of absorption and not of seclusion. The proposed object of legislation during the past twenty years had been to remove the distinctions between them and their white neighbours, but the practical result was in the opposite direction. In 1857 he believed the first Bill having relation to the enfranchisement of Indians had been introduced by the right hon. member for Kingston, who explained that the object was to raise them to the position of white men. If it had failed this was to be ascribed to the fact that the machinery provided had not been sufficient for the purpose. Intelligent Indians should be placed precisely on the same footing with whites; and thereby be made more selfreliant and self-dependent. He was greatly gratified on account of the introduction of the Bill; and he would have been better pleased had it gone still further, offering them greater inducements for self-advancement. As to squaws losing their rights to their property when they married whites, it was to be observed that it appeared from the 9th clause that an Indian widow could marry a white man, and yet retain all her estate, real and personal, though according to the 3rd sec., and sub. sec. C, an Indian woman marrying any person other than one of her nationality was deprived of such right; this was surely inconsistent.

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-An Indian widow cannot marry a white man and convey dower to her husband.

Mr. FLEMING-I read it otherwise. The 9th clause is as follows:

"Upon the death of any Indian holding under location or other duly recogniz d title any lot or parcel of land, the right and interest therein of such deceased Indian shall, together with his goods and chattels, devolve one-third upon his widow, and the remainder upon his children equally; and all such children shall have a like estate in such land as their father; but should such Indian die without issue but leaving a widow, such lot or parcel of land and his goods and chattels shall be vested in her, and if he leaves no

widow, then in the Indian nearest akin to the deceased, but if he have no heir nearer than a cousin, then the same shall be vested in the Crown for the benefit of the Band. But what

ever may be the final disposition of the land, the claimant or claimants shall not be held to be legally in possession until they obtain a location ticket from the Superintendent General in the manner prescribed in the case of new locations."

Hon. Mr. LAIRD-By sub-section D. she loses all such rights. Mr. FLEMING This should be

be made clear and distinct.

Mr. DECOSMOS stated that there was no such thing as statute labor in British Columbia.

With regard to sec. 79, touching intoxicants, he would mention that an Indian Reserve existed in Victoria, on which there was a licensed house held by a man named Everett, and the operation of this provision would interfere with the vested right that this person undoubtedly possessed for a certain number of years. Unless the Government was prepared to grant compensation, this right should be continued him. He would be gratified if amendments were made in this regard, as the Bill on the whole was excellent

in its nature.

On item $35,000 for the improvement of navigable rivers,

Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked if anything had been done towards improving the Harbour of Partridge Island River?

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE promised to furnish information on the subject at a future day.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER asked if any

thing nad been done towards dredging Wallace River? It was a very important work and a small expendi ture in dredging would produce important rusults. Last Session the Premier had stated he expected to be able to provide for that in the dredging service, but nothing was done.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had found it impossible to reach that point. There were two large dredges which could not be used anywhere but in deep water, and the smaller dredges were employed elsewhere. Nothing would please him better than to dredge the harbours to which the hon. member for Cumberland had referred. The $10,000 in this item for the improvement of navigation in Neebish rapids was to remove some dangerous rocks from the channel on the way to Lake Superior. The United States Government had dredged a great deal up to the boundary, and there was only a small passage in our territory that required improvement. The $15,000 for raising anchors was to improve the harbour of Quebec. It was expected this expenditure would be fully repaid by the proceeds of the sale of the A fair anchors and chains removed. beginning was made last year, but five or six anchors were grappled at once, and the chain broke with the great weight. By the time repairs were made the severe weather set in, but if a good beginning were once made the bed of the river would soon be cleared.

Mr. WOOD suggested that something more should be done to improve the navigation of the Neebish Rapids than remove the rocks. Wharves should be built along the rocky shore to prevent vessels from being broken against it by the force of the current.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he had to trust to the engineers, and they ob

tions.

Mr. McKAY (Colchester) called attention to the fact that private parties were building their piers so far out in the river, at the head of the Basin of Minas, in the County of Colchester, that it was beginning to interfere with the navigation of the stream.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE-That involves a point of law.

In answer to Mr. Bertram, Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said it was not the intention of the Government to take charge of the small rivers which had no connection with the great lakes or the

ocean. The smaller streams come more

properly within the jurisdiction of the Local Governments. With regard to the Trent Canal it was originally intended by the old Proinvce of Canada for a highway to Lake Huron. The old Province expended something like $200,000 on these works. The canal had been unproductive, the traffic being nothing or next to it.

Mr. BERTRAM said the Trent Canal was now in a very unsatisfactory condition. He had no objection to its being taken charge of by the Local Government, but he was of opinion that the Government should not abandon works that had cost so much money until they had made arrangement whereby the Local Government would assume the control of them.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said the Local Government had undertaken to construct some locks and improve the navigation of the lakes, thereby taking the ground, apparently, that they were willing to occupy that position in regard to these streams and lakes. Be

fore Parliament rose he intended to submit a resolution asking authority Quebec and Ontario, and place them in to dispose of those and other works in the hands of the Local Government, which could manage them efficiently in connection with other parts of their business.

Hon. Mr. TUPPER questioned the tion to transfer these works to the power of the House by simple resoluLocal Government.

The item was passed.

Lake Superior and Red River route, Item 98, providing $25,000 for the being taken up,

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE explained establishment of a weekly mail over that this sum would be used for the the Dawson Route, and to provide other service, if necessary.

Mr. MASSON remarked that his previous statements in this regard were borne out by the fact that out of four or five thousand people who had gone to Manitoba last year, only eighty had passed over the Dawson Route.

The item was passed.

No. 99, providing for the Toronto Examining Warehouse, $39,000, Guelph Custom House, Excise and Post Office, $25,000, and Kingston Military School and repairing fortifications, $40,000: total, $104,000-being taken up,

Mr. BOWELL asked the First Minister if this related to the beginning of a policy with regard to the erection of post offices in the larger towns of the Dominion. It was no doubt proper that Guelph should be so favoured; but he trusted that the principle would be extended a little farther-to places. equal to and more populous than Guelph. He referred particularly to Belleville, which had a population of between 9,000 and 10,000. The net post office receipts here exceeded those of the former town, though as to excise, receipts were probably less.

Mr. PATERSON called the attention of the Premier to the fact that last

year he had promised to initiate a scheme during recess, whereby improved public buildings should be secured for the larger towns of the Dominion. He did not take the least exception to the item for Guelph, but Brantford had a larger population, and probably did more business. He hoped that it would be at least considered in this relation next year.

Mr. BROWN trusted that before next Session Belleville would be grant

ed such accommodation.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE replied that his impression last Session was that it would be desirable in large towns of 10,000 people and thereabouts that public buildings should be erected as a mere matter of economy; this was still his impression, and it was the intention of the Government to carry

out the plan. The extent of population did not always indicate the amount of business done; the collections for all purposes in Belleville were less than $150,000, while in Guelph they exceeded half a million.

Mr. BOWELL-Owin sence of the distilleries.

to the pre

Hon. Mr. MACKENZI-Its inland revenue receipts were very large. The collections of all kinds amounted to $1,100,000 last year. Had it been possible to make other arrangements in Guelph, no such vote would have been asked. St. Catharines, Brantford, Guelph and Belleville occupied about the same position with regard to post office receipts; though widely different in other respects. The Customs collections at Brantford were larger than at Guelph; while the inland revenue receipts of the former place were next to nothing.

Mr. WOOD had hoped that the First Minister would have given a reason why last year's appropriation for an immigration shed at Hamilton was not used, their present accommodation for this purpose being inadequate. He also thought that Hamilton was entitled to a new post office and a fair share of the public money. He trusted that at the earliest possible moment the Premier would make provision for the erection of a post office in Hamilton which would be suitable for the city.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE considered that the Hamilton post office was a very handsome structure; it was also spacious for the requirements, as the Postmaster now lived in the building. Where the free delivery system was established, these buildings were generally found to be too large. As to the immigration shed, it had not been erected owing to the fact that the tenants were too few, the majority going by the Bridge.

Mr. PATERSON thought that the answer might have been more specific. Brantford was under the impression that the scheme mentioned would be very generally applied. Guelph after all had the advantage in point of receipts, owing to the production of more whiskey; and the claims of Brantford with regard to the erection of public buildings, were in his opinion so strong that they could not be properly over

looked.

Mr. TROW hoped that Stratford would not be forgotten in this connection, its population numbering 7,000, and its position being central.

Mr. STIRTON observed that the hon. member for Brant had been mistaken with regard to his figures. St. Catherines, which had a population of 12,000, was the only town in the Dominion that exceeded Guelph in thisrespect. It was high time, under such circumstances, for the Government to do something in the way of accommodating the public. But the Government were quite justified in this expenditure on another ground. If they rented a suitable building they could not get one for less than the interest of the cost of the building would amount to. It was only tardy justice to Guelph.

Mr. PATTERSON had no objection to Guelph getting this building, but he wanted the First Minister to give the other larger towns public buildings

also.

Mr. NORRIS said St. Catharines had a good Custom House, but required a Post Office. He hoped when the revenue was in a better condition that town would not be forgotten.

Mr. MACDOUGAL (Elgin) asked the Government to consider the claims of St. Thomas, which was a thriving town with a population of 6,000.