COMPRISING THE PERIOD FROM THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY TO THE PRINTED BY C. H. PARMELEE, PRINTER TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY 1909 10 VANCOUVER House of Commons Debates SECOND SESSION-ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY, January 17, 1910. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Three o'clock. HALIFAX AND ESQUIMALT NAVAL YARDS. On the orders of the day being called: Sir FREDERICK BORDEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give the answer which I promised to my hon. friend the leader of the opposition (Mr. R. L. Borden) last Thursday in connection with a paragraph which he read from a statement in the London Times,' purporting to have been made by Sir Wm. White. The answer is as follows: With reference to the matter of the Halifax and Esquimalt naval yards, referred to by the hon. the leader of the Opposition yes terday, and with particular reference to the observations of Sir William White, published in the London Times' of November 19 last, regarding the condition of these naval yards, the reply, so far as the Department of Militia and Defence is concerned, is as fol lows: Whatever action has been taken with regard to the armament and works at Esquimalt, has been taken with the full cognizance and concurrence of the Imperial War Office and in furtherance of their policy at the time the fortress was taken over. With regard to Halifax, the machinery in the workshops is looked after, though the parts are not assembled for working. MANITOBA FISHERY COMMISSION. Mr. CAMPBELL. I wish to ask the minister who is in charge of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, when the report of the fisheries commission that has been working in Manitoba is going to be brought down? It was promised by the Minister of Marine and Fisheries that it would be brought down just as soon as printed. It days ago, or perhaps earlier, and under was printed, I understand, eight or ten those circumstances I would expect to have i brought down. I asked the right hon. Prime Minister (Sir Wilfrid Laurier) the other day and he told me he would attend to it at the earliest possible moment. That was three or four days ago, and I would like to know if it has yet been attended to. Sir WILFRID LAURIER. The report has been prepared, and I understand has been signed by two of the commissioners. It has been sent to the third commissioner, Mr. Metcalfe, to ascertain if he concurs in it, and if so, for his signature. As soon as the department is informed whether Mr. Met calfe has signed the report or has signified his assent, the report will be brought down and communicated to my hon. friend. Mr. CAMPBELL. I would like to ask for further information. I am afraid the acting minister is not up to date in regard to this question. I understand the commissioners' report has been printed and has been signed by the three commissioners. Why has it not been brought down? With respect to the information which Sir William White stated that he had received that the naval base at Halifax was in a simremark which can be made is that the fortilar condition to that at Esquimalt, the only ress at Halifax is believed to be in at least Sir WILFRID LAURIER. No, Mr. both cient a Speaker, the acting minister is absolutely was when taken over from the imperial auth-novice in the office. The report has been both as regards arm at the present moment; up to date, although he is something of a Fisheries is concerned, the following informa- tained that the third commissioner has not So far as the Department of Marine and sioners had signed it, but it has been ascerprinted, and printed as if the three commistion has been received from that department: yet signed it, and it has been sent to him to at that station is still under the imperial With regard to Esquimalt, the naval yard ascertain whether he concurs in it in its authorities. The machinery is lying idle, but entirety, or whether he dissents in any par orities. well looked after. The same is to be said however, been reduced to two gun vessels and as regards the buildings. The station has, tion, the report will be brought down. ticular. As soon as we have this informa one survey ship. 63 Mr. CAMPBELL. May I again ask what is the harm in presenting that report as REVISED EDITION. printed and as presumably signed by the three commissioners? I would like to see it. Sir WILFRID LAURIER. I am sorry to say that my hon. friend is not up to date. It is not the report until it has been signed. Mr. BRADBURY. I do not wish to discuss the matter, but I think the First Minister is labouring under a misapprehension. The report has been signed by three commissioners, there was a fourth commissioner, the present Mr. Justice Metcalfe, who investigated Lac du Bonnet, and he resigned. The report has been signed by the other man, Mr. Hugg, who was appointed in Mr. Metcalfe's place, and the report as printed is signed by the three commissioners: Mr. Hugg, Mr. Read and Professor Prince. Sir WILFRID LAURIER. The printed report is signed amongst others by Mr. Metcalfe supposing he would agree. It is understood he does not agree, and the report is held until it is ascertained whether he agrees or not. Mr. R. L. BORDEN. commissioners or four? 1. What is the amount of work in repairs or new work to be done by carpenters on the Lachine canal under the supervision of Denis O'Brien? 2. What is the amount for machinists? 3. Will any moneys be paid for new lumber out of the $22,907.78 still left to Lachine canal work? 4. What is the total estimate for wages for carpenters, machinists, labourers and carters Were there three for the balance of the fiscal year, in detail? Sir WILFRID LAURIER. So far as I know there were three. If my hon. friend will come to my office to-morrow afternoon, I will be glad to show him the report. ST. PETER'S INDIAN RESERVE. Hon. FRANK OLIVER (Minister of the Interior). Mr. Speaker, I desire to refer to a request made by the hon. member for Selkirk (Mr. Bradbury) last Thursday for information regarding a return that was laid on the table of the House. The reply is as follows: An account was received on the 21st of Oc tober 1907, for $321.70 from Mr. Ernest Raynor for expenditure made by him in connection with the St. Peter's surrender. This account was forwarded to the Indian agent, Mr. J. O. Lewis, who was informed that the department had no knowledge of the authority under which the expenditure was made and he was asked for a report thereon. The agent was further told that if he was unaware of the circumstances in connection with the expenditure, it would be well for him to submit the matter to His Honour Chief Justice Howells who had carried on certain preliminary negotiations with regard to the taking of the surrender and who might be able to inform him as to the authority, if any, under which the expenditure was made by Raynor. No report has, however, been received from Mr. Lewis in regard to this matter. Mr. BRADBURY. I wish to call the attention of the Minister of the Interior to the fact that the return brought down regarding St. Peter's reserve does not con tain the instructions to Chief Justice Howell, nor does it contain his report. I wish 5. Has the department any knowledge of the treatment of the carpenters on the Lachine canal under the supervision of Denis O'Brien, and have any complaints been received by the department? If so, of what nature? Hon. GEO. P. GRAHAM: 1. It is impossible to give any definite figure. A few of the Lachine canal carpenters have been retained during the winter. They are engaged on one pair of lock gates and completing the gate lifter and will be kept on as long as the appropriation will allow, the work being performed by them, being less urgent, than some other work now being done. 2. There is considerable work to be done by machinists, blacksmiths and assistants towards preparing gears for the electric operation of the valves of the supply, regulating and waste weirs, &c. These appliances must be installed while the canal is unwatered next April. It is not possible to state the amount of work to be done by these men, as should it be found necessary, in order to have the weirs equipped in time, to lay off the carpenters, other machinists would have to be employed. 3. The balance of the appropriation for repairs on the 31st December, 1909, was $10,535.41, not $22,907.78, as stated in the question. No lumber or timber will be paid for out of this balance. 4. Approximately as follows: Carpenters.... Machine shop Blacksmith's shop Carters.. Labourers.. $2,300 00 2,000 00 600 00 800 00 3,100 00 $8,800 00 The balance, or $1,735.41, will be used in cational institutions and agricultural sopurchasing iron, steel and brass castings, cieties. Three copies being given to each bolts, nuts, tools, &c. member of the Senate and the House of Commons. Of course the amount for preparation is exclusive of the salaries of the permanent officers of the department who were engaged in the work. The cost of the work of these officers was not divided from their ordinary work. 5. The department has not received any complaints in regard to the treatment of carpenters on the Lachine canal under the supervision of Denis O'Brien. REPRESENTATION OF NOVA SCOTIA. 1. Have any representations been made by the government of Nova Scotia or any person on its behalf to this government, looking towards the securing of an amendment to the British North America Act, whereby the representation of the province of Nova Scotia in this House as at present, may be maintained by said province? on ? Second Edition. Not yet complete. 12,000 copies in English and 3,000 copies in French are being printed by Mortimer and Company, Ottawa, (through the King's Printer). Distribution to be made by the superintendent of stationery, in single copies at nominal price of $1. 2. If so, when were such representations Distribution free to public libraries, unimade, and what action has been taken there-versities and colleges of agriculture. Three copies given or to be given to each member of the Senate and the House of Commons. Amount paid for preparation....$ Amount paid for printing on account, 10,000 copies.... Sir WILFRID LAURIER. No written representations have been made, but the subject has been discussed between the Dominion and provincial ministers. BAIT SUPPLY. Mr. JAMESON : Have any complaints reached the Minister of Marine and Fisheries regarding the difficulty experienced by Canadian fishing vessels in obtaining a supply of bait in the Bay of Fundy, owing to the practical monopoly enjoyed by the American sardine packers in respect to the purchase of herring taken in weirs in waters contiguous to the county of Charlotte, New Brunswick? If so, what action does the minister intend to take to relieve the situation, and when will he act? Mr. FOSTER. figures as to the whole lot? Total..... 362 58 13,990 60 $14,353 18 Has the minister any contract for printing the Mr. FISHER. No. I think it is printed by numbers, not a lump contract. Mr. FOSTER. to date? This is only what is paid Mr. FISHER. Yes. Mr. FOSTER. The minister might find Sir WILFRID LAURIER. Yes; but in-out what the whole cost is. quiry did not reveal that there was any difficulty on the part of Canadian fisher Mr. FISHER. Yes. PACIFIC RAILWAY. men obtaining bait at the prices the fish- LANDS ALONG LINE OF GRAND TRUNK ermen were at the time receiving from sardine buyers. FARM WEEDS. Mr. FOSTER: Mr. FOSTER: 1. What lands have been sold along the line of the Grand Trunk Pacific railway since the sales shown in sessional paper No. 69 ? 2. To whom sold? 3. At what prices? 4. For what purposes? Hon. FRANK OLIVER: 1. N.E. 21, 53, 7, W. 5; N.W. 21; S.E. 21; S.W. 21; S.W. 27, 53, 8, W. 5; N.E. 27, 53, 9, W. 5; N.E. 2, 54, 16, W. 5; N.W. 2; S.E. 2; S.W. 2; N.E. 32, 53, 16, W. 5; N.W. 32; S.E. 32; S.W. 32; N. 15, 53, 17, W. 5; N.W. 15; S.E. 15; S.W. 15; N.E. 16; N.W. 16; S.E. 16; S.W. 16; S.E. 21, 53, 17, W. 5; S.E. 22; S.W. 22. 2. The Grand Trunk Pacific Town and 5,000 Development Company. Printed by Toronto Lithographing Com- 3. These Crown lands were sold at $3 per pany, (through King's Printer). Distribu-acre, the government, in addition, to receive tion was made free to public libraries, edu-one-fourth of the net proceeds of the sales, |