since the confederation of the provinces prairie, but that the produce of their that has occupied it more, and that has farms might find a route to the markets been of more importance to the Domin- of the East. The whole people agreed ion at large than the question of the as to the desirability or the necessity of Canadian Pacific Railway. When the having a Pacific Railway to open up gentlemen who led the Government of this country, and to connect and bind this country from 1867 to 1873 com- the whole together. Differences of pleted the confederation of the older pro- opinion, however, existed as to our vinces, they turned their attention west- ability to meet the cost, as well as the ward, and they found there a mode to be adopted to secure it. The large extent of country, which men, who then led the Government of was comparatively unknown, but which the country, proposed the plan pursued it was believed contained that which largely in the United States, of making was necessary to the completion and to the the lands contribute largely to the cost success of the whole Dominion. They of the roads over them. In the past had seen that, notwithstanding we had twenty years the United States Govabundance of good soil in the older pro- ernment has given over sixty vinces, that the ease with which the millions of dollars in money, and prairie farms could be cultivated, and the 200,000,000 асгов of land, mainly productiveness of the soil, offered attrac- for the construction of railways. The tions to many of our young men which proposition of our Government originthey were unable to resist, and for years ally was based upon this practice of the some of the best blood of the country- United States: to give to any the bone and sinew of the provinces company undertaking the work ኢ had been passing over into the United subsidy in money, and land. Cir. States, to find homes on that prairie land, cumstances to which we need not refer, and help to develope that western country prevented the accomplishment of that and build up the whole Union. The policy. A change of Government took census of 1870 shows that for the ten place. The road was taken in hands by years preceding, there had passed out of the new Government, and construction Canada on an average, twenty-four thou-was proceeded with, and, I am sure, if we sand of our people every year; and I am quite satisfied that the census of this year of the United States will show that of Canadian born subjects, or the descendants of Canadian born subjects, there are now in the United States, between one and two millions of people, most of whom but for the prairie soil, or the great impetus that has been given to easterni. Adhering to their original plan of trade in consequence of the development construction by a company, as approved of that western country, would be residents by Parliament, they have sought for one of the Dominion. Therefore, there was equal to the undertaking, and anwisdom in endeavoring to ascertain if nounce to us that they have succeeded. that great drain upon this country could The particulars of the contract are not not be stopped, and that those who desired yet public, but doubtless there is a subprairie farms should find the same at- sidy of money and lauds, as originally tractions under our own flag as exist in proposed. The land without railways is the Western States. Therefore, the of no value whatever to us, and if purchase of the North-West was com- by giving even a large portion pleted, and then the Province of British for the construction of a road Columbia was added to it. Then the which will render the whole, including question arose, "How are we to utilize what we retain, of value, then we are this purchase?" and the only answer the gainers-looking to the mere disthat could be given to that was by proposal of land—and shall have by that enviding facilities for rapid and easy inter-hanced value more than the money porcourse with that territory, not only to tion of the subsidy returned to us. enable the intending settlers to reach the whole territory, when held by the required any proof of the wisdom and advantages of the other course, we had it during the five years in which the railway was being carried on as a government work. Another change of Government has taken place, and the gentlemen who originally moved in this Pacific Railway have now the management of The as the and Hudson Bay Company, was to them required increased accommodation for valueless, except as a hunting field. traffic which we could not expect with so In the transfer to the Dominion they large a deficit, the condition was dismade reserves of comparatively small couraging; and I am sure it will be portions in different localities, and now gratifying to all to learn the almost under the prospect of a development of narvellous change which has been the territory, by the construction of rail-brought about. So soon as the present ways and settlement, the reserves are of head of that Department ascertained its more value to the company than was the full position, with a vigorous hand be whole territory in its wild condition, and commenced a reduction of the expenses, just so will it prove to the Dominion; and so well has he succeeded, that whilst after the subsidy of land is set off, how- the cost of 714 miles of road was in ever large it may be, that which will re- the year preceding his management main to us will be, with the railway $2.010,000, in the succeeding year. completed, of infinitely more value than and with the Riviere du Loup line was the whole, and, what is of incalcuable added from August, making 836 miles advantage, give ready access to that vast to work, the expenses, with this fertile region where our own sons and increased mileage, were reduced to the immigrants who come to us may find $1,600,000, which, with an increase of homes for themselves and their descen- receipts, left but a small deficit, and the dants to give strength, prosperity, and present year gives every assurance that stability to the Dominion. Reference is there will be a surplus, with the road in made in the speech to the Intercolonial splendid condition. This, I maintain, is Railway, and we are told that its position a matter of vital importance, both East financially has been greatly improved. and West, inasmuch as so soon My hon. friend who moves the Address receipts and expenditure approach a has referred to the discussions in Parlia- balance, we can expect increased expenment respecting the construction of that ditures to develop new trades work, and the doubts which were ex-better meet the requirements of the old. pressed that it would be of any commer- Having occupied so much of your time, cial value to the Dominion, or that it would ever carry a barrel of flour. have not the returns of freight carried over the road, but I am sure it is beyond the anticipations of the most sanguine friends of the line; but whilst the traffic was large the position in which it came to the hands of its present managers in 1878-9 was certainly discouraging. On the main line the expenses overran the receipts $716,000, and on the Prince Edward Island road $90,000. This was a condition of things of the utmost importance to the whole Dominion. The men of the West had benefitted largely by the road in enabling them to send their products to the Maritime Provinces, but as they claim to be the largest taxpaying portion of our people it was not pleasant to them to face an annual deficit of over three quarters of a million in the working of that road; besides, this deficit was so great as to preclude the idea of reduced freights on their produce to meet the reductions in competing lines south of us for the produce of that country to the seaboard. Eastward for the sune reasons, as well as because we hon. gentlemen, I must leave the other 1|paragraphs as presented by my hon. friend, the inover of the Address, believing with him that this hou. House will give careful consideration to every matter presented to it affecting the well-being and good government of the Dominion. Hon. Mr. SCOTT made some com ments on the speeches of the mover and Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL-I several members of the Government had stated that if the contract was not ratitied by the Christmas holidays, there would be no adjournment, except for a day or two. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL – That would not justify the assertion which the hon. gentleman made, that the Government wished to get this through before the holidays, and would not give sufficient opportunity to discuss heard the duty performed, we have never heard it done more ably, nor with a more thorough knowledge of the subjects to be considered by the House, in dealing with the resolutions under discussion. I can fnd very little fault with the remarks of the hon. gentleman opposite (Mr. Scott). He is always a pleasant speaker to listen to, and though one may differ from his onclusions, one can always see that the intentions of my hon. friend are for the promotion of that thorough under-a standing and complete discussion it. That is why I think the all subjects before the 'House hon. gentleman, it seeins to me, which are so desirable and useful. The somewhat distorts the facts. I was going hon. gentleman, if he will allow me to on to say that the object and wish of the say so, rather mis-states, I think, the cir- Government is to get through the legiscumstances relating to several of the lation and to get the opinion of Parliatopies which he has discussed during the ment upon this important subject as soon course of his remarks. I will not detain as possible, in order that these very large the House for many moments, but I ineasures of preparation which are reshall refer to three of those subjects and quired for this contract may be taken at point out what I mean. With reference the earliest possible date. One of the to the summoning of Parliament, the most important is the arrangement for Lon. gentleman assumes that it is in immigration to this country. That imtended to force a very important subject, migration must take place during the such as the Pacific Railway contract, and proper season of next year. Unless the the corresponding legislation, upon the decision of Parliament can be reached at House with undue haste, with the idea an early date upon this measure, the that Parliament shall pronounce upon it gentlemen who have this undertaking in before the holidays, or some other specific hand will not be able to put the large period. That is an assumption which machinery, which they require to use, in the hon. gentleman had no right to make. force in time for next summer's operaParliament has been summoned at this tious. No such enterprise has ever been time because an early decision upon that assumed by any body of men as will be sabject is very desirable, but that the undertaken by these contractors, in case Government desire to have that decision Parliament sanctions the measures which one day, or one hour, before Parliament sees fit to give it, is an assumption that the hou. gentleman ought not, I think, to have made. The holidays will come, and when they come they will be dealt with, but the consideration of the question in this House or in the other branch of the Legislature will not necessarily terminate with the holidays. The desire of the Government is to give the fullest opportunity for discussion. The Government is anxious, undoubtedly, to get the opinion of Parliainent upon this important measure as early as possible, in order that the very important steps which necessarily must be taken by those who are engaged in this gigantic undertaking may be taken in time for next season. the Government have provisionally adopted. They have undertaken, in one word, to people half a continent. The whole success of the enterprise, both to them and to the people of this country, turns upon their being able to people all that vast territory in the North-West, and it is in order to give them an opportunity of beginning that work in time next spring, so that settlers may arrive there at the proper season of the year that season which is most likely to lead to success, and so spread a feeling of confidence among the immigrants who are to follow-that Parliament has been convened at such an early date. We have no desire to press it unduly upon their consideration, but to give such time as Parliament believes necessary for a decision. Not only with reference to Hon. Mr. SCOTT--I understood that immigration, but in regard to every thing else, what an enormous under- think both Houses of Parliament will taking it is! What processes must be see that in pursuing that course the put in force for the purpose of trying to Government have treated them with carry it out successfully; what contracts proper respect. The hon. gentleman to be made; what constructions to be criticized that paragraph which alludes undertaken; what arrangements for ship- to the progress made in the construements here, arrangements for supplies, tion of the railway in the North-West, and a thousand other things a company and says that in the Speech of last year of that kind has to commence, in order to the 100 miles to be constructed west of begin such a gigantic operation in a suffi- Winnipeg were referred to, and that the ciently early period next spring to assure section was to have been completed" in the country that the season of a short time," and he seems to think that 1881 will be one which will mark it is not yet built; but the railway has progress in this enormous under- been built as far as Portage la Prairie, taking. These are the considerations and the locomotive is likely to run Over which have induced the Government to the whole section to which he refers summon Parliament so early. It will during the present month, so that my be the most important season of any that hon. friend has not full information on will occur during the progress of the that subject. He attributes the delay work, because a great deal will turn to the work having been undertaken by upon the experiences of the first bands the Government. The truth is, the delay of emigrants who enter the country, and was due to the fact that the work was whose reports will influence all who fol- undertaken by a contractor and not carlow the pioneer band to this country. ried out by him. The contractor (Mr. These are the reasons which induced the Ryan, I believe), for the first 100 miles Government to summon Parliament, and west of Winnipeg, met with great diffi every business man on either side of the culties. It was a wet season. He was House will say that they are sufficient without resources to carry on his conto justify the Government in having tract, and the. Go vernment, after some asked Parliament to come together delay, took it out of his hands. It was at what some may consider an only in that way that the Government inconvenient period, (though I hope assumed the work. The section will be it will not prove SO to many,) completed during the course of the to give their assistance to the Govern- month. My hon. friend criticizes the ment in considering the measures which Commission for the Civil Service, and will be submitted to Parliament. My the evidence which is being taken before hon. friend criticized the Government be- that Commission, and thinks that the cause they did not take the public into members of the Government might their confidence. It seems to me that themselves have arrived at better conthe Government have taken the right clusions than the Commission. It is a course. They have seized the earliest difficult matter for members of the Govopportunity to take the representatives erument to consider such a subject, and of the people into their confidence. It is to devote to it the necessary time and through Parliament that the Government attention, and there is this advantage has to deal with the people of the country, attending the Commission--you are enIt would not have been becoming to have abled to bring to the consideration of the allowed a matter of such importance to subject minds outside of the Governgo to the public through the press before ment, which is a very valuable thing. submitting it to Parliament, especially We have on the Commission a gentlewhen Parliament has been summoned as man who has been long connected with quickly as possible for the special pur-commerce in Ontario, and who has had pose of hearing and considering the details of the contract. It did not seem to the Government that is would have been proper to forestall the deliberations of Parliament and to give this information to the press in the manner that the hon. gentleman has suggested. large experience in the employment of men, and is, therefore, fit to form an opinion on the question of the Civil Service, We have also a gentleman connected with banking in Quebec, who has had large experience in the employment of 1 mea. These two gentlemen, therefore, Government can accomplish anything. whom or to what cause the increased prosperity is due, I dislike to enter at length. It is like the money question which our former colleague, Mr. Wilmot, used to discuss-it is difficult to arrive at conclusions. My hon. friend (Mr. Scott) thinks that nothing is due to the National Policy. Neither the hon. gentleman who moved, nor the hon. gentleman who seconded, the Address, said that everything was due to the National Policy; they only said that it contributed to the returning prosperity of the country. I do not know how my hon. friend (Mr. Scott) gets over this bring a very valuable experience to the consideration of this subject, which members of the Government could not bring, and one which will be found, I think, very useful. Members of the Government are too apt, as they see things going on from day to day, and week to week, and year to year, to think nothing more can be done with the service. It is there and doing pretty well, and members of the Government see nothing outside of it. But those gentle men come with fresh experience and different ideas, and bring experience which the members of the Government ceed in cannot have. The higher branches of everything is being done that can be the Civil Service are also represented. done. Into that vexed question, as to There are two or three deputy heads, and gentlemen who are subordinate officers. It seems to me that a commission, composed as this is, is probably the best tribunal to which you could submit such a question. Then, my hon. friend criticizes the examining of othcers of the departments. That was done in a spirit of fairness. The junior officers of each Department have, of course, their views as to promotion, augmentation of salaries, hours of duty, their relative positions, and all that kind of thing, and the object in calling them was that those views and feelings and wishes might have fair re-fact, as pointed out by my hon. friend presentation. It is right and proper that it should be done. Of course, the Civil Service Commission, when they make their report, if that report should be adopted by the Government and sanctioned by Parliament, will govern the future of those young men, and regulate the steps by which they shall rise in the service and have their salaries increased,| and it was but fair that they should have Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL the opportunity of representing their Still, it is quite reasonable to believe views and wishes to the Commission. that a portion of it, at all events, I was very glad to hear my hon. friend's (nobody says the whole of it) is remarks about the Indians. The in- due to the National Policy. The creased distress among them is deplor- hon. gentleman says that some people able. Whether we shall be able to may have benefitted to some extent who spread among them a knowledge owned cotton mills and sugar refineries, of farming and a desire to till but the general public has not. The the soil, is doubtful, but every advantage to the general public, it seems exertion is being made to accomplish that result, by men who are as likely to succeed as any we could choose. I cannot give any statement as to the progress that has been made. But these efforts are probably the only way the who moved the Address: There was a good harvest during the time of the late Government, they had not the National Policy, and prosperity did not return. These are three distinct positions which my hon. friend cannot controvert. Hon. Mr. SCOTT-There was no prosperity in the United States either. to me, is this: it has brought about prosperity to such an extent as to enable people to buy cotton and sugar; but there is not only that to be said, but in parts of the country where there are no cotton manufactories and no sugar refineries |