Mr. SPEAKER.: I have the honour to inform the House that Robert Laird Borden. Esquire, member for the electoral districts of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Carle-ton, Ontario, respectively, having declared in his place in this House that he elected to sit for the electoral district of Halifax, therefore causing a vacancy in the electoral district of Carleton, Ontario, I have, in accordance with chapter 11, section 5, of the Revised Statutes of Canada, issued my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery to make out a new writ of election for the said electoral district of Carleton, Ontario.



PRIVATE BILLS.


[Stage Direction]
Bill (No. 9) respecting the Brandon Transfer Railway Company.-Mr. Turriff.
Bill (No. 10) respecting the Brazilian Electro-Steel and Smelting Company, Limited.-Mr. Pardee.
Bill (No. 11) to incorporate the Canadian Western Railway Company.-Mr. McCraney.
Bill (No. 12) respecting the Collingwood Southern Railway Company.-Mr. Pardee.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN.: Bill' (No. 13) respecting the Grand Trunk Railway Company of Canada.-Mr. Pardee.
Bill (No. 14) respecting the Huron and Ontario Railway Company.-Mr. Pardee.
Bill (No. 15) respecting the Mexican Land and Irrigation Company.-Mr. Pardee.



DOMINION ELECTIONS ACT AMENDMENT.

Mr.  A. C.@: MACDONELL (South Toronto) moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 16) to amend the Dominion Elections Act. He said:	This Bill is designed to accomplish
two reforms in the Election law: first, to repeal the section providing that a deposit of $200 shall be made by a candidate; and second, to provide that the day appointed for the holding of a general election for the Dominion shall be a public holiday.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time.

[Stage Direction]
Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER
(Prime Minister) delivered a message from His Excellency the Governor General.
Mr. Speaker read the message, which was as follows:
Grey :
The Governor General transmits to the House of Commons an .approved minute of council appointing the Honourable William Stevens Fielding, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Louis Philippe Brodeur, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, the Honourable ffm. Paterson, Minister of Customs and the Honourable Wm. Pugsley, Minister of Public Works, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners for the Pur-poses and under the provisions of the 11th Chap, of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1906, intituled ' An Act respecting the House of Commons.''
Government House,
Ottawa, Jan. 21, 1909.

Hon. SYDNEY FISHER (Minister of Agriculture).: I give notice that on Friday next, the first government day, I will move the following motion which stands in my name. I wish also to announce to the House that I have the authority of His Excellency the Governor General for this motion.
That it is expedient to provide that the Governor in Council, upon the recommendation of the head of a department, based upon a report of the deputy head, may grant to any officer, clerk or employee under the deputy heads in the inside service as defined by the Civil Service Amendment Act,, 1908, who was in the public service at the time of the coming into force of that Act, an increase of salary of $150 a year, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained; that in the case of any officer, clerk or employee who has re-

ceived an increase of salary (upon organization and classification under the said Act, such increase shall be offset against the increase which such person might otherwise receive under any Act to be founded on this resolution; that no increase under any Act to be founded on this resolution to any officer, clerk or employee shall exceed the difference between his present salary and the maximum salary of the subdivision in which he has been placed. upon organization and classification under the said Act of 1908; that all increases provided for hereunder shall take effect from the first day of September, 1908; that all sums of money voted by parliament for the financial year ending on March 31, 1909, and applicable to the payment of salaries or increase of salaries of persons in the inside service shall be applicable to the payment of increases of salary granted under the Act to bo founded in this resolution, so far as such sums are not required for the specific purposes for which they were granted; and during the said financial year there may be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Canada such moneys required for the payment of increases of salary hereunder as have not been voted by parliament.



QUESTIONS.


Mr. FOSTER asked:: What have been the earnings and working expenses of the Intercolonial Railway and the Prince Edward Island Branch respectively, for each month after the current fiscal year, as compared with those of the year 1907?


Hon. GEO. P. GRAHAM (Minister of Railways and Canals) :: Comparative Statement of the Earnings and Expenditure, 1907-1908 Intercolonial Railway.
Month.	Earnings, 1907.	Earnings, 1908.	Expenditure, 1907.	Expenditure, 1908.$ cts. 817,952 34 799,095 95 754,141 27 836,452 37 866,808 56 807,566 14 803,017 13 754,140 62	$ cts. 740,576 43 689,736 62 703,251 85 803,143 53 789,765 10 793,541 67 759,521 09 696,897 56	S Cts. 669,380 90 715,888 88 751,472 47 811,019 17 868,569 20 762,319 92 751,754 78 730,602 38	$ cts. 740,851 01 781,086 18 841,442 32 819,139 12 787,003 43 796,301 04 801,582 62 746,326 74
June					
				
				
September	 " October					
				
				
	6,439,174 38	5,976,433 85	6,061,007 70	6,313,732 46
* December not yet available.
Comparative Statement of the Revenue and Expenditure, 1907-1908. Prince Edward Island Railway.
Month.	Earnings, 1907.	Earnings, 1908.	Expenditure, 1907.	Expenditure, 1908.? cts.	$ cts.	8 cts.	$ cts.April	23,229 44	20.220 38	30,108 28	30,193 09May	25,715 49	26,045 12	32,977 82	30,376 93June	23,956 86	26,365 84	307743 10	33,097 6SJuly	33,630 31	33,328 19	38,824 5 4	33,676 99August	30,993 81	32,350 59	35,369 52	34,806 53September	26,401 31	30,777 40	37.893 58	37,251 96October	27,659 60	30,566 50	36,511 38	39,555 24November	30,641 62	29,655 98	33,236 36	34,120 25December	22,876 49	24,519 75	30,546 03	35,509 99245,104 93	253,829 75	306,210 61	308,588 66


QUEBEC BRIDGE COMPANY, PAYMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
Mr. FOSTER asked:: 1.	What sums of money have been paid to each of the several holders of stock in the Quebeo Bridge Company on account of stock, bonus and interest, respectively ?
2.	What amount remains to be paid and to whom?


George Perry Graham: The hon. gentleman (Mr. Foster) will see that the answer to this question is so voluminous that it can hardly be given in this way. If he will change it to a motion for a return, there will be no objection.


James Kirkpatrick Kerr: Stands as notice of motion for return.


LOANS OR ADVANCES TO THE GOVERNMENT.
George Eulas Foster: '
1.	What temporary loans or advances to the government were current on December 31, 1908, at which banks and at what rates?
2.	What amount has been borrowed since March 31, 1908, by way of temporary and permanent loans respectively, from what banks and on what conditions?
3.	For what purposes has the amount borrowed been used?
4.	What was the increase in the total amount owned in Canada and outside of Canada, respectively, on December 31, as compared with March 31, 1908?


Hon. WM. PATERSON (Minister of Customs) :: 
George Perry Graham: 
Canada ....: 231,109,567 44

Total	$408,207,158 25 $ 449,057,693 19


PROPOSED LEASE OF THE INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN asked :: 1.	Has the government under consideration any offer or proposal, informal or otherwise, for the sale or leasing of the Intercolonial railway?
2.	Has any such offer or proposal been made to the government, or to any member of the government?
3.	If so, what is the nature of such offer or proposal, and by whom was it made?


George Perry Graham: A proposition was received by the Minister of Railways ; but it was marked ' Private,' and was not considered by the government.


Mr. EMMERSON asked :: 1.	Has the government or any member thereof, or any department of the government, since the last session of parliament, received from any party or parties, corporation or corporations, any application, communication or proposal, verbal or in writing, relating to the granting by the government, or by any de-

partment thereof, of any haulage or running rights or privileges to any railway corporation, upon or over the Intercolonial railway, between St. John and Halifax, or between any other points on the said railway?
2.	If so, what was the nature and character of suoh application or applications, communication or communications, proposal or proposals, and at what date were they respectively made or received, and if any such were in writing, will the government place a copy of the same respectively, upon the table of this House?


George Perry Graham: The same answer would apply to this question as to the question of my hon. friend the leader of the opposition.


REBUILDING QUEBEC BRIDGE.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN asked :: 1.	What has the government done wTith respect to the rebuilding of the Quebec bridge?
2.	In what respect does the present position of that matter differ from the situation as it wras on the 20th day of July, 1908?
3.	What progress does the government anticipate during the present year towards the rebuilding of the bridge?
4.	At what date does the government expect the completion of the bridge?
5.	Has the government made any estimate of the total cost to the country, including the loss occasioned by the falling of the bridge?
6.	What is the amount of said estimated oost?
7.	If no such estimate has been made, when will it be prepared and presented to parliament ?


Hon. GEO. P. GRAHAM (Minister of Railways and Canals):: 1.	A board of engineers consisting of Henri Vautelet, member of the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers, chairman and chief engineer. Maurice Fitzmaurice, C. M.G., chief engineer, of the London county council, and Ralph Modjeski, member of American Society Engineers, consulting engineer, Chicago, Illinois, have been appointed for the purpose of designing the bridge. They have gathered together a corps of expert designers, calculators and draughtsmen, and are busily engaged upon the work. So far they have not advanced to such an extent as will admit of an estimate being made.
2.	Answered by above.
3.	It is expected that the plans and specifications will be completed and tenders will be ready for letting the work.
4.	No estimate yet received.
5.	No, for the reason above explained.
6.	Answered by above.
7.	Answered by- above.


Robert Laird Borden: The last question is not answered. It asks when we may expect that the estimate will be ready. I understand that one is not yet ready.


George Perry Graham: An estimate cannot be ready until the engineers get their plans practically prepared, and that will not be for some time before the end of the year probably.


THE FRENCH TREATY.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN asked :: 1.	Has the convention of the 19th September, 1907, with the French Republic come into force ? If not, what has occasioned the delay ?
2.	Is it anticipated that this convention will soon come into force? If so, when?
3.	For what reason has France failed to approve the convention ?
4.	Is the delay or failure to approve the convention on the part of France due to any alleged inaccuracy or inexactitude of statement or representation on the part of Canadian representatives during the negotiations thereof ?


Rt.   H@: The French Treaty has not yet come into force, it has not yet secured the ratification of France. Negotiations have been going on for some changes, which, I may inform the House, have been accepted.


DREDGING CONTRACT WITH G. S. MAYES.
[Stage Direction]
Mr. LENNOX-by Mr. Taylor-asked:
1.	Has the government recovered or taken action to recover $39,933 from George McAvity and G. S. iMayes in connection with a dredging contract? If not, why not?
2.	Has the repayment of this money been demanded? If so, when and from whom? If not, why not?
3.	Does the government propose to take action for recovery of this money? If so, when? If not, why not?
4.	Has the government consulted with or taken the opinion of the Department of Justice as to its rights in the premises, and particularly as to the right of action for recovery of said money?
Hon. WM. PUGSLEY (Minister of Public Works):: 1.	No. The government is not aware that it has a claim against the parties referred to for the amount mentioned or any amount. The records of the Department of Public Works show that tenders for the dredging referred to were called for by public advertisement and that the contract was awarded in a regular and proper manner to the lowest tenderer.
2,	3 and 4. Answered by.the reply to No.
1.


ALIEN LABOUR ACT.
[Stage Direction]
Mr. LENNOX-by Mr. Taylor-asked:
1.	Does the government propose, during the present session, to pass an Act amending the Alien Labour Act?
2.	Is there any reason why the provisions of the Act should not be made as drastio as the American law?
Hon. R. LEMIEUX (Postmaster General) :: 1.	The government is not of the opinion that any necessity exists for the amendment of the Alien Labour Act during the present session.
2.	The government does not find it necessary to change the policy adopted a few years ago as regards this question.


CREW OF THE ' MONTCALM.'
Mr. PAQUET asked:: 1.	How many officers and sailors .at present compose the crew of the ' Montcalm ' ?
2.	How much does the daily service of this icebreaker cost at present?


Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (for the Minister of Marine):: 1.	13 officers; 65 men.
2.	The daily service of the ' Montcalm ' costs $263.07, based on the total cost for the last nine months.


STEAMER .'MONTCALM.'
Mr. FOSTER asked:: 1.	At what date was the 'Montcalm' placed under repairs after the late collision, how many days was she in dry dock, and what was the total oust of said repairs?
2.	What has been the cost of this vessel to date, (a) for construction, (b) for repairs, (c) maintenance?
3.	When was she first placed in commission?


Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (for the Minister of Marine):: 1.	'Montcalm* placed under repairs after the late collision, 21st May.
She was in dry dock fifteen days.
The total cost of said repairs was $21,857.65.
2.	Cost of 'Montcalm' to date (31st. Dec. 1908) $762,538.01.
For construction, $301,233.25.
For repairs, $144,669.42.
For maintenance, $316,635.34.
3.	12th December, 1904.


DRAWBACK ON SHIPPING.
Mr. SINCLAIR asked:: On how many tons of shipping was a drawback paid each year from 1898 to 1908, inclusive, and what was the amount of such drawback so paid in each of said years?


Hon. WM. PATERSON (Minister of Customs):: 


DRAWBACK ON SHIPS.
[Stage Direction]
Year.	Tonnage.	Drawback.	1897-8.. .	. .. 7,152	94.. .	221898-9.. .	. .. 8,744	28.. .	241899-0.. .	. .. 13,056	30.. .	571900-1.. .	. .. 18,251	09.. .	. .. 14,958	971901-2..	. .. 25,488	05.. .	. .. 20,739	531902-3.. .	. .. 25,037	63.. .	. .. 19,358	651903-4.. .	. .. 21,667	67.. .	. .. 19,350	931904-5.. .	. .. 12,734	13.. .	. .. 11,315	901905-6.. .	. .. 9,934	76.. .	. .. 7.366	941906-7.. ..	47 9 months 8,564	621907-8.. ..	, .. 24,728	24.. .	. .. 23,499	30

Mr. FOSTER asked:: 1.	What has been the cost of the Cassels' Commission investigation to date?
2.	What amount of this has been paid for legal expenses, and to whom ?


Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (for the Minister of Marine):: 1.	$14,997.41.
2.	R. T. Macllreith	$	114.75
E. H. McAlpine	 39 65
(Taschereau, Roy, Cannon &
Co.)	 25.00
E. J. Daly	 98.06
J. L. Perron	(adv.)	
4,000.00G. H. Watson	(adv.)	
4,000.00
(Registrar Exchequer Court) .. 2,800.00


$11,077.46 DEPARTMENT OF MARINE AND FISHERIES-PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES
Mr. FOSTER asked:: 1.	Are all supplies for the Marine and Fisheries Department and for the Public Works Department now being purchased on the basis of public tender, and advertised for in newspapers, irrespective of party leanings, and upon contracts made with the lowest tenderer, in each case?
Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (for
the Minister of Marine):
1.	All material and supplies required for the Department of Marine and Fisheries are now purchased through the purchasing agent, who was appointed in May, 1908, without regard to the lists known as the patronage lists which were formally abolished on November 4.
With regard to the supplies required by the different agencies of the department for the present year, I may state that lists of all supplies have been prepared and tenders are being asked by public advertisement in the press. Tenders have been received for the supplies required for British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and are now being considered.
For all such other articles required which exceed in value the sum of $5,000, advertisements are placed in the public press calling for tenders and the contract awarded to the tenderer offering the best terms.
Where the value of the articles does not exceed $5,000, the leading recognized dealers and merchants are supplied with a list of the department's requirements and requested to quote, and the order is paced with the firm offering the best terms.
This is the method adopted by all large railroad and industrial concerns.
The purchasing agent who was appointed in May has had a free hand to purchase all


Mr. LENNOX.: supplies not obtained by tender at the lowest obtainable prices.


George Eulas Foster: -May I call my right hon. friend's attention to the fact that one portion of the question does not appear to have been answered-as to whether these public advertisements were inserted generally or specially. Are they inserted in newspapers irrespective of party leanings? Otherwise, it does not seem to me a perfectly public advertisement.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER-I cannot answer as to that. I give the answer as it is given to me from the Minister.


FISHING SEASONS AND LEASES.
Mr. FOSTER asked:: 1.	What extensions of fishing seasons were made in October, 1908, and what was the nature, locality and period of each ?
2.	What fishing leases of more than one year's duration are now in force, what area and time is covered by each, who was the original grantee and what price, who is the present operator, and what was the output of each fishery for the last year?


Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (for the Minister of Marine):: 1.	One, an extension of one week in the whitefish and salmon-trout fishing season in Ontario.
2.	Coffey & Merritt. Certain fishing privileges in Cedar, Moose, Cormorant and Atikaneg lakes. Five years from the 1st April, 1905. Coffey & Merritt. $100 per annum. Coffee & Merritt.
Capital City Canning & Packing Company, Ltd. In that part of the tidal waters of Cowiehan river and bay, within the imaginary line running from Serpentine Point to Cowiehan Head, at entrance to the bay. Nine years from 1st May, 1907. Capital City Canning & Packing Company, Ltd. $50 per annum. Capital City Canning & Packing Company, Ltd.
Farrell & Tregent. In St. of Georgia, from Northwest bay to and including a point opposite Grantham, northwest of Cape Lazo, on the east shore of Vancouver Island. Nine years from 1st May, 1902. Farrell & Tregent. $50 per annum. Farrell & Tregent.


Judson L.: Guptill. Dark harbour, Grand Manan, N.B. Nine years from 1st January, 1905. Judson L. Guptill. $200 per annum. Judson L. Guptill.


James J.: Hill. Estuary of River St. John, Quebec. Nine years from 15th August, 1904. James J. Hill.
Robert Kelly. In tidal waters of Qua-shela creek, British Columbia, from its mouth where it empties into Smith inlet, to and including the narrows or rapids at head of creek. Also the waters of the small inlet to northwest of Quashela creek, up to the mouth of a canyon. Nine years from
1st April, 1903. Robert Kelly. $25 per year. Wm. Hickey Company, Ltd.
F. H. Markey. Nelson river and tributaries, from West river to mouth. Estuary of Nelson river from Cape Tatnam to Owl river. Also Hayes and Pigeon rivers and tributaries. Also Great Slave lake. Twenty-one years from 19th April, 1904. F. H. Markey. $10 per annum. British American Fish Corporation, Ltd.
J. McKenzie. Lake Athabaska and Lesser Slave Lakes. Nine years from 1st May, 1904. J. K. McKenzie. $10 per annum. Athabaska Fish Company, Ltd.
Archd. McNee. James bay, from North Bluff, around Hannah and Rupert bays, to the northern point of Moer's island, opposite the island known as Solomon's Temple, extending three miles seaward, and shoreward in tidal waters of all rivers. Twenty-one years from 1st January, 1903. Archd. McNee. $10 per annum. Archd. McNee. Steps are being taken towards the cancellation of these last three leases.


Stephen A.: Spencer. Tidal waters of Nimpkish river and Alert bay for one and one-half miles in all directions from centre of mouth of said river. Nine years from 1st May, 1902. Stephen A. Spencer. $50 per annum. British Columbia Packers' Association.	.
A. H. Simard. To fish for ground sharks with baited hooks or set-lines, night-lines, or trawls from Point des Monts to Point St. Charles, Quebec. Nine years from October 1903. A. H. Simard. $1 per annum. A. H. Simard.
Reports of catches in 1908 not yet received at department.


NEW WING OF HOUSE OF COMMONS.
George Eulas Foster: In reference to a question asked by me yesterday two portions of which were stated to have been answered by Mr. Speaker, one portion does not appear to have been answered. I would like to call the attention of the minister and Speaker to it. I wanted to know the number of employees that had been provided for in the new rooms.


Mr. PUGSLEY.: I think that information was handed in in the answer which I gave, and I think it appears in ' Hansard.' Has my hon. friend looked at ' Hansard '?


George Eulas Foster: I was looking at ' Hansard.' If I find it I will let the minister know.


William Pugsley: I think the hon. gentleman will find it there; if not I will get it for him,


RECEPTION AND OPENING OF PUBLIC TENDERS.
Mr. J. D. REID moved:: That in the opinion of this House tenders received in any department of government

should he immediately placed in safe custody under seal so as to prevent any possibility or suspicion of tampering; and should be opened in pu-blio at the time and place mentioned in the advertisement and in the presence of at least three principal officials of the department ; and the persons so tendering or their duly authorized agents should he at liberty to attend at the said time and place and see such tenders opened and recorded, if they so desire.


William Pugsley: I was going to suggest to my hon. friend (Mr. Reid) that perhaps he will allow this motion to stand over, and, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the hon. member, I will read to the House a regulation which has been passed by His Excellency the Governor General in Council, and which, I think, my hon. friend will see, upon consideration, completely meets the case. I may say that the regulation which has been passed is in accordance with what has been the rule in a number of departments, but it has been thought well to place it in the form of a regulation so that it will be applicable to all departments. 1 will read it to the House, it will appear in ' Hansard ' and then it will be considered by my hon. friend and other members before the motion comes up for consideration. The regulation is as follows:
At the Government House at Ottawa, Monday, January 18, 1909.
Present.
His Excellency
The Governor General in Council.
His Excellency the Governor General in Council is pleased to approve and doth hereby approve the following regulation in regard to the reception and opening of tenders for government works and supplies:
Where -tenders are called for by any department of the government they shall be addressed to the officer of the department specified in the notice calling for tenders. In the notice it shall be specified that the tenders shall be under seal and endorsed ' Tender for	specifying the work or supplies for which tenders are called. When received they -shall be stamped by the official to whom addressed, with the day and hour of their receipt, and placed under lock and key until such time as it shall be found convenient for opening them.
They shall be opened in the presence of the minister of the department calling for tenders and one of the principal officials of the department, designated by the minister, or, in the absence of the minister, or in oases where it is not convenient for him to be present they shall be opened by two officials of the department to be designated by the minister. When opened eaoh tender -shall be initialled by both officials opening them.


John Dowsley Reid: This had better stand for consideration.


William Pugsley: Very well.


John Dowsley Reid: 


MOTIONS AGREED TO WITHOUT DISCUSSION.
[Stage Direction]
A return showing the names of all persons appointed to office or employment by the Intercolonial Railway Commission since its creation, showing the county or city from whioh such person came, the office or employment to which he was appointed, the date of appointment, the salary and allowances attached thereto, the place or district where the work of each employee is done, and the total amount paid eaoh year for all such services up to the end of December, 1908.-Mr. Foster.
A return of all correspondence, papers and reports of engineers or others, relating to the authorization and construction of a canal from Lake Simcoe to Newmarket, including all contracts entered into, the amount of money so far paid, and the estimated cost of the completed work, with plans showing the capacity of the canal, and for all statemeuts and estimates of the commercial reasons for the work. -Mr. Foster.
A return showing the amount and conditions of each permanent loan made by the government since July 1, 1896, the bank or corporation through whioh it was made, the cost of eaoh in (a) brokerage and commission, (b) stamps, &c., (o) legal or other services, and (d) discounts, the net result of each loan and per cent of interest upon the same.-Mr. Foster.
A return showing the number and amount of temporary loans made by the government since July 1, 1896, the bank or corporation with which each was made, the conditions and cost of the same.-Mr. Foster.
A return showing the names and places of registry of the several American fishing vessels seized by the Dominion fishery cruisers for illegal fishing in Canadian waters since 1900, and of the courts in which aotions for penalties or forfeitures were instituted, the mode of service of the writs or other process on such foreign fishing vessels, and in what court tried; and a statement of the fines imposed, or proceeds of sale realized, and how such fines or proceeds of forfeiture were appropriated. Also a copy -of the judgment of the High Court of Justice for Ontario in the case of Rex vs. American Gasoline Fishing Boat.-Mr. Mac-donell.
A return showing in respect of the sinking fund in connection with each outstanding loan forming on March 31, 1908, part of the funded publio debt: (a) term of loan; (b) the sinking fund rate; (c) the amount that has been each year set aside, including earnings of interest reinvested; (d) the aggregate amount of credit of sinking fund of that particular loan on March 31	1908; (e) the aggregate amount
which may be reasonably expected, to stand to oredit of sinking fund on date when loan shall fall due, and if extended at the end of final period; (f) percentage which accrued sinking fund and its earnings will hear to the nominal amount of loan on date of expiry.-Mr. Ames.
A return showing in detail the assets amounting to $157,183,926.17 in the balance sheet of Canada on December 31, 1908.-Mr. Ames.
A return showing the total amount of liability in the form of temporary loans on the last day of each month during the period between the 1st of April, 1907, and the 31st of Deoem-

ber, 1908, together with, in each case, the rate of interest paid upon said amount during the same month.-Mr. Ames.
A return showing in respect of the following items which appear in the publio accounts :- Intercolonial railway, open account..$965,418 00
Windsor branch open account		180 34
Prince Edward Island railway, open
account	 19,687 00
(a) what proportion of these amounts represents moneys due the government since a date prior to the end of the fisoal year 1906-7; (b) what part of the amount thus overdue was incurred in each fiscal year prior to 1906-7; (c) a list of the items included in (a) which represent an amount exceeding one hundred dollars, with name in each case of debtor, date and nature of servioes.-Mr. Ames.
A return showing approximately the total amount of available cash on deposit to the oredit of the government on the last day of each month during the period between the 1st of April, 1907, and the 31st of December, 1908. -Mr. Ames.
A return showing in detail the contingent or nominal liabilities of the Dominion government on the 1st of January, 1909; that is to say, a statement of all amounts which might under existing legislation become exigible, such as earnable railway subsidies, government guaranteed loans, deficiencies which might require to be made good, &o.-Mr. Ames.
A return showing to date the statement found on page 15 of the budget speech of 1898. -Mr. Ames.
A return showing, year by year, since 1881, the expenditures charged annually to capital under the caption of Dominion lands, together with a similar statement of the total receipts from sale of lands, town sites, &o., where public domain has been permanently alienated.-Mr. Ames.

[Stage Direction]
Mr. LENNOX moved for a return showing:
1.	The total amount expended on public works by this government in the riding of Bonaventure prior to the general elections of 1900.
2.	The total amount expended by the government in this riding, (a) on public works, and (b) in aid of railways and other undertakings since said general election, and the estimated additional amount required, (a) to complete these public works, and (b) to meet the subsidies or grants in aid of railways or other undertakings.
3.	The various public works undertaken by the government in this riding between the general election of 1896 and the general election of 1900, the dates when the several works were undertaken, whether they were let by publio advertisement, -tender, and contract, or how otherwise, and the sums of money, stated separately, expended upon these works prior to the ejection of 1900.
4.	Which of these several works were completed and which of them remained uncompleted at the date of the election in 1900.
5.	The sums of money, stated separately, expended in or towards completing these works since the said election of 1900, and the dates of expenditure.
6.	The various publio works undertaken and carried on by the government since the general election of 1900, the dates when the several works were inaugurated or commenced, the sums of money, stated -separately, ex-pended, upon these works, an-d the estimated amount required -to complete such of these works as have not been completed; and showing whether these works were done by tender or contract, or how otherwise. -
7.	The moneys granted by the government by way of -subsidy and to railways or other undertakings in said riding since the general election of 1900, -the sums of money paid under these grants -and the estimated amount -required to meet future payments.
8.	And showing any other special financial benefits conferred upon Bona venture within the time commencing as aforesaid.
He said:	If that is unopposed I will
move it.
William Pugsley: I would call attention to the general nature of the question. It says: prior to the general election of 1900, and of course that would embrace a great number of years. What does it mean?
Mr.-LENNOX. It means from 1896.


Sir WILFRID LAURIER.: That is a verv long period.


Haughton Lennox: It will confine it to 1896.


William Pugsley: I think you can find it in the Auditor General's Report.


Haughton Lennox: I do not think so.


Wilfrid Laurier: Better let the question stand.


ADJOURNMENT-TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES.
[Stage Direction]
Sir WILFRID LAURIER moved the adjournment of the House.
Robert Laird Borden: With reference to the matter which I brought up yesterday, namely, the communication to this House of the treaty between His Majesty and the United States of America, I am perfectly familiar with what the Prime Minister stated, that treaties made by the United States government must have the ratification of the Senate. It wa3 not in connection with that I desired to make my point. So far as I understand, a treaty made by the United States government becomes to all intents and purposes public property when it goes to the Senate. I may be mistaken in that. The Senate, I believe, does sometimes deal with treaties in secret session, when of course they are not matters of public property. I do not know how it may be in the present instance. What I object to is that the terms of this treaty should have been made the property of the people of the United States and of their legislature and should not at the same time have

been made the property of the people of Canada and of this parliament. There may be diplomatic difficulties in the way, I do not know about that. All I desire to do is to emphasize, subect to any superior knowledge of those difficulties which the Prime Minister may have, my belief that that treaty, when placed before the Congress and the people of the United States, ought at the same time to be placed before the parliament and the people of Canada.


Wilfrid Laurier: I do not know that I have any other knowledge on this subject than is common to everybody. I am not prepared to controvert the statement made by my hon. friend, that the moment a treaty is submitted to the American Senate it becomes public property in the United States. My impression is-I speak subject to correction, and I would like to have the point cleared up between now and to-morrow-that the treaty is communicated to the Senate, but not to the House of Representatives. As to that, I will make inquiries. So far as we are concerned, my hon. friend knows that a treaty is not communicated to parliament unless and until it is ratified by the King. That is the etiquette of our system, and that is the only reason why this treaty has not been communicated to parliament. I know that there is a good deal of inconvenience felt on this side of the Atlantic for the very reason stated by my hon. friend. I believe that in the United States a treaty may be given to the press some time before it is given to the Senate. We do not admit anything of that kind in this country, as my hon. friend knows, and it is simply because in this matter we follow the traditions of British diplomacy, under which parliament does not receive the treaty until it has been signed by His Majesty the King. But I quite agree with my hon. friend that it is inconvenient that we should not have the matter made public in this country as soon as it is in the United States.


Robert Laird Borden: Of course, we are all quite familiar with the doctrine which the Prime Minister has laid down very correctly, that the treaty-making power under our constitutional usage resides in the King. But he may exercise that power by entering into a convention subject to the consent of the Imperial Parliament or the parliament of any great dependency of the empire. I think that course was pursued, if my memory serves me correctly, in the case of the French treaty. No doubt in that case another reason prevailed, namely, that the treaty could not become operative without an enactment of this parliament. But apart from that altogether, it might perhaps be desirable to consider whether or not a treaty such as that recently negotiated should not be framed in' Mr. R. L. BORDEN.
the same terms, especially when it is a treaty concluded between His Majesty on behalf of the Dominion of Canada and the people of the United States, whose treaties do not become valid and binding upon them until they have been ratified by the Senate. I do not know whether I make myself clear to my hon. friend. A treaty which we make with the United States is not valid or binding upon them until it is ratified by their Senate. It might be worth considering whether or not our treaties dealing with important subjects should not have a clause to the effect that they should not become binding on His Majesty until they have been ratified by the parliament of Canada. I hope my right hon. friend will take that into consideration. It seems to me that it might very well be taken into consideration, and it might possibly lead to a different mode of conducting these treaties than that which has prevailed in the past.


Wilfrid Laurier: I have no exception to take to the suggestion made by my hon. friend. On the contrary, I am quite disposed to agree with everything he says. I would go further. Even admitting that the King alone has the treaty-making power, I see no reason why, the moment a treaty is signed by the parties who negotiated it, it should not be given to the public even before it is ratified by His Majesty. Although the present treaty has been signed, I may say we have not yet received an official copy of it.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to, and the House adjourned at 3.50 p.m.
[Stage Direction]
Wednesday, January 27, 1909.