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The following bills from the House of Commons were introduced and read the first time:

Bill (102), "An Act to amend 'An Act to amend and consolidate as amended, the several enactments respecting the North-West Mounted Police Force.'" (Sir Alex. Campbell).

Bill (126,) "An Act further to amend the Act respecting the Trinity House and Harbor Commissioners of Montreal." (Mr. Aikins).

Bill (100), "An Act to incorporate the McClary Manufacturing Company." (Mr. D. MacInnes.)

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THE SENATE.

Ottawa, Friday, April 28th, 1882.

The SPEAKER took the Chair at Three o'clock.

Prayers and routine proceedings.

IRREGULARITIES OF MAILS.

EXPLANATION.

HON, SIR ALEX. CAMPBELL-Before the Orders of the Day are called, I desire to make an explanation which my hon. friend from Amherst (Mr. Dickey) asked for the other day with reference to the detention of mails from the east. I was in hopes to have done so yesterday, or the day before, but the information I have since rehad not reached me. ceived a report from the Inspector, which I will read to the House, being the shortest way of explaining what has occurred. It is accompanied by a telegram which is

as follows:

"Delays explained in my report nine, three, five of twenty-fourth. Failure again yester day, Maritime mails reached Montreal too late for connection with Occidental or Grand Trunk."

The report of the Inspector is as follows:

"POST OFFICE INSPECTOR'S OFFICE,

The

"MONTREAL, 24th April, 1882. "SIR,-I beg to acknowledge telegram of 22nd, Lower Province members complain that Eastern mails are not coming up by Occiden tal Railway,' I cannot but think that there is some misunderstanding in this. records in Montreal Post Office shew that all the bags received from the Maritime Provin ces are regularly re-forwarded the same morning from Montreal to the Occidental Railway, whenever they reach Montreal in time to admit of this being done-which as a rule is

the case. But failures of connexion do occur, consequent on the Grand Trunk Railway. Thus, during the last fortnight failures from this cause have occurred as follows: "On the morning of Tuesday, 4th April.

Wednesday, 5th Wednesday, 12th Tuesday, 18th Wednesday, 19th

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"On these dates, the mails have had instead to be forwarded from Montreal by the Grand Trunk Railway via Prescott. May it not be that it is these occasional failures which-through their cause not being under

ernment is not anxious that they should go closer to the boundary.

stood, have given rise to the impression that there was some general defect in the system of transmission? I should be inclined, for instance, to think it probable that the particular complaint which may have led to your HON. MR. MACINNES (B. C)—I am telegram was founded on the non-receipt on perfectly satisfied with the explanation Wednesday afternoon last, of letters due by which the hon. Minister of Justice has the Occidental Railway; but which did not given. My reason for calling the attenreach Ottawa until late that evening by the Grand Trunk Railway via Prescott. If any tion of the House to it the other day was individual case of delay could be stated, I simply that I was led to believe it was could the better be able to give the explana- very doubtful whether the company could tion required. get through the Rocky Mountains without going nearer than one hundred miles to the boundary line, and I made the suggestion in order to obviate the necessity of the company applying to Parliament again for an amendment to their charter. If it suits the company, I am perfectly satisfied.

"I am, sir, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
(Signed) "E. F. KING.

"The Honorable
"Postmaster-General,

"Ottawa."

"P.O. Inspector.

HON. MR. DICKEY-I am afraid it is not a complete explanation, because it still does not account for the fact that newspapers sometimes come two or three hours before letters.

HON. SIR ALEX. CAMPBELL-I will inquire into that.

HON. MR. DICKEY-It does not account for the fact that passengers can arrive here in the capital more than

twelve hours before the letters.

HON. SIR ALEX. CAMPBELL-It is just possible for a passenger to get a cab in Montreal and cross from one station to the other when it would be impossible to send the mail bags across. PACIFIC RAILWAY CHANGE OF ROUTE BILL.

THIRD READING.

The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read the third time and passed.

GREAT AMERICAN AND EURO-
PEAN SHORT LINE RAILWAY
BILL.

SECOND READING.

HON. MR. BOURINOT moved the second reading of Bill 94 "An Act to incorporate the Great American and European Short Line Railway Company." He said I wish to observe that probably most of the hon. members are aware that an American company has been formed for the purpose of building this railway which is entitled the Great American and Their European Short Line Railway. object is to build a road from St. John's, Newfoundland, to a point at

or

near Cape Ray and from Cape North, in the Island of Cape Breton, to the Strait of Canso, thence along the north shore of the Province of Nova HON. SIR ALEX. CAMPBELL moved Scotia, to a point at or near Oxford, Amthe third reading of Bill (144), "An Act herst, or some other suitable point of interto authorize the construction, on certain section with the Intercolonial Railway of conditions, of the Canadian Pacific Rail- Canada. The intention is to get first-class way through some pass other than the boats from England, and if they do as Yellow Head Pass." He said: I pro- proposed, it will shorten the voyage to mised my hon. friend from New West- New York by three or four days at least. minster (Mr. MacInnes) to make some At one time it was supposed that difficulty explanation of the reasons why the would be found in obtaining an available company are limited to a pass at least one harbor but it has been found that such a hundred miles north of the boundary harbor will be available at less expense line. I find that it is the suggestion of the than at first thought. The route from Canadian Pacific Railway-that they Europe will be shortened 1000 miles and believe they can find a pass more than the result will be naturally to encourage that distance from the frontier, and travellers-people who are not disposed therefore there is no desire and the Gov- to stand sea sickness, to prefer passing by

this road, and I hope the Company will subsequent session. The whole matter succeed in the attainment of their object cannot be very pressing, and if it be which is of the greatest importance not allowed to stand for a year, I will underonly to the States or to Canada at large, take to present to the House some bill on but to Cape Breton in particular. It the subject at the next session of Parliamust be remembered that the Nova Scotia ment, and endeavor to deal with the matsyndicate Bill does not provide for the ter. There is no reason why the laws in building of a railway in that section of all the Maritime Provinces and Ontario Cape Breton. should not be alike on this subject. It is hardly possible to assimilate the laws of the whole Dominion, because they have different proceedings in the Province of Quebec, but in the English-speaking provinces the laws will be the same on

The Bill was read the second time.

BILLS OF EXCHANGE IN PRINCE
EDWARD ISLAND BILL.

BILL WITHDRAWN.

this subject throughout. I understand

now that in Nova Scotia and New BrunsHON. MR. CARVELL moved the wick a protest is not evidence, as second reading of Bill (X) "An Act re- it is in Ontario, that a bill has been lating to Bills of Exchange and Promis- presented for payment, that it has sory Notes in the Province of Prince Ed- been paid, and that notice has been sent ward Island." He said: It is scarcely to the endorsers. We find that convenient necessary for me in moving the second in Ontario, and not attended with any reading of this Bill, to explain its nature, hardship or injustice to anybody. I think further than to say that the object of it is to make the usage in Prince Edward Island, with regard to bills of exchange and promissory notes, conform to that which prevails in other Provinces of Canada.

HON. MR. HOWLAN-I do not rise to oppose the Bill, but merely to ask the Minister of Justice whether it does not conflict with the local acts of Prince Edward Island. The first and second clauses es of the Bill are, to my mind, unobjectionable, but the third appears to me to conflict with the local statutes. I should like to know from the Minister of Justice whether it does so or not. If it does not I have no objection to the measure.

it is a pity to seek to legislate for one particular Province amongst those which have dissimilar laws on the subject, and that the wiser way would be to let the Bill stand, upon the undertaking made by the Government, which, I am very happy to announce, that they will introduce a Bill to deal with this matter next session.

HON. MR. CARVELL-Before bringing the Bill here, I had a conversation with the Law Clerk on the subject, who told me that this is an exact copy of the law as it stands in Nova Scotia.

HON. MR. HOWLAN-The last clause is in the Nova Scotia Act, but the other clauses are the same as in the Dominion Act.

HON. MR. CARVELL-I would suggest to let the Bill stand until Tuesday next.

HON. SIR ALEX. CAMPBELL-I should prefer that my hon. friend who has charge of the Bill would allow it to remain over. I see some difficulties with reference to the last clause, and it is a matter which requires to be approached carefully. One does not know how far the laws of the Province, intended to be affected by this Bill, might safely be made to assimilate with the laws of other provinces, and I think a general measure would be more satisfactory. I should prefer, if my hon. friend would consent to it, that the Bill should lie over altogether, in the long run for all concerned to let but if not, I should suggest that the third the Government introduce a measure upon clause be allowed to remain over for a their responsibility,

HON. SIR ALEX. CAMPBELLDoes not my hon. friend think that it would be safer on the whole to allow it remain over althogether and let the Government introduce a bill upon the subject next session. It is an important matter, one affecting commerce in all directions, and it seems to me that it would be safer

HON. MR. CARVELL-I am quite | Whole on Bill (121), "An Act to exempt willing to accept the suggestion, and I vessels employed in fishing from the therefore move that the order be dis- payment of duties for the relief of sick charged. and distressed mariners."-(Mr. Aikins.)

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PANY'S BILL.

HON. MR. GIBBS moved the second CANADA LANDED CREDIT COMreading of Bill (35) "An Act for amending the Acts relating to the Trust and Loan Company of Canada; and for enlarging the powers of the said Company."

He said: I believe the Trust and Loan Company first obtained its charter about the year 1844, and it has had its Act amended from time to time, probably a dozen times, and this is a Bill to further extend its powers. The object is to give the Company power to do business in all the provinces of the Dominion, on the same terms as it has hitherto been doing business in the old provinces of Canada. The Company sought to obtain powers according to the provisions of the general Act to allow them to loan money on the same terms as private individuals without limitation of the rate of interest, but I notice that an amendment has been made to it, limiting the rate of interest to eight per cent.

SECOND READING.

HON. MR. GIBBS moved the second reading of Bill (47), “An Act to extend and amend the Acts relating to the Canada Landed Credit Company." He said: This is a Bill the provisions of which are of the same character as the Bill, the second reading of which I moved a few minutes ago relative to the Trust and Loan Company. It does not ask to do business all over Canada, but it desires to extend its operations to Manitoba and the North-West, and, like the other company, the rate of interest it is allowed to take is restricted to eight per cent. In this connection I do not think it is treating these companies fairly, because they are placed at a disadvantage in going up there to do business against other companies that have been incorporated in Great Britain and other parts of the

HON. MR. DICKEY-What clause world, with powers to loan is that?

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money upon such terms as they may agree upon. It appears to me to be an injustice to Canadian companies to place them in a worse position than foreign companies they may have to compete with, and however desirable it may be to have cheap money, I do not think the best way to obtain it is to restrict these loan companies to eight per cent. interest.

HON. MR. READ-If we have been doing wrong hitherto in allowing bills of this kind to pass without limiting the rate of interest, it is time the evil should be remedied. If we look at the return that has recently been presented to Parliament and observe the effects of such a policy in Ontario, we will see the necessity of guarding, if we can, the provinces in the North

The House went into Committee of the West that are now coming into the Union

HON. MR. SMITH-Your figures cannot be reliable unless you give the full statement.

HON. MR. READ-The return is a yard long, and it would take some time to read it.

HON. MR. ALMON-Dispense !

from the same evil. I see in this return, the amount at a minute's notice—it is a
that loan companies in Ontario are getting long statement.
from eight to fifteen per cent., and in
addition to that I find that $600,000 is
paid annually for management and other
little items. From this same return I find
that the amount invested in Ontario on
the 1st of January, 1880, by those loan
companies was $45,910,756. Quebec, I
am happy to see, has been more discreet,
or less extravagant, and her indebted-
ness to the same loan societies is only
$2,389,929. In my opinion people are
not guided by their better judgment HON. MR. READ-There is only one
when they are borrowing money. Money pleasing feature in it; I notice that
is not like anything else; it gives momen- Ontario last year paid in thirteen millions
tary satisfaction and relief to the borrower of dollars, and borrowed about twelve
when nothing else will do it: hence, millions; which shows that they are, at
when he is borrowing, his better judgment all events, trying to get rid of their in-
does not guide him as it does in other debtedness. No farmer can pay such
business transactions, and he is prepared
to pay more than it is worth. Talk about land-
lordism and tenants in Ireland; I think the
farmers in Ontario are in a worse posi-
tion under the loan societies than the
tenants in Ireland are under their land-
lords, and, it is no wonder that they
are going off to the North-West, and
leaving the companies to farm themselves
and get their eight, ten and twelve per
cent. out of it. When a farmer gets into
debt his farm has to pay for it, and when
his crop fails him he finds himself unable
to get out of his difficulties; and it is no
wonder he leaves the Province and goes
to where there is a homestead law, and
where he can, no doubt, gather a little
property around him.

HON. MR. POWER-I think the hon. gentleman said that the amount invested in Ontario by loan societies was $45,000,000.

HON. MR. READ-Yes, $45,910,756, up to the 1st of January, 1880.

HON. MR. POWER-I think the hon.

gentleman stated what the annual income derived from that investment was.

interest, and if we allow these loan socie-
ties to go into Manitoba and lend even at
eight per cent. they will crush out the
energies of the people and absorb the
industry of the country.

HON. MR. SMITH-If the hon. gentleman from Quinté had shown us that the rate of interest was very much greater than the country could afford to pay, it would have been some information to this honorable House, but he has been down on these loan companies for a very long time, on the broad principle that they are an injury to the country.

HON. MR. READ-Hear, hear.

HON. MR. SMITH-If we take the hon. gentleman's view of the question, no man should build a barn, or a house, or improve his property, unless he has the money in hand first wherewith to do it. the people of Canada, our country If that policy had been pursued by would not have prospered as it has done. I say that the more money we can borrow in a foreign country at a reasonable rate and bring into this Dominion, the greater will be our prosperity and the greater will be our pro

HON. MR. READ—The dividends paid gress. Money is loaned now on a dif were from six to twelve per cent.

ferent system from what it was some years ago when interest was added to principal. At present a man can borrow money for a number of years on the straight loan system at six or seven per HON. MR. READ-I cannot make up cent., and can afford to improve his pro

HON. MR. SMITH--How much at twelve per cent., and how much at six?

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