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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre reproduit en un ceul clicidi, il est ^ilmd d partir de Tangle stipArieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 6 y// (o " :?^r SPEECH .« OF THK HON. S. C WOOD, ^mieui'cr oi the i^iobince of (Dutario, DELIVERED ON THE 27tii JANUARY, 1881, W %\u 'legislative SssicmWg of Ontario, ON MOVING THE HOUSE INTO COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. KEPOliTKI) BY L. V. r-EllOIVAL. (Torunta: PRINTED BY C. BLACKETT IJOBINSON, 5 JORDAN STllEET. 1881. •a t / I J SPEECH OF THE HON. S. C WOOD, ^xzn&uxtx of the ^robince of (Dntario, DELIVERED ON THE 27th JANUARY, 1881, IN M>y ^tpsUtm §mmU]9 of (^niaxio, ON MOVING THE HOUSE INTO COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. BEPOETED BY L. V. PERCIVAL. S; !|8 53 9,{)i;i 76 4,166 66 18 00 «2,451,93f) 49 63,982 54 44,284 27 101,812 26 29,592 91 91,207 '68 66,984 00 1,863 92 19.734 97 51.735 35 1,500 01 14,363 27 885 99 It must be very gratifying to learn, or rather to notice, the very marked increase in the revenue from Crown Lands, which has been $166,311.96 more than was estimated. An Hon. Member. — That is from the Woods and Forests Branch 1 Hon. Mr. Wood. — That is from the whole of the Crown Lands Department. From all the branches the receipts are $166,311.96 more than were estimated ; and further, Sir, the revenue of the Prov- ince of Ontario has exceeded the estimate by $135,216.07, while it has exceeded the disbursements, or the expenditure under the Supply Bill, by $208,271.95. (Applause.) The Public Institutions' Revenue has not been so large as esti- mated, but this may be accounted for by the iact that the brick and labour furnished from the Central Prison to the Andrew Mercer Reformatory, amounting to $16,263.36, have not been paid for. We have other outstanding accounts amounting to $3,260.00. Then we have on hand brick manufactured, 2,678,000, valued at $14,729.00, and I may add that in addition to that we have 1,022,000 brick ready for burning, which, at the usual valuation of $3.50 per thou- sand, would make $3,577.00 more. We have several applications from different persons for the purchase of large quantities of brick from the Central Prison, but in view of the erection of Parliament Buildings, the Government have decided to retain the product in the prison yard. I (fli 6 ' FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF Our five per cent, bonds mature in 1883. Now the premium on bonds declines very rapidly a.s the time for payment approaches. We had, as you are aware, Mr. Speaker, an advance of $413,100.00 on account or these bonds, as mentioned in my last Financial State- ment, and as we had had this advance, and would likely require some of this money for the erection of Parliament Buildings, the Government decided to take advantage of the very high prices pre- vailing in England for Dominion securities, and dispose of our five per cent, bonds, which realized 10.5^, and the total cost of sale, | per cent. An Hon. Member. — When did the sale take place ? Hon. Mr. Wood. — About 1st July last. The Expenditure for 1880, Mr. Speaker, has been as follows : — EXPENDITURE. 1880. Civil Government $173,732 67 Legislation lll,i>85 44 Administration of Justice 265,070 31 Education 505,104 86 Public Institutions -Maintenance 506,598 41 Immigration 52,982 19 Agriculture, Arts, Literary and Scientific Institutions 107,282 72 Hospitals and Charities . . 72,832 63 Miscellaneous 91,293 19 Public Buildings 141,36112 Public Works 26,375 31 Colonization Boads 96,839 99 Charges on Crown Lands 59,046 47 Refunds 34,558 23 $2,243,663 54 New Parliament Buildings 4,150 07 Drainage Debentures 51,279 30 Municipal Loan Fund Distribution 22,061 41 Aid to Railways 182,032 48 Common School Fund — interest sen'j Quebec 15,000 00 Total $2,518,180 80 As usual, Mr. Speaker, there have been certain over-expenditures covered by the vote of $50,000 for "Unforeseen and Unprovided." le preimum ipproaches. !4 13,100.00 ncial State- ely require ildingB, the prices pre- of our five sale, I per follows : — $173,732 67 111,585 44 265,070 31 505,104 86 505,598 41 52,982 19 107,282 72 72,832 63 91,293 19 141,361 12 26,375 31 96,839 99 59,046 47 34,558 23 12,243,663 54 4,150 07 51,279 30 22,061 41 182,032 48 15,000 00 $2,518,180 80 ipenditures iprovided." THE HON. 8. C. WOOD. 7 To one of these I propose to refer, and that is the expenditure in connection with the Agricultural Commission. The over-expenditure on that acc:.ant has been $1,890.30. It was impossible to foresee just what the expense would be. The Government were under the impression that $5,000 would cover that service, but it hi>8 turned out that the lowest we could possibly keep the expenditure down to was $6,890.30, or $1,890.30 more than the amount authorized by this House. I am satisfied, however, that when the volume of work is taken into consideration — when the importance of the subjects dis- cussed and investigated is realized, no Hon. Member of this House will feel justified in finding fault with this over-expenditure. I may illustrate some of the work done, but only a portion. I do so for the purpose of giving some idea of the labour performed by this Commission, but it will only give a partial idea. In fruit growing and forestry, grape culture, bee keeping, etc., etc., 34]witnes8e8 were examined; in general farming, management of stock and crops, etc., 37 witnesses; in the various breeds of cattle, etc., 18; in horse breeding, 11 ; in stock feeding and shipping, 17 ; in dairying, cheese and butter, 10 ; in the use of salt in relation to agriculture, etc., 14 ; in gypsum and phosphate as fertilizers, 13; and in other subjects, 17 ; besides 50 witnesses examined in the Muskoka District. This, es I said before, gives a poor idea of the amount of work performed ; at the same time, it does illustrate the fact that the Commission left nothing undone to obtain information from those persons v hose evidence would be of value in a work of this kind. I propose, Sir, to take advantage of some other opportunity to speak at greater length with reference to the Commission. I can do so with more advantage to the House when the Report has been brought down. I therefore will refrain from making any very lengthened remarks now, but simply express, on the part of the Government, their very high apprrciation of the valuable services so willingly, so intelligently, and so successfully performed by the Commission. I may add that the Commissioners were appointed for non-political objects, that the work done was non-political in character, that Eefonners and Con- servatives alike, whether as Commissioners or witnesses, were alike il o ^INAN(!IAL STATEMENT OF active and anxious to make this what it will be — the most interest- ing, valuable and important Report ever presented to the Ontario Legislature. It will be noticed, Mr. Speaker, that the expenditure under the head of Public Institutions' Maintenance has reached a very large sum — no less than $506,328 — while in 1871 the amount expended for that purpose was only $171,425; but this is accounted for by the increase i.* the number of inmates, pupils, etc. In 1871 the number of inmates, etc., was 1,875; in 1880 the number had increased to 4,662. There is another itevn which I propose to say a few words about, and that is the expenditure in the Musk oka District. The early frost in the Fall of 1879 caused a partial failure of the crops in cer.,ain townships of Muskoka, In thvi spring of 1880, from various and reliable sources, we obtained information that great destitution prevailed in that portion of the country, and that unless something was done to relieve it, wide-sprsad distress and suffering would follow. The Government therefore took upon itself the responsibility of pur- chasing gi-ain for there people to the extent of nearly $10,000. The Assets of the Proviiice of Ontario on the 31st December, 1880, were as follows : — ASSETS. 1. — Invpstments— Dominion G per cent. Bonds $500,000 GO Market valae over par value . . . 30,000 00 Drainage — Draining 5 per cent. Debentures, and invested Slat December, 1880 245,392 41 Over-due interest on account of sama 2,fi78 93 Municipal rent charges for works completed 330,330 98 Over-due Interest on account of same 5,539 40 Drainage — 5 per cent, tile d'-ain- age — debentures invested up to 3l8t December, 1880 15,000 00 Carried forward §530,000 00 598,947 72 11,128,947 72 most interest- the Ontario ,ure under the 1 a very large )uno expended ounted for by In 1871 the r had increased w words about, ct. The early f the crops in j, from various eat destitution less something 2 would follow, isibility of pur- r $10^000. ilst December, 00 THE HON. S. C. WOOD. ASSETS— Conttnuerf. 9 B'ought fonoard 2. — Special or Trust, Fund within Dominion of Canada- i Upper Canada Grammar School Fund, 2 Vic, Cap. 10, p.nu 250,000 acres of land allotted to it. (This fund is bearing interest at 5 per cent. ) Upper Canada Building Fuml (under the 18th Sec. Act 1854) Seignorial tenure set apart for local purposes in Upper Canada. (A large portion of this fund should bear interest at 6 per cent, but we have received only 5 per cent. ) Land Improvement Fund, being one-fourth of the colltction on account of Common School Lands sold Letween the 14th day of March, 1858, and the (ith day of June, 1861, as per award , Common School Fund (see Consolidated Stat- utes, Cap. 25, 1,000,000 acres set apart) pro- ceeds realized to 1st July, 18(')7, after deduct- ing Land Improvement Fund, .SI, 520, 959. 24 portion belonging to Ontario, as per jjopula- tion of 1871. This fund is bearing interest at 5 per cent '. — Value of Library Share assigned to Ontario, as per aA /ard 312,769 04 ',472,391 41 124,685 18 876,573 00 ;. — Balance due on account of Municipal Loan Fund Debts, 31 Vic, Cap. 47 I. — Balance due from Mechanics' Institutes. t — Balance due on account of sale of lots at Mimico palances in Bank — current account Special deposits $'570,799 45 503,392 35 i $1,128,947 72 2,786,418 63 105,541 00 71,945 38 6,714 33 6,728 56 934,191 80 $.5,040,487 42 47 72 $1,128,947 72 10 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF The Liabilities are as follows :— LIABILITIES. Railway Aid Fund. (34 and 35 Vic.)- Grand J^nctio" to complete to ^^^ ^ Peterborough , 20 miles, at |3,UW . . . • • • • • • • 132,000 00 Montreal and Wty of Ottawa. fmU^^; aj^|;f00 ^^ . (39 Vic.)— Montreal and City of Ottawa, oo , j ^^ ^^ ^ $1,U00 I 3,115,733 66 Surplus Distribution to Municipalities. tr.^'ounip.id o«aeco„-„t of principal:::::::::: ji;«^^^ o„efe»'. .to< 0/ am„wn Sckool F,nd r™* «J> "" ^ follows :) Collections on account of lands so|d between 14th ^ ^ ^^ T Mivx anrt fith March, l^oi ■■■•'•'. m.\ 258,000 00 95,319 60 € June, 1853, and 6th March Less 6 per cent'., cost of mananement . . . • uarterforLandlmprpyement Fund, on account of land $44,584 74 One quarter tor i^ana_xmtMuvcx...»v^-"---, ^^^,^^0, 74 Collections on sales made since 6th March,^^^^^^^ ^^ Le88''fper"cent.:co8t of' managem^nV. . . • 18.8!i7 9 ^ Quebec's proportion, according to population, 18^1 • • Land Improvement Fund. March, 1861, as per award 230,354 48 512,724 49 295,439 80 808,164 29 342,394 03 124,685 181 820,398 811 Shewing a surplus of $4,220,088.61. (Applause.) MR M1LLEK.-I did not understand the hon. gentleman as t .,at we* ow on account of railways. Does the amount menUonj Tnclude all the payments which are to be made on account of raUwarf ""wooo.--We have not in the past treated, and do not no. propose 'to treat, that as a liability. I shall be quite prepared aj Toth le to iscuss that question of liability, takmg as a ba.j Talal payments which the Ron. Member wishes cap.tahze^ and to §0 into it as a liability. - - r ,1 c. :HE HON. S. C. WOOD. The estimated receipts for tlie year are as follows : — ESTIMATED RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 1881. Subsidy $1,116,872 80 Specific grant 80,000 00 Interest on Special Fund 136,696 62 11 «1, 333, .569 42 258,000 00 95,319 60 €rown Lands Revemie — Crown Lands Cle;-gy Lands Common School Land . Grammar School Land Woods and Forests .... $32,000 00 13,000 00 32,000 00 3,000 00 500,000 00 I 342,394 03|j 124,685 18! 820,398 81 i Pvblic Institutions Revenue — Lunatic Asylum, Toronto $30,000 CO " London 8,000 00 Kingston 4.000 00 Hamilton 4,000 00 OriUia 1,00'^ 00 Penetanguishene Reformatory 2,000 00 Mercer Reformatory 4,000 00 Deaf and Dumb Institute 1,000 00 Central Prison 70,000 00 )n. gentleman as to^ I amount mentioned , n account of railway; led, and do not now »e quite prepared ai4 y, taking as a basii^ [• wishes capitalized! Education Revenue Interest on Investments Casual Revenue License Fund Algoma Taxes Law Stamps Drainage Assessment Fund Sale of Revised Statutes Municipal Loan Fund Toronto Mechanics' Institute From Insurance Companies, to defray expenses of Inspection by Provincial Inspector ■ From Counties, to defray expenses of taking lunatics to Asylums, boys to Reformatory, etc • • 580,000 00 124,000 CO 40,600 00 75,000 00 40,000 00 92,000 00 10,000 00 70,000 00 26,000 00 3, COO 00 6,000 00 $2,400,169 42 1 ■ -iv 12 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF I propose now, Mr. Speaker, to refer briefly to the Estimates in the hands of Hon. Members, and to confine myself principally to the Agricultural College. It will be noticed that we ask less for the maintenance this year of 150 pupils than we asked last year for some 90 boys. In the year 1875, when the College was first started, we gave board to the students and a bonus of $50 a year. In the ye^r 1876 we charged $2 a week for board^ but we allowed ten cents an hour for labour, and the result was that the labour came to more than the board. In 1878 we made a still further cliange, by charging not $2 a week but the full cost of board, allowing ten cents an hour for skilled labour, and for unskilled Ir-bour in proportion. What I mean by skilled labour is the labour of farmers" sons of from 18 to 22 years of age. In 1879 we commenced charging outside fees ; the number was fe%/, and the fee $10. -Now we have adopted a different principle. We charge the cost of board, allow ten cents an hour for skilled labour, and we charge a fee of $25 to students from Ontario, and $50 from all outside of Ontario. This we have found not to affect the applications for admission. As a matter of fact, there would be no difficulty whatever in tilling the College with students from England at $100 a year, and so far as Ontario is concerned, the number of applications which we were able to comply with, as com- pared with those who sought admission, ranks as one to three — in other words, we have refused admission to more students than we have been able to receive. The result of these changes may be some- what interesting to the House, as shewing the effect they have had upon the financial operations of the College, and Hon. Members will also see why it is that with a larger number of pupils this year we ask less for maintenance. In 1875 we paid the students $1,072 ; in 1876, even with the change effected, we paid them $1,031 ; in 1877 we paid $680; in 1878, nil; in 1879, with the change, we received $902 ; in 1880, $4,027 ; and in 1881 we expect, with every reasonable prospect, to receive $8,500. In giving preference to Onvario students, we think it is desirable and wise that we should comply with a few of the many applications made on ihe part of persons who wish their friends admitted to the College, and who do n f tl i I SJ3 |sl ti cl t( f C it :sc in h it n n ]\ i It] lb 111 a he Estimates in i principally to ask less for the 1 last year for as first started, year. In the lowed ten cents came to more ge, by charging n cents an hour irtion. What I ) of from 18 to >utside fees ; the opted a different ants an hour for bs from Ontario, '^e found not to Ir of fact, there e with students :s concerned, the ly with, as com- >ne to thi'ee — in ;udents than we ;es may be some- t they have had n. Members will ils this year we tudents $1,072; hem $1,031 ; in the change, we pect, with every Lg preference to that we should on ihe part of ege, and who do THE HON. S. C. WOOD. 13 I I 1 i not reside in Ontario. There are a great many wealthy parents in, England who are anxious that their sons shall come to Oi tario for the purpose of learning farming, as practised in this country, and they ask that they shall be allowed to spend one or two terms at the Agricultural College prior to their becoming actual settlers, and I say that it is but f.«ir that this should be permitted, and that we should follow the practice of complying with a few of such applica- tions. It acts as an advertisement in England amongst the very class we desire tc come to Canada, viz., men of capital who are able to buy farms. Mr. Merrick. — Will you give the number of students at the College outside of t^ o Province? Mr. Wood. — I do not know that I can give the number, but it is very limited. Now, Sir, with the leave of the House, I would like to devote some little time to considering the municipal finances of the Prov- ince of Ontario. I do so because I think it is desirable that we in this House should understand thoroughly just what position Ontario occupies as well municipally as provincially with regard to her own funds. Year by year we come down with statements shew- ing the disposal of the money voted by the House, whilst of the much more numerous and important transactions carried on by the municipalities we have but little knowledge ; and although each Member could tA\ pretty well what was taking place in his own county, I am bound to say that I do not think there is a Member on the floor of this House who can give a correct idea of the municipal debt of the Province of Ontario. I am bound also to say that I do not believe that any Member on the floor of this House has anything like an accurate idea of the amount of the municipal debentures issued in the Province of Ontario ; ai- .1 having myself the advantage of two Returns, one, in compliance with an order in 1880, requiring a copy to be furnished of the abstract of receipts and expenditures, and the other a Return moved for, and which has just come down, of the assets and liabilities of the various municipalities, sent in by their respective Cle' :s, I have gathered from them certain informa- 14 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF tion which I think i+ is desirable should be laid before the House, and before I go any further I may state that I am not one of those who believe that, in the majority of cases, municipalities should keep out of debt. There are permanent improvements to be made, such as gravel roads, railways, water works, drainage, sewerage, and works of a kindred character, and which are necessary for the proper improvement of the country. Our Court Houses, Public School Buildings, etc., are evidences of our advancement and prosperity. They do not add to our resources, but they add to the wealth of the country, and when liabilites are assumed for purposes of that char- acter, it is not only desirable but in the public interest that they should be incurred. The Return brought down on motion of the Hon. Member for Huron is not satisfactory. In some cases the Clerks did not understand the nature of the information asked for. In other cases they were not in a position to give the information desired. Some of the debentures were renewals of debentures issued perhaps fifteen or twenty years ago ; others were for the consolidation of the debt in the municipality ; so you can very readily see that out of the very large number of Clerks we have in Ontario, every once in a while we met with some Clerk who had not understood the nature of the instructions sent him, and I may further state that the Return brought down referred to does not agree entirely with the statement compiled from the various Auditors' Abstract Reports, but that I am inclined to place more confidence upon the returns of the Auditors than those of the Clerks. The Auditors have the accounts before them ; they have just gone through the figures for the year ; they have the Treasurer, as a rule, sitting by their side, and they know that their report is to be submitted to Council. At the sam time, the Return contains a great deal of valuable informa- tion. The Return moved for by the Hon. Member for Huron also shews that the debentures were issued for proper objects ; that the expenditure of the proceeds was for works of a productive character — productive in the sense of adding to the comfort and convenience of the people — and notwithstanding the tax incurred for payment of interest and the future reduction of the principal, their issue has I W( ev Af tui ral th< y pu th( th( m $ m n( in it! P' t\ as T THE HON. S. C. WOOD. 16 ore the House, ot one of those ;ies should keep be made, such sewerage, and y for the proper Public School and prosperity, e wealth of the 2S of that char- merest that they motion of the some cases the ation asked for. the information ebentures issued ihe consolidation iily see that out :ario, every once understood the er stiate that the mtirely with the ostract Reports, pon the returns iditors have the 1 the figures for Lg by their side, to Council. At aluable informa- for Huron also bjects ; that the uctive character and convenience I for payment of their issue has fidded to the value of the country at large. The moneys expended Jwere the proceeds of the debentures referred to. I may state that even in the Abstract Report of the Auditors, and Statement of Assets and Liabilities, some of the Auditors, in placing the deben- tures under *' Liabilities," first took the amount of investments, or J:tither sinking fund, from the amount of the debentures, and placed Ihe balance as a liability. Other Auditors pursued the proper course, Which was to shew the total of the debentures as a liability, and place as an asset the amount of the sinking fund on hand. Therefore jhe Return even from the Auditors' Report is not strictly correct, iind having gone carefully into the accounts, I think I am quite safe J(n putting down the Municipal Debenture Liability of the Province pi Ontario at $22,000,000 ; and this money has been expended for the following objects, principally : — I Roads and Bridges $1,861,700 00 V Railway Aid 8,427,982 00 : Public Buildings 1,044,206 00 High, Public, and Separate School Houses 1,497,610 00 i Drainage and Sewage 2,055,133 00 I Water Works and Fire Apparatus 4,792,726 00 Aid to Manufactures 202,350 00 Agricultural Societies and Grounds 39,200 00 $19,920,907 00 According to the Return brought down of receipts and expenditures, ndcr the Act of last session, the assessment receipts for 1879 were 7,872,461.67 — a very large sum indeed to be assessed by the inuuicipalities of the Province of Ontario. Now the average rate is ot quite one cent, which would give the assessed value of the Prov- ce as $787,000,000, but, as the real property in the Townships, j^utside of Towns and Cities, is valued at not over sixty per cent, of |t8 value, in Towns and Cities seventy-five per cent., and as personal Property is assessed both in the country and in Cities at not over |wenty-five per cent, of its value, I think it is safe to say that the Issessable property of the Province of Ontario is $1,200,000,000. The d(}benture debt of $22,000,000 under these circumstances is not a 16 FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF m:' very alarming sum. At the same time it must be borne in mind that the tax for this $22,000,000 is not equally distributed over the whole Province. Certain portions are out of debt, and issue no debentures, but we will take that portion which is in debt on account of deben- tures, and take that portion which the $22,000,000 covers, and even then it is not equally divided, and I may state here that the assessable property of the municipalities which owe this $22,000,000 is over $500,000,000, but unfortunately there are municipalities which have aided railways and made other expenditures to such an extent that the rate is very high, and in some cases oppressive. On the other hand there are municipalities whose rate is astonishingly low, whose municipal expense is a, mere bagatelle, and it must be borne in mind that when we state $22,000,000 as being the debenture indebtedness of the Province of Ontario, we must not strike a rate which woulil apply to all alike, as there are many sections which are feeling thisi rate very severely indeed. Now, Sir, I have issued a circular with the view of ascertaining what rate was paid by the different munici- palities for all purposes. It seemed to me that the statement would be of comparatively little value if we wei'e simply to say that the assessed value of the Province wa.s so much, and the debenture indebtedness so much, knowing very well that each year a very large expenditure takes place throughout the country for various objects (to which I will refer in a few minutes), unless we knew what rate was being paid throughout the whole Province. I issued this circular, therefore, to all the municipalities, and have had returns from 552. The following is a synopsis of the whole : — RATE ON THE DOLLAR FOR 1880. Memorandum. Of the 552 municipalities included in this statement there are: — 250 Townships rated under 1 cent in the $. Ipr 311 63 1 and under 1^ cents in the | 28 n (( 2 6 2 (( H 5 2i (< n 8 2i 11 3 >< -!- 14 over 3 THE HON. S, C. WOOD. [•ne in mind that d over the wholo le no debentures, ccount of deben covers, and even at the assessable ,000,000 is over lities which have h an extent that I. On the other ingly low, whose )e borne in mind ure indebtedness rate which would I are feeling this 11 Villaj^eH rated 1 cent in the !J. ;n 38 11 8 6 G 9 29 9 5 6 1 7 Towns ;ri the statement of the Auditors aw returned to nie, and I hav(! ex-s plained that, so far as the debentures are concerned, I am satisfied I that |>2,00(),000 should l)e added to the liaVjilities as placed in the] statement of the Auditors. The statement furnished shews that the municipal liability of j the Province of Ontario on the 1st January, 1880, was $32,557,984. Possibly to that should be added $2,000,000, as 1 said before, but! if you do that, then }ou mu.st add $2,000,000 to available assets, oiii account of sinking fund, which will leave the balance the same; therefore, taking their statement as correct, for the purpose of] arriving at a balance, we will take the municipal indebtedness of the Province as $22,557,984, and the available assets are, Cash Balances,! $1,510,144; Taxes Uncollected, $2,915,435; Debenture Stock, etc., ^2,304,812, and due from other municipalities, $300,798; total $7,031,189. Deduct from this some railway stock, supposed to ho of no value, and therefore not to be taken as an available asset — $1,500,000 — and you have as the available assets $5,531,189, shew ing that the actual balance of municipal indebtedness of the Province of Ontyario, over and above the available assets, is about $17,026,795. Now, Mr. Speaker, I have taken up more time than I antici- pated in bringing the financial affairs of the Province before the House. One might, on subjects of this kind, go on at any length, but I dc not think it desirable, and shall take but a very few minutes longer. This is not the place to discuss, or pronounce upon, or review — unless under very exceptional circumstances — the legislation at Ottawa. But I might be allowed, perhaps, to state that, judging by the legislation going on there now, the present outlook indicates that, for many years to come, we shall have to submit in the Province of Ontario to a very high tariff. (Hear, hear.) I might also say that the inland revenue taxes will not be reduced, but, on the other hand, by the statement I ha\e presented to the House, it must be apparent to Hon. Members that, in a great portion of this fair Province, a high municipal tax prevails. It is, therefore, necessary for the people and for this Fouse to guard more carefully than ever the financial affairs of Ontario. It is true that we may expect for a long time to THE HON. S. C. WOOD. 19 Hid I hav(! ox 1 am satistieil H placed in the ipal liability of IS $22,557,984. laid before, but liable assets, on mce the same . the purpose ot ibtedness of the , Cash Balances, bure Stock, etc.. i;300,798; total supposed to be .vailable asset- ), 53 1,1 89, shew I of the Province >ut $17,026,795. e than I antici- ince before the ; any length, but ery few minutes lounce upon, or — the legislation ite that, judging )utlook indicates b in the Province ight also say that a the other hand, nust be apparent ■ Province, a high y for the people )ver the financial lor a long time to come that the receipts of the Crown Lands Department will hv. much I larger than for the past four or Hve years, it is also true that several of the unfixed revenues will increase rather than decrease. It must be borne in mind, however, that the expenditure for the . maintenance of public institutions, for education, and the administra- 5 tion of justice, will also largely increase, and, while this House is I bound to come to the aid of the Province liberaily in regard to im- I provements of a provincial character, still, as regards works ot a more local nature, they should exercise every possible caution, not only considering the peculiar wants and circumstances of the locality, but also considering the financial position of the Province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, I move that you do now leave the chair. (Loud I applause.)