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I ArONTIlKAL I'HINTKI) HV TIIK (lAZKTTH lM{lNTiN({ (.'OMPANY 18H8 ^ cJL FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY. /^^Z "^ PORT OF MONTREAL. REPORT OF CONFERENCE Held in the Board of Trade Rooms, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18th, 1888. MONTRI'.AL: PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRLNTIXG COMPANY. 1888. /-s c^ f ^ /^^ ? ^^^^f i"^fvj^vrjsfi}\^''-^''-M'Aj>&'^^ For Private Circulation only- PORT OF MONTREAL REPORT OF CONFKRKNCB TTeld in the Board ok Trade Rooms, Wednesday, January IBtu, 1888. A private confci'onco was hold this tifteniooii in the rooms of the Roanlof Trade. The incut i 11,1,' was attended by mercliants, nianul'actiirers and representatives of the siiipping trade, and was one of tlie most induonlial over iield in the eity. The ol)joet was to consiiler the present linancial condition of the Harbor of Montreal, the lack of facilities ti.rdischaigingand loading cargo and the heavy wharfage charges on Hhii)ping, imports and exports. Mr. Geo. A. Drnmmond, i'lesident of the Board of Trade, occupied the chair. His Worship Mayor Abbott, Mr. Andrew ^.ilan, Mr. Joseph llicUson, (icneral Manager of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, Mr. Van Ilornb, Vice-president and General Manager of the Canadian PaciHe Railway Company, Mr. John Torrance, Agent of J)ominion Line, Mr. W. C. Minderloh, German Consul and agent of the White Cross Line, and a very large re])rosentation of the morcantilo and shipping interests of Montreal testified by their presence to the import- ance of the meeting, and theii- anxiety to see its object promoted in a maimer satisfactory to the Dominion generally. The following were among those present: — Sir Donald A. Smith, M.P., John J. Curran, M.P., A. Desjardins, M.P., Capt. Labello, M.P., Walter Shanly, M.P. ; and the following members of Council— W. W. Ogilvio, 1st Vice-President, R. Archer, .S1.IM.J*'.- ■•.-«;».. i!«' C. p. Hebert, Chas. H. Gould, Edgnr Judge, R. Paton MtLoa, J. M. Kirk, Hollis Sliorey; Homy Bulinor, Acting President Harbor Board, Uugh McLennan, Victor lludon and Andrew Allan, Harbor Commissioners; Joseph HicUson, General Manager G.T.ll., W. C. Van Horno, Vico-Pjosident C.P.R., F. \V. Hen- shaw, E. K. Greene, U. A. Smith, Alex. Murray, President Canada Shipping Company, Aid. Kichard White, M. Nolan De- lisle, Austin Cuvillier, J. X. Pen-ault, John Kerry, D. A. P. Watt, li. Piefbrd, Agent Donaldson Line, Wm. Weir, 11. A. Buddon and others. The Chairman read the following telegram from Mr. C. J, Coursol, 3I.P. :— St. Thomas, P.Q. On arrival from Quebec yesterday got invitation. Sorry (lannot attend. Will use best efforts to assist you; also to obtain from (Jovorniiient promise to abandon interest on capital for dredging river, a work which is of great concern to the Dominion. The Chairman said :— Gentlemen, 1 believe there will ho nc difference ot'oj)inion amongst any intelligent body of citizens as to the fact that we have arrived at a crisis in the history of this port and of the city. 1 do rot desiro to have any long speeches if I can help it, and 1 will not show a had (fxatnple myself, but it is necessary that 1 should detine in some degree what the objects of those who called this meeting are. 1 assume that none of you are ..tatistied with the present con- dition of att'airs, — and if thcio is anyone present who is satis- tied, ho had better declare himself at once — but 1 take it for the time being that there is no such person here. The Harbor Com- mission is a body for which, individually, 1 have a great respect. If 1 were called upon to select a similar body, 1 don't know that 1 could improve upon the constitution of thai body. Be that as it may, it is a fact beyond question that the Harbor C(;mnussion is utterly powerless under its present cii'cumstances and conditions to effect any serious remodelling of our Harbor or any addition to the accommodation worth notice. The fact is, that the fur- ther they go and the deeper they dig into the channel of the river, the deeper they bury themselves under a loail of debt from which there is no escape. I don't blame thom, but 1 ceitainly say that if we sit down and pill our (rust on tho ComnuHHiori, m at presont constituted and under tlio conditions that now exist, wo shall be utterly disappointed and trust to a broken reed. int bo the case, as has been assorted in my hearing, that the shipping croiniiig to this port cannot bear any further burdens, and thai tlie chtirges liiiroaro greater than are warranted by the accoinmiidation, the (question arises for us, where are wo to turn and what are wo to do to accomplish this desired improvement in our Harbor? [ would respectfully suggest that the interests concerned should lay their IkuvIs together and decide on imme- diate action. The Board of Trade has repeatedly, of late yeais, gone to Ottawa and urged the question on the mem- bers of the Government. The answer invariably given to all oui' applications has been that tho Government would give their most serious consideration to tho representations made, lu fact, the answer to us might have boon stereotyped. From time to time wo have gone to Ottawa and como back with vovy much the same flattering assuran(;os, from which nothing what- ever has como. I very much tear that it is totally and utterly ustdess to go on with such deputations in future. .TudgJMif from tlio fact that a po|)ular government must neces- sarily look to tlic dill'crcnt opininns of the entire counliy before taking any extraoi'dinary nicasuics, \ am not disposed to lay too mucli blame tion for inyHolf or for tho Couru'il of tbo Hoard to coiivono ii iiutoliii^ niioh an J hoo to- day ami t<» <'omt' licro pic^pari'd witb cut and dry rcHolutiotiH, wliit'h wniild bo aHsi'iititd to probably an a inattor of coui'sc, and not ^iviny anyone any particular li'ouldo, would bocoino a uoadduttor sooner or later. If you, gentlemen, dcniro to puiwio a hiu'coshIuI a;,'ilation wliirli I hope to sec now coinmoncod, you arc bound to f^'wo tlii-i <[iiostioii fidl and earncHt considera- tion, to express your opinions tVaidvly and freely, and to ]»ut your sliouldei's to tbo wbcel, and worlt foi- yourselves witliont trustiii^' to anyiiody. We doni want cnn'inciu'in/f plans. I tbird< it would be ullci-ly out of place now to discuss any part icidai' plan for tho extension of tbo Harbor or tbo improvement of the C'ban- nol. Wo have nut yet readied tbat point, and are contendinj^ tirst Ibr tbo ;,'eneral princijilc. As far as I taUc it, tbe Harbor Commission iy in a state of practiral banUriiptcy ; it has really resolved itself into n(Jovcrnmeiit I>opartnionl for the collection of dues and tbo payment of intorost on tbc money spent. What are wo to do under tbc ci''cum>tances. 'I'bo (piestion is ono wbi(di Ih of intei'est to all classes of citizens. The j^cneral ]>ropcrly- holder of tbo city of Montreal has as doop un interest in this <]uesiion as tbe mercantilo community and tbe shippiiiix interest. It is for the benelit of cvoiy man in tbo city who is depcndinf^ on industry for bis broad and buttoi" to have the matter settled onco foi- all. 1 look upon it that the ffonoral property bolder I'opi'c- senlcd liy thoCorporatinn is as mucdi interested in tbe question an any otliei- class of ibo community. Hut above all it is tbofiueslion which atfects most closely tho producer of exportable productw tlirouifhout the whole Dominion: for any remission uf dues, any reduction of tho charges inseparable from tho carrying of bis property to a market, is so much money in his pocket. (Ap- plause.) During tho past j'ear, tho two groat i-ailways, centering in this city, have been enormously developed ; new roads have boon opened, and now trade promoted, which will give occupation to shipping and benetit the country imiiionsoly. To moot this development, nothing has been cb)nc. The Harbor of Montreal has not, in any scnso, boon improved worthy of tho developments which are going on around us, and which will demand further accommodation, if we are to avail ourselves of this trade. I woiilil liko Id hear t'lnm Mr. Mi-rjonimii, illio Iiiih imylliiiij^ to Hiiy ill (lef'oiico of Iho Ifarlior ('otnmi(*Hion, wliicli ho ropro.xoiitM horo, und it' ho cun givo iis any hopo thill tho Board in in a ]ii)Miliiiii to mal<(t improvoinunti in Ihu diiuction I havo indicatcil. Thoro arc also prcHonI, to-day, irprosontativoM of tho siiippiii;^ iiitorost, and I would liko to loarn IVom thoin if tho Hliipjiing can boar any further biirdonH. It appears to mo that there are two projeets open to us. One is to <^o to thy (Tovornmont, to urge upon tliein that tho docpoiiiiig of tho (Channel and the inaintenance of the ITarbor is a work in whieh tho Dominion is nn»ro interested tlian wo, and to ask them to take .t up as a piililic work, and make this a free port. This is a broad and HWeeping slop, no doubt. The other is to assume that, if the (iovcriiment relieve us from tho burden of tlio Channel debt, wlii( h il is no more tlie busiiiosH of 3Iontroal to bear than tho Canals from hero to Kiiigi^toii, wo will then take oliarge of tho Harbor and its wharves ouisoIvch. It will be for you to express an opinion on these points, and on your decision to-day will no doiibl largely depend the future of this question. I ask .Mr. iMcrjeniiaii, if I iiavo raisconstriied tho position of the Ilailior Board, to let us know in a lew word* in what respcet I have orred. Mr, Iludu McLknnan, Board of Trade ro]irosontative on tho Harbor Hoaid, said : — (foiitleincn, — i must go back Home yiuta to explain the posit iun of the Harbor Co mm is- 'on. In 187.'J, when tilt! Commissioners were jmying the into. est on tiie Iliirliur debt, amounting to about $80,000, in view of tho steadily increasing business of tho port, and of tho fact that tho 20-fect Chiiiinel whieh bad been secured was not sufHcicnt for the enlarged description of steamers that wore then I'oing constructed, tho Harbor Commissioners secured legislation au- thorizing tho expenditure of a million and a half ($1,500,000) ujion tho river improvomeiil. t'lvvhich they woro to pay tivo per cent, interest. At the same time thoy secured authority to borrow 81,2.50,000 for the enlargement of tho Harbor. They went (i[i with these works unti 1880, when -it becamo ap- parent to the Comiii oners thai the resources arising from the rovenuc of tho arbor w ml not bo HutHcicnt for tho carrying oii, of both ifie Harbor ults, and that the (lovcrnment may see the necessity of adopt- ing tli'> I'ight course towards the i)olic3' of the country with reference to river ex])endituro, llii.t the ILirbor C'oinmi.-sion- ei's have now under consideration and will be prepared with a ])lan for the enhirgenient of the Harbor. That woi'k is now in process by ihcir engineci-, and will be C()m])letcd as early as the Harbor Commissioners can deal with this imjxjrtant question. So far as the influence of the Jlarbor Commissioners eoiild go, they have been unceasing in their ertbr.s to make such icpresentations to the (lovernment as would lead them to give I'elii'f by removing the necessity for paying this 8100,000 interest annually ar.d making it a charge upon the I'evenucs of the Dominion, .is a llarboi' Commissioner, 1 liclieve that if wo wtting the iii't of the tho canal ould have :i I'omedy. oi'ifiiniza- ussionors, 1 body of tlioy arc I order to trol of tho lio a voi-y tho MiMii- caiTv out r of Moii- y govorn- iflfioiciitly. sion with iient ? It would he ) think — imount of of other nmont to this iiar- hich if it r. vo taken why tho tho Jlar- for the 10 entire ir passes ^ i 15 through this port. Why Montreal should bo made an excep- tion as compared with other more favoured places, I have never boon able to give myself a sufficient explanation. I believe that if the woric were attached to a government department tho necessary enlargement of the Harbor would be obtained, and it would also be efficiently administered. I see no other remedy for the present slate of things. The Harbor accommodation is universally admitted to be insufficient for our wants and not cak'uiatod to develop tho trade of the country. Ml'. W C. Van IIokne, Vice-President ami General Manager of the Cunailiaii Pacilic Railway, said : — \ have not any particular plan tc suggest, but I imagine that overyo:ie present is agreed in the o|)iMion that some immoilialo stops are necessary for the eiilarg'jmont of the Harbor facilities of Montreal. As to whether this can best be done by the Harbor Commissionors, or tho City Govorninontoi- tho Dominion Govornraent, I don't feel competent to express an opinion. Quito a number of plans have been sug- gested, and I have no doubt that t'lo engineers of tho Harbor Board will bo aiilo to pi-oposo a scheme for Harbor improvement that will be sutlirient for the piu-poso. Any one of tho three or four, or half-do/.on schemes which have been suggested, would bo intinitely hotter than the ])resent state of affairs. 1 suppose the chief ditliculty will bo found in providing tho notossary money for carrying out the v.'oi'ks that may be decided upon. It seems to mo that tho Dominion Government ought at least to assume tho Luke St. Petoi'dobt. How long it is going to take to induce the Government to do that, in order to place the Har- bor Hoard in a position to cari-y out tho work here, it is hard to say There may be a delay of one, two, three, or oven four years, which would be a groat loss to tho trade of the coimtry generally. Some people, I know, in Western Ontario and elsewhere, are short-sighted enough to think that the City of Montreal ought to provide the necessary funds, not recognizing tho fact that the deepening of Luke St. Peter is a work ibr the bonetit of tho whole I'ominioii, at least of all tho Dominion west of Quebec. I think it e.xtremely im|)ortant not alone to improve and extend the Har- bor, but also to wipe out as far as possible all of the present port charges and make the port a free port if possible. (Applause). The wisdom af such a course has been made apparent by the 16 wondorful development of trade at Antwerp, followiii^jr tlio mak- ing a iVeo port of Antwoi'p and the provision of ample facilities for Hhipping. Mr. Hei'ori) ; — Was that a frovornmont woi-k ? Mr. Van IIorne : — Yes, the work was done by the Govern- ment and the port lias no taxes or charges of nny kind. Tliat port has developed wonderfully since the completion of the work and the removal of the charges. Ot-ean carriers go there with freights for places twice as tin- inland as from llaml)iirg and other ports, hccuuse they avoid these charges ai\d areahlo to discharge their cargoes and get away in half the time required at other ports. There are a number of gentlemen present who are infin- itely more competent to express an opinion as to just how those things should bo done than I am. 1 wish to record my opinion that the woi-k should bo done in such a way as to admit of ^[on- treul being made a free port; and that it should be a free port is, 1 think, to the interest of eveiy ))ortion of the Dominion. The CiiA[KM.\N : — We have had some veiy important expres- sions of opinion, and I think it all j)oints in one direction, that is toward the hint thrown out by Mr. Murray that wo shoidd organize a powerful committee and giv{> it ])owers to the fullest extent io entleavour to cany out our object. That is the key- note of the situation, if we continue .-ending deputations fiora Montreal to Ottawa wo shall see the same results as in the ])ast. I should like to know fi'om the city authorities -whether they fully apprehend what has been put before them — that this matter aflfects not alone the merchant, shipper and i-ailway man, but that it is one in which evoiy householder and citizen of Montreal is directly concerned. But there is the bi'oader view of the situation, which was touched upon by Mr'. Ilick.^on and Mr. Van IIorne, viz., that the Port of Montreal is the jiort of the province of Ontario and all the Dominion west of Quebec. If the western pi'ovinces had onl}' a village at this point, instead of a large city like Montreal, they would soon find it to their advantage to develop and improve the poi't at their own expense. I should like to hear an expression of opinion fi'om our worthy Mayor. Hon. J. J. C. AuBOTf, Mayor of Montreal, said : — (Jentiemen, I am afiaid with regard to the civic authorities 1 should feel bound to agree with Mr. Ilickson, and I am sure that other mem- bers of the Corporation, who have experience of the city, will It 1^' tho inak- )lo facilitios lio Govorn- :in(l. Tliat )f' the work horo with <; and other ) discharge d at other ) are infin- how those ny opinion it of .N[on- i fi'oe port in ion. nt oxpres- c'tion, th-it we should the fullest i tiio ke3'- liotis fiom I the past. L'thci- tiioy iiis matter man, hut ['Montreal e\v of the I Mr. Van e province 10 western )f a lai'go •antago to I should Mayor, entlemon, lould feel her mem- city, will coincide in these views, that the management, extension and im- provement of the Harbor are not matters that fall pro|icrly within the jurisdiction ofa niiinicipal body. The men who com- pose a miinici])al body arc not generally supposed to be trained in the knowledge which is necessary for such a subject as that. They have tlio important intero>ts ofa particular class lo attend to which have hitherto proved (piite sutUcicnt for their powers, and I think it would be a misforiuno to see the maril no all'airs — if 1 may so cull them — ol" a port like this, destined to become a great outlet for trade, fall into the hands of a local municipal authority. Kspecially so, as in reality this is a national port. It is tho national port of the Dominion of Canada, and ought not be placed, in my opinion, under the management or control of a local body. (TFcar, hear.) So far as that goes, and so far as contribution by tho city goes, towards the enlaigement of the Ifarbor, I don't think any move- ment could be made by tho meeting that would bo beneficial to that object. Thei'O are many objects for v>'hicli money is re- ([uirod l)v the city, and which the revenues of the city at present are insuHicient lo promote etVectively, and to impose upon tho city burdens beyond those essential to the comfort of tho citizens is not, it would seem to me, a businesslike or pi-udent jnovc. It would lie well to consider before making such a move, what practical object we have a chance of gaining at this moment. As to our becoming a free port in tho future, most of us may live to see it, but T do not think that at present wo aro in a position lo seriously press it. We have upon us a burden which by universal consent is pronounced to be an unjust one, the burden of the Lake St. Peter debt. When 1 come to this sul)- ject I feel myself omb:irrassed by the (act that I amoneof the body whom Ml'. Murray proposes to follow uj) with a sharp stick. (Ap- plause.) I don't wish to say more than is necessary. I have a strong opinion that the burden of tho Lake St. Peter debt ought not be placed on the Harbor of Montreal, and that is the unanimous o])inion of the ])eople of Montreal and vicinity. If we look, on tho other hand, to another section of the people, we lind, perhaps, a good many strong opinions in an opposite direc- tion. It is atti'ibutablo to that fact, and not to any unreasonable supinoness of the Governnient, that the burden of the river debt has not boon long ago removed from the Harbor of Montreal. 9. IR Goiitlomon who live horo in JNIontroal, knowing? very well the cuiTont of opinio 1 aljout thoin, nhnulil look with a littU- indul- goiieo upon j^cnlloinon who hiivo »o conhiiicr not onl}' llio puhiic opinion ot\Montroal, but of a vant lonilory 3(»(I0 niilos arrows. That in procisoly tlio position of tlio Govcrnniont. 1 havo no rij^ht to spoak for the Cntvcrnnjont. [ am not authorized or pro- pared to do so, liut 1 tiiink I may state, as a matief of faet, that I know the opinions of many members of the Government to bo just as 1 have stated my opinions to be — that this burden of the Lake St. Petor iinple reason that they have neither the money nor theni-'ans to get it. It is not that tney are disinclined to make progress, liul that the resources they derive from the port of Montreal must pay tho intore>t t)n the debt incurred to bi'ing trade to Canada. A part of that debt should be taken otl' tlieir >hoiii(lers, and it will leave them a largo mai-gin of revenue; a portion of which may be usefully expended on the paymcn'. of interest on tht- capital required to eidargo and improve tho Harbor. That, 1 under- stand, the Harbor Commissi. ':ie'> are perfectly willing to do. I have been a Harbor Commio.-ionor for a short period, and I know that the Commissioners are looking towards measures to enable them to raise money to imprcjvc the Har- bor in proportion to the increasing tlemands upon it. At this moment their position is identical with the majority of citizens. They are imploring the Government to take otl" this port the burden of the Lake St. Peter debt, and they intend, with the means this will place at their disposal, to carry on those improvements and enlargements of the harbor which they are just as anxious about as any citizen in Montreal. That is, I think, the position of the Harbor Commissioners and the position 19 vciy well tho 1 II littlt' indiil- only tlio pulilir riiilus acioMM. Mil. I have IK) lliorizecl ny pro- lofof tiiL't, that I'oninioiit to 1(0 H hiirdon of tho u|K)n tho llai'- bo taken btst'ore I tlo not think 1 lor spending n the I'ontrary d on a woi'k il what it is, ontreal thinks I'l think they c'lunstances, ex- •, tor the simple nii-'auH to get it. 3S8, ijut tiiat tho :d must pay tiio to Canada. A dei>, and it will 1)1' which luiiy it on the capital That, 1 under- ailing to do. I t period, and I wards measures •ove the llar- ands upon it. the majority of to take otf this iiey intend, with carry on those which they are ■eal. That is, I and the position wliicli Mr. McLonnan stated. This is uhoiit all f liavo to say and I trust I liavo not trespassed too long on your patience. (Crios of " No " and " Go on.") It is practical, it Hoems to mo now, perhaps by moy tho (iMvoinnn'iil limn i'MM' \vo wore liclorc. Wo had I heir a^smanco last ho>>i(in. and I tool thoy will carry mit tlioir in'oininos. It ha-^ boon staled lliat, with tho oxioption poihaps ni' l^uohco, Montioal starids ulono in thi> rnalloi'. atid that all olhci' ports in tlio l>i)iniidon woi-o Imilt hv tho < iovcrnniont. I am intorostod in (ii)doi'i(di, whrro wo have a mill, and it' I want snmu impi'ovoinont llioi'o, I don't /ro to an}' llarhoi' Commissioner, or to tho town of (iodori(di, or lo anyone else. I ^'o to Oltavva. Tho ( ioviTnnicnl has already spoilt !?r)(M).il(J(l I hero. Why is it that .Montreal ^lionM he so dilVert'ntly Iroatod as compared with other ports? Last year, when wo woni to Ottawa, tho case was ho alily put lioforo tho Minislor Ky oui' w(»rthy Mayor, 'hat wo wore led to undor- Ktand Momolhini^ woulil ho done durin^r tho Session, and there never wa- a moi-e I'avorahlo opportunity ofdoinij it. Tlio Minis- ter of i'ulilic Work> could imi he hlind as to the position he stood in with rc;^ard to (^uohoc. (Jutdieo then owed the advanceil, nnikinii; a total intorost-idiarf^o of over §13(10, ('<•'», with only the #:iO,0(H» to meet it. Although Quehec is (piito weloome to all sho can i^ot, ami the rest of tho dominion tlio sumo, I don't see why Montreal is tr(iatctl so iiaiUy hy tho < !ovornmont.. J'orhaps they look upon the other us tho prodij^'al son, and ^ivo him tho fattod calf, whoroas wo, like the j^ood hoys, ^o\ nothinpj. 1 have heon asked in Ottawa, " Why don't you do like (iiiohoe, ^o lja(dv and don't ])ay your interest ?" hut I am hMp|)y to say that Montr(;al has paid its debt and aelod honorably. 1 am i^lad wo have i-U(di a representative nieetiny; horo, and that we have the roprch MitativoH of the two ^roat railways, who aio a littlo stroiif^er than tho rest of tho Dominion outside. (Laughter.) If we can ^et them to act with us, there is nothing to pi'ovont Sir llectoi' Langevin bringing;- the matter before tho House this year, and relieving us of our burdens. (Applause.) lo coiiIimI ()(' I lilt) .18-11111(1 (ly till- |M.>i- lo llio (imV- lllllt UO lll'O iiiii'iii ihati ^HJOII, illi'l I Wllllfil lluil, I'l^ iiloi)(> ill wt'i'.' hiiilt vvlni'c wo I ilon't ^(t ricli, liiiHiili'c'iily should |i(! put holorc I III uikU'i- aiiil tlioco I'lio Miiiis- )ii ho stood ovorimiciit Sir llrcior iitlvjiiicod, h only ilio )II1C to ill! It', I iloii'l, 'VCl'IIIlU'llI,. 1, mill ^'ivo I nothing. lilK'l)0(', ^o I) siiy lh;i( m i^liid wo hitvo tho a litHo .an^ditor.) o prcvont loiiso this 81 M\\ I). A. Watt wiid : — It would lio no moro thiui rouHoiiulilo Ihiit this inofliii^hliould coirifido with Ml'. McriOiiiinn iiuloprocat- iiii;' any iimliio ciilifiHin on (ho part of thf piihlic ti>\varil.s (ho llarliiir lioard. Thtt ( 'oimiiissitttu'r.s arc nirnply tho iidiiiihiHtratoiH (tf'a |)iil)lif tnisl, tiiUiri^j; in and payln;< out ho nnudi inotioy, untl th'M'i'hy arraii^'in;^ to oxtond and inainlain the llarhor as Ihoir nu'iuiK will |)oiniit. 11' tluiy aro oxpof.tfil (o ^it on ('idar^Mnj^ thoir works, it is for (ho puhlic in ^onoral to put, thuiii in a position 1 1> ilo HO, ami 1 think tho(!onuniHsi()norHllO,Ol)l). That is to say, tho (rovornmont has exacted from the port of Montr -al interest during oonstructioii and while the works woro only in progress. This refund would give a million dollars for ini|)rovemonls, hut what can one tlo with a million dollars on a llarhor like Monti'oal 'i* You will tiiid it go a very short way iinleod in that direction. One thing has boconie certain, namely, thai inlorost ciinnot oonlinuo to bo paid hy taxa- tion on shipping, h>cause taxation will drive away trade. Wliat- ever is done foi' tho llarhor, nothing shoukl he done to add to the oxisling hiirdon- on trailic; hut, on tho contrary, the existing bur- dons shoukl he lai'goly lessoned or removed. How, then, aro they to bo lossenod '(• Some ])Ooplo think tho (rovornmont should lesaon thoiii, while others think that all tho Govoriiraont can do is to lake from us tho burden of the Lake St. Peter debt. Millions of 22 I ;■ dollar.s had boon spout on iKivi<.'ablo w.ators aiid liarbors nil over tho J)oiniiiion, ami (lio Govorninonl does not exact intoroHt from tlio work-H, The Godcrich Harbor is not taxe(i by tlio Ottawa ]ico|)Io, (^iiobce biis been ^ivon tivo million dollarn, and the bills wore supported b}' the OovornmenI anil ])aHs('d by Pai- iiamont, while Ihey knew tho jiosition of tho (Quebec Harbor to bo, about $r)0,()()() incoru«' and $211,000 expenses, leaving but $:iO,000 net profits to pay interest <>n Sr>,0'^»,O0O. Notwitlistandini^ thiH state of aflairs, tho bills were j)assed iiy i'ai-liament with scaret'ly a question fi'oni either side of the House. Yet we arc very eare- fully told that Montreal need not ask anythinif. All the favor is to be shown to ])orts that have comparatively no business, and even-lianded justice withheld from a port that does tho largest business in the Dominion. Tho port ot Montreal should bo cnct'a million, iprovement ibiui eitbor. iniijar sum, Tbey did •link. Ono lako would world that lat nothing Petor debt. )ttawa, and es. One of jct to those Bamc ship ^ 23 went in and out of Now York, and the oxpenso was but $400. Ono of the items in Montreal was $2G9 for pilotaj^e. The Govern- ment is so inlcM'csted in this hardy class of mariners below Quo- bee, that it secures to them a minimum ^aiary. These pilots are loyally organized into a kind of a commune, so that thoy, each and all, ked Alderman White if ho could give the meeting any liuu/^nation as to the position the city stood in, with regard to this project. Aid. IJicHARi) White said : — Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, 1 think our first object ought to bo to induce the Government to assume the Lake 8t. Peter debt and we may afterwards consider some plan by which the charges can be reduced in the Harbor, As to liow far the city would go in the matter, or bow far the railways would go, or how far the Government would go, 1 can not sa3\ 1 do not think it would be possible to make anything like a ])ositivo assertion as to what action the city would take, as 24 the mattev has never been discussed by the Council. Thci-e arc, liowcvcf, some expenses in coiuieclion with the wliarvos borne now by the Harbor (Jonunissioners which the city might assiiinc, the police and care of the revetment wall, for instance. Pi'oi.abl v in a re-arrangement (here ui-o duties of this Uinil which the city could and would assume. I i[uite agree wit li the Mayor that at the moTuent our etlbrts should be directed to liave this Lake St. L'otcr debt removed as a charge on the port. That is tlie most ])ra(- tical thing we can do, ami it will give us plenty of work In acconiplisli it during the next two moiitlis. Fi'om wliat 1 know of public opitiion, both here and in Ottawa, on the question, I am sanguine that if we keep at this object we shall achieve it. If we succeed, we have as a certainty SKiO.OOO a year more than we luul bcfoie, to be ex])ended on the Ilarhoi-, and that will he one ])oint gained. The question as to how far this will be suj)|)lemented by the city or by railroads and other bodies inter- ested will then be moi-e intelligently (liscus>ed than it can be to-day. The diseussion has led us to see that we must vigorou>ly pre>s on the (rovcrnment their duty in this matter, and that we slmuld enlist the active as>istancc and sym|)athy lA' all favoi'ahly (lisposi'il towards oui' object. One noticeable want in the pa^l has been that the merchants of .Montreal have not Nullieicntly ap- piecialed the value nf the influence of niemiiers from surrounding eiin>iitueneies. If the Hoard of Trade took' a little more pains to in.ike them-clves and their wants known to neighbouring memliers it would bo better lor them and the city's interi'>ts. In the meantime, if we get the Lake St. I'eler debt removed, I think thai other advantages will follow to the ilarijoi', and follow very rapidly. The Cii.MUM.v.N said; — Undoubtedly the most practical step to be taken at pre>ent is to appoint u strong t'ommittce, with ample j)owers, to carry on a vigoi'ous agitation. Mr. lliciv.soN' : — 1 bhould like to know for what the Committee is to agitate. The t'ii.\iKM.\N ;— It would be impo.s.siblc to delinc very closely the timclions of the Committee, but, as 1 stated, they should be charged with very lull powers, and authorized f(;r as much as they can obtain, injustice totlic port of Monti'eal and the development of the trade of the dominion. I>ut I would not lay down a hard and fust line. If they cannot get the (iovornment to a.sHume the ■# Thoi-0 are liai-ves Ikm'iic iiiglitasMumc, 0. P.'()l,al)ly liicli (lio city oi'lliatat (lie jakoSl. I'olcr I'O iiiosl prac- of work Id wliat, I kriuw 10 (iiiostioii. I ifiiicvo it. 11' ii- nmrc tlian that will Ix) lliis will Ih" boilics i liter- al" it. can bo ^il vii(<)i'()ii>|_v iiinl thai wo •••11 /hv, I would wish Sir Donald Smith, Mj'. Currau, Mr. Desjardins. and Cupt. Labclle, members whom I see piescnt, to say a few words on this question. Sir Donald A. Smith : — I should have preferred to have 8j)oken after Mr. ("urran, but the expressions of opinion given ut this meeting leave me little to say. It appears to mo to bo the unani- mous view of this meeting that prompt action is required in this matter. 1 say unanimous, because, although Mr. Honshaw ap- peared to dissent to some little extent, it was only in appearance, and 1 think that much that he said is the best argument ])ossible for prompt and vigonnis action. Wo should not look forward to the Government keeping us in suspense for throe, four, or tive years, but wo should go to woi'k ourselves and tr; to have our oiiject obtained immediately. (Hear, hear.) By combining among ourselves, by understanding each other, by getting those who have tho greatest interest in the community to come together determined to work heartily, by bringing every possible in- fluence to ijear on the Government, wo must succeed. Kvery member who sees that his constituency is intcrostoii in having Montreal made a free port, should follow the example of m}' friend Mv. Desjardins, and act in whatever way is best calculated to further our interests. We all agree that tho llaibor accommo- dation is far from being sufficient even for tho present greatly increased traffic coming over the old lines. If that is tho case now, what can be expected when the enormous increase of traffic, over tho Canadian Pacitic Hallway and the other now linos in the northwest, comes to Montreal? Last year there was a sui-plus of twelve to fourteen million bushels of wheat alone in Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, Judging from the additional heniberof(l) |»r(Iio Ho.-iid '<»f;il niciD- Wo novcr 'arice of tlio |ill ntlii (hat p f^yinpatliy ''*'iil, in fliis Smitli, Mr. whom I see avo spoken 'ven at this 3 llio iinani- •lod ill tlii^i onshaw ap- Jippcaranoo, L'nt possible : forward lo <>iir, or live to Jiavo our ooinbining ttinir (hose ne (o^rodiur )ossiblo in- in Jiaviiig plo of my calculated itocornnio- nt /Tfoatly w the case eof ti'aflio, ines in tJio a HUfj)liis Manitoba idditionai m 21 quantity of land broken up last aiitnnin, wo shall have nearly twioo as much j^rain next year, if, as we hope, the harvest is favorable. Consi^l■. niar(inti'eal in rei^ard to its pre- tensions in reference (o the Channel, it ap})cai's (!lear to my mind that we have made considerable progress, althoui;h not so much as >omc peii|)le imagine, to get the (iovernment to assume this Lake St. Peter debt. 1 firmly believe we iiave reached the piiint that ne.\l sessimi we shall have that debt assumed. We niav pos^iiily achievis that. (Applause.) It was only by edueat- inu' piiiplic o]iinion and the uncea'-ing ell'orts made by our lioard of 'I'r.-idi'. Corn Mxchiinge, and otlier similar boilies in this city, and thi'oiigb the favorable advocacy of the piess, on bolii side.s (.f |H)liiics, ill dill'erent [)ai'ts of the Dominion, whose utterances ciidd \n' laid iiefore the (Iovernment at any time, that this re.-iill riiiild he bniaght about. Some refei'cnce has been made to the City of .Montreid. through its Corporation, giving some aid in ihe mutter ol'a free port, which 1 take to be ipiite a distinct i|ue.-iioii from that of the a-sum])tion of this ( 'hannel dtdtt hy the (iovernment. (Hear, hear.) .Most of tho.-e present will remembor that at the excursion of the Coi'ti l'".xcbange down the river, la>t summer, .Mderman (irenier. Chairman of ilie Finance ( 'ommitlei", w;is pre.-ent. and met, to some extent, the reproach again>t the (ity Council. Jle said that 'f the Channel del't wei'e assumed by the Cb»vernmcnt, the chai-ge which now falls on .>-bipi>ing tor the |irotection of the ilarboi' liy a body of police, would be assumed by the city. That w^is reasonable, and would lie a great I'elief to the ^hipping interest, bccau.- a lax levied on the >hipping of the port to meet the expi'usc. (.Vpplause.) 1 have jilways einleavored to carry out the views of our Board of Trade and Corn i^xidiange, believing that they I'epiesent the commercial and nninufaciuring intere-ts of the city ol „M(iiiiieal. and I intend to follow tiie sumo line of action in I he fiiuire. (Ai)plau.se.) in this gieat nieeiing tn-day we h;ive achieved something. 1 am sati.slied that everyone hero is willing to do his utmost 29 Hide or ■■^liuii ()(' >r (locj)- oiics o( <)i" t lic- it. s pro- ' (o my 1 not so •■issiiiiio I'oacliwl ssiiiiu'd. i'iliic;il- r Hujird lis fit J, til sidi's I'i'jiiici's lilt this i> iiiailo K sonio
  • tinct > I'.v the iiiciiilior ' rivor, l''iM:iii('i! Ill, (he ■r the I'liiirn-e of the jy the liof to 'OVOl'll- , Jiiiid «tf the avored haiiire, k is :1 •f f tnwaid.- olilaiiuiig the ohjoct we liavo in view. Tj(!t U8 firn) woi'k l() have liie Harbor ( 'orninissioii relic'Vc(| of the iiiver deot. Al ii I'liliiif [luriod, if we ciiii i;() to I he (iovenuiuMil aiititiH'nfy ill till! coiiMlry, endorsiii";' oiir ajiplieation, the time may come, niid ('(lino soon, when Alontreal will he made a free port. Al all events, I presume that the Committee named now will g'o to udi k at once, and ])repare a |)lan to eariy out, our ohjeet. The Channel delit hoin^ assumed, and the pi'ejudiees whi h have existed heretofore overcome, we shall heenahlol to ^o ahead and fico otii- ]K)rt from this ta.xatioii on Hlii])])in^. Let UH bend all our energies for the present t(»wards the one nliject iif indueiiiii' the (lovermnent to assume the Ldcck to make it a local (piestion ; we must not play into their hands. I deem it liut fair to say that wo have always had the f;i)ii(l will anil concurrence of the members of the adjoiniiiy; counties, and if wc adopt a course calculated to awaken the peo- ])le generally to the importance of the issue now before us. we may .-afely reckon iiixin the (iovernment of the Dominion doing Us justico. (Apjilause.) .Mr. i)Ks.iAiii)i.Ns, M.P., Iloehela^a, .said: — I have not much to add, but 1 am n'lad to be jireseni to answer the accusation i)roii<;lit against nein;hboriiin' members of Parliament, that wearc iiidillereiit to the interests of the city of .Monlieal. That is not precisel}' the case. l''or one, I liave often eonipiained that the eiti/.ens, ivprescntiiie; lare-o interests ot' the city of .Montreal, do not avail theniselvc. more than they liace of the services of memtiers repi-esenting the outlyin,^; counties. The lirst news! o''"ii iret of a deputation .i^'oin^^ to (Ottawa to ui'ii,e an ini])iirtaiil iniestion on the t iovernment, is when I see it in the pa|)ers the next niornin,!:;. The fact is tiiat, in mv o))ini()n, the citizens of .Montreal have been too soK'reliant ; while they have seen the people of other centres ot' commerce looking to the (iovernment lor the public works required so 1 1' in tlioir own "oc-iiliiio.s, tlic (jilizoiis of .Moiitn-al woi'O clopond- iii"' on tliiuii^clvos iiloiio. Wo niiiy lie jtnmd of lliirt, but, \vc ()ii;:;lil i.o l;iko ii Icsiif out ot oui' iicii;liljniir.s' books wlicn thoy iiro niovini; in tin' riylit ilircction, 'riioy have rotMMVed liir^o muns of iiioiH'V IVoni tin' (lovoriinii'Mt from your to your, wliilo \vo liuvc bi'cii iiayini^ mir own way. I am very ^dud to si o that tlio c-iti/.onH of .Montreal now lu'liovo llial tlicy ou^iit do tiio .-^umo us iho |ioo|ili' of f^nolioc. Wby lias llio eiiy of (^nobcc obtuined •S."), 000, Olio for iiii|irovinn- tiio llarli'>i, wliun tlii'i'o was no j)ossi- biiitvol payinif liio inti'i'i'>l 'I Ix^cuuso tlio ciiy of <^Hol)et' Iius been doin^f all ulonif what we arc tliiidvinj^ of doing now. You SCO n )w that not only in tlio vioinily of .Monti'i'al, but from Ivinf,^-'ton down, you can brim;' forty roprcsontativos wlio will accompany you to tho (iovci-nmont and obtain from tbon\ the u.ssistan(!o you arc entitled to. \\y UL^itation as has been sug- ^otcd, by interest ini;' the newspajior^ and furni.-hinn' them with (i'fur I's.and by irilluencin^; public o|)inion. yo will -uccccd in mak- in:;' .M'Hitrcal what it ou^ht to be, tbcgreat port of the I)ominion. .Not only will .Monti'cal but tho entire Dominion benolit by tho ini|irovcmcnls in oui- port. Our caiials arr worthless unless you can i^rini' U) .M< oiitreal a largo ship|)in iiUMness. beg to say that I am at one with the object of this meeting, and that you can depend on my support in carrying it out. (Applause.) Mr. SuA.NT-Y, -M.i'., >aid ; — 1 liave nothing to ad>l to what has been ali'eas of llio mootiiu has I lei'n rcaclieil will sav tii;s in ief(!reiice to what niv friend, .Mr. 1) esianlins, nas ai< alioiit certain nieniljors between here and King^t()n. 1 am in'ithei'a .Mnntrcal merchant nor a shipper. 1 !im lu'ic as a repi'esontative of an Ontario con- stituency, and I believe that my ('on>tiliients in Ontario are largely interl'■^ted in the improvement of the port of .Montienl. r repeat what .Mr. I)esiardin^ ha-; said, that I am entirely one with tho object of this meeting, and 1 will help your elforts in any way I can, either in rarliainent or out of it. (Applause.) ('apt. Laiskm.k, M.P., said ; — 1 agree with what has been stated at this meeting. Ah one of tho mcmbei s lepresonting a cou- •ttituency below Montreal, I will bo in the lobb^-of the House to eet you gentlemen ainl to vote in favor of exempting .Montreal m from the Harbor debt and improving tho Harbor of Montreal. The CiiAiKMAN : — Any other practical suggestions are in order now bolbre we bring the meeting to a close. or II f si n o t i K'ntl- ' .'tl'O [sums p Wo tiio amo lined )o.ssi. ■ IlilS ii'nv. th)in will 1 the llir. with iialv- linn. (Iio >■"" ,siy i can 81 Mr. MiND£Ri.oii ; — I wish to state that the city of Antwerp paid oni'-lialt' of the 10i>,000,00l) fraiicH, reqiiiit'd to improve its llai-lior, and the country of Kcl^iuni, which is a very sniall coiiiitry, the othoi' 50,0()n,()00. I think the city of .Montreal shouM surely do r?oincthin/jf.''- Our position in the past reminds me of the story ot the Iiinhman who tired at a bird, and the recoil of the <,'iin knocked him down. When lie got up again, he naw the bird chirping on a tree, and he said to him: " Ah ! my hoy, if you were ''t the other end the object of this meeting. Ml'. R. A. .Smith said: — The object we have in view is tho at- ti'action of tonnage to tho port nf .Montreal. If we are relieved of the J.ako .St, I'eter debt, and the money thereby saved is u\)- propriated to ilarlior impi'ovements, without relief being extend- ed to .-ihii'iiing, I for oiiedo not believe that tho desired result will be attained. 1 think I laii'ly represent tho views of the shipping interest generally when 1 say that there cannot be any very material increase in tonnage unless taxation is removed. It is essential that vessels should lii;d Montreal a cheap port. It we are relieved from the Lake .St. I'eter debt and the taxes on tonnage are not reduced therely, we shall, I am cc^nvineeil, fail in tho attainment of tho great object we have in view. (Ai)plau>e.j Mr. lluoii McLk.vna.n : — 1 take it that tho improvoment of the Harbor and, as far as practical, tho reduction of tho oxj)eu.sos upon shipping, will be tho objects of this Committee. ■■■ With a view to secure accuracy on this point, Mr. Munderloh, after the meeting, telegraphed to Antwerp, and received in reply the following cable, which materially modities the statement made above: — " MCNDEKLOH, Montreal. From Anvers, Jan. 24, 1888. New harbor constructioiiH cost sixty-eight million francs, whereof nine-teuths paid by Uoverumeiit, oiie-leuth by city. Stei.nman." vmrnm 82 Mr Watti-II shoMl.l I,.. ,„„, invoiHoly, ,. i„ U,,, Rosolutio,, lii'Hl moMt uf ili(( llarlHii 10 icinnval uni.X.llinM „„ slli|,|,i„u-. ,„„| ,|„,nf| in Tli(! Cm AIRMAN aM-aiii ica,| ilu, K^..,,! "tisly adoptt'cl by llio inootiii;;. 10 iinpiovo- llti'Hl, Wllil-ll WHS lllliUli- Oii (he riiotioii <,(' ,Vf|. () f') .Mr. Dkimmmm) (In. cordial tliaiil. 'iii.viE, Sii- T).).NAi,i) Smi rri Convoy oil iiilcivsl li,' look in liu' MiaMci' and (bi- | <« "I" (lio rnootinLf I'oi- (| 10 ovor tlio i mpoi'tiint conloriMice. iiH conduct in presiding Tiio iti(Kci..diiio's (luMi li'iminutod. w