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QUEBEC LEGISLATURE. FOURTH SESSION -FOURTH PARLIAMENT. THE BUDGET. said : HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. ,,, , Quebec, May 30, 1881. At ten o'clock the Hon. Mr. Robertson rose to deliver his Budget. He vres^rt fT^'^'^T^'' ""i"^^"" '^' "«"^^ "^^"^•^ «« occasions like the fnTo":ittroi^r, Th^'^t^'^' ^-i ^^^^ ^^^ «-- ^-- ^^-^^ kindness ^romhioraS'^^.Lhr \"^t^'''^ ''^ ^^^* consideration and others, and to ^^^i^^:^::!::!::'' ^:2^^^ ^ t^^^st .portant ,nest.o^ S ^^^^^ t;: " ^ ^ of sti;:^r;jr :'L^r:t^irr/*'^ ^^^^^^^^^ -^^^^^^^ --^^ usual sources of rc^nethT expenditure, the one from our Then there was no prrUcular diffi^H """^ ^'''^''''' "^P"^"'' '''''^'^' in excess of our expeSre Id ff f ^ experienced, as our receipts were public works intendpfl .. , ^'^' indebtedness of the province for betwee^thec iesofou n^ '' ^P^" communication centres of commerce had no hT' "' ''^7' "^ *'^ ^^^^^^^^ P^"« ^^ our nr««penty ^ -^'^ '^ wealth ami influence, and in general 67954 ■'mmammmmt:- 2 The Legislature, after mature deliberation, assumed large liabilities for railway construction, quite as much as we could conveniently carry, and lo bvthea" r?^T '' ^^*^- ^''"'- h°— - the'press'ure is not by the Government to induce contributions for railway purposes, but promoLTf V'^^''/^'"" ^"^^^^ '""'''''^ °«^ indebtedness in the promotion of railway enterprise to an amount beyond our ability to pav unless additional burdens are placed upon the people to an xtl wh^ch would seriously interfere with their prosperity. This pressure i^ he interest of some of our people, the Government must resist, ^e'^at the rsk of offending some of their own friends, who.it is feared, sometimes look more ouCvTh n^tf "'" '"? Vr' ^-P— -t» - their own sectioTof country than to the general welfare and credit of the province. (Hear, hear ) been snWni' T.rS ^'' ^^l ^''^^ ^^^^^ «^^^"^ '^' ^^th June last, have 1 nnn . ^ .V^' ^°"''' ^^^ ^^*'^^« ^^ ^^^^^ ^'''- «^««^bers have had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with. The estimated revenue for Ssbrserentrrth'^ '^" ''*^'^ '"'^'P^ ^y ^^""^ *''^«'^««' -^d the actual disbursements on the ordinary general business of the province, exclusive dpfill. f ' "^^^^^^^^^^^d^^g there were special warrants issued for deficiency of appropriations to the amount of #127,071.43, of which wa • tt ;Vbt rcotfs." ''' ^^^"^^*^ ^^ *^^ ^-^ ^^^^'^«^-^«' - «ppe-"i« A glance at the objects for which these special warrants were issued ~7o ; bt ' ""^ t^^^*^^^ "^^^^^^^^' ^^^^ — ^ werl-ssued n payment of debts previously contracted, which were not put into the appropriations of the year, as they should have been. It is not foi 1 t say whether, if the former Government had remained in offi e th ac u receipts would have been larger ; but I think I mav say the navm'^? could not have been much diminished, and I content mysdwit7gT"n: the facts as they exist. (Hear, hear.). I may say further th! my be"^ efforts were directed to obtain as much revenue as I could and to depose of It as prudently as possible. aispose Of course, in estimating the supposed revenue for any year all the Treasurer can do is to obtain information from the different dep^rtmenis and, judging by the previous year's receipts, come as near toThf Tctuai revenue as he can. The same is true as respects the payments to be mlde audit frequently happens that some of the services require morpJ^!;. than anticipated. But if, on the whole, the year's busl^rco^e ^ J .A , """"c '''*•''" "''";''^^' '' '' '^'''' '' "«" - -y-'^^ «an do. (Hear hea f f ^/. Comparisons are. fr«queaUly mado pf :th».e*pense of carrybgon the I >^»l/i^.Government of late S^^i^m^m .H^^lWik, first years of OonJe^ra! I ^ tion. Thi public se] the publi administr are increa ing so larj on the pu formerly j Two autumn vi the accon Dominion. forward c and we arj Dominion, tory to the continued adjustmeni made in ch anditishoj [open accou I do and expend sary details [accounts if I inten( hhe past few [the close of the statemei The gTOHf From whi Receipts i Sale of 801 And the a: Making. . Leaving ai The gross From wbi< And paid c to otb And the ai structi Amounting Leaving oi< And deduct leaves i B liabilities for ly carry, and le pressure is purposes, but lis House and edness in the ibility to pay, extent which assure, in the en at the risk nes look more vn section of (Hear, hear,) Line last, have )ers have had revenue for nd the actual ce, exclusive gislature by :s issued for which wad i appears in were issued ire issued in ?ut into the »t for me to i, the actual le payments with giving lat my best id to dispose 'ear, all the lepartments, > the actual to be made, More money )mes pretty Hear, hear), ing on the P Oonfedera- 8 .«tnmr°wi*The°" ew of' ""ul" •*°"™"-' "«W Quebec 1„, j.dju,.me„, of these .cconnt.. Oo„,fdI IbTeTro™! h.rTl '" k"°' accounts if required. ^ ^ committee on public the close of each fixed yeaf to I win ^ ^""' ""°» '" '*">'■ »* [.he statement. I at^X .i"' iror/nVpl^r " "'^-"' "'* T,, , I-AST YEAR'S BUSINESS. • The gross receipts per Public Accounts was From which deduct temporary loans „ „, $3,546,637 44 Keceipts from Beauport Asylum $1,050,000 00 Sale ot some material from Government "iteilwav ' ^'•'°'^ ^^ T , $1,187,560 25 Leaving as ordinary receipts ... ■ — — . The gross expenditure, as per Public' Acconnts was' $2,359,077 1 9 tiom wb.cb deduct repayment of temporary 10^" «,nn nnn n„ ^'^^^'^^^ ^1 'tSh°e? XTys°''=°"^*"°''''" o^ail^iTdsub^idVc/s ^''''''' '' '"'SuS^il^-^ *'^"-P---ouni fo;-con. ''''*'' '' 142,357 36 Amounting to — *— T , , 1>143,847 75 JLieavlnir nrdinorv o^nsr''-'---- =^ ^"^ettX^rffi'^T .':''" °"^'-> •e;p;nditu.^, ^^^^^Mei 96 $476,384 77 If, however, we take the actual cash receipts we should deduct the amount received from Beauport Asylum and from the Dominion Govern- ment on general accounts, which would reduce the actual deficit to $338,- 884.77 There a^e also certain extraordinary expenditures, — which should be deducted if we would arrive at the ordinary normal expenditure, such as the amounts paid on construction of the public buildings, $132,- 142.65, and for the Jacques dirtier Normal School, which is merely a loaii of $2 1,530.87. These would reduce the deficit to Jl 86,21 1.25, to which, however, might be added the amount of sinking fund upon our loans not paid la*t year of $109,956.66, making the deficiency upon actual receipts and expenditure, deducting what should be charged to capital account, $296,167.91, if sinking fund had been paid. The statement shows some gain on the past five years,but it is not qui;e satisfactory, and will not be till we can show a surplus each year of receipts over expenditure for the ordinary purposes of carrying on the public service. (Hear, hear.) It should be borne in mind, however, that it is not owing to extravagant expenditure upon the various branches in the public service which caused the annual deficits observable in the public accounts, so much as the decrease of ouv revenue, or rather the application of our revenue from the Dominion Go- vernment towards payment of interest on our loan for railway purposes, instead of payments for other purposes. I am convinced that when the expenditure on the Government railway returns anything like what it should, that is four or five per cent annually upon its cost, there need be no apprehension of our having to resort to temporary loans or direct tax- ation to supply the needs of our public service, if anything like prudence is exercised in our expenditure. When it is considered that our subsidy from the Dominion Govern- ment is required to pay interest on our loans for railways, it is not to bo wondered at that we should experience a difficulty in making up from other sources of revenue sufficient to carry on the public service as it should be There is one consolation we have, and that, is although we have some difficulty in making the two ends meet, in consequence of our railway expenditure, there is no doubt but that in a few years we will get over our temporary embarrassment, and be able not only to meet every demand against us, but have the railways to show the enterprise and intelligence o the Quebec Legislature. (Cheers.) In the meantime we must not be dis couraged or talk of increased taxation to any great amount. With patienc* and perseverance, with prudence and economy, and by close attention to thf collection of our assets, I believe the province will soon recover its positioil of financial prosperity, and prove equal to any of our sister provinces in j ability to meet our engagements, and prove ourselves their equal iiL advancing the prosperity of our province by contributions, by-and-bye. morfl largely in I hope, in ai It is ir the current nes.s, becan paid out in .' in during I lands and ; receipts an ' therefore, g : 30th June should not > certain stat : of the who I n )\v revenue f)r e.stimates >i Es In pres marked, 1 h; taking into i judgment a: may be, of may be rec( varied, and may be less, the purpose year. The firs certain inter the sub.sidy nion resourc payments ms the justice ol will be requi se^•ol•al of th on public affi lid deduct the Qinion Govern- deficit to $338,- tures, — which al expenditure, uildings, $132,- merely a loan 1.25, to which, I our loans not actual receipts ■ apital account, ' it shows some nd will not be iditure for the , ear.) It should | nt expenditure ; ed the annual lecrease of our ) Dominion Go- 4 n way purposes, | that when the I : like what it i there need be i i or direct tax- 4 like prudence | inT\^n"'i W f'^T ^"^"r«*'°" '■^''J^ «»^ i" aid Of agriculture, and let as hope, m aid of further railway extension. STATEMENT OF THE CUTIBENT YEAR. It is irnpo..8ible to go into details of the receipts and expenditure of the current year so as to make a comparative statement of the year's busi- nes.s, becau.se the principal amounts paid over under the Subsidy Bill are paid out in the early part of the year, and there are large sums which come 1 during the last two months of the year as revenue, from licenses, Crown e^i%" ."?'k ■'''"■'''• ^^' '^'*'^™^^"^ P^*^««"*«d to the House of the receipts and di«bu sements of the ten months of the current year does not therefore, give a complete statement of how the accounts will stand on th,: should not consider that becau.so a broken period of the year shows a certain state of the accounts, that. nece,ssarily. such a statemeril ant:^ ot the whole year's transactions. revJue'rTr^JT'''/^ '■?"'''""'• '",'"■'"« '"='''"' *" "™'"= ""e e.timated ::;irLU:s "'" "■" '"' "^''™*'"'- »' '■™'^-''' - «•' ESTIMATES FOR 1881-82. Estimated revenue for the fiscal year beginning 1st July next. In presenting the probable receipts of the next fiscal year, as I before re- Keel. 1 naVf> hopn c^n^^a,\ k„ iU., i f ., ,.~ linion Govern- ] t is not to be I r up from other i 5 it should be ve have some f our railway il get over our 3very demand intelligence oi ist not be dis With patienc( ttention to th( er its positior ' provinces in beir equal ii ind-bve, mon marked, have been guided by the reports from the different departments taking into account previous year's receipts, making such alterations asTn my If r /r. ''"''""''^' ^^ '^' P^°'^^^« increase or diminution, as the cZ may be, of the receipts, so as to approximate, as near as possible to what may be received. Of course, our sources of r< . .ue are not very large o maTb; "ss b«; if"™:^ ' ^"^ "'"^^^ ^^^ '^ ^'-^^^ *^- -t-^^'^, ofhers may be less, but if in the aggregate my estimate is correct, it will knswer t^he purpose of informing the House what may be expectei in the coZg The first item of importance is our subsidy from the Dominion and certain interests on trust funds, $1,014,712. The Confederation let fixed he subsidy to be paid the several provinces in the Dominion from Domt mon resources. In some cases the Parliament at Ottawa has increased tTe payments made to some of the Provinces, as their necessities ec uir d and the jvistice of the case warranted. lam inclined to think other chaiZs sT; ralo?rp'^'"^^°"^^^*\^^"^""°^ -^^^^^'^ i* iswellknfvn se^ oral of the Provinces are not able, with their present revenue to carrv on public affairs as they should be carried on. (Hear, hear ) ^ CUdWN LANDS HEVEVUE. .Th« ■'•'xt Item ofroveniu. arisen from Crown Lands. Tho Hon Com m .s,s.oner has fi.von me his estimate of receipts for the next year I W adopted h.s statement, though I am inclined to think he might wihr feet HHfety have increased it. The amount is $f!23 383 00 „n 1 iT """"^ «y''''y«»« rejoices at the increased activity in the lumber trade ad hat pnces of lumber have gon. up to sum. wh.t no.u- tho t u.Talu ^t add t.on made by the Government to dues on lumber .ut in the fore « Im no be felt dunng che current year as much as it will in ho fuZ v as he dues are usually paid in October for the previou w te ' cu o im h r ' Crow, Unas l^.,^tJ:tUS:^^fUZ, Xri:,-^ ^- the of Crown land limit, in October lasf proved very succesafur' T^ ' reah.ed were good, the competition Irisk be vUrth IbJrmerfof Dusine8!,-one ol the most important in the Province It is onlv in.Hn V repre,e„t.,i„„ fr„„> ,he par.ie. e,wd*„ m,„t ojet * l^X' addmo,,, p„po»ed to the timbe,- dues would seriously affef he lumbe trade, the Ooverument, ou report of the Commissioner of Crown latds tteamoZ to tr'T ";','' *' ""''^ '"'«-"'"■ --wITredu ed wellTaSed w^hT • ""'' ' '"^'""'•'i' '° "')' "'»' "" P""" are prel y won salislied with the increase of dues as it now stands. Doubtless oth., modiheations may be made as experience may suggest from time t„;l " OTHER REVENUES. j The next item of revenue is law and registratfon stamns Th,-« T u ' placed at the sum of « ■:>nn nnn T w t J? '""""on stamps. Ihislhave T «m f A «^«y.O00. Last year I estimated for this source «230 000 Thf Tetr ir^i: 'T"',"'" ^^'V' "'" "'" -" ^« " amou,uUtdrm;;.ei'air:h:; h enrr..ot'f:?^"''"°"- ''" former years. The number of law sifit Xch have beei iSit^tTd'd"" ing the present year caused by defect, and omDo,« f h law a," t formerly stood, has been exceedingly large, writs of mandamus, of prl ! bition, ( per for r ? conduct posed to jurisdicti Dominio the Couf passed b AVhi some of c sale of ini This I ar inished, d revenue. or where license, ai proper pa not, I am into effect I have exi ges to be i not practi( the power statute b( harm than not being } ments, to t of the sin taken up a alteration i have the p which con in such a s license law as low as respective 1 to have th restrictions which our There is th .^ame time t this also cor ■'«^ he Hon. Coin- year. I have ight with piT- ! lumber trade, no value. The ho forests will ' future years, I cut of timber, e.stimate by a I'od from the ir.) The sale The prices nberraeu for ccess in their ulyjustico to he was inde- ? purchasers, efforts. Upon 3118 that the the lumber rown Lands, hat reduced es are pretty ibtleas other ae to time. This I have ce $230,000. t calculated itral service ringing the the amount received. ] 3,000. The I ? as in some | tituted dur- f 1 . f e law as it | s, of prohi- bilio,, of actio,,, for d»,„»ge,, etc., h.v, be,,,, i.,„od, .„a if „ „ ,„.„. po.ea to ti.,d „,„. i„ u:t^j^ r:^L:z^x;:zt |>as«c"ra»e ol those powers ,„ the legislation While o„this subject I may remark I'urllier fh„t iko .n- . i ■ someofourcties and .ow,.s t'o diminth tt , ^t '„ ""or :l:r oTlhe' s.eof,„,„„o,,t,„j Ii,„„„ „i,l doubtless atrect „„r rev,'! omewh^^." This I am not sorry to see as, if the sale of liquors could re.llT, oJXe rtr ^^irr'i^rcitt«i:r witr'^ r '°" --"'^r"' f:: a'e ic^t'th "1 rr "tT;:"?,""""' "t '-'"■« '^-^^^y"^ :r?^Jt^ii-ZefHS~r" wh,oh our courts would immediately decide ZZ\ P"'"'""°"' ""d There is the desire to limit the trSwthf; o,»r K Z/7Z ame ,me to obtai,, such revenue as legitimately shouTdTeVcetej for th,s also comes ,nto the question, although many ^ople seem t^ itt ."Mi::- Mut^Mmm,; '■w^f»M If oppor,«„ity i, give,,, I intend, when onr present law is consolidated lo take Ihre w°^"!:„';!,T,.,"'!:"'™' ^'"'-l' °f '"» 'en.pe,a„ce people, or even provinces .xtuo«e WHO would like to see free trade in the 1 quor business the traffic ' ' '''\^'^"^ *'^ "^^^^^'^^ °f -- peopIeTy restr t- ;' wni at the" '^^^" "'""'"* "^" '''''' ^" carrying it out, and ^ 111, at the same time, prove the means of limiting the sale of liquors as far as possible, materially reduce the quantity sokl and thus prove of immense advantages to the entire community. ^ Next we have the Law Fee Fund, exclusive of stamps and percentage on fees of public officers, $20,000. percentage an it!m S^f'"^ ^V ^T^' \ ^''^' ^^""^^*«^ ^^^^^'^^O. This is BnlZ u -1 f ''P''^^ '°""'*'^' ^^"^^^^ yi«^ov,.rnment retaining the road in their hands, must be readv to cover the dehciency alluded to in some other way. There is great force in such I arguments all must admit. Oil the other side it is argued that the Government Railway has not been m operation long enough to know what its real value is-whether to lease or to sell ; that the traffic already exceeds by far what was anticipated and IS daily increasing in magnitude ; that as the connections from the W c'st becomes more established with the western end of the railway the traffi.; must unquestionably largely increase, and to such an extent that it 18 impossible now to foresee what volume it will assume in a few years and, therefore, the Government should retain the railway for a time till more correct opinion can be formed as to the terms to be demanded for eith(!r its disposal or lease. It is further urged that to sell the railway for cash would be bad bcause, it we had the cash in hand, we could not reduce our debt as the bonds of the province are now much above par, and would increase in price If It were known that the Government were desirous of repurchasing their own debentures, „nd that the price of the railway would be frittered away m aid of other enterprises, as no government could resist the pressure o parties who would unite in claiming what they considered their' share otth. money on hand for their local enterprises. And further, that if a lea.se was made* now the true value of such lease cannot be determined and besides, it would be almost impossible to prevent depreciation of rolling stock and m the maintenance of the road-bed and buildings. That recla- mations of all sorts would be made upon the Government, under renre- sentations of lo,ss in working the road and defects in its construction, and that a company might run down the value of the road to such an extent tan in payment of rent under one pretence or another, that the Government .!^**«*1»SfaBB»W* M,X;V^' 12 would have to resume possession of the road in such a depreciated con- dition that even what had been paid for rent would be required to place it iii as arood a state as it now is. (Hear, hear.) These are some of the arguments used on the one side and on the other and more or less truth may be found on either side. of the question. Our future railway arrangements are entitled to the most serious considera- tion of this House, and should bo discussed quite aside from party lines or party feelings, and in the bearing alone of the good of the Province, and with a view of deciding so as to further the weffare of the country to the fullest extent. (Hear, hear). I need not say any more on the subject now. It has already been partially discussed, and will be again during the session. All I need add is that the Government have not received any offer for the sale or lease of the railway which we felt warranted in advis- ing the House to accept. At the same time the difficulty of the position with respect to our meeting so large a sum annually for interest, presses hard on the executive in view of some immediate relief which might be found if our railway was giving us more rc-enue than at present. The income from the Railway I have placed as last year at $2.50,000. Ihere is also coming from the Government of Ontario $35,000 from interest on funds in their hands which may be safely calculated upon, I think, for part of next year's revenue. These sums united amount to $2,745,095, which as near as I can estimate may be calculated upon as forming our revenue next year. There is also the amount of the loan made towards the land and building of the Jacques Cartier Normal School of Montreal, which will be realized if the property formerly occupied as a normal school is sold during the year. The debt due on this account amounts to $138 348 be- sides the interest thereon. This property will yield a larger sum than the advances made upon it. The only question is to decide whether the pro- perty should be sold this year, or wait another year for a higher price. Property in that part of the city is increasing in value consequent on the railway terminus being at the Quebec Gate Barracks. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. Before going on to next year's operations,^! may allude briefly to the supplementary estimates for the current year, for which authorization from the House is asked. These consist of certain items, either unexpected when appropriations were asked, or when the appropriations were insuffi- cient for the purposes intended, the principal items being for colonization purposes and for public works and buildings. The sums asked for will obviate the issue of special warrants, and of course will have to be paid during the current year, in addition to the appropriations contained in the statutes. I regret the amount is so large, but the details as giv^u ^h^ House fc total amc I no' of July, diture do by statut( upon oui This sum the whol( that it is reduced i The nity to m tingent e: total for tt salary, in( and conti $87,780. I sh session n year, nor the empk them 18 i and in c< of the ne: on the sta a numbe: being ma and as th( not receiv who had future, mi Inth amount, i at |40,00C tion must not exceei bable that accounts. »t„a»miKm%v!m . m.mm»m»mi- ireciated con- ed to place it oil the other, lestion. Our .18 considera- aarty lines or rovince, and untry to the subject now. II during the eceived any ted in advis- the position irest, presses !h might be at i$2o0,000. [rom interest , I think, for ) $2,745,095, forming our towards the itreal, which chool is sold i 138,348, be- \m than the ler the pro- igher price, [uent on the riefly to the izalion from unexpected vere insuffi- colonization :ed for will to be paid lined in the 8 ariveu tho 13 House for adoption will be explained, if necessary, in committee, total amount is $81,387.68. EXPENDITURE FOR 1881-2. The I now come to the expenditure for the year commencing the first day of July, 1881. The first item which appears in the estimated expen- diture does not require to be voted annually, ad it has already been voted by statute. That is the interest, linking fund, and charges of management upon our public debt, in the whtlj amounting to the sum of $8°84,680. This sura includes interest, sinking fund, and charges of management on the whole of the provincial debt. I think the House will agree with me that it is quite as large as we can afford to meet. It cannot be materially reduced until our sinking fund increases from year to year. The next item is legislation. First, the Legislative Council :— Indem- nity to members and mileage already voted, .|12,6()5 ; lor salaries and con- tingent expenses, !b;16,723 ; being |o,612 less than last year's estimates, or a total for the Legislative Council of $29,388. Legislative Assembly:— Speakers salary, indemnity to members and mileage already voted, |36,500 ; salaries and contingent expenses, including printing, binding, etc , $51,280 ; total, $87,780. or $7,220 less than estimated for last year. I should remark here that the full effect of the law passed last session respecting the employees of the Housi will not be felt this year, nor even next year, as it will be there after, because several of the employees availed themselves of that provision of the law allowing them 18 months' salary in full if they retired from the public service'; and in consequence, the full salaries for the current year, and for half of the next fiscal year, will be paid said employees, as if they were still on the staff. Another reduction may be looked for hereafter, that is, quite a number of the employees who had heretofore b9en permanent, on being made sessional, receive half their former salaries for the session, and as these retire from time to time, such as will occupy these positions will not receive so much remuneration as is given to these sessional employees, who had been made such from the former permanent staff. This will, in future, materially reduce the expenses of both the Council and Assembly. In this connection there appears also :— Grant for the Library, the usual amount, $3,000 ; expenses of elections, $43,000 ; this latter amount is placed at $40,000 more than last year, as the general elections under our constitu- tion must take place during the next fiscal year, and I hope the cost will not exceed the sum mentioned. I can only say that it is exceedingly pro- bable that considerable deductions will, as usual, require to be made in the accounts, as presented by the returning officers and their deputies. •i^KpW' expenditure for w2u $i^f^ up $172 368. That is oa the general made up in e.,en^T:i::^!^!:;o!!'''' '''' '"''^ ''' ^'^^'•^^^ ^^^^ The next item of expenditure is civil government. Sftliiries of public departments. Contingencies of do 826,585 42,640 T„ ., .^ $169,225 in theee items reference is m-irlo f,^ +u n members, in which the sahrie^orth """J^ P'^'P^^"^ distributed to with the number of emXy eT The «r""" ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^ P^t down for by statute, but are^S^dow^i so that th"'' u r^' ''' ^^^^^^^ P^'^-i^^'^d have been some few addltfonT made /tit "d'"^( '\"^'^' ^^^^^ audition to the number of emiToyee bf the ^. "r ""^"'' '^' ^^^^' ^^^"^ employees to the permanent sUr^Tthe^ ^4- h" l"" '' .*'"^P""^>^ number of clerks is said to b^ required wTfh ^T T"*' '^' '^''''''' of the department, about which Ztas I nsir^lt'd^''^ contingencies I may say that the vote of ln«f consideiable discussion lastvear, of some an-ears of fo IVyeals Jdlr" "«^f^ffi«^-^t owing to payment employment of extra cerkT Th uT'''^ '""^''^ '''''^' ^* ^"^^^« ^r amounts paid for continget es for sreraWe'"'"^' .^ f ^^^"^^'^* ^' *he has been expended hitherto For T >''"'« /'^^^ ^^'^ich will show what 07.33 was ^aid ; sZ^:^.;^ ^ ^ ^^^ ^'^^ 'J-e, 1878, .,45,- aiKl for the current year .$45 300 r-.'^^.^;^ ' ^^^h June, 1880, $43,052.23 ; -id. on account ol extil Jlerks vt ' ^' ^- '"'''''''''^ ^''' *« ^ have 1-fer stating frauklyt ^ Hot/t^e^r t^^^^^^ ^'^ 'r^^^"*^' ^ sent a smaller sum which would necessUat T 7 '''' '^'^'' '^^" P^^" expenditure. This should be avoirraTr^hTpLrir " "^" ^'^ what ':^:^'Zr:^:X'^'::r:^^^^^ '' ^^ ^-^^- *« -peat people of this provinci con^ibu te less to theT"" T ''" ^'^'^■^^^- ^he local sources than in any other provLolnftrTr"" '^^""''''^ ^'^^ larger proportion falls on the pubHo t. ' ?"""'"/""• ^^"^equently, a am .ure that if the mun cimli ! 1'^ '^"" '^^'^^^ ^^" °" it, and I contribute more ^:Z'l^::ZL^^tl^y^^ T ''''''' *^ and maintenance of criminals fh^ . J/ ij '^ '"''''®^*' conviction now. but would bele on teproX^^^ '^ ^^^^ ^^^ '* i« could be more closely watched bv h T 1 ' 1^"^'^ ''' '^' ^^Pe^diture y watched by the local authorities than it can by the J-overnn Quebec a ^40,000, 1 salr.ries, t the appoi Superi High Compi Comm School Norma Inspee Sopera Books Schools Councii To bald Polytec Toward Toward These I not see my fschojls, ant |it would no I the amoun this, hoping latter withe fthe general i$10,000,and ling under t i The ne |and colonizj |$50,000 ; the |ture, Agricu |estimates, ar (special notic has been ph I already vote, jfor expositioi Ibeing absolt |foreiga coun ■'!>amm,m>. 15 y contingencies sis 11,500 addi- "'s expenditure, •ising sessional i on the general increase being 26,585 12,640 19,226 distributed to are put down 3ady provided e seen. There the law some of temporary 's the present contingencies sion last year, g to payment s at times for 3ment of the 11 show what ', 1878, $45,- ^overnment. In the sum mentioned iat( year, and Quebec and Montreal, $l4;555";;;f;;rarorit1"'^'-'^ ^°^'''' ^""'''^ ''^''''- last year, and the .p„oi„t.en.-of a,-, extra offllJ^dl'Th^-Acf:.-..:""""'' '""^^'^ !j7,b00, bemr "^'^ '"^" ' ' salaries, travelling expanses, etc. of last session. I PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Superior e.iucation proper High schools, Quebec and Montroni." $71,000 Compensatiou to R. C. Institutions. ... .'.'.'..[ M^O 4,940 Common 8chool8 grant S78,4 lo Schools in poor municipalities ........,[ 155,000 Normal schools 4,000 Inspection of schools .*.'. 42,000 Superannuated teachers ' 28,745 Books for prices ''"_"_' 8,000 Schools for deaf and dumb 4,600 Council of Public Instruction '. 1 2,000 -;s:L^:i^::^--------;.hibitior.v.v.-: 't: Towards pubJication Journal ^ J'uMc I^i^ucii^:, EngliVh ' '"«« 1 owards pubhcation Journal of PuLlic In^tructJ, Fren^l "'' 500 These items do not require much comment. $336,855 ^not see my way clear to add something oZ' ' 7 '°''^ *^'* ^ '^^^^^ fschoals, and the question has beeH^S' V''''^ ^''"* ^^ «"«^«^«» it would not be bettertodedi^H ^t^ > ^ T'^'' ''''''''' ^'^^^her the amount of their .rjfZ ZV^' "^'l^'^'y '^,^ Scientific institutions , $43,052.23 ; fthis. hoping that grants and add it to common schools T ho, fthe general heading of p„blicTt'Jt,f ,"".'"'''''• ">"*", under ,810,000, and for iittary a„rSe IttS 'A'^. " *"' ""'' """"fccturer. in, under the head ot IJ^Z:^::^^^ ^ ^»^™' «^.^««. -k- land co,:sr^ ^^t^^^isr^'t" -' --"^-'°■' «50,000 ; the sum in aid of the jLZt? ff \ ""'"""'" " '''"^'^V voted, '.«.e. Agrtcultural and V t rtaar™lt '^'r''""' °™"°" "' ^8™"'- eatim„..,a,uo„nti„g to n^m'i^^ltlcXrTo^I T'.^ "^™ '» '"» l^pecal nohce, being pretty muci the S I'etnfr ' ^^ ""' "">»'"' has been placed under 89 Vic. - - ■- "«'«'<'f<>'-e made. as I have artments. I er than pre- to meet the ;ss to repeat bject. The justice from sequently, a on it, and I obliged to fiias been placed under 39>ic 7an7 17 000 "^^'^'^''^ "'«de. This year conviction lalre.dy voted, and aid toward^eSo^ fjf^ '' ''^ I' ^'* ^"^^'' ^'^'ory than it is ifor exposition purpo.ses, |lS OOr This /I '"' ^"'^^^"^« ^* Montreal expenditure peing absolutely required if w.' ,„.:,i ^ 1 ?•■*"* ^^« represented can by the """' «roreign grant was . we would be ready to receiv, as countries, and it was also 'ri-resTutTtU" th^'Srpf *' ''°"' JOfation and 16 tHHT "^ ^7lT^ u """'^ contribute two-thirds of the cost of such extra 1 This thi d ;;fer hear xt' zrTn 'r *'^" ^^'^^"^^^^ ^^« ---^" ^^ -y' > 189400 V ^' ^^'t ^^^ ^^^^^ grant for agricultural purpose! here. Th Colonization roadH, generally . " ' ^^^^ Colonization roads, Ottawa Valley ....".."."..'.'.'"! .' *''''*^'*"'^ remark th Colonization roadg. Quebec and Lalto St.' Jobn "'"'"' tluded to Colonization societies, 43 and 44 Vic, cap 18 ^''^°° '■' n, ' *^ 5,000 i Reform i Industi It will be observed that in (he supplementary estimates for the current I ^^'^ year an extra grant for colonization roads is asked for ,o pTy fL wCkn ^™- ?,l f I u- "° '™*' '"' "" '^ "'S'^ "P"" ''°»- »'=>nbers the impor i ' tance of these objects. All agree that every encouragement whi h the . S""-'"' finances of he Provmce will permit should be given to these obTectso Sr," pararnonnt .mportancc to our prosperity. I do nl feel wUra, tedC . ?= htfan"rai^'i;eV;c°^i:^Li:lm'iTlx" 1 r-'- ^'' ^"i-" eouMence .hat „^.h the proper ct^^^C of „u t^^^ ^S f™"-" of crops such as prevails in the old countries nf i7nrn,.. a 1 notation prevent infi of artificial manures, which can b'^r^^f if^^St^^t^^rr f^ ^^^ ^' can hold our own with any part of the Dominion. With our ferti e ;oi f '^' \' '"^ adapted especially to the breeding of cattle, the manufacture of buWer ani' t'^^'f^ "''' cheese, and, I am convinced, to the profitable manufacture of suffar wTth Iv " ^'''''^ the impetus given to manufactures of other kinds we nepd n^^l Tu ! T^' P'*'**^"" the Province of Quebec will not advance wi^^^^^^; t:; ^* |--1- ' vmce m the Dominion. (Cheers.) I now come to ^ government PUBLIC WORKS AKP BmLDINOS. C^^t^V^ Rents, insurance, repairs of public buildings generally . F^ Country g Spencer Wood, repairs _ ' $30,000 |old Without do. maintenance 4,000 i|o pyj ^ g^Q Inspections and surveys '^i^OO force r^f Public departments to complete (/^dgroiind^/i;'; ^'""^ LhiU ! .^ HouseforgaolerofOaspfigao^chargeabletoBuilding^ndJurVftlLd; 'IT f ^'^^ *° ^'7 Repairs of Court House and Gaols. "ajuryiuuds 2,000 fquors and i ?«"*« do- do .".■.'.■■.■;;;.■ i'^'°oo I articularlv l Insurance do. do ^'^^"^ ii^-n i. 300 W^^" oe prin( The next division is ir"^ Jequence of t CHABITIES ■ ^°r^- Lunatic Asylums-Beauport, St. Jean deDieu^nd St. Frederick d' Halifax «222«.o m ^^^'^ '^' "^2,733,958. tuasmim-Mrm: ;o8t of such extra ite the remaining ultural purposes ini as last year, fSO'iOOO B.oon 5,000 6,000 17 We. The rnUcen.„e„u» charWe I'o™"" tso «o' T"" '° '"' '"'^« (iware thai application has h.^!! T ' '''"'■ """nbers are these srant/but rwl I^^'k','" r?/ °"'' '» "■"«-« »»>e of remark that I had thZhrofaM, ^"' " P""*'"' ""• ' -"Z .Mea to a,W the t^t: 1^1^ i'tlZ^C: ;e.\"' !"" ^ ^^ Reformatory Sf-hr.,,i„ »__ .-i„, j'cm. $65,000 8 for the current, > pay for works •riation made to bers the impor- lent which the these objects of arranted at pre- he Treasury too ipete with our ropean market, t present. We I I have every proper rotation . the application than there, we )ur fertile soil, e of butter and of sugar, with I not fear that ity to any Pro- 1 Reformatory Schools—for mh Industrial Schools— for girls ' Making on the whple under thig'head ". Miscellaneous, Kenerally I hare nut at Pension fund contribution ^ 1 he next item is $ 6,600 8,400 288,350 20,000 1,800 COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CHARGES ON REVENUE Municipalities Fund C. 8 L C Registration service . Surveys General Expenditure. For^SS?!r:S:«!:--«^'^^i-t'«:n-,astye.;: stamps, licenses, etc Sp. cial police lor revenue purpoMB ' ". '. '. ". .'.".■.';;.■.■.■.■ •■•••; $ 4,000 .. IThroughtj- 41,960 .. 5-C. Lands J 3.5y000 • • J ^o ( 50,766 $15,500 10,000 6,000 .. $30,000 4,000 8,000 3,000 . 18,000 2,000 . 15,000 1,407 300 $78,707 $222,020 Making total charges on revenue of |>revent infractionrparticuiriv of f i ^7 '^' Purpose of trying to fvho pay for licenses fomplj"^!^^^^^^^^^^ (Hear, hear.) Those Irade is injured bv soTn n "" *'"°""* ^^ '«^««». that their licensed, anrthattLaove«l^^^^^^ "^^^^^ "'^^^"^ '^-^ fcan heretofore to stop tL S t' ffi' P t """'! ''""«'^"* "^'''"^'^^ Ihis pretension, but the licensedl^ . !^T '^''' '' ''"^^ ^^^^^ i» Ihemselves as th^ mL^^^d ttu .r' 't^' '"^ '^^^ *« ?>•«*««* government ThLT k ^^ '**^'' *^'°^ *^^ expense on the fcensedpaieswhrht^ '"^^^^ ^^« protection of Ihecountrg'wsd^^^^^^^^ °'*'.^ "^T^ ^"^ ^^''^^ 'o-ndin iold withoLVerug [cense^^^ It L tt'd r 1""^^^'''' ^^«^« ^q^ors are to put a stoD to or IT ^*'**^^''*y^f*J^«G^overnment to endeavor forc'e reLrd^X TavTthTe J^ ^^^^'^ *^« P°«- While to try what such a nnlf u ] ''^'''*'' '* ^"' ^^'^^^H worth Jiquors and t Wim Wion t^o^^ ^' '^ ' '^^^'"^ '^' "^^^ '^^ of, particularly in W^dti^raniw^^^^ ^^^ ^^ «uch plac,^' will be prLinallf if .n/^K n .. V"^ '"^ hope the incre^ed cost lequence^f^^ll^^t: ^/I^J^^Pena^^ T^^^^ - -- Ihis work. aerived trom the police, spec^ajly assigned to These items of expenditure amount in the ?2,733,958. e aggregate to the sum. of 18 DOMINION OOVEBNMENT. thatwehave. la ;!?'"' !°"'' "'""^d im„, it will be found Domi„i„r,tZ r On 'Lrpdm we'h """";■'-- of "f-ders against from the Dominion (JovernmL Z„ °, "T"^ '"^ «""f>-='io» rn- i;:iattoi;tTe:it"tT "--^ ''^"°^- ^^'= question again before ^ ^L L^S'THr 'C '" '""^ "" reimLttl onhl^lettit'lh:'""^ ''°<' »■"» ""^ "™'»- '- the surpln, debt of th a te Pp'^^lfnce' JcaTal'aT "T '^"'''"' """ °'' half millions of dollars placed uoortL n u .""" "^'Hwo and a The ,500,000 .hi.b wt fotnfr™ ^^ d^TTs 'n^';'* "of tt^ o^M^-of r:Zrlf~nS"'" "^ '»a X^tinfo^Ttla: kep. bae. by .he Do™ iTm^ur .TsS! r'^um"?? trnVlT'™" ^ vmoe under Dominion legislation, and we filly expi'ted IdT,*'' ^"^ .nddeoii'ne toiernit"' it^a::r^'::f„i^^:z'^^--^^ of our demaftds that wata if ^^,.»j- . ^ ^'"6% ertHeless, of the equity decision of our ^ „ Lrf W "J^7Zmt°"' '"r""?" " '» "■' favorable to us. *' ' ™ "«>l'ned to think, be had iZfoJ'f^^^irLrs^LXZ ZT"7r °' "-"- 1 PrOTincial Railway There can b. „ D^m.on with respect to our of Ontario has receU^LtiS frL^rr^nirCe .i'e^tCT '' be recoil I Governn Quebec 1 vince sh^ which pi manifest The Dom initiation legislatioi . for the pi our claim which mi consider i some futu: the Domii am therefi efforts ha\ will endef familiar in hear.) I now the last se; bers that delayed in meantime to this cou deducting some interi exchange r fice. The ii year, thoug the loan. To pay ] thei To repaj raili To pay 1 sive To paym effec Paid towi Paid subf i 'WW'''. \ 'T^-ww^^SKZif '^T 't- ., ■*^*" '!<..* *'^ >n Government, [ministration of operation since on Government y it. I am still will be found 3 heretofore ex- ffenders against any satisfaction istion must be to command, I e expenses are I large propor- r Provinces for s to bring this )• ! Dominion for ebec's share of xty-two and a Federation Act. 'f the fund in ion. The law to the interest from the pro- | id had reason ! Government, V our demand of the equity >mit it to the d to think, be It of Quebec ■espect to our ster province aent towards which have we have not 3 are not dis- ion. It will 19 ''^::^:^:^Z l^ d^tr ::^^^- ^^^ \r- -' ^^^ ^-^-» Quebec Railway Extension! as ^en to'So l^^ "^ ^'^ ^° ^^^' vince should and would receivP nn,l,«? f ^«'^^^y«- that this Tro- which promise so made has as vH '''''\*T ^''^^^^^ ^'^ '•^»w*y«- manifest injury altZ^hnl > ? ^''"^^"^'^^^ ^' «^'aome future time acdhop-^ that a Z,H V"^'^ re-open.ng them at the Dominion authorities^of tie IT ^T""'" ^'"^^^ "PP"«^ ^''^ ^°»vi„ce am therefore obli^ld t Ik'wlT Tk '"'^^ '"^ -'"^"^^ ^^^ °"r ^^^i"^- I efforts have not be^en owLd w h'L s^ "^'' TTl *° ^'"^^ ^^^'^^ -- , will endeavour to urge them a-^In .n 1 T' ""^'"^ ^^'^ ^'''''''^' ^ut we ^ familiar in the House we LTn the meantime to use an expression hear.) ' ' ''P°" ^''""S'''' ^'"^ a«k leave to sit again." (Hear. bers that the bi 1 autfo "L th^ '" '""t "'^^"^^""^ «^ ^°"- -^«^- : delayed in its Passag:S::;:^;,^ht'Lg^^^^^^^^^^^ 1^^""^^ ^"°^'^^' meantime becoming less favorable for fh!? ^ exchange in the : to this country. tL net „rceid^nf f V, T'"'''''" '^ ^''''^' ^^^"^ E^^«P« 'deducting cost of exchaLeX .'>" '"'"^^'^^ ^" Q^^^^ec, after some inteLt, $5,454 grXfaicZ^^^ exchange market not peVrnmn/^^^^^^^^ '""f "^ ^^"^' *^« «*^^« -^ the - loan. Ve -^ii^erS^^^^^^^^^ -«^ To payj^e. Yor. i«.n .ade b, the late Government, exclusive of interest ays m met a loan to the conso dated railway fimH TveTi'ir " ^""''-' -^' '^ *^« .ate" olrntnt,- ;..„•- '''''' «^ To^e^o,,,,,,,„„,,3^^, -;^„;^^^^^^^^^ 270,000 00 Paid towards contractor of ' ih^ Q.',M,0.' A oV Railway ^®^^^^' ' ^ Paid subsidies to other railways. . . . 1,229,389 22 216,466 40 Making a total of , . . . $3,335,170 36 ^^mm- i i Th« rf<«tail8 of ih.ae various paytnonts I did not think it worth vrkih *) give tho House ; they uior« properly bt- long to the current year. But I thougfet it only proper to inform the hon. members of the disposi- tion mrild\» of the proceeds of tli. loan as far as they have been expended. It will '(M>i "hserved in this connection, thu. out of the proceeds of the loan the large ainounf of $1,550,688.11 was pan out in liquidation of claims against the Goveru men t, contracted before the loan was effected for railway purposes, and which were bearnii^ interent to barks and private parties; and the amount advanced out of the consolidated revenue for railway pur- poses upon which interest was also payable by the Government bring.s the amount of debts paid out of the loan to $1,889,314.74. I am quite aware that exception will be taken to the net proceeds of the loan being smaller than expected ; but it will be borne in mind that the Government was not responsible for the rate of exchange, and could not control it, nor for the fact that when the loan became public it had a tendency to raise the rate of exchange against us. I may further say that I consulted with several of our most eminent bankers, and was guided by their advice in the matter, the exchange was effected on the best terms the market would permit at the time. THE PKOVINCUL POSITION. I do not know what some parties may hare expected as the result of the last and present year's operations. I have heard that the deficits of the several previous years should be removed in one year's operations, that unless this is done the Province is going to ruin. Now, if I succeed in reducing the deficit during the current year, and this I fully expect to be able to do, and if this is followed for a Tew years, the receipts being kept up to the usual standard, and expenditure kept down to a proper limit, we shall soon come round to the former state of things, when our receipts will exceed our expenditure. (Cheers.) It would be easy enough for the Legislaiiijn to place increased taxation on the people sufficient to place our receipts over our expenditure, and if there was not a p-osp^ct of accomplishing the same desirable end gradually, without inv.i i nr the burden of taxation, recourse must be had to this plan of o;avm'u'. but I am inclined to think that the better way is not to materially increase our taxation at once, but to utilize our present revenue, see to its prompt collection, allowing as few arrears to accumulate as possible and thus gradually r > lag our finances into a healthy condition. (Hear, hear.) One thing is clea id that is, whenever the receipts of a government are larger than actuuify --jv .rpc' *'jr public uses, there is a strong temptation to expend money Ibr >( .1 inside purpose or another, and pressure is con- tinually brought 'J ;>eu o.i the exet' -ive for money for this or that object, possibly fc more to pi the receipt butions ar( if of real speculatioi on tht^ mu: cultural pi pressed up for our pec ir^ many ci Gove mine great napi be uiiders and that t It is ci payment o dered it a 1 cour.se thof On the oth done in th appear on Governme nothing di on with re the better every Gov( cases. In th( and impol: portant as meet the i: bear jrf nti ways beyoi already far expend on i any furthei willing to relieved of This f( and unden troubled w ik it worth :urrent year, the dieposi- !ii expended. 8 of the loan }n of claims I for railway rate parties ; railway pur- it brings the quite aware ?ing smaller ent was not nor for the iise the rate ?ith several the matter, luld permit he result of ificits of the rations, that '. succeed in ixpect to be being kept roper limit, [)ur receipts enough for ufficient to a p'-osppct inoi I tic 0[,\>- ■ "U.''l; , materially nue, see to ossible and iear, hear.) rnment are temptation jure is con- that object, I 21 possibly for works and schemes, good enonsrh in themHelves but pertaining more to private enterprise than to (rovernm Mit interl'i unce. But when the receipts are made with difficulty to (^over ihe expenditure, miirb contri- butions are of course impossible, and the objects for which they are desired, if of real importance, are taken up by private enterprise and if of pure speculation are abandoned. There are large amounts due the Government on the municipal loan fund, upon timber limits upon lands sold for agri- cultural purposes which must now be collected. While the hard times pressed upon every dnp.utment of industry amongst us, and it was difFicult for our pcoplu to make the two ends of the year meet financially, it would ir. many eaaos Inve been cruel to enforce payment of amounts due to ^ho Governiiient under such circumstances ; but as tht>re is unquestionably a great improvement in every branch of industry lately, it is well it should be understood that the Government must take stejis to collect their dues, and that those owing should make arrangt-ments accordingly. It is curious to notice the ways and means taken by many parties to evade payment of debts due the province and it would almost seem as if they consi- dered it a mortal sin to pay any such debt, and, when obliged to do it, of course those instrumental in its collection are anythii -^ but well spoken of On the other hand, if any services are rendered the (lovernmeiit for work done in the usua? way, it is wonderful how valuable these are made to appear on the principle in common use by many — because it is the Government, they may charge what they please for services, and pay nothing due which can be evaded. The sooner the Government is carried on with respect to dealings with outside parties on commercial principles, the better for our finances and better for public morality; though I fancy every Government has experienced the difficulty in carrying this out in all cases. In the meantime I consider it would be very unwise, imprudent and impolitic to further increase our debt for even railway purposes, im- portant as they may be. Until we are in receipt of actual cash receipts to meet the interest and sinking fund upon our railway debt, we must for- bear j-r.-inting any further aid in the way of building or subsidizing rail- ways beyond the obligations already incurred in that direction. We have already far exceeded what one time the Legislature considered prudent to expend on railways, and I am sure the people of the province will not sanction any further expenditure for railway purposes at the present time, or be •willing to run the risk of increased taxation lor such objects until we are relieved of some of the obligations already incurred. (Hear, hear.) This feeling of opposition to further railway grants is so well known and understood that even railway projectors, not at all characterized as troubled with over modesty in their demands for provincial aid, have 2i 22 almost ceased their demands for cash subsidies, but they say their desire is for promoting the public welfare, the fostering of colonization, the encou- ragement of agriculture, and affording homes for thousands who are ready to establish themselves on the lines of their respective railways when built. This plea forms the introduction to the modest demand for 10,000 or even 20,000 acres land per mile of railway by these disinterested, patriotic rail- way projectors, as if our public domair were comparatively worthless to the province, but of great value to them in the way of affording a basis for borrowing money for the building of their railways, in which, in many cases they will not risk their own money, if they have any to risk. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Speaker, we do not yet appreciate at anything like its true value our public domain for lumbering and agricultural purposes. In a few years the woods which we consider at present worthless, or next to worthless, will bring higher prices in the European and American markets, where the scarcity of building timber has already been felt. There has lately been begun the exportation of small timber to the United States on a large scale by the Railways adjoining the frontier, which only a few years ago was reckoned perfectly worthless ; and every acre of land held by the Government, when it can be reached with facility, is worth from three to ten times the price put upon it by the G-overnment for purely agricultural purposes. In a few years, when the lands near the frontiers are stripped of their timber, small as well as large, the lands more remote, and which are now wanted for railway purposes, will become of immense value to the province. We should then consider a grant of land for railway purposes as more onerous for the Province than a money grant. And in no case should land grants be made for railway purposes, unless it is made perfectly clear tLat those desiring such aid have invested their own funds largely in the scheme as a proof of their confidence in the undertaking, and require only a small land grant to insure the success of an enterprise worthy in itself and deserving of public assistance. This will not be very pleasant to some hon. members, but I consider that too great care cannot be exercised in alienating our public lands to any railway until the previous conditions I have mentioned, and the necessity of the scheme itself be first established beyond a doubt. What then is the position of our Province. We have on the one hand a large debt due for the construction of railways. We have on the other hand the Government railway nearly completed ; we have several of the railways subsidized by the Government already finished and in operation, and others approaching completion, and these railways traversing a large part of our Province, afiord communication to our commercial centres which for the Gove interest a vince; am without t€ foreign crt taxation f vinces, no1 On tl to show fc our depa: nothing li roads mui it before t country, a position b Province in places required a tured, thi keeping tl Our 8 struction o in the hig] of instruc second to i cation wit these cou opened up heretofore. an interch in the esta took an ac Our r fair to pro : determine< mining res is directed are daily mines in these expl capital an 23 heir desire is ti, the encou- i^ho are ready 's when built. 3,000 or even patriotic rail- worthless to ng a basis for ich, in many • risk. (Hear, like its true mrposes. In iless, or next nd American Jready been mber to the ontier, which every acre of th facility, is Government mds near the ye, the lands , will become poses as more case should ade perfectly funds largely r, and require prise worthy not be very it care cannot ray until the f the scheme the one hand I on the other several of the in operation, c-rsing a large jrcial centres which formerly did not exist. Our debt, with the present receipts from the Government railway, presses heavily on the public treasury for interest and the expenditure required for the public affairs of the Pro- .. vince ; and these demands have rendered it difficult in the meantime, I without temporary loans, to carry on the public business and keep up our I foreign credit. At the same time our people have not been burdened with taxation for the public service to as large an extent as in the other Pro- , vinces, notably for the administration of justice. On the other hand, we have permanent and substantial public works to show for our expenditure ; we have our railways, our (colonization road, our departmental buildings, which will require little further outlay, nothing like what has been expended heretofore, and these railways and roads must necessarily do much to open our country for settlement, bring it before those in Europe who desire to establish themselves in a new country, and prevent our present population from seeking to better their position by going to the United States. Our railways traversing the , Province will induce the establishment of manufactures of various kinds ^ in places hitherto inaccessible for the introduction of the raw material required and for the exportation of the articles which might be manufac- tured, thus affording employment to our labourers and artisans and keeping them in the country. (Hear, hear.) Our school system is working well and affords opportunity for the in- I struction of our youth in the common schools and academies of the country,and I in the higher grades of education our colleges and universities afford means I of instruction in theology, arts, law, medicine and technical education, I second to none other in any country whatever. The facilities for comrauui- I cation with the countries of Europe are daily increasing, and trade with Ij these countries is daily augmenting. Steam communication is being ^ opened up with countries which had but little intercourse with Canada ; heretofore. The new line of steamers from France I look to as opening up J an interchange of products which cannot fail to benefit both countries, and , in the establishment of which I am proud to say the Quebec Government , took an active and prominent part. I Our mining facilities are as yet only beginning to be known, and bid I fair to prove of immense advantage to our people, and the Government is I determined to do all in its power to encourage the development of our I mining resources to the utmost extent. Already the attention of capitalists I is directed to the working of our mines, and demands from other countries j^ are daily coming in for the proceeds these mines. Our gold and silver I mines in the Chaudiere division are being explored and worked, and as these explorations go on I believe the result will be the introduction of capital and men beyond what we now have any idea of. -^i^m^MMOBm^ i,t*4«V!tti,t3(F- 24 Our asbestos is eagerly enquired after, and large shipments to the United States and Europe will take plac<^ immediately. Our phosphates are exceedingly valuable, and when their true value is appre- ciated, will introduce a trade for agricultural purposes in Europe and this country which will in Canada, at least, revolutionize our agricultural operations, and vastly increase our farming products. Our copp'er deposits are being now worked to advantage, and the facilities afforded by those railways built with Government aid will more and more develop this interest, affording work for our people to an extent far beyond what has heretofore been the case. Our d(> posits of iron are being looked after by foreign capitalists, and I have strong hopes that we will soon see several iron mines worked with advantage to the proprietors and the province generally. Many other valuable minerals are being discovered in our province, and it is not saying too much to say that in a short time we may expect to have our province largely employed in these mines to such an extent as would attract a large population to our borders and prove a source of immense advantage to our country. I do not intend to go over the items alluded to in the Speech from the Throne, but I may be allowed to say that a comparison of the former state of things when the Confederation Act came into force with the actual state of things as they now are in our pro- vince must convince any attentive observer of the great improvement which has taken place in these few years past. Look at the improvement in agriculture, the improvement in manufactures, the change in the mode of transit on our numerous railways, the improvement in our educational system and the progress in education, and the enterprise manifested in tho development of our mineral resources, and no one can fail to notice that . we have progressed rapidly in these respects, and in many others which time will not allow me to allude to. QUEBEC RAILWAYS. I give, Mr. Speaker, a short statement of the railways buiit in the pro- vince by Government assistance in whole or in part. Honorable members, knowing the different counties traversed by these railways, will see to what extent the province has been opened up, and be able, in the case of the subsidized railways, to see how much capital must have been expended beyond the Government aid. There is not a man in the country to-day who, if he had his choice, would say that he would not prefer paying extra taxation to paying interest and sinking fnnd on the railway debt, than having no railways and no taxation. The Ht. J e our tru and thougi have bo( ^eal situati aesn don« ■^1 25 shipments to lediately. Our value is appre- arope and this ur agricultural copper deposits brded by those re develop this yond what has ig looked after soon see several id the province covered in our rt time we may ines to such an 1 prove a source ) over the items )Wed to say that ifederation Act ire in our pro- t improvement e improvement ge in the mode our educational mifested in the to notice that ' others which The following are some of the railways referred to :- uiit in the pro- rable members, lys, will see to ', in the case of been expended country to-day prefer paying way debt, than MiltH built. Paid by Miles to be uovernment. completed. LevlH 4 Kennebec 43J $217,500 46^ St. FranclB & International 66 368 730 14 <|u«l.ec Central 100 473,'750 ..ompleted. South Eastern (division north) 140 497,007 do Montreal, Portland A BoHton 473 179,582 8 Waterloo 4 MdKog 22^ 86,450 20J MlHslKqiiol & Black River Valley lo,-!,, 43,842 45 i^ Ht, Lawrence k Champlain Junction 62 ,a^, 250,280 37 ", f railway would have been built by this time, he would have been con- ^ iidered a candidate for admission to a lunatic asylum. But there the roads l^re to show for themselves, plain, palpable facts which nobody can deny. CONOLUDINO REMARKS. And now, Mr. Speaker, I have almost done with my remarks I have Jiot attempted the use of any high-flown language, nor attempted to make thmgs appear other than they really are ; I have stated what I believe to be our true position ; I had nothing to conceal or cover over or keep back ; md though there are many details which I had not time to refer to, I hope [ have been sufficiently clear, so that hon. members may understand our real situation. (Hear, hear.) It is for the House to decide as to what has tofore, and- i?i^l^at . coiirse shotil^, be followed in the future. ■MUMMMI^-^); :»iSM^im- 26 I have confidence that, though we may have some difficulty for a few years m reducing our expenditure within the limits of our receipts, for reasons connected with railway expenditure to which I have already alluded, at the same time there is no cause for alarm at our financial position. Our assets are very valuable and becoming more and more valuable every day. If the Government firmly resist making any addition to our funded debt, exercise due diligence in the realization ' of our assets and collection of arrears due and practise strict economy in our expenditure, we shall in a few years, without much additional taxation be able to fully meet the requirements of every branch of the public service. If any Government fail in its duty to the province by increas- mg our funded debt, by wasteful grants of our Crown lands for purposes not absolutely necessary, and which will give certain returns if it IS negligent in the protection of our sources of revenue, careless in its col- ection, or extravagant in its expenditure, then it becomes the duty of the people, through their representatives to take immediate steps to oust such a Government and replace it by one that can and will fully guard our provincial interests, resist all pressure from friends or foes cal- culated to involve the Province in future embarrassments. I feel, Mr. Speaker, that I have probably not come up to the expecta- tion of hon. members in what I have said, or in the manner of saying it but all the same I thank you, Mr. Speaker and the members of this House tor your attention to my remarks, and only regret I have detained you so long. (Loud cheers.) ' At the conclusion of his speech Hon. Mr. Robertson said that $500 000 would be granted to the Pontiac Railway at the rate of $6,000 per mile as defined by the statute now in force. ' At the conclusion of the budget speech the House adjourned. for a few yeart; its, for reasons idy alluded, at position. Our lore valuable any addition zatioD of our onomy in our onal taxation, >f the public ce by increas- vn lands for a returns, if it less in its col- the duty of lediate steps and will fully is or foes, cal- I f ) the expecta- ■ of saying it, of this House, detained you that $500,000 per mile, as tied.