PRAM COMMUNICATION WITH THE MAINLASD. =

eee

Qur Legislators Unanimous

———————

ON THE MAIN POINT

Determined to Press for the Fulfill- ment of the Terms of Union.

—_—_———

The Delegates Complimenied On all Sides,

(Summary report of last night's Debate in House of Assembly.)

In moving the order of the day, Hon. Mr. Gordon stated that he would like to make a few remarks with reference to the mission of the delegates. The first point he would notice was that two members of the Dominion Cabinet had endeavored to impress upon the Imperial Government that this Island had nothing to complain of as everything that could reasonably be done had been done to carry out the Terms of Union. The second point was that in this visit the members of the Dominion Cabinet had been sustained by Sir Charles Tupper, the High Commissioner of Canada, resident in London. Notwithstanding this, he (Mr. G.) felt proud that our dele- gates hod manfully and clearly met his arguments and cul the very ground from under his feet. In every age there is a time when men should rise superior to mere party requirements; and he felt that the present was oue of those occasions. He was not in sympathy with that couplet which bad been uttered by a celebrated politician some hundred years ago :

“ Let law, let wealth and commerce die, But God protect our party!”

He was of opinion that the delegates de- serve the best thanks of the Province for the able manner in which they had dealt with the statistical part of the negotiations. It was a miracle to him (Mr. G.) how they had been in such a short time so ably drawn up with the information at hand. Mr. Gordon concinded his speech by mov- ing the following resclution :

Whereas, This House has had under consider- ation a despatch dated 30th March, 1886, from the Right Honorable Earl Granville, Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, to His Excellency the Governor-General of Canada, in response to a Joint Address to Her Majesty the Queen, adopted by the Legislative Council and House of Assembly last session, on the subject of the non-fulfillment by Canada of that part of the Terms of Confederation by which the Dominion undertook to provide and maintain efficient steam service winter and summer between this Isiandand the mainland, the report of the Privy Conncil of Canada on the said address, the answer of Messrs. Sullivan and Ferguson, dele- gates from the Government of this Province to the Imperial (4overnment in support of the case of Prince Edward Island, the reply of Sir Charles ‘Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, to the said answer, and the rejoinder of the said dele- gates, and other papers on the subject.

And Whereas, The Right Honorable the Secre- tary of State for the Colonies has been pleased to say that it would give him “ much satisfaction if, by the exercise of any friendly offices which he could tender, he should be able to contribute to the settlement of a question in which the Provin- «ial Government were so much interested. His Lordship has also stated that the expectations of this Province, in regard to the establishment of a constant and efficient communication with the Mainland, have not been fulfilled; and that as there seems to be reason for doubting whether any really satisfactory communication by steam- ships can be regularly maintained all the year round, it is made all the more important that the proposed metallic subway should receive a full and, if feasible, favorable consideration on the part of the Government of the Dominion. His rdship has further observed that “it would re- tlect great credit on the Dominion Government if, after connecting British Columbia with the Eastern Provinces by the Canadian Pacific Rail- way, it should now be able to complete its system of railway communication by an extension to Prince Edward Island.”

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House that the Government of this Province should in- sist upon the Terms of Confederation in the par- ticular referred to being carried out by the Do- minion, and that injthe event'of its being demon- strated that fulfilment by steam navigation is im- possible, and if Federal Government fail to con- struct such a work as will redeem Canada’s pledge and agreement under the articles of Con- federation, then that a sufficient consideration in lieu thereof be secured to this Province; also that the payment by Canada of compensation for the loss sustained by the Island owing to the past de- fault of the Dominion in regard to this service be strenuously pressed upon the Federal Government.

Mr Bent ey, in seconding the resolution said that it was well known that nothing had been done towards securing the ful- filment of the Terms of Union until the present Government came into power. Since that time not merely ence or twice, but on different occasions the matter has been brought to the notice of the Dominion Government by the present Administration. Neither the late Government, led by Mr. McKenzie, nor the present Government led by Sir John, has done justice to the Island in this matter; but both have ignored our claims. Whatever small amount has been done towards improving the crossing to the Mainland, the present Government should get credit for, and to them we must lock, with the greatest hope of success, for the fuliiiment of the Terms. Our case was not an exceptional one with regard to the non- carrying out of the Terms. In 1871 British Columbia was acmitted into the “onfedera- tion upon certain terms, which terms were not carried cut. The British Columbians got up an agitation, and insisted that the terms should be fulfilled. The Government of that day (Hon. Alex. McKenzie’s) at first said that they could not carry out the terms, as it was an impossibility. How- ever, a Mr. Edgar was despatched, as a sort of confidential agent, to , British} Columbia to gather information; and to show the similarity of the two cases he (Mr. B.) would read the following extracts from the instructions given to Mr, Edgar by Premier McKenziv, ia a letter dated Ottawa, Feb. i9, 1874:—

“You will point out that,as part of the Dominion, it is as much in their interests as in ours to pursue a careful judicious policy, also that in assuming a disposition, in spite of all reason, toinsist on im-

| at Ottawa. t ‘from a Liberal administration, as Mr.

The Subject Discussed. |

very forcibly of the treatment accorded to British Columbia. But the Government are wise in pressing the matter now, while we have a favorable government in power We can have nothiug to hope

Mackenzie has already emphatically de- clared that the terms have been carried out as fully as it was possible to do so, or as the Island has a right to expect, whilst Mr. Davies taunts the Government for sending a delegation to the foot of the Throne. He (Mr. B.) had not lost faith in the justice of the Dominion Government, and thought it would be mere child’s play to leave the matter in abeyance any longer. What does continuous mean? It certainly does not meap that we are to be isolated for six months of the year. We need not go any further back than ten years to sea the im- mense loss sustained by this Province for want of continuous communication. The price of potatoes and produce had been high abroad, yet we were utterly unable to take advantage of such prices, which, had wea tunnel, a subway, or efficient steam communication, we could have done, and thousands of bushels of potatoes could have been added to our exports, realizing good prices to our producers. In presenting our side of the case in the clear, distinct and forcible manner they have done, our dele- gates are deserving of all praise. It has been said by our opponents that Earl Granville has given us no encouragement. On the contrary, Earl Granville’s language aid words o encouragement are quite as strong as could be expected at present and he (Mr. B.) had no doubt: they would be much stronger when necessary. Mr. Bentley here pointed out Granville’s favorable language and showed that he has gone into the matter, and pointed out what should be done. True, he says, the British Goverament has no right to interfere, but he tenders the use of his kindly offices and here again we have a case almost identical with that of British Columbia, A former Secretary for the Colonies, Lord Carnarvon, iu replying to 4 deputation from British Columbia, had used almost the same words which he (Mr. B) would read ;

“2. It is not my wish, nor is it a part of my or- dinary duty to interfere in these questions. ‘They appear to me to be such as it should be within the province and competency of the Dominion Gov- ernment and Legislature to bring to a satisfac- tory solution, and you will readily understand that Her Majesty’s Government would be very reluctant to take any action which might be con- strued as expressing a doubt of the anxiety of the Dominion Government and Parliament to give the fullest consideration to such representation as may be made on the part of British Columbia, and to deal in the fairest and most liberal spirit with what may be established as being the just claims of that Province.

“3. Attne same time [ am strongly impressed with the importance of neglecting ne means that can properly be adopted for effecting the speedy and amicable settlement of a question which can- not, without risk and obvious disadvantage to all parties, remain the subject of prolonged and, it may be, acrimonious discussion, and it has oc- curred to me that, as in the original terms and conditions of the admission of British Columbia into the Union certain points (as, for example, the amount of land to be appropriated for the Indians and the pensions to be assigned to public officers deprived of employment) were reserved for the decision of the Secretary of State, soin the pre- sent case it may possibly be aeceptable to both parties that I would tender my good offices in determining the new poirts which have presented themselves for settlement.”

This language is almost identical with that used by Earl Granville onthe present occasion and yet the result of that delegation was very favorable,and the Terms of Union with British Columbia has been carried out in @ way to excite the admiration of the world. He(Mr. B.) concluded by hoping that if it were found imposible to carry out the terms with us the next best thing would be done and we should receive an indem- nity.

Mr. Perry, on rising, said that this was a subject of the greatest importance that had ever been brought to the notice of this House. He was much pleased with the speech of the member from Georgetown (Hon. Mr. Gordon), but he thought that Mr. Bentley had gone too far in finding fault with the late Government, as he ought not to say what might endanger hie case. He (Mr. P,) thought that on the whole the case had been well and strongly put by the delegates, but he could not ap- prove of the action of the High Commis- sioner, Sir Charles Tupper, in the matter. At the time of wnion we had a subway to the United States—Reciprocity—through which we rushed our produce to their mar- kets ; but this subway had been destroyed through neglect of the present Dominion Government. Since 1881, representations had been made every year to the Govern- ment on this subject, but they produced no effect. Year after year both Houses had joined in addresses to the Ottawa Govern- ment, which had been duly forwarded and the receipt acknowledged, and then the matter dropped until the next year rolled around. We have been told by outside papers that the delegation had been courteously re- ceived, but we have been told nothing beyond this, whether they were invited to call on Her Majesty or not we do not kuow. The Government let the cat out towards the end of their resolution by speaking of an indemnity, whatever that may be. What the Government wanted was money and they wanted it badly. The people of this Province are not to be put off in thia way. When the Dominion say decidedly ‘‘We have done all we can do, or all we willdo,” then we want—not indemnification—but separation. All we have to show at present as the result of the delegation is a very strong case, a very’. claborated case and — some $3,000 costs to pay. He (Mr. P.) felt disposed to thank the delegates for their able exposition of our case, but he wanted to know more,

Hon. Mr. Prowse said that the well de- served compliment bestowed upon the dele- gates by the Leader of the Opposition would redound to the credit of that Hon- orable gentleman. He referred to the de- rision with which his proposal to establish communication between the Island and the Mainland by means of a tunnel was greeted only a few years ago; and said it was a significant fact that the question is now oc-

possibilities, they are only setting at defiance all the rest of the Dominion, and the laws of nature. |

‘hat by insisting on ‘the pound of ficsh’ they | willonly stimulate a feeling on the part of people | wenerally to avoid ‘in future giving anything but the pound of flesh,’ *

the 12" will also put them in remembrance of | 1¢ terms they themselves proposed, which terms

a re assented to by their Local Legislature, and | point out that it was only the insane act of the | sUustration here, which gave such condition |

of Union to Columbia : that it could enly have |

beer ¢. . ;

nm - be cause that administration sought addition- | ane of procuring extension of patronage | ; lately before the general election, and saw

in coming c election” onutracts the means of carrying the | as that the Province obtained on paper,

ms | sat the time were known to be im- possible of fulfilment,”

The rebuffs

‘on Government remindb him (Mr, B.)

this Tele. the preseat Government of | sland have received from the Domin-' had, no doubt, been opposed by Sir John’s

cupying the minds of eminent men in Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. He hoped he would yet live to see the day when the iron horse would be crossing the Strait through a subway or through a proper tunnel. He was a sup- porter of the general policy of Sir John McDonald ; and he believed that, as the Government of Sie John had carried out the Terms of Union with British Columbia to the letter, so the Government of Sir John would carry out the Terms of Union with Prince Edward Island. The efforts of the Local Government and Legislature in this matter

Government; but their

was at

events an Open one. It was not secret aud underhand like that of Mr. McKenzie’s to- wards British Columbia. Mr. Prowse here quoted the following paragraphs from the instructions of Mr. McKenzie to Mr. Edgar who was sent to British Columbia as a spy while the agitation for the fulfilment of the Terms of Union was going on then—the in- structions were marked ‘‘confidential ” :

“If you find any favorable disposition among the leading men of the Province towards atford- ing a generous consideration to the obvious neces- sity of giving a sufficient time for pushing the read through Columbia, you will endeavor to as- certain what value they attach to such considera- tion.

“In the event of your finding that thereisa willingness to accept a proposition to extend the time for building the road, you will endeavor to obtain some proposition from them, directly or in- directly, and communicate this to us by cipher tel ph at once.

“Tf, on the other hand, they make or indicate no proposition, you will telegraph to us what you think would be acceptable, but wait a reply be- fore making any proposition. :

“In the event of the leading men evincing a dis- position to negotiate, you will endeavor to secure something like a combination of parties to sancuion any proposition likely to be generally accepted.

“It will be well that you should take ‘some means of ascertaining the popular view of the Railway question. This may be done by ming- ling among the people and allowing them to speak freely while you listen, remembering in taking impressions that your audience may impressed by special local considerations rather than the general question.

“It will be well not to confine yourself to the vicinity of the Government offices or Victoria, but to cross to the mainland and meet with the

ople at Westminster and other towns and vil-

es on the lower reaches of the Frazer.

“It may be that you will find there is a dispo- sition manifested to negotiate at Ottawa, ia which ease you will advise us of the existence of

f | such a desire.

“You will take special care not to admitin any way that we are bound to build the railway to Esquimalt or any other lace on the Island; and while you do not at all threaten not to build there, to let them understand that this is gwholly and purely a concession, and that its construction must be contingent on a reasonable course being pursued regarding other parts of the scheme.

Mr. Prowse commented upon these in- structions; and contrasted the conduct of Mr. Edgar with that of Sir Charles Tupper before Earl Granville. “He expressed his firm belief in the friendly oftices of Earl Granville and in the disposition of the Do- minion Government to deal justly with the Island; but if the event proved that he was mistaken, he, for his part, would not hesi- tate to demand separation. He felt sure, however, that there would never be a neces- sity for this; and in conclusion expressed himself es proud of the ability displayel by the delegates while in England.

Mr, Yeo (Leader of the Opposition) congratulated the mover of the resolution (Hon. Mr. Gordon) on the moderate and impartial tone of his speech, and said that it would be wellif other hon. members would rise above party, and speak in the same way. He contended that neither our memorials or our delegates had received courteous treatment from the Dominion Government; and he thought that while we continue to contend among ourselves, our chances of obtaining redress for our griev- ance are very slight indeed, There is at all events no evidence in the papers before the House that the Government of Sir John McDonald intend todo us justice. Indeed the very reverse is the case. The hon, member for Murray Harbor (Hon. Mr, Prowse) had, in his opinion, gone out of his way in instancinug the treatment meted out to British Columbia by the late Govern- ment of Canada. What waa done in regard to British Columbia does not affect o case in the least. It is high time th decided steps be taken with res to our case. In the light of the result, he questioned whether it had been advisable to pass the Address to the Queen. The delegates undoubtedly have done very well indeed, though he thought they should have informed the House more particularly as to what had trahspired between them and the Dominion Government, and between them and the Secretary of State for the Colonies. But Earl Granville’s despatch was to him dis- appointing. He was free to confess that he had hoped that Her Majesty the Queen would have been advised to interpose her authority, and to require the falfilment of the Terms of Union with this Province. The offer of Earl Granville’s friendly offices was, no doubt, very kiad and courteous But the tone of his remarks was not, in his opinion, at all reassuring. He had hoped that something more decided would have taken place. We have a good case, and we must stand united to uphold it. The people should insist that their repre- sentatives should unite in demanding that the Terms of Union be carried out to the letter. He did not like the concluding sentence in the resolution, and suggested that it be struck out. He trusted that necessity would never again force us to ac- cept from the Dominion Government any- thing less than our rights in full.

Hon. Mr, Suttivan reminded the Leaaer of the Opposition that all were agreed last session that in sending the joint address tu the Queen, the Legislature were pursuing the proper course. The address was sent because the Imperial Government was one of the parties to the agreement entered into between Canada and Prince Edward Island, Ata meeting of the Privy Council —present, the Queen’s Most Gracious Majesty, Lord President, Earl Granville, Ear! Kimberley, Lord Chamberlain, Mr. Gladstone—it was set forth that,—

“ Whereas, by the ‘ British North America Act, 1867,’ provision was mace forthe Union of the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into the Dominion of Canada, and it was (amongst other things) enacted that it should be lawful for the Queen, by and with the advice of Her Majestv’s Most Honorable Privy Council, on Addresses from the Houses of the Parliament of Canada, and of the Legislature of the Colony of Prince Edward Island, to admit that Colony into the said Union on such terms and conditions as

should be in the Addresses expressed, and as the Queen shouid think fit to approve,” etc.

The terms and conditions then approved by Her Majesty in Council have not been car- ried out. The Government of this Pro- vince, representing the people of this Pro- vince, felt it to be aduty incumbent upon them tojsee that the terms are fulfilled. They found that the Dominion Government was doing nothing in the matter; and there- fore they appealed to the Legislature, and the Legislature unanimously passed an Address to the Queen, requesting the Im- perial Government to use its influence with the Dominion Government in order that Prince Edward Island might receive justice in this respect. It was never thought by any one that the Imperial Government would attempt to coerce the Government of Canada. The Dominion Government is bound by law, by reason, aud by morality to fulfil their bargain if it be possible to do so; and it was felt that to this end recom- mendations on ths part of the Imperial Government would—as in the case of Bri- tish Columbia—have great weight in induc- ing the Dominion Government to put forth

etic and reasonable efforts. With

all respet t6 tho dbsphtth of Earl Granville

er

Hx AMINER, APRIT

— ————— a Se aE

there was great reason—not for dis- appointment—but for satisfaction. The delegates had been well received and patiently heard by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and he might inform the Leader of the Opposition that they had aiso been well received and courteously treated by the Government at Ottawa. They had gone to Ottawa for letters of introduction to the Home Authorities}; and they had no reason to regret having done. so. While in Ottawa they had discussed the whole matter with Lord Lansdowne, Sir John McDonald and other members of the Government, and brought prominently be- fore them the Subway Scheme, in which warm interest was evinced. Then the delegates proceeded to England Soon after they landed, they had a long inter- view with Earl Granville, and subsequently they had several interviews with His Lord- ship and the Under Secretary of State. Earl Granville, from the first, expressed a desire that the matter should be amicably arranged. He is anxious that peace and harmony should prevail throughout Canada; and at one of the interviews; he asked the delegates if they would have any objections

be| to Sir Charles Tapper meeting them at his

officeso that he might hear the matter on both sides. The delegates gladly assented to the proposal; for they felt that they had a strong case and that nothing to fear but much to gain from the fullest discussion. They accordingly met Sir Charles Tupper and had no reason to regret it. In fact Sir Charles Tupper, while the delegates were in England, showed him- self as he has done before, a true friend to Prince Edward Island. As in duty bound he presented the case of Canada to the best of his ability. He was there for that purpose, and the delegates were there to present the case of Prince Edward Island. Earl Granville heard both sides. He expressed great interest in the Subway Scheme, as explained by the dele- gates. Sir Charles aleo admitted its great importance; and he felt sure that the Government of Canada would give the whole matter their favorable consideration—such favorable consideration as is followed by satisfactory results. He was convinced that it was a fortunate cir- cumstance that the Government of the Province is in sympathy with the Dominion Government in questions of general policy. it was well understood at Ottawa that no consideration of party would prevent the Government of the Province from insisting upon the fulfilment of the Terms of Union ; and he believed the matter was much more likely to be amicably and satisfactorily ar- ranged than if the two Governments were opposed to each other.

———— os

GRAND MILITARY GONCERT,

IN AID OF THE 82nd BATT, BAND,

Under the Patronage of His Honor the Lievt.-fovernor and Mrs. Mac- donald,

—IN THE—

MARKET HALL, Movday, May 3rd.

PROGRAMME.

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eo a ian siennls T. A. McLean, Esq i NE Ss sf co ts nese 20e0eens -.Mrs. Srickland 9. Military Review Exercise.................. Military in Uniform, i: Vielin Solo........ cooe.....-.. Mr. Vinnicombe 11. Chorus—Softly Tread, from Moses in Egitto Glee Club.

12. Vocal Solo— Darling.... Mrs. Malcolm McLeod eT EP Pee Major J. Rogers, of Montreal Me een. oc so m . ... ,»...Capt. Weeks, C. E, Co,

15. Inst. Quartette —-Esguisse Militaire...... . Measrs. Vinnicombe, Fletcher, Watson and Karle.

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Y oF whe

“God Save the Queen.“

Mr. 8. N. Earle, Musical Director.

Doors open at 7.30; Concert at 8,

Tickets—Reserved seats, 35 cents; Unreserved, 25 cents. To be had at the City Drug Stores, from the Committee and at the door.

HENRY BEER, Lt.-Cot,, Chairman Com. J. D. SEAMAN,

_Ch’town, April 30, 1886,

florth Atlantic Steamship Co,

Secretary.

FROM HALIF AN.

HE steamship ‘‘“CLIFTON,” dus at Hali- fax about 2nd May, will accept freight at that Port for Charlottetown.

FENTON T. MEWBERY, Agent. Ch’town, April 30, 1886,

NOTICE.

OTICE is hereby given that the Annusl

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TO’ LET.

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