—

——

— a

course it touk in rejecting the Bull.

ation.

of rendering the proceedings of this House ridiculous in the

—— ee

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

Wepngepay, Feb. 29, 1860. POST Q@PFICE BILL.

‘On motion of the Hon. Mr. Haviland, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole oa the Bil] to amend the Act for the transfer of the inland posts of this Island, and Mr. MeNeil! in

also on the despatch in reference thereto. the cheir.

on. Mr. COLES—The Bil! contemplates an arrangement

whieh the late Government were willing to effect. But the Bill.of last Session took a wider range; it contemplated the‘introduction of a system adopted in the neighbouring provinces, besides providing for the prepayment of postage ov letters passing between this Colony and the United King- dom, as recommended by the Postmasier General of England. ‘Lhis recommendation the late Government were willing to carry out. ‘The subject was referred to the then Postmaster General, Mr. Davies, who reported that the proposed ar- rangement would facilitate the business of the office. ut the preseat Government last pear jotroduced a Bill quite different fram the.one under consideration. It was designed to assimilate our postal arrangements to those of the neigh- touring Colonies, thus providing that all unpaid letters

Council was etyled by the majority of the House as the re- sult .of factions opposition, as may be seen from this para- graph of the Address to Her Majesty-—

“The Llouse of Assembly feel constrained to complain to Your Majesty that the refusal to-pass this Bill was based moreupon a fectious opposition to the Assembly, than a

due regard 4o the woprejudiced discharge of their fanctions

as a branch of the Legislature, the Bill being thrown out by the influence ef two of its members who were members of Your Majesty's fate Government of this Colony, when the

following special report was agreed to, aud as the House of

Assembly has every reason to conclude by the unanimous

opinion of the Government as then coastituted.”

Now, notwithstanding unworthy motives are here attribu- ted to members of the Counci!, in the despateh before the House ov which the present Bill is founded, there is nothing like a threat of annibilating that body for the independent The despatch says :—

** }t would, certainly, be most convevient that the system should be adopted and brought into operation, purely and simply as by Her Majesty's Government. But, on the other hand, you sill understand that, if the Legislature should wish, ia some measure, to qualify the compulsory nature of the arrangement with respect to letters sent to this equntry, there would be no objection on the part of the Gen-

eral Post Office to waive the detention of letters for non-

peyment, provided that all enpaid and insufficiently paid letters should be charged with the amount of deficient postage, together with the rate of 6d., ia addition, as a fine.”

This is yielding a point, for it would be very hard, as

ae ergued last Session, that a letter should be returned simply because the postage was not prepaid. But aow the

Howe Government is willing to waive the detention of let- ters fer non-payment, provided the unpaid postage. and a

fine of 6J. ote. be charged, the penalty to be equally divided i

I think we

Letween the Mother Country and the Uolouy.

should thank the Legislative Council for having rejected the Bill of last year. oposite side, that the Councillors were “ men of straw,”

The declaration of hon. members on the

now goes for nothing. As regards the objection that they were men af no property and no education, it bas not been removed. 1 believe that the nominees of the late Govern- ment are possessed of as much property as those of the present. And have they appointed centlemen of better edu- cation? They have not. Mr. Pa wer may be as well edu- cated as Others who have a seat at that board, but not more so. Besides, what have they done? They have appointed a rejected candidate to that body motwithstanding all their complaints against the late Government in this respect. But

they say he was not rejected since the introduction of Re-

sponsible Government. So itis with others now in the Couneil. Col. Swabey bas not been rejected since Responsible Government.was granted. Last Session the cry was, Prince County isnot fair'y represented in that body ; but where is poor Prince County now? One of the Councillors from that County Jately sesigned, and an indiv dual residing in Queen’s County has been appointed to the veeant seat. Iam not upposed to the Bill under consideration, tut was to the ove introduced last Session; and I must say that [ feel proud that the British Government did not even rebuke the Legis- lative Couneil for expressing an independent opinion in re- ference to 1t8 provisions.

Mr. COOPER—I wish simply to make a remark. The Couneil could not amend the Bill because it related to the payment of money ; and as they felt they could not pass the B.\|, they had no other alternative than to reject it altogether.

Hon. Mr. LONGWORTIH—We have heard a very lengthy speech trom the leader of the Opposition. Lis object is very apparent ; it is to vent a litte feeling in reference to the dispute with the Legislative Council last Session. That dispute has nothing to do with the question under consider- Ji seems tu be his endeavour to lose no opportunity

eyes-of the people. [till becomes him thus to speak, as it appears be dues not intend to oppo-e the Bill ; but is only launching out a tirade against certain individuals. The ad-

eres of this Lluuse to the Queen was not for the purpose of

im uting unworthy motives to mewhers of the Council, but to prevent distorted views from going before Her Majesty's Governmert. It did not go so far as the address drawn up by the Council. They had no cause for passing their address ; it was Only got up for the purpose of bringing the two FH. usesinto collision. The Heuse of Assembly last year

d-emed it a duty to pass a Bill to meet the wishes of the

British Government in regard to the postal arrangements between the two countries, The hon. member, however.

appears to think that Prince Edward [sland will now enjoy a privilege which the other Colonies do not hoid.

But this dsland is not more deserving of favour than the other Provin- ces, besides Nova Scotia and New Brun-wick enjoy the privilege mentioned in the despatch. There is only a very slight difference between the Bill under consideration and the one introduced last Session ; yet the hon. membcr states he ig not opposed to the present Bill. What then is the reason that he raises objections? Simply because the House passed an address last year respecting the Legtslative Coun- ceil. He alluded to some expressions of hov. members re- garding the Council im the discussion on that address. Dtaiemeuts bo doubt were hastily made iu the heat of debate,

but no discourteous language was emposed. The hon. mem- ber then went into a comparison bet wecn the former members

of the Council and those appointed by the present Govern-

ment, and stated that Mr. Simpson was a rejected candidate

of the sume stamp as Col, Swabey. But the comparison will uot hold good. long before the introduction of Respousible Government. Lie

vsigned his seat in that body. und endeavoured to obtain a coustitueucy, but failed, ad was immediately alter reap- pointed to the Cuancil, He therefore may be considered as having received his reappoiutme:t because he was rejected, tor if be had been elected he could not have been reappointed. But Mr. Simpson's case is atogetber different. He had

wever been a member of the Counc! previous to his rejection,

and he did not rece ve his appoiutn ent under the old regime. Dior will the comparison huld good between Mr. Simpson

evi Mr. Aldous; the former wes vot rejected under consti- tutional Goverumest, but the latter was, and should not have

Leen appointed to a seat in the Council. Hoa. Mr. WHELAN— Who gave him an office ? diva, Mr. LUNG WORTH.

stated to be the result of tue i wt opinion on the part of the Legislative Council. body gave no reanons for rejecting the Bill. tiow. Mr. WHELAN—W bat cid Dr. Johnson do? lion Mr. LONG WORTH — He followed suiv.

silent.

Hoa Col. GRAY—A great anount of extraneous matter has been introduced into this debate. [ do not understand whos all the discussion abuut rejected candidates and the Bat [ will ‘ing the appointments to that body. 1

i ea ee being appointed to the Vouncil. Uuless they obtain some

Legislative Council bas to do with the Bill. offer # remark have heard bo

Mr. Swabey was appointed to the Council

» was appoinied to an office by che present Government becuase he was a fit person—the right atan in the right place. The hon. mewber, Mr. Cules, appears to think that the Lezislative Council deserves praise ior rejecting the B.ll of fast Session; but there is vothing iu the despatch before the louse to warrant what he has eadent action or expreeson That

Colsnel Swahey gave his veto to the Bul without assigning any reasup. De. Johnson being only a short time a member of that bedy, aud uot fully aequsicted with the subject, was

of the public offices, I think the people are indiflerent on the subject. Under the late Governuent the complaint was that if eve of their friends happened to be rejected, he was almost immediately appointed to office. With respect to the question under consideration, | may say that I approve of the principle of the Bill. 1 believe the people of this Island are far better able to pay postage than the poorer classes in Britain, because money can be more easily earned here than in the old country. I have been told by an in- timate acquaintance conaceted with the Post Office at heme, that thousands of letters were lying in the office for the simple reason that the persons had not the money to pay the postage. We ought to be ashamed to say that we are unable ‘to prepay our letters, I think we ought to have adopted the suggestion of the Postmaster General of Kngland, and mede vur postal arrangements the same as they are in the other Colonies. I entertained the hope that this [sland ' would have taken the lead in this matter as it has acted in | doing away with Departmental Government, on account of ‘which we have received praise from the Canadian newspapers. | There is one provision in the Bill that I think ought to have been omitted, which is that if a letter be sent to Britain un- paid, a fine is to be exacted. In my opinion it would be better to have a double postage. I hope, however, that the time is not far distant when an ocean peuny postage will be

vhowld be detained ; yet ity rejection by the Legislative | ostablished. Almost every improvement is objected to at

first. ‘Ihe steam engine, the electric telegraph, railroads, and free trade met with opposition. But as this is an age of progress, L feel confident that we will soon see an ocean postage numbered among the improvements of the day.

| Feo. Mr. COLES—I thought the hon. member was going ‘to introduce a proposal for the establishment of a penny postage; when he does so he shall have my support. 1 do not see that telegraphs and railroads bave any closer con- nection with the question before the House than the Legis lative Council. The hon. member, Mr. Longworth, displayed his talent for special pleading in vindicating the actions of the Government, but his argumen'ts were not very weighty. [ have yet 1o learn that Col. Swabey gave a silent vote on tbe Bill of last Session. I understand that at least one | member of the Council gavehis reasons freely for opposing the bill, and that bis aguments were the means sf convine- ing Dr. Johnson that it was objectionable. The hon. mem- ber labored hard to show the difference between Col. Swabey and Mr. Simpson as rejected candidates. They were both rejected, he admits, be'ore the introduction of Responsible Government, but Mr Swabey, he says, was appointed to the Council under the old regime, and Mr. Simpson under con- stutional Goveroment. This is a very slight differene, and does not justify the appointment of Mr, Simpson after all that they bave said against the nomination of rejected can- didates to that body. But the great reflection cast upon Col. Swabey last year was, that he held thirteen or fuurteen offices. Now, thoagh he filled some ten or twelve, he was only receiving emoluments for one or two; and the Goveru- ment have done themselves no honor by turning him out of certain of these situations, such as member of the Board of Education, Trustee of the Centra! Acadewy, and Trustee of the Lunatic Asylum. The late Government never dismissed any one from these offices because opposed to their own poli- tical principles. The hon. member in the course of his remarks said that they had appointed Mr. Aldous to office because he was a fit person. This is not very complimeutary to his own party, for it is equal to saying that they had not another individual qualified for the situation, But as Mr. Aldous was actually dismissed from office on the change of Government, it is evident he was only re-appointed on con- dition that he would resign his seat in the Legislative Coun- cil. I may again say that I did not rise to oppose the Bill, but only to correct some misstatemcuts.

Mr. DAVIES—This discussion has taken a wide range. [ think the Bill will be a general benefit ; it at least cannot prove atiy great inconvenience, as merchants and men in business, almost always prepay their letters, and others generally do so out of courtesy. I hope, with the hon. member for Belfast, that a peury postage will soon be estab- lisbed.

Hon. Mr. McAULAY—It appears that the necessity of the Bill has been altogether overlouked in the discussion. The postal arrangements of Britain are like a great piece of machinery, wheu one smal! wheel goes out of place the whole is deranged. As the other Colonies have adopted the system recommended by the Imperial Goverament, we should pass this Bill to prevent the trouble which a variety of Colonial post office regulations must occasion in the department at home. [I am ata loss to know what a discussion about re- jected candidates has to do with the subject under considera- tion. To be defeated in running an election is no disgrace ; even the great Lord McAu!ay was rejected by perhaps the most enlightened constitucncy in the world, namely, that of Ediuburgh.

Hon. Mr. HAVILAND—As a member of the Govern- ment I feel sorry that | have been unable, on account of ill health, to defend the Bill; but hon. members have wandered so far from the subject, and said so little in reference to the measure, that defence has been unnecessary. I do vot think we will either gain or lose by the Bill, for those who wrize letters generally reccive letters in return, anc but seldom pay postage both ways. The leader of the Opposition attempts to justify the Couneil for rejecting the Bill of last Session because it was different from the one now before the Huuse ; but in my opinion that Bill was better than this. Tue Hill of last year authorised the Goverument to raise the postage on letters according to the requiremen's of the public service, as is the law in the neighbouring Provinces; but under the present Bill no alteration can be made when the [House is not in session.

Mr. HOWAT—Before the question is put 1 would offer a remark. The provisions of this Bill appear to be similar to those of the one introduced last Session, but notwitbstand- ing this the leader of the Opposition seems to be willing to support the present measure. The [il] was rejected by the Council last year because they were in a position to do as they pleased. Now, in my opinion, the hon. mewhber is ouly ia favor of this Bill because he believes there is some inferna! machine at hand which can be brought to bear upon the Council if they oppose the measure,

Mr. DAVIES—I consider we are treated unjustly by the Heme Government. They bring the mails to the other Colcnies ; but bere we have to pay for their transmission from Nova Scotia to the Island. 1 would ask the leader of the Opposition a question on this point.

lion. Mr. COLES—Several representations were sent Home by the late Government in reference to this subject, but the British Government absolutely refused to alter the existing arrangemeut. This Colony is allowed one penny on each letter, or one-sixth of the postage, which the Home Government considers sufficient to pay for carrying the mails from Pictou, With regard to this infernal machine, I suppose the hon. member from Tryon alludes to some de- spaich in reference to the Legislative Council. He is en- deavouring to make his constituents believe he is all right, but they wi'l be calling him to account some of these day. The Bill was reported agreed to without amendment.

| }

House adjourned.

D. Lairp, Reporter.

Weonespay Arrernoon, Feb 29.

Ton. Col. GRAY, by command, presented the following Message from [is Excellency the Lieutenant Governor :—

George Dunpas, Licutenant Governor.

“ The Lieutenant Governor has received from his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, an acknowledgement of the Address from the House of Assembly to Her Majesty, praying fora re-construction of the Legislative Council, which was transmitted by Sir Dominick Daly to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, late principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.”

“ While acquainting the House that their address was duly laid at the foot of the Throne, the Lieutenant Governor does not feel himself at liberty, at present, to make publie the correspondence which ensued upon the subject, and he therefore trusts that the House of Assembly will be satisfied with the assurance that their Address bas received the anxious consideration of Her Majesty's Secre- tary of State, who, while relying on the spirit of mutual forbearance to promote covcord between the Upper and Lower House, bas yet

in the hands of the Lieut. Governor the power of making such an alteration in the Legislative Council as will ensure the harmo- nious working together of the two branches of the Legislature.”

Goverament House, February 29, 1860.

lon. Mr. COLES considered that the Message was so ee that he had never, in bis public experience, seen any official communication like it. His Excellency stated that he had received powers necessary to insure the harmonious working of the Couneil aud the House ; what, then, was the use of the Mesxage if the Despatches were not transmitted with itt The instructions referred to should have been sent down, as they were caused by an aidress of the House, last s.ssion. He moved to refer the Message to a committee of the whole House.

Hun. Col. GRAY, was compelled, asa loyal subject, to

Fecognise the prerogative of the Crown in submitting or withholding Despatches. If the Lieutenant Governor was

The Examiner.

en ee

hound to send down all such documents, there would be little need of such an office. Although responsible govern- ment had been conceded, he was not prepared to regard the Queen's representative a8 a mere automaton.

Hon, Mr. COLES, without yielding to the hon. member in respect of lovalty,was not disposed to submit passively to whatever course the Government might choose to adopt. The messnge should be referred to eummittee, and the sub- ject matter of it there discussed.

Hon. Mr. HAVILAND regretted that he was disqualified, hy indisposition,from answering,at length, the hon. memb:-r When any alteration in the constitution of the Council should take plave, it would be time enough to discuss the subject; at present, it would be premature to enter into it.

Hon. Mr. LONGWORTII did not consider that the hon. Mr Coles intended to press his motion. He had mercly moved for the committee, in consequence of the Speaker having stated that there was no motion before the Louse. No necessity for the committee had been alleged. The message was plain and explicit. It stated that the Lieut. Governor had received cortain powers.

Hon. Mr. FHORNTON—Suppose the message stated that instructions had been received to alter the constitution of the House, would they not have the right to know the nature of them? The Council were equally 4 branch of the Legislature, and the House was entitied to kuow what the instructions were.

Hon Mr. COLES asked what were the object and inten- tion of the message, if it was not to be taken into con. sideration! When it was recollected that the leader of the Government could make public reference, before his late Charlonetown constituents,to the vature of the instructions, the whole correspondence on the subject should be laid be- fore the House. That correspondence had been elicited by an address of the Louse, and, although the Government might seek to boodwink the country, and endeavour to strut the mouths of the minority, be would make bis sentiments known. ‘he despatches were on a subject of public im- portanee, and the public should be in possession uf them, and the members of the majority should assist in obtaining them.

Mr. ILOLM was of opinion that the constitution of the Legislative Council was a matter of reyal prerogative, and, if the Lieutenant Governor had received instructions of a character caleulated to insure harmony and co-operation between that body and the House, he did not think that there was any occasion to call for the despatehes in which they were embodied.

Mr. DAVIES—The non-production of despatches was not altogether unprecedented in the history uf the Ielund. In the time of Sir Alexander Bannerman, despatches bud been withheld. In the case before the House, the Lieutenant Governor had stated that it was not convenient to the pub- lic business to produce the correspondence. Such ground of objection was usually taken and received.

Mr BEER thought hon. members need not manifest such anxiety on the subject of the constitution of the Legislative Council, the members of which were nominees of the Crown. It might be desirable, when any alteration in the Council should have been made, to ask for the despatches under which it had been effected, and then to go into comni.ttee on the subject.

Hon. Mr. MACAULAY would be second to none in vin- dicating the rights of the House, if he saw any attempts to infringe them. But in the message he could only recog- nise an act of condescension on the part of the Lieutenant Governor, who had given the House information on a sub- ject which bad been matter of discussion, and on which the House had passed an address to the Crown, last Session. Ile would recommend to the hon. member Mr. Coles, the study of the relations between prerogative aud popular rights.

Mr. SINCLAIR—A short time ago. the favorite topic with the majority was the privileges of the people, now all their interest was manifested in favor of the rights of the Crown, In the celebrated three days’ parliament, the ma- jority manifested no lack of discourtesy to the then repre- sentative of the Sovereign; now, the same party tells the House that they must be content to remain in ignorance of an important public despatch. The late administration hal been taunted with keeping despatches secret, but we now had a greater degree of darkness than belore; for not only were the despatches withheld, but the question of the Le- gislative Council had not even been alluded to in the speech. The House was told that the correspondence would be pro- duced, when the proper time should arrive. It appeared that it was to be kept back until such time as the Council might oppose the Government, when the latter body was to be annihilated by the sudden explosion of the ** infernal machine’’ alluded to by the‘hon’ member Mr Howat. The action of the Government in this matter was based on the old tyrannical principles under which the government of the Island bad been formerly carried on.

Hon. Mc, WHELAN.—No objection to the late Govern- ment had been sv incessantly harped upon, as the allegation that they had withheld despatebes. Loud were the decla- mations against them at the Temperance Hall, before the elections, ov that alleged miscendact, and the people were assured that,under the present Guverament ,no official evrres- pondence would be kept secret. But, now, the Lieutenant Governor was made tu ask the House to forbear—not to make him divulge the commanications he may have received on a subject, the important natare of which is admitted by all. We had been told in the journal which is the organ of the Government, that his Excellency had received power to alter the constituticn of the Council, so as to prevent its offering any opposition to the Louse. Now, so far from any change in that body having been effected,the Government was io this extraordinary and unamiable position, that they screened themselves behind the assertion of the prerogative, and made the Governor ask, as a favor, that the [louse be silent on the subject, and we were virtually told that the correspondence could not be safely entrusted to our consideration. By those remarks he intended no personal disrespect to his Execellency —he held his advisers responsible, as they were, and, con- stitutionally, should be. The message iformed the House that the address of last year ** had received the anxious con- siderativa of Her Majesty's Secretary of Siate, who, while relying on the spirit of mutual forbearance to promote con- cord between the upper and lower Llouse, has vet placed in the hands of the Lieut. Governor the power of making such an alteration in the Leyg’slative Council as will ensure the harmonious working togeiher of the two branches of the Legislature.” Why was not the [louse tufurmed of these powers? Why not told whether the principles asserted in the address had been affirmed, or, if denied, why should the House not be in possession of the reasons of the failure? Besides the present case, the Government had tuserted in the Speech a paragraph to the effect, that the address on the subject of the Land Commission had been graciously received, and that the details were nearly completed. But what did the des- patches, sudbmitied to the House, disclase, in corroboration of that statiemeni? Why, that, so far from having been gra- ciously received, the address had not even been presenicd to Her Majesty! Nav, more, that the details were such as pre- vented ils presentation, therefore, it could not tave been * graciously received.’’ The oly facts proved by the cor- respondence were, that, in October last, Sir Samuel Cunard had been applicd to by a subordinate in the Colonial Office, aud there was no evidence that Sir Samuel Cunard had ever replied to the communication, The assurance in the Speech that the Commission would be speedily arranged, was not justified by the correspondence before the House, How ther was any reliance to be placed on the veracity of the Executive, when they were proved to have wilfully misstated facts?

Hons. Mr. HAVILAND and Col. GRAY rose to order. Such language should not be tolerated. ‘The Government had been charged with having wade wilful misstaiemenis.

The words having been taken duwn by the Clerk—

Mr. BEER moved that the loa. member have leave to withdraw them.

Hon. Mr. WHELAN did not, for a moment, intend to charge his Excellency with having misstated facis,—he reprat- ed the imputation against his advisers. If he had used the epithet ** wiitul,”” he withdrew un.

llon. Col. GRAY; as a Member of the Executive, was satisfied with the disclaimer.

Mr, COOPER.—The message was, indeed, a strange do- cument of its kind. Last Session the Legielative Council had been stigmatised in terms actually disgraceful; and now the Government make use of the Lieut. Governor as a cats- paw, with whieh to whitewash themselves.

Mr. HOWAT.—I had been stated that the Couneil was a branch of the Legislature, as independent as the Louse. ‘That was true, but each body was so iu Us own order. ‘The Council was constituted by the Crown—ihe House emanaied from the people. Why, then, had pot the Crown as much rigitto control, or reconstruct, the Council, as the people bad to remodel the popular branch? ‘The Lieut. Governor sialed that he was investigated with powe:s to ensure the harggontous working of the two bodies. While he (Mr. HL) woutd oppose any encroachments apon the rights of the peo- ple, or the privileges of the Coane, the House had we right to interfere wih the constiintion’! exercise of the prerogative of the Crown. |i was nv concern of theirs in What manner the Crown exercised i's authority; enough tw kuow that power to eflect changes had been given.

The motion of Hop, Mr. Coles, that the Message be re- ferred to Coumittee, was thea put, aud just op the tollowiug division;—

Yeas. ~Messrs. Coles, Conroy, Cooper, Doyle, Kelly, wens Sinclair, Sutherland, Thoruton, Whelan, Wightman,

Nays.—Messrs. Beers, Davies, Douse, Gray, Haviland, Holm, Howat, Laird, Longworth, McAulay, McNeili, Moat gamery, Owen, Pope, Ramsay, Hon. Mr. Yeo.—-16.

ad

a a

AMERICAN FISHING VESSELS’ BILL. The Committee on the Bill to license Fishing Vessels built on the Island by Americans, was thea resumed.

Mr. MeN#ILL.—I am opposed to the Hill, for T consider that the Americans have, at present, more privileges than ourselves, anu the Bill proposes to make further concessions to them, Without stipulating that we are to receive anything in return. I[ have no idea of yielding We rights of cur owa people to foreigners, without something whith ‘might becon- sidered as an cquivalent. ‘The Americans always contrive to get the best of the bargain in any international arrangement, The amendment of the Lon. Mr Coles will, at any rate, obiain something for us.

Hon. Mr. WIGHTMAN —Ulaving already expressed my disapproval of the Bill, it is unnecessary that ] should reinter- ate the objections L previously expressed. The Americans have already the right to trade Inger arbors, they ean carry on their business (rom one of our ports to another. ‘They re- Tuse to allow us the same privilege. Last year we gave them the right to bold 200 acres of land ia ihe Island, on the sane terms as British subjects. Hf this Bill passes, the Americans will come here tor three or four years, When, haviog cut away the small remoant of our forests, they will bid us good-bye. | wou'd be among the readiest i support the Bill, uf they would reciprocate he privileges we lave contlerred upon them, by allowiny Colonial built ships to obtain an Amoricon Re- gistry, aud admiiting es to a perticipation in their Coapiing trade, from which we areat preseutdebarred. ‘lhe Bull asks nothing from them, bat treely proflers a boon--which we should not tender before seeking an equivalent,

Mr. BEER.—As to the objection that the Bill will have an eflect injuriens tv our sinp-building mterests, | canuot see much force in nu, for itis well kuown that, lor years past, I has been a Josing, and, in several Instances, a ruimous business to those engaged in il, 60 that lhe Svoner it 1s abandoved the beuer. Lean see no reason why the Americans should vot be allowed to come with their dollars, and buy our Umber and employ our fabor; and if they lose by deing se, ut will be their basivess, and not ours, for ihey wall be the sufferers, and our people the gainers.

Hon. Co!l. GRAY —I agree with the hon. member who has just satdown, that the Bill will be bearfieral to the Island; but L think that he bas taken a very limned view of the benefits whieh would accrue to us from its enaciment. | highly approve of the Alien Land Bill, as being one step in the right direction, ‘The present measure I regard as on- other. It will not interfere with the business of ship-buriding, as the class of vesseis, the building of which i contem~ plates, would not require fur their consiruction wood ot the quality or dimensions which are employed in the building of large ships. ‘lhe farge number of Amersican fishermen whe frequent our shores would, under the Bill, be enabled to take double the number of fares that they now do,—-for, by the completion of the Railroad from Shediac to St. Jobo, which will be finished next summer, the dangers and, Jength of tine of the long passage through the Gut of Caasy, or North about by St. Paul's, will be obviated. 1 observed thai, ala meeting receotiy held at Princetown, the Opiniun Was ex~ pressed that Prince County would soon rival, if it did not surpass, Queen's, in prosperity. The ume, Il trust, is not remvule When the incieasing fisheries may induce the cun-

» struction of a railway from Princetown to Summerside, which

would carry ibe fish to the later place, already within a few hours sail of the Shediac terminus cf the railway to Si. Joho, ‘Tue freight by railway and steamer would be far less than at present besides the saving of loss of life and ume attendant apon the preseat mode. [The hen. member here read the rates of freighis on several of the American hoes of railway inthe United States—ic proof of bis assertions as to the difference of cost of traasit.} The Bill would have a very beneficial effeet in this respect. The Americans would come here, spend their Money in purchasing our timber, and employing our young men tu building the vessels, and in fishing during the summer season. In the winter they would be profitably employed in providing for the next year’s employment, by making the necessary barrels. ‘Chis latier business would affurd steady

and remuverative labor to a large class of our people during

a period of, at present, almost total and compulsory inactivity.

We require, not annexation to the S:ates, but the most en-

larged intercourse with them. 1 will meet the complaint of the boo. member, Mr. Wightman, as to the non-concession

of Americau registers, and the American coasting trade 16 our

vessels, by asking, why the Government, of which he was a

member, did not deu and those privileges, when they passed

the Reciprocity Bilt They should not have let the favorable

moment pass unimproved. | fee! convinced that the oppo-

hents of (he measare will, on consideration, change their views

on the Bull, whieh | repeat will, in my opinion, be productive

of great benefit to the Island.

fon. Mr. POPE —I was opposed to the Bill when it was before the House, and since it has been in Commitee, | have heard nothing 10 1nduce me tv change my vpimon. We have been told that the ship-builders on the [sland have all been ruined, avd, I] suppose, it 1s deemed beneficial to alluw the Americans to follow suit in the profitable tusiness. If it don't pay, hon. members are desirous that Americans may spend their money here to their own disadvantage. ‘The opinion has been imsinuated that the opponents of the Bill are actuated by inmteresteu motives. | can tell them, however, that the Island ship-builders have no cause, on thelr own ac- count, to fear the operation of the Bull, for ship-building can, of course, be must advantageously prosecuted, in yards already established and equipped; and our merchants engaged in that business, would find ua increased demand for the Various articles of ship clandiery, which they have on tand, from the Americans, who might be disposed to build fishing vessels tere. We can build aoe cheaply than sirangers. The Americans at present build and own vesseis here, not in their owu wames, it is true, but the registers are taken vut ip the names of their partners and trieuds, whe are British sub- jects; aud they not only employ these vessels in fishing, but, aller the season is Over, they take cargues of produce to the States and ibe neighboring Colonies, which they could not do wih the vessels burit usder the Bil If we. by employing our vessels six mouths in the year, can hardly make them pay, how can the Americans do so, by using theirs only three? There was an inconsistency in the reasoning of the hon, member, Mr. Beer. He said that we would be bevefitted in the employment of ver people by the Americans, tn fishing and building vessels; but, in the same breath, he stated that it would be better, if they were farwers. True it is, that the Bill will not interfere with our carrying trade with England, but the Amwericaus already havea participation tn that. Wtena we are told that our farmers now get four or five shillings a bushel fur their barley, because it 1s admitted to the Ameri- can market free of duty, | answer, that if the British Govern- ment had given up all our privileges to the Americans, they would have continaed the duty ou our produce. lamin favor of reciprocity, as much as any member, aod if the Americans would epen tv us their evasiing trode, and allow our vessels an American registry, I would cheertully give them all they want; bot |] will net consent to make them a present of our remaining privileges without receiving something which may be considered as an equivaleut.

Mr. COOPER —I wou'd have no objection to the Bill if I thought ic would be acted upon in tie manner, and to the extent, its advocates allege that it would. Is would, in such case, prove beneficial to the people of the Island; but it isin violation of the Navigation cn without an alteration in which it cannot be sanctioned by the Lwperial Government. At present the Fishermen who frequent our coasts ure glad to land their salt and stores,and take freights. Tne vessels to be constructed and employed under the pro- visions of the Bill could not do so. They would have to be laid up during the winter season, when the frost would so affect the hulls by forcing the oakum from the seams, that they would be in a far worse state than if they had been steadily employed; and if their sails and rigging were stowed on board, they would be liable tu great injury from rats and mice.

Lon. Mr HAVILAND.—The present debate is the most irregular that L have ever witnessed since 1 have been in the House. The principle of the Bill was discussed and affirmed befure ic wentinto Committee. The hon. member, Mr. Wightman, was the first to violate the rule of parlia- mentary debate. le replied to a speech made last week, instead uf confining himseif to the details of the measure. The Hon Mr. Pope, also, was present when the principle of the Bill was under consideration He says that the bill will cause no loss; but, on the contrary, be productive of advantage, to shipbuilders. Low is it, then, that we find the shipbuilders the only opponents of it? The Hon. Mr. Wightman also says that the Bill will do no hara— that the timber of the Island is of sv inferior a quality, that the Americans will not use it—that the Bill will be « mere dead letter on our Statute Book. Whence, then, his op- position? Did my voice permit, | eould easily shew that the Bill will be a general benefit to the Island—that land with timber on it will be enhanced in value, for the greater competition will inereuse the price. Hon. members who oppose the Bill profess great admiration for the theory of Free ‘Trade; but when they think it is about to press upon their vwn corns, they evince a yery uneasy sensiliveness.

lon. Mr. LONGWORTIL —When the principle of the Bill was before the House, I stated the reasons which in- duced me to support it. I shall not, therefore, recapita- Jate them; but I think that the arguments of the hon. Messrs Wightman and Pope against it are fallacious, and based upon a misconception of the facts. The hon. mem- ber who has just sat down, has shewn the inconsistency of their opposing a measure which, they say, will not inflict an injury on the people. And I maintain if any idea thas Island shipbuilding will suffer from tie Bill, is operating on the minds of those hon. members, they are labouring under an erroneous impression. The Bill will not affeet the interests of our shiphuilders—~it but allows Americans

to build vessels of a particular class, into the conscructiva of which but little, if any, of the wood used in constructing large vegsels would be used. As tothe success which would