The three commissioners were Mr. Courtney, the deputy minister; Mr. Burn and Mr. Kent. The deputy minister receives no compensation. The report has been brought down.
Mr. BLAIN.
Referring to the preceding item, did the minister say that the government instructed the commissioners where they were to hold their sittings, and that they were not to go to Rossland ?
The hon. member for North Victoria (Mr. Hughes) asked what instructions were given to the commissioners. Their instructions were contained in the Order in Council appointing them, and required the commissioners to investigate the causes of the industrial and transportation troubles that have taken place in British Columbia. I think the commissioners were requested to sit at certain places, but well on towards the close of their sittings, the secretary of I Mr. INGRAM.
the commission telegraphed me to the effect that the commissioners thought it inexpedient in the public interest to go to Rossland, and left the matter in my hands to decide. I concurred with them in that view, and relieved them from going to Rossland. I do not think it would have been in the public interest to do so under the circumstances.
Mr. BLAIN.
Would the minister give his reasons why he thought it was not in the interest of capital and labour that they should not sit at Rossland ?
Among the reasons set forth in the communication sent to me, one was that peace had been restored, and that it was not deemed expedient to bring the two parties, who had so recently been in hostility, into court again. There had been a long strike between employer and employee, and a great deal of trouble had been occasioned, loss of money, people had gone away, industry had suffered, and people were heartily sick of the trouble and wanted peace. It was thought that to bring these two hostile parties together again and inquire into the causes of their quarrel in the past, would have a bad effect, and would disturb the harmony that had been restored.
Grant to the Canadian South African Memorial Association, $6,000.
The object of this is to assist this association in marking the graves of Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in South Africa. The work has been undertaken by an association one of the chief members of which is Lady Minto. The hon. Minister of Militia and Defence (Sir Frederick Borden) is also one of its members, and I think that the military people generally are associated with it. They have raised by private subscription between $6,000 and $7,000 and they have askedl that the government should ' contribute. I am inclined to think that the government can do the work better in this way by co-operating with the association than ir we were to undertake it independently. The military people are giving a great deal of attention to the work, they have the cooperation of the military authorities in South Africa and as a result of this fund there will not be a grave of a Canadian soldier who lost his life in South Africa that will not be marked by a suitable monument.
Mr. HUGHES (Victoria).
The Dominion government assumes no control ?
No, we give them this grant the same as we would give it to any other organization.
To cover unprovided items, 1901-2, as per Auditor General's Report, page C-4, $200,635.65.
This is a formal item which the Auditor General desires to have passed at the end of the year to square his accounts. Where an appropriation is made for a department it sometimes happens that in one branch the appropriation is over expended, whereas in another branch there is an amount that is unused. Of course, the grants unused are greatly in excess of the over expenditures. The Auditor General likes to have this vote put into the Supply Bill. It is not really a vote of money, but it is rather a formal confirmation of the small over expenditures that have occurred during the year.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
I was merely going to observe that it would have the effect of increasing the appropriation for a particular item.
As to a particular item it may be so, but the documents show that there are very large sums that are unused. Here aud there it is found impossible to keep the expenditure to the exact sum appropriated, and in sum cases by transfers from. one branch to another a readjustment takes place. This is not properly a vote of money, but it is simply to enable the Auditor General to square his accounts at the end of the year. I confess that for some years I had some difficulty in understanding why this was necessary, but it has been the practice of parliament for some years to vote an item of this character.
Scientific institutions and hydrographic surveys-amount required for time ball at Halifax N.S.. $1,000.
This time ball is erected at tlie request of the board of trade and the shipping interest at Halifax to give the mariners the time. The same thing exists at every ocean port. There is one at Montreal and also one at Quebec, maintained by the harbour commissioners. This is a new one and it is being erected under the supervision of Prof. Stupart, of the meteorological service.
Gratuity to Capt. A. M. MacGregor, late master of the surveying steamer ' Bayfield,' on his retirement (one year's salary), $1,050.
Captain MacGregor, who is 75 years of age, has been 18 years in the service. He is now too old for the service and this is the ordinary gratuity of one year's salary.
Mr. INGRAM.
Is this Captain MacGregor who used to sail on Lake Huron and Lake Superior ?
THE MINISTER OF MARINE' AND FISHERIES. Yes.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
I think the hon. member for North Grey (Mr. Thomson) wanted to say a word or two in regard to this*item not with the idea of objecting to it but he was rather inclined to think that some more liberal allowance should be made to this gentleman, who, I understand, has been twenty-seven years in the service of the country.
THE MINISTER OF MARINE AVD FISHERIES. Captain MacGregor is perfectly satisfied with this, and this is the ordinary gratuity.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
I know nothing of the circumstances beyond what was mentioned to me by my hon. friend from North Grey. If the captain himself is perfectly satisfied with the allowance I would have nothing to say about it.
Mr. HUGHES (Victoria).
Is there not some rule that a month's salary shall be given for every year's service ?
That comes under the Superannuation Act. This Is not under the Superannuation Act.
Captain MacGregor is perfectly satisfied.
Some resolutions reported.
The MINISTER OF FINANCE moved the adjournment of the House.
Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).
What will be the order of business for to-morrow ?