Mr. AULAY MORRISON moved :
That that portion of the forty-ninth rule, which limits the time for presenting private Bills, he suspended in reference to a Bill to incorporate the Westminster Bridge Company.
Mr. SPROULE.
I think that in future, when Bills are presented at an irregular time, they ought to be accompanied by some explanation which would be a justification for them. There might arise exceptional circumstances which would justify departing from the usual rule, and I think it would be a good plan to put the House in possession of such information as in the opinion of the House would be justified.
Motion agreed to. Mr. MORRISON moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 249) to incorporate the Westminster Bridge Company. Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time.
Mr. MORRISON moved :
That, in accordance with the recommendation contained in the 29th report of the Select Standing Committee on Standing Orders, the sixtieth rule of the House be suspended for the remainder of the session.
Motion agreed to.
Mr. J. T. SCHELL (Glengarry).
Mr. Speaker, I wish to draw the attention of the House to a certain matter, and for that purpose I would move the adjournment of the House. In the county of Glengarry we have several societies, principally Scottish and French. These societies at different times hold celebrations, which we consider a right and proper thing to do, and on these occasions we frequently have men of eminence to take part. Last Wednesday the Earl of Dundonald consented to meet the Scottish clans of Glengarry at their celebration. The arrangements were all completed the night before, and on Wednesday morning he was awaited by a number of the Scottish people who had gathered at the railway station. On my arrival on the same train by which he was expected to come, it was found that Lord Dundonald was not present. On inquiring of the cause by putting the telegraph wires in motion, we found that he had received that morning a written message coming from the Bel] Telephone Company in these words : * Weather unfavourable ; postpone your visit.' I just wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Bell Telephone Company, an organization brought into being by this
Mr. OLIVER.
House, and protected by its charter, has such a loose way of carrying on its operations as under certain circumstances to cause serious consequences. It appears that Lord Dundonald placed confidence in the message delivered by that company. I realize that this being a private matter, there is no claim. I just wish to draw the attention of the House to the position in which the Beil Telephone Company stands in relation to the public of Canada. I may say that when the true condition of affairs was realized, His Lordship immediately ordered a special train to convey him to Alexandria, and the celebration took place as it was originally planned.
Motion negatived.
Mr. E. F. CLARKE (West Toronto).
1 have had placed in my hands in the last half hour a telegram, and I would like to draw the attention of the acting Minister of Railways and Canals to its contents, and request him most respectfully to inquire into it. It is as follows :
Niagara Falls, Ont., September 7, 1903. E. F. Clarke, M.P.,
House of Commons, -Ottawa.
Railroad fare for Yankees from Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Toronto and return, one dollar and fifty cents ; -railroad fare for Canadians from Niagara Falls, Ont., to Toronto and return, two dollars and fifty cents. Bring this up in the Ho-use land ask if it is right when they are trying to put the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway through. I will vouch for this.
I would be obliged if the hon. minister would make inquiries to ascertain if it is possible that this discrimination in rates between passengers from the same place and over the same system takes place.
Do I understand that that is on the Grand Trunk Railway ?
Mr. CLARKE.
Yes.
I shall be very glad to have it inquired into.
Mr. DAVID HENDERSON (Halton).
Before the Orders of the Day are called, as I now see the Minister of Agriculture in his place, I desire to say that I took occasion yesterday to refer to an interview which took place in Toronto, given by Mr. W. T. R. Preston, Commissioner of Immigration in London, to the Toronto ' News,' in which he spoke in a manner not at all complimentary to a very important agricultural product. I had hoped that the minister would make some statement with a view to lessening the mischief which I think
was calculated to be done by the statement made by Mr. Preston.
Mr. SPEAKER.
If the hon. gentleman wishes to put a question to the government, he cannot make any statement.
Mr. HENDERSON.
I will move