Sir. GOURLEY.

Is the Sir. Stratton the hon. gentleman from Guysborough refers to the gentleman of the name who is mixed up with the Gamey affair ?

Hon. Mr. FIELDING.

Sir. FRASER.

The Hon. Sir. Stratton, Provincial Secretary of Ontario, is associated with these gentlemen that I have named.

Sir. GOURLEY.

At what point has construction commenced on this road ?

Sir. FRASER.

Between New Glasgow and Country Harbour.

For a line of railway from Debert 3tation on the Intercolonial Railway to Debert Coal Mine, not exceeding 4% miles, in lieu of the subsidy granted by chapter 8 of 1900, item 29 of section 2.

This is in the county of Colchester. It is a new coal mine which is being opened up now.

Sir. GOURLEY.

A short line like this should receive a larger subsidy. In Nova Scotia, unfortunately, the coal already discovered is north of the Cotoequid Mountains; this mine in the county of Colchester is south of the Cobequid Mountains, and if we could once discover a coal mine there it would give to the southern part of the province a great advantage in giving us cheaper coal. What is the use of giving a company that is struggling to open a coal mine a little subsidy of $3,200 a mile to build a railway ? You might as well send them down a pound of candy, If this parliament wants to command the respect of the people of Canada it ought to make a little vote like this at least $6,000. I supported a vote of $13,000 a mile for Mackenzie & Mann to *build railways in the territories, at least we are giving them a guarantee of $13,000 a mile, and I would take that in preference to this. Down in Nova Scotia we have not the commercial development to make railways pay. What is the good of a coal mine that is ten miles away from a railway ? I want to say that no railways in Canada should be more than eight miles apart, no man should be more than four miles away from a railway. If we who are members of parliament had to go four miles away to catch a train for Montreal we would think it a hardship. We want to have the trade brought to our doors. That is only a question of travel, but suppose one had sheep or cattle or other agricultural products to ship, and we had to go four males away to ship those products. Yet members stand up in this House in opposition to the building of railways ! If the members of this House want railways at their doors, what do you think of the case of a man in Nova Scotia, or in any other province, who has to go 20 miles to a railway ? The thing is preposterous. You oannot expect a great province like Nova Scotia to be developed unless you give it ample railway facilities. If $3,200 a mile is not enough, give $6,000 a mile ; and if $6,000 is not enough, make it $12,000 a mile. We want railway development, because, if we have railway development, we will have commercial development, and we will pay back tenfold every cent of money you hare given us, but we

want, in tlie first instance, the hand of assistance. This coal company have entered upon a large enterprise in a locality about which there is some doubt as to the financial outcome, and if we help this company we should grant aid to the extent of $6,000 or $8,000 a mile, and not the petty sum of $3,200.

Mr. HUGHES (Victoria).

If my hon. friend (Mr. Gourley) will read the first paragraph, he will see that these people can get $6,400 a mile.

Mr. GOURLEY.

Yes, if the cost exceeds $15,000 a mile. You tell me to spend $10 and then you will give me one dollar.

Mr. HUGHES (Victoria).

Would the company take $6,400 per mile rather than a guarantee of $13,000 per mile of their bonds ?

Mr. GOURLEY.

I think they would rather take the guarantee. In this case, as this vote is intended to develop a large coal interest in that part of the country, I think it should be an exceptional vote, and I think the vote should be raised to double the amount.

For a line of railway from a point on the Joggins Railway near River Hebert Railway bridge to the village of Minudie, not exceeding six miles, being a revote, and in substitution of subsidy granted by chapter 4 of 1894.

Hon. Mr. HAGGART.

Is this the original

Joggins Railway ?

This is not the Joggins Railway. It is for a line from a point on the Joggins Railway.

Mr. CLANCY.

Is this being voted to any company, or being voted generally ?

This is being voted generally for a line of railway.

Mr. CLANCY.

And up to the present time no person has taken it up ?

Apparently not.

Mr. CLANCY.

Is there any prospect of the road being built ?

Mr. LOGAN.

Perhaps my hon. friend the Minister of Finance will allow me to answer the question as I am familiar with the circumstances of the case. I think that about the year 1885 a subsidy was voted for this same line of railway, but the coal development in Nova Scotia was not then in a flourishing condition. Within the last two or three years a number of lines have been opened up. The River Hebert mines are being operated by some Montreal capitalists known as the Minudie Coal Company, by the Strathcona Coal Company, and by seme American capitalists known as the Jubilee Coal Company. They are getting out a large quantity of coal, and the purpose of this railway is to give them an outlet on the water at Minudie.

Mr. CLANCY.

Is there a charter for the road ?