Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
And that was yesterday.
Mr. R. L. BORDEN.
I did not know it was so recent, but that is all the more reason why I should mention it to-day. I am glad to be able to remind my right hon. friend now, so that he may overcome the forgetfulness into which he has lapsed.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
I immediately spoke to the Minster of the Interior who was present in the House, and he told me
Mr. WILSON.
that he would be able to make a statement to-day. He is not present at this moment, but I will remind him of it.
Mr. TISDALE.
The Minister of Militia has promised to bring down the regulations, so that we may intelligently discuss the pay of the militia, and I would remind the hon. gentleman that we shall expect these papers before that discussion takes place.
House in Committee of Supply. For renewing and improving Canadian exhibit at Imperial Institute, London, $8,000.
Mr. CLANCY.
I would remind the Minister of Agriculture that we will require the report on the experimental farms, before proceeding with the item in reference thereto.
iMr. FISHER. I have just laid the report of the experimental farms on the table. I do not propose to take up the item for a few days, so that hon. gentlemen opposite may have an opportunity of studying the report.
Mr. SPROULE.
W,hat exhibit have we there ?
Mr. FISHER.
Mr. POPE.
For all time ?
Mr. FISHER.
Mr. POPE.
Is that curator a Canadian ?
Mr. FISHER.
Yes, Mr. Harrison Watson. He was appointed to the institute on its organization eight or ten years ago, before I came into office, and has continued there since.
Mr. POPE.
These exhibits must be sick if they need a curator to look after them.
Mr. FISHER.
They are pretty sick. They were contributed by the provinces, but they had been allowed to get into a very bad condition, and it was in consequence of representations made by leading Canadians who had been in England and had seen these exhibits, after discussing the matter with Lord Strathcona, we decided that we ought to make the exhibits a credit to the country. The provincial authorities have one by one ceased to do anything for the Imperial Institute, have dropped their contributions, and have failed to keep up the exhibits to the proper standard.
Mr. CLANCY.
Why was that ?
Mr. FISHER.
I cannot account for it except that their interest in the institute seemed to be waning. I may say that since I have been in office, I have been approached from time to time by various provincial authorities, who asked that the Dominion should take over the exhibits, because they found that the existing arrangement was not satisfactory, and that they did not see their way to keeping the exhibits in proper condition. I requested the High Commissioner to ask the provincial authorities to send such contributions as they would be prepared to make. I think they have ceased contributing altogether, but I trust that they will send some money every year, and whatever they send may relieve this vote to that extent, and enable ns to prepare a better and more complete exhibit.
Mr. INGRAM.
Are there not exhibits of a similar character in the Immigration office ?