Mr. R. L. BORDEN.

The hon. gentleman will appreciate the fact that if we had it in advance we would be in a better position to discuss his statement when it is made, and in that way perhaps obviate the necessity of a future discussion.

Mr. GRAHAM.

I will give my hon. friend a copy of it as soon as I get it. They are working at it now.

Mr. LAKE.

I would like to ask the Minister of the Interior (Mr. Oliver) whether he has yet decided when he will place on the market the surrendered portions of the Crooked Lake Indian reserve ?

Mr. OLIVER.

My memory is that it is to be placed on the market this fall, some time probably in November, after the returns of the cron have been received to a sufficient extent to put the surrounding people in a position to buy.

Mr. FOSTER.

The Minister of the Interior promised to give the House information with reference to the Torrens Land Title Fund. I wish he would lay a statement on th'e table, or give it to the House as soon as possible. I may say to the Minister of Railways that when he has that report ready which he promised to the leader of the opposition, he had better lay it on the table of the House so that we can all have access to it.

Mr. OLIVER.

The total of the fund on March 31, 1908, including the 3 per cent

interest which is added to the fund, was $211,957.30. On the 31st March, 1907, an approximate adjustment of accounts between the provinces gave Alberta $81,101.47, and Saskatchewan $119,253.91.

Mr. SPROULE.

Is there any claim made on the fund in the meantime ?

Mr. OLIVER.

I think there is not.

Mr. FOSTER.

If the House will allow me-I take it that this fund is in the nature of a trust fund, and that the government paid interest upon the moneys in its hands, and that when it is divided to the provincial governments they also will pay that interest into the fund.

Mr. OLIVER.

The Act under which we administer the fund calls for the payment of 3 per cent interest from the holder to be added to the fund, and the sum I have given is not only the amount paid in but the interest added. What the provinces will do with it after the money has been handed over to them, I am not able to say. We take from them a security that will guarantee us against any claims that may be made against us. As long as^ that guarantee is good we have no serious interest in their disposition of the funds. The I.and Titles Act will be administered under their law, which they may amend from time to time.

Mr. FOSTER.

I think there is an important point there. This fund as it proceeds upon legislation is in the nature of a contract between this government and the various contributories to the fund, and under that, the Dominion government paid three per cent interest, which made a material accumulation to the fund. I do not see how the government is going to hand it over to the provinces in the way of a free loan. I think they must hand it over with the compact and with these conditions, and that the provinces must add the interest to the loan. I would like the minister to look into that and see if it is not so.

Mr. SPROTJLE.

There is a point that appears to be overlooked. The original contract would apply to the whole of the Northwest Territories. Now Saskatchewan and Alberta are only a portion of what was then the Northwest Territories. What is going to become of that part of the country which is still the Northwest Territories, and to which this fund applies, as well as to the portion that now' constitutes the two provinces ?

Mr. OLIVER.

The first clause of the Bill provides that the first adjustment shall be between the government with respect _ of payments made on account of lands which still remain under the jurisdiction of the Dominion and the two provinces together as having jurisdiction over the balance of the lands. j i *|;

Mr. SPROTJLE.

It will only apply to that portion which arises out of deeds made for land now within the two provinces.

Mr. OLIVER.

Precisely. That is put clearly iu the Act.

Mr. BLAIN.

I would like to ask the hon. leader of the government whether Mr. Watson, who was appointed by the government as counsel to assist Judge Cassels, has the consent of the government to go to the old country as reported in the newspapers.

Mr. FIELDING.

My hou. friend the Minister of Justice (Mr. Aylesworth) informs me there has been no arrangement whatever with Mr. Watson in the matter. It appears that the judge announced that he would not be able to proceed with the inquiry for some time, and Mr. Watson, having professional engagements, is going to Europe to attend to them. But there has been no arrangement between Mr. Watson and the Department of Justice with regard to the matter.