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January 25, 1909

FIRST READING.

Bill (No. 2) to amend the Passenger Tickets Act.-Mr. Reid (Grenville).

RAILWAY ACT-AMENDMENT.

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Mr. R.@

BICKERDIKE (Montreal, St. Lawrence) moved for leave to introduce Bill Mr. LEMIEUX.

(No. 3) to amend the Railway Act. He said: The Bill is largely on the lines of

the one introduced during the last two or three sessions by my hon. friend from Lincoln (Mr. Lancaster), and which passed this House last session but was defeated in the Senate. Public opinion is aroused to that extent that something on those lines will have to be done this session, and I hope that the Minister of Railways (Mr. Graham) will give the Bill his attention and possibly take charge of it and put it into proper shape.

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CON
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Robert Bickerdike

Mr. BICKERDIKE.

There is no doubt that what is often called the deadly level crossing has become so subject to accidents, especially during the past few months, that it is opportune to introduce some measure which will meet the approval of both Houses.

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CON

Edward Arthur Lancaster

Conservative (1867-1942)
Member File Biography @ PARLINFO

Mr. LANCASTER.

Does it differ from the Bill passed by this House three or four times?

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Robert Bickerdike

Mr. BICKERDIKE.

It is a little milder. I do not wish to impose on the railways any more burdens than we can help. In the cities, towns and villages we should have gates at the level crossings. Outside in the country districts and prairies, I was at a loss to frame an amendment which would meet all cases, because while on the prairie a man can see a train ten miles either way, in the woods he cannot see it until he i3 right on the track. Possibly the municipalities may contribute to the expense. For instance, in New York state the cities contribute 25 per cent and the state 25 per cent towards paying for the lowering or elevating of the tracks, as the case may be.

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CON

George Eulas Foster

Conservative (1867-1942)
Member File Biography @ PARLINFO

Mr. FOSTER.

Does the hon. gentleman make any proviso in his Bill to protect life on level crossings on the prairies?

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Robert Bickerdike

Mr. BICKERDIKE.

Yes, I do, but I leave that largely to the Railway Commission, because it is very difficult to frame an amendment which will cover every case. If my hon. friend has one, I shall be pleased to accept it. The Railway Commission, which has done such good work, more especially during the past few weeks, may be trusted to deal with this, and a clause to that effect is the only one I can think of at the moment which will meet the case.

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Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time. .

CRIMINAL CODE-AMENDMENT.

Mr. BICKERDIKE moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 4) to amend the Criminal Code. He said: We have in all our large cities, probably to a greater extent in Montreal than elsewhere, a class of men who will, on the slightest provocation, draw a dagger or stiletto or pistol. We have had highway robberies to a great extent, and a class of men who will beat their wives in the fall in order to get six months comfortable lodgings in jail during the winter. That class of men should get the lash, and plenty of it. Instead of giving such a man six months in jail for beating his wife, I would give him thirty days and thirty lashes. If that is done, he will never beat his wife again. That class of criminal is more afraid of the lash than even of the rope, and I think that if more of them got the lash we should have less need of the rope.
CON

Edward Norman Lewis

Conservative (1867-1942)
Member File Biography @ PARLINFO

Mr. E. N. LEWIS (West Huron).

What is the difference between this Bill and the one introduced by myself last session?

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Robert Bickerdike

Mr. BICKERDIKE.

I do not know what the difference is. But I know that the Bill proposed by the hon. gentleman (Mr. Lewis) did not carry, and I did not know whether he had got tired of it or not.

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Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time.

NATURALIZATION ACT AMENDMENT.

Hon. CHARLES MURPHY (Secretary of State) moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 5) to amend the Naturalization Act. He said : The proposed amendment is based upon a similar provision in the British Naturalization Act. It provides that, in addition to the safeguards contained in the present Act, the alien applying for naturalization shall furnish evidence, under the oath or affirmation of two British-born subjects, electors residing within the territorial jurisdiction of the court to which the application is made, - and neither of whom is to be the agent or solicitor of the applicant-that the applicant is of good character. This amendment, I may say, has been asked for by some judges in the west who have met with practical difficulties in administering the Act, and is designed to overcome these difficulties and to provide a safeguard similar to that provided in England for admission to citizenship. Motion agreed to and Bill read the first time.

RAILWAY ACT AMENDMENT.

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Mr. E. A.@

LANCASTER (Lincoln and Niagara) moved for leave to introduce Bill (No. 6) to amend the Railway Act. He said: This Bill is exactly the same as that which has been passed by this House each year during the last three years, but has been rejected by the Senate. It is to protect the lives of people at level crossings in cities, towns and villages. I do not think it could be made any milder than it is and do injustice to the people of the country. As the House has unanimously passed it three times, I hope it will do so again, and that

the Senate will think better of its previous action and adopt what is evidently the will of the people.

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January 25, 1909