Mr. CROCKET.

There is no question about the fact that A. and R. Loggie have been paid thousands of dollars for dredging for the benefit of the Dalhousie Lumber Oompany. I was at Dalhousie last summer myself and saw the Loggie dredge at work dredging out and making more valuable the property of the Dalhousie Lumber Company, and that work is being paid for, although it is entirely for the benefit of the Dalhousie Lumber Company, out of the public treasury. It is a matter that members of this House have a right to protest against. There is no doubt that much of this same thing has been going on all over the country. Item after item, involving thousands of dollars, is being asked and appropriated by this parliament year after year for the building up of private property. That is a fact in reference to the work at Dalhousie. It is true that the minister has spoken of the basin at Dalhousie that lies beyond the lines of the company's property but the major part of the dredging which was done last year was done right at the wharf of the Dalhousie Lumber Company. Perhaos when

the dredging items come up we can get some further information in reference to this matter, and discuss it more fully. I do not think that this House should be asked year after year to appropriate large sums for the benefit of private corporations. There are hundreds of places throughout this country where public money is being spent in this way while hundreds of other communities are crying out in vain for appropriations which are urgently required in the public interest.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

I think it would be much more convenient if the hon. gentleman would discuss the item before the committee. When the dredging vote comes up he will be able to discuss this matter.

Mr. CROCKET.

I mention that in connection with the information the minister has already communicated to the committee that the appropriation which is now being asked is for the purpose of removing that old breakwater, as he terms it. In fact it is nothing more than a bridge which was for the convenience of the Moffat firm, from whom the Dalhousie Lumber Company acquired their property, and the work now proposed includes the replacement of the roadway of which he speaks. I have understood that it is a work in the interest of the Dalhousie Lumber Company, whose propery lies right at that point. That is the reason why I have said what I have in reference to the dredging, because when we have this vote in reference to the dredging and another large expenditure for this so called breakwater which is lying at the same point, it appears to add colour at least to the belief that public money is being appropriated in the interest of a lumber company of which the minister is a stockholder.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

My hon. friend is entirely in error in so far as this work is concerned. This work is to protect what is known as the Ferry harbour. There is a public wharf, the ferry runs there, there is a large traffic and this is for the erection of a public breakwater. In so far as it being a benefit to the Dalhousie Lumber Company is concerned I am not aware that it will be of special benefit to them, although, by reason of their owning one or two of the large mills at Dalhousie carrying on a very large lumber business, the largest lumber business there, and in view of the shipping constantly resorting to the port for the purpose of carrying away the lumber which they manufacture, I suppose, to a certain extent, they will derive a benefit from it. The Dalhousie Lumber Company will get the same benefit as any other firm carrying on business in the town. So far as I am aware this is not to be built on the property of the Dalhousie Lumber Company at all and the object of it is to protect

and improve the basin which is a public harbour. The hon. gentleman has asked me if I am a stockholder in the Dalhousie Lumber Company. It is true that some six or seven years ago I took some stock in that company. I paid my money for the stock the same as other people did and I can assure the hon. gentleman there was no watered stock' in connection with that company; every _ man paid his hard cash. That company is engaged in large lumbering operations upon the Restigouche river and its vicinity cutting some 25,000,000 feet per year. I happen to be one of the stockholders.

Mr. CROCKET.

Will this involve the purchase of any property from the Dalhousie Lumber Company, or any rights?

Mr. PUGSLEY.

None whatever so far as I am aware.

Mr. SPROULE.

We have been here nineteen hours out of the twenty-four and I think it is time to adjourn.

Mr. PUGSLEY.

That is not a bad suggestion.

Some resolutions reported.

Mr. FISHER moved the adjournment of the House.

Mr. SPROULE.

Monday will be private members day?

Mr. FISHER.

Yes.