Mr. SPROULE.

I have seen a number of articles of late regarding the proposal to annex the Bahama Islands to the Dominion of Canada, and some, what I should regard as strong reasons why it would be advisable to do so. The people of the Bahama

Islands appear to be especially anxious that it should be done, for their legislature, I notice, have passed a resolution to that effect. I would like to asic the government if they have had any representations on the subject from their legislature and, if so, if the government have given the matter sufficient consideration to take the House into their confidence, and tell us what they propose to do, if anything.

Mr. FIELDING.

We are aware, as my hon. friend has pointed out, by the general representations in the press, of a desire in the Bahama Islands to open negotiations with Canada. I think I am correct in stating that we have had no official negotiations on the subject. What has happened is that several enterprising citizens of Canada, residents, I think, of Montreal, who have been visiting the Bahamas, have taken a very warm interest in the matter, and m that way a good deal has been heard of it in the Canadian press. The hon. member for North Toronto (Mr. Foster) asked a question a day or two ago on the subject, and I said that while I did not think there was any official correspondence on the subject I thought it not unlikely that during the visit of the Prime Minister to England it might be the subject of conversation between the colonial office authorities and himself. I think I am quite correct in stating that we have had nothing official on the subject. I should have made a further search of the records, but I am pretty certain I am correct. If I find there is any official communication I will be glad to have it brought down to-morrow.

Mr. SPEOULE.

I would think that there should be some when their legislature has passed a resolution.

Mr. FIELDING.

I am quite sure there has been nothing but what has already appeared in the public press. There have been no negotiations whatever on the subject. It is a matter which might engage attention in the future.

Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).

I understood that, while it has been reported in the press that the legislature passed the resolution alluded to, it had not come in an official form to the attention of the government up to the time that the Minister, of Finance made his statement on the subject to the House a few days ago.

Mr. FIELDING.

I will ask the Secretary of State to make a further examination. It is possible that the resolution has been officially communicated. Of course, we are thoroughly aware that they have passed the resolution. The channel of com munication with the colony "would be by way of the colonial office. They would hardly communicate directly with us.

Mr. CROCKET.

I would like to ask the hon. acting Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Lemieux) if he has an answer to the question I put yesterday.

Mr. LEMIEUX.

I was just going to rise to give my hon. friend the answer which has been communicated to me by the Department of Marine and Fisheries, and which is as follows:

With reference to the telegram which Mr. Crocket read in the House to-day, to the effect that the Department of -Marine and Fisheries had notified the collector of customs at Dalhousie not to collect pilotage on vessels carrying pulpwood from Dalhousie to Portland, Maine, -the facts are these:

Early this spring the department was appealed to for a ruling as to whether a vessel carrying pulpwood from Dalhousie to Portland, Maine, was obliged to pay pilotage dues in the pilotage district of Dalhousie. The reply was to the effect that such a vessel came within the list of exempted vessels named in section 477 (c) (iii) of the Canada Shipping Act, which reads as follows:

'Ships propelled wholly or in part by steam employed in voyages between any port or ports in the said provinces-Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island- or any of them and the port of New York, or any port of the United States of America, on the Atlantic north of New York were exempted^ ships.' .

The Bill now before parliament to amend the Canada Shipping Act retains this clause. It is, however, proposed to give the power to every pilotage district to say what ships in the list of exempted ships shall be exempted iu so far as that particular pilotage district is concerned. Any pilotage by-law varying such list of exempted vessels would, of course, be subject to the approval of the Governor in Council. It will thus be seen that if this amendment to the Canada Shipping Act passes it will be -competent for every pilotage district to regulate this matter in such a manner as is best suited to its own requirements.

Mr. DANIEL.

Would the minister state why this- matter is placed in the hands of the collector of customs? Is it usual for the collector -of customs to collect pilotage dues in a pilotage district? It is usually done by the pilotage authority, but this telegram states that the collector of customs has this matter in hand.

Mr. LEMIEUX.

I could not say exactly. It is a matter quite new to me, but I will get more information and communicate it to my hon. friend early in the day.

Air. PUGSLEY.

I presume it will be a question of the collector clearing the vessel, and I take it that it has allowed the vessel to clear without payment of the pilotage dues under that section of the law.

Air. DANIEL.

That is not the way the telegram read.

Mr. LEMIEUX.

I desire to give the answer to the question asked the other day by the hon. member for Halifax (Mr. Crosby) regarding officers of the naval service who will attend the coronation. The answer given to me by the naval service department is as follows:

In reply 'to question of Mr. Crosby in the House on 16th instant regarding officers who will attend coronation: Lieutenant Lord Alas-tair Graham, in command of coronation contingent; Midshipman Percy W. Nelles, Midshipman Victor Brodeur.

Mr. CROSBY.

I would mention to the acting Minister of Marine and Fisheries that that statement does not say anything about the ' Rainbow.'

Mr. LEMIEUX.

They give the names of the officers, but they do not give the name of #he ship to which they belong. -do not know whether these officers belong to the ' Rainbow ' or the ' Niobe.'

Mr. CROSBY.

I think the ' Niobe.' DELUSIVE PROMISES OF MARRIAGES.

Mr. DOHERTY.

Has the Minister of the Interior any information concerning the report which has been widely circulated in the press that a certain transportation company or some immigration agents in the United Kingdom, have by means of advertisements or other public announcements been seeking to bring, about the immigration of young women, using as an inducement the representation that there were husbands in plenty waiting for them, more particularly in the western country. I am quite aware that this is a matter that perhaps lends itself to a more or less facetious treatment, that it has, in fact, been treated in that way by some newspapers but it has a very serious side. Such an action if even in appearance sanctioned by the government might lead to very false impressions and possibly mislead some not overwise young women into coming into this country with anticipations that were fated not to be realized. This has formed the subject of very^ serious consideration amongst organizations in Montreal and other places which concern themselves with taking care of young women immigrants on their arrival in the country and endeavouring to protect them. These ladies think it is a matter that ought to be officially cleared up, that it must be quite understood that no one on behalf of this government or no transportation company, at least with the countenance of the government, should be permitted to hold out inducements of that kind to young women who might be misled thereby and might, on coming to this country, be ex-Mr. DANIEL.

posed to very serious temptations, which these organizations seek to protect them against.

Mr. EMMERSON.

Is this in anticipation of the amendment to the Bank Act by my friend from East Grey?