George Green Foster
Conservative (1867-1942)
Sir GEORGE FOSTER:
A grant is proposed to be given in reference to the extraction of benzine and toluene from coal gas by means of absorbents for the purpose of accurately determining the quantity of these compounds. There is in the coal gas product in the various cities and towns of this continent a considerable quantity of these two compounds, particularly of the first. These go to waste at the present time; they are valuable, and a solution of the problem would be of incalculable benefit. A grant is to be given to the University of Manitoba under the charge of one of its professors; that is the very thing that my hon. friend thinks we
ought to do. The grant is given under the supervision of the advisory council; it is not a subsidy to assist the university; it is a grant for a specific purpose. The separation of tar from the tar sand is another very important matter. If that problem could be solved, immense benefit would result to the western country. A grant of a small amount, about $1,500, is to be given to that university under the supervision of the proper professor-who is conversant with the question and who is carrying out an investigation at present-to enable him to carry his work to a conclusion. That is the very principle upon which we are proceeding; and that, I think, answers the objection that my hon. friend made in one part of his remarks.