J. D. REID.
On the Orders of the Day:
-Hon. J. D. REID (Minister of Railways): Mr. Speaker, there has been brought to my attention, an article appearing in the Regina Leader of 20th inst. in which reference is made to an alleged meeting between myself and other members of the Government, and Sir William Mackenzie, Sir Clifford Sifton and others at Sir William Mackenzie's private car in Ottawa, on or about October 10. The intention is to endeavour to create the impression that the latter two gentlemen were in some way interested in, or consulted, with- regard to the Government's policy as to the acquirement of the Grand Trunk Railway system. Other papers antagonistic to the Government's policy have sought also to disseminate this idea.
I desire to say that the article in question is a false and malevolent fabricate n from beginning to end. There has been at no time, consultation, conference or any communication whatever, between the Government and either of these gentlemen, directly or indirectly, in any form or manner whatsoever, with regard to the policy of the Government or anything relating thereto. There was no such meeting as alleged, or anything beating the faintest resemblance to it.
Upon enquiry, I find Sir William Mackenzie was not in the city at that time nor for a considerable time before and after. The article ,is nothing more or less than-a disreputable attempt to malign these persons as well as the members of the Govern-
ment, and these and all other attempts to induce the people to believe that the persons referred to are in any tvay associated with, or interested in the Government's policy in this matter, are nothing but vulgar mendacity.