Mr. MILLAR:
I suppose in Heaven. In
what province is this service rendered?
Mr. ELLIOTT:
As far as a reward is concerned, I have the assurance of the hon. member for Slceena (Mr. Brady) that we will receive our reward during the-
Mr. MILLAR:
Next election.
Mr. ELLIOTT:
-during the time this
government will be operating these lines, probably for the next six or eight years. I do not think my hon. friend would suggest that this service should be discontinued after it has been in operation since before the province of British Columbia existed.
Mr. FRASER:
Since 1865.
Mr. MILLAR:
Having enjoyed the service that long they should be willing to pay for it.
Mr. ELLIOTT:
My hon. friend should
be the first to realize that this government does not go backward, and we should not consider cutting off a service which has been so long in existence.
Mr. MILLAR:
Would the minister be
willing to extend the same service to the other provinces?
Mr. BRADY:
If they need it.
Mr. MILLAR:
There are many outlying
districts in the other provinces into which private companies will not go.
Mr. ELLIOTT:
The matter will be given
consideration.
Mr. JELLIFF:
Can the minister tell the
committee how much the government has expended on these lines up to the present time? What has been the cost to the government?
Mr. ELLIOTT:
I have not that information with me, but I shall be glad to furnish it to my hon. friend.
Mr. JELLIFF:
Can the minister give the
committee any specific information as to the rates charged for the service?
Mr. ELLIOTT:
I shall be glad to supply
my hon. friend with the tariff.
Mr. JELLIFF:
What is the annual expenditure for this service, for upkeep and everything?
Mr. ELLIOTT:
It is not summarized in
the draft which I have. If my hon. friend
will look at the estimates, he will find on page 69, in the paragraph covering telegraph and telephone lines, an indication of the cost. It runs to about $721,000.
Mr. FRASER:
For Alberta and Saskatchewan, $131,000.
Mr. ELLIOTT:
Yes.
Mr. JELLIFF:
How much for British
Columbia?