April 30, 1903 (9th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Before the Orders of the Day are called, I wish to ask the attention of the government to a matter which seems to me of importance. We see it stated in the press that in August nest, there is to be an excursion party of seventy-five members of the imperial parliament and twenty-five Peers who will arrive in Quebec and work their way westward through Canada. I would like very much if these public men could be notified that there is a section of Canada which we know as the maritime provinces, and if some of our visitors could be led to turn their faces eastward as well as westward. I am well aware, that the government cannot control the movements of these distinguished visitors. Still, certain influences might be used which would lead to some of them finding their way to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward'Island. If things go on as they are going at present, the public mind will be so exclusively directed to the west that people will forget that this Dominion has an eastern portion at all. I hope the government will succeed in using such influences as will induce some of these distinguished personages to. visit the maritime provinces.