Mr. PELLETIER:

(Translation.) The

principle which underlies the wording of this clause as well as the understanding we have come to, the hon. member for Beauce and myself, is the following: it

seemed to us most unfortunate that the good old city of Quebec should lose a seat, and that was what was going to happen conformably to the data supplied by the last census. If the unit of representation was to be strictly adhered to, the city of Quebec was destined to have henceforth two representatives only. I endeavoured to find outside the city a proper group of population which might be taken in, so as to make up a constituency populous enough to allow of our dear old city of Quebec retaining the three seats which she has had for so long a time. With that object in view I myself made sacrifices, though I could not help regretting to have to part with three parishes of my county,

where, since my election, I have had constant intercourse of a most pleasant nature with my constituents. Two of those parishes will be added to Quebec West, and the third to Quebec South.

To make up Quebec South, we have been obliged to increase its area considerably. What is designated to-day as Quebec West -a designation which did not answer very well its geographical situation-had only about 9,000 of population. Barring Soul-anges, it was the county of the province of Quebec having the smallest population. It was impossible, therefore, to leave matters in that condition. In order to make up a constituency having something like the unit of population required, we were bound to look elsewhere, and we succeeded in grouping a population as numerous as that represented by the right hon. leader of the Opposition in his own division. But in order to increase that population, and to do away with any undue disproportion, we took in all that made up the old division of Quebec West, and added thereto the wards of Quebec Centre.

Mr. PELLETIER:

We are proceeding

with resolutions which are assented to by both sides of the House, and surely my hon. friend will admit that it is hardly fair to say that the members for New Brunswick on the Conservative side should be here to take part in the discussion. This may be a good political move, but I think my hon. friend will agree with me that he is going a little too far.

Mr. PELLETIER:

You must not forget to add also that both parties are agreed.

Mr. PELLETIER:

Given by whom?

Mr. PELLETIER moved:

That a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint their Honours that this House doth agree to the amendment made by the Senate to the Bill No. 147, an Act to amend the Post Office Act, with an amendment as follows: Strike out the words * and shall not take effect

until so revised or ratified,' at the end of said amendment, for the following reason:

Because these words would have the effect of preventing the Post Office Department from collecting postage.

And as a consequential amendment the words * one cent ' be inserted in the blank between the words ' exceed ' and ' for.'