1048 HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THE NORTH-WEST GOVERNMENT.
Hon. Mr MACKENZIE moved the
third reading of Bill to amend and consolidate the laws respecting the North-West
Territories.
Sir JOHN MACDONALD said he did not object to the third reading and passage of this Bill, but he would
again impress upon the leader of the Government the expediency, from an economical
point of view, of governing the North-West Territories from Fort Garry. A commission
could be issued to the Lieut. Governor of Manitoba to act for the present as Lieut.
Governor of the North-West. He had plenty of time on his hands, and there was no reason
in the world why he should not direct his attention to the government of the whole
of the North-West for the present. The objection of the hon. Premier that the North-West
Council had proved a failure, because none of its members residing west of Manitoba
was fully answered by the hon. member for Selkirk who stated that
APRIL 2, 1875. 1049
at least six of these gentlemen were
scattered through the territory and knew all about it.
Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE received the suggestion of the hon. member, in the spirit in which it was offered,
but could not adopt it. If he had not regarded this measure as a necessity he would
not have introduced it. The Lieut. Governor, as one of the commissioners who accompanied
the Minister of the Interior to negotiate a treaty with the Indians, although only
absent three weeks from Manitoba and distant about 250 miles from that Province was
obligated to issue a commission to the Chief Justice to act as Lieut. Governor of
Manitoba in his absence. That was, to say the least, inconvenient, and the inconvenience
would be increased, of course, in proportion to the length of absence required in
administrating the affairs in the North-West.
The Bill was read a third time and passed.
This individual participated in:
