Monday, Feb. 13.
The house met at three o'clock.
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.
Monday, Feb. 13–Continued.
SHEA - What new matter was that which we
had now from the Commercial body? That was not
the petition which was on the table of the Commercial
Room on Saturday. The petition, however, was a
very proper one, as were the hon gentleman's observations also. But notwithstanding
it was a class petition to conserve their own interests. But he might
ask whether the interests of the merchants were identical with those of the people
at large in this matter
Their object was to amass as speedily as possible the
means to leave the country and live elsewhere. If
they had had thefr wish there would not have been a
mile of road in the colony. They objected to all taxation, Was this the first time
they petitioned the
house? Did we not find that Responsible Government was opposed by the commercial body,
and that
some of them left the country on account of its being
introduced? They had suddenly become free traders.
If they had their own way the colony would not have
had representative institutions to this day. When free
trade with the United States was proposed, it had not
more determined opponents than the commercial
body. The petitioners were very respectable men.
He admitted their respectability, but he must repeat
that was a class petition. The petition stated that
Canada pursued a protective policy—so did the United
States. It said we would benefit by a free trade policy. He (Mr. Shea) agreed with
the petitioners.
But when free trade was proposed none were more violently opposed to it than the petitioners.
They
seemed now to have an extraordinary fit of alarm.
Who told them, or any person else that the question
of confederation would be forced through this session?
Not a single word was uttered since the commencement of the session by any supporter
of confederation
to show that there was
through the house. There was nothing he (Mr. S.)
would deprecate more than to force the matter without
affording full time for its consideration. If there had
been a general concurrence of opininion on the question in the house and throughout
the country, and if
the neighbonring colonies had proceeded with it, it
would have been perfectly legitimate to dispose of the
matter this session. But in the divided state of public opinion such a course was
never thought of. These
gentlemen were unnecessarily alarmed. He did say
that the supporters of confederation in the house were
too deeply impressed with a sense of their responsibility, and the duty which they
owed to the country, to
press the matter hastily. They knew that however
successful it might prove, those who took an active
part in carrying a measure of that kind would get
very little thanks for it, while they would be subjected to blame by all who might
be disappointed. The
hon member said the recommendation from the Chamber of Commerce was not attended to
when they suggested that the Customs' duties should be made payable in cash. And the
government were right in nct
attending to them. He said it was an attempt on the
part of the men of wealth to crush the middleman.
Customs' bonds had been in use for over thirty years,
and until a recent case no loss was sustained by the
revenue through them. It was a legitimate case for
that house to interfere to sustain the industrious man
of good character and limited means. Some persons
had signed two petitions on that subject, one for and
one against the payment of the duties in cash. The
subject would probably come up again, and we would
then have an opportunity of discussing the benefit to
the rising importers by the present system. It would
appear that the petitioners had already made up their
minds on the question of faderation, that it would
ruin the country. It was not the introduction of Canadian capital in our trade, or
the active competition
of Canadian merchants and traders that alarmed them.
The hon member who presented the petition said
they had applied to the government for information.
But he (Mr. Shea) did not see what right these gentlemen, however respectable, had
to information from
the government beyond other parties. The Legislature were the only parties entitled
to priority of information. The prayer of the petition, however, could
easily be complied with. Delay was the proper
course under existing circumstances,with the opinions
of the people throughout the country, as well as in
the Legislature, so much divided, it would be most
improper and unjust to press the question to a decision. That was a conclusion which
would have been
arrived at if that petition had not been presented.
Mr. MARCH.-You might search all over the
world without finding men occupying a leading position having so much property involved
as the merchants of Newfoundland, highly educated and
with a perfect knowledge of our trade and resources.
Last Saturday he witnessed what he never before had
observed in his life, high and low mixed together to
consider this great question. He thought, when men
had sustained such heavy losses as our merchants had
suffered last year and some years preceding they were
entitled to much credit for the way in which they had
acted towards the planters and fishermen. He would
say now, as he had frequently said before, that there
were no men in the world moie liberal in giving away
their substance to fustain the fishermen and trada of
the country. And were these the men to he sneered
at when they came to this house with such a reasonable petition on that important
question? The hon.
member said they went away when they realised fortunes. But if they did, did they
not leave their representatives behind them? The house he (Mr. March)
had been connected with for years, had ÂŁ180,000
afloat last year, and he need not say that they sustained a loss by the year's business.
And the fisherÂ
men bad come to understand who were their friends,
and who eame forward to sustain them. Who would
give the supplies a few weeks hence,for the seal fishery?
He trusted in Proaidvince smiling on the energies of
the hardy men who were proceeding to the ice; and
if they were successful,they would bring in abundance.
The hon member said he would give time for the consideration of that question. But
if he could have carried if he would have pressed it througe the house.
But he now found that public opinion was excited
aganst him, and therefore he said its decision ought
to be postponed until next year. But, were these his
sentiments from the first? He (Mr March) said nothing
should be done hastily until the people had time
to consider it. That was a solemn momentous question, and be felt grateful that that
petition had come
in. There never was a better feeling than now between the several classes of the community.
The
fishermen could not exist without the merchants, and
the laerchants' profits were 1ealized from the labour
of the fishermen, and both seemed to be more convinced of their mutual degendauce
than at any former
period.
Mr. SHEA—The hon member has made a mistatement which he (Mr. Shea) would not allow to pass
uncontradicted. Who authorised aim to say that if
he (Mr. Shea) had his way the measure would be
passed this season?
Mr. MARCH-Yourself. You said you would disÂ
pose of it, and if your constituents did not like it,they
might reject you at the hustings.
Mr SHEA—The hon member did not understand the
question. He (Mr Shea) felt the responsibility of the
question too much to do anything of the kind. From
the very first he said it was too serious a question to be
disposed of without due consideration, and that he did
not desire that it should be carried by a narrow majority.
What he said was that these were his opinions on the
question, and if his constituents did not like these opinions they must choose a representative
whose opinions
they approved, not that he would carry it without consulting them. He (Mr Shea) would
state his opinions
when he went before them, fairly and openly, and
would submit himself to their vote; but his opinions
were his own. He did not blame the merchants for
leaving the country; but he did say that their interests
were not identical with those of the people of this country, who intended to remain
in it and make it the home
of their children. He regretted the merchants did not
remain permanently, and direct their attention to those
improvements which occupied the attention of merchants
in other places. That question must be settled by those
who were able to instruct the people on its merits. A great
question like that, requiring cool and careful investigation, was not to be disposed
of by clamour. It
should be approached calmly and carefully. The best
minds and clearest intellects in the country were required to elucidate it.
Mr. WHITEWAY—This question of confederation
had worked wonders. On every occasion heretofore,
the hon member Mr March strongly advocated the
rights of the fishermen, and now for the first time in
his life he appears as the apologist of the merchants.
Such a course however was unnecessary, for nothing
had been said that he (Mr W) was aware of, disrespectful to that body. The hon gentleman
had said that
this great and important question ought not to be influenced by clamour. But he (Mr
W) believed that it
was the clamour of that hon member and others like
him which had induced the commercial body to send
that petition to this house, hon members had gone forth
and made the grossest misrepresentation of what had
been stated here. He (Mr W) never heard the hon.
member for Placentia and St. Mary's, Mr. Shea, say
that he would force this matter through this session.
Such a course he believed was never contemplated.
The question was entirely new to this country. It had
been under the consideration of the other colonies for
years past, but we had never interested ourselves in it,
and until the past autumn the question had never been
submitted to us. It was only Ĺżately that we acquired
any satisfactory information on the subject. The petition just presented to the House
was entitled to all the
consideration which the hon member, Mr Wyatt, asked
for it. And he (Mr W) felt convinced that every petition, no matter from whom it emanated,
would always
meet with due consideration in that assembly. But
this was avowedly a class petition, and as such should
be cautiously dealt with, for unfortunately the gentlemen who had signed this petition
were apt to change
their opinions, and in support of what he stated, he
(Mr W) had merely to refer to the action of the Commercial Society in 1863, when they
passed a resolution
as to advisability of paying all duties in cash and doing
away with the Bond system. The resolution which was
sent to the hon Receiver General was as follows:–
"That it is advisable, and recommended by this SoÂ
ciety, that, in future, all duties be paid in cash, and
that H. M. Government be informed of this Resolution,
in order to take any steps they may think advisable
thereon."
Shortly after this resolution was received by the Receiver General, a petition, which
he (Mr. W) would
read, was addressed to his Excellency the Governor in
Council, as follows:—
"We, the undersigned Merchants and Importers of
St. John's, having been given to understand that the
Commercial Society have passed the following ResoluÂ
tion, viz:
"That it is the opinion of the Commercial body that
all duties should be payable in cash, with the view of
its being sent to the Executive for action thereon, beg
leave to express our dissent therefrom.
"By allowing importers to give Bond for Duties
amounting to over ÂŁ40 sterling (which formerly was
ÂŁ25) is a great accommodation to the trade, and considerable advantage to the revenue,
as in case all duties
were made payable in cash, the outports, with the exception of Harbour Grace (and
this is a great consideration) could not possibly pay their duties in cash.
"We, therefore, humbly submit these our opinions,
and trust that as the revenue has not hitherto (so far
as we know) sustained any loss from the manner in
which duties have been paid, according to law, there
will be no alteration made, unless, on a full investigation, it be found advantageous
to the country generally."
This petition was signed by Messrs. Job, Brothers &
Co., and by fifty other importers, and was sufficient to
show that unanimity did not prevail amongst the mercantile community upon public questions,
any more
than in other quarters. Now this petition was presented to the Legislature, praying
for the continuance of
the Bond system, and was actually signed by men who
had voted for the resolution, and who were members
of the Commercial Society. When he (Mr W) saw
that only two years ago these gentlemen changed their
opinions in so short a time as two days, this House
should certainly pause, and not hastily act according to
the prayer of that petition. It might be that in a day
or two we should have another petition from the same
gentlemen with a prayer in favor of confederation.
They say that all the country wants is time, and that in
the abstract they were in favor of it. But was it right
to set up class against class in this matter? Was it all
pure philanthropy that animates these gentlemen "to
scatter their supplies of hard cash,"—to use the language of Mr March? Did they not
hope for an ample
return for the capital which they had invested here in
trade? He wondered that the hon member, Mr March
who was so fond of quoting Scripture had forgotten the
text applicable in this case, that he did not exclaim,
"Does Job serve God for naught?" Did the merchants
expest no return? He (Mr W) always understood
that no action of a definite nature was to be taken on
this question this session. There was never an intention of forcing it. Therefore
this petition was unnecessary and uncalled for, as it only prayed for what the
house had determined on long ago.
Mr. GLEN was glad to hear the assertion of the hon
member, Mr Whiteway, that there was no intention of
forcing this question. But this change had been effected
by the voice of public opinion, and by the stand which
he (Mr Glen) and his hon colleagues had taken in the
matter. It was their intention to have forced it; and
that was the opinion which he (Mr Glen) held in common with every right thinking man
in the community.
When they found that it would have been impossible to
carry it, they tried a measure which was very nearly
successful. They said you are only required to affirm
the principle, and we will go to the country on it. That
desire had been persisted in until last Friday. He (Mr
Glen) considered that it was necessary that they should
be carefully and vigilantly watched yet. He had asked
the hon Attorney General for a copy of his resolution
a fortnight ago. Why had it not been laid before the
house? It was not treating this house with proper respect, and tended to a continuance
of that alarm which
existed in the public mind. The hon member, Mr Kent,
when Premier, always had his resolutions before the
House in ample time to discuss then. The only object
which he (Mr Glen) had in opposing the matter was
that he did not wish it to be decided until they went to
the country.
Mr. KENT said that when the question of Confederation had first come before the house, he
had expressed his opinion in favor of it, but he had at the
same time stated that rothing should be done without
submitting it at first to the people. He was of that
opinion stil. The Merchants had an undoubted constitutional right to petition this
House, and when it
was considered how respectably that petition was
signed, he felt that it would receive every consideration to which it was entitled.
It was a petition which
would have no weight with the country at large. He
thought that the condition of the people of this country was very similar to that
of Ireland; both countries
had but one branch of industry to rely upon. In Ireland Agriculture was the staple
industry, and the
people had to contend against the landlords, who
were the most powerful and influential class. Here
we were limitted to the fisheries. The merchants possessed the capital, and could
make what terms with
the people they liked. If we could call up other
pursuits to relieve our fisheries, we could create
sources of employment which would render our operative population independent of the
fisheries, and the
consequence would be an increased measure of material prosperity. Whether Confederation
would da
this or not, he (Mr. Kent) was not prepared to say.
It was entirely for the consideration of the people.
Mr RORKE was not in the House when this discussion began, but he had seen the petition and
considered it was a very reasonable one. It was a most moÂ
mentous question, although it should have been divested of all the acerbity which
characterises political
movements. He was sorry that that had not been altogether the case. He was not aware
that it was the
intention of the Government to have forced this matter through this session. He was
surprised to find
hon gentlemen opposite changing their opinions about
the merchants so very quicklv. They consider them
even honest good men; well truth will out, and he
was glad to hear such acknowledgments from them.
He would not detain the House at present, but he
trusted that when the mutter came to be fully and
properly discussed, hon gentlemen would approach it
in a calm and proper spirit.
Mr. PROWSE.—The petition before the House was
undoubtedly a class petition, but it emanated from a
class whose respectability and influence necessarily
gave it great weight. Looking at all the circumstances surrounding this question,
he (Mr P) could not
but regard that petition as premature. Taking up
the speeches of the delegates as published, and also
the strong expression of opinion from other hon members of this house, could not the
movers of this Petition see that it was not the intention of the Government to force
this question through this house, this
session? The assertions of hon members on this
point could not have been stronger. The petition, he
had no doubt, was well meant, but it was uncalled for
and unnecessary, and there had been nothing in the
speeches of hon members of this house, to warrant
the alarm which appeared to be so universal amongst
a certain class, and of which this petition had been the
result. The hon member, Mr. March, deprecates the
use of claptrap, and yet the hon gentleman actually
talked of selling the country to the French Canadians.
Could there be any viler or more obnoxious claptrap
than that? Had not hon gentlemen stated that the
Councilors were to receive ÂŁ100) a year? Did they
not know that to be false? Of course they did—It
was a gross perversion of the truth, and they who
uttered it knew they were stating what was false. Was
not that claptrap? If men were guilty of wilful perversion of the truth, they were
guily of claptrap,
and failed in their duty to their country and to their
constituents. He (Mr P.) had great respect for the
petition just presented, but there was no occasion for
it. There was no desire to press this matter on either side of the house. It merely
asked for what the
Legislature had already determined on, and was
therefore in his (Mr P's.) opinion premature.
Mr. RENOUF could not but express his delight at
the remarks of the hon member for Placentia and St.
Mary's, Mr Shea, that there was no desire to press
this matter through the house this session. However
this side of the house owed the hon the delegates
nothing. It was only on account of the manly stand
taken by him (Mr. R.) and colleages that that
had taken place, Up to Friday last, they were persistent in their determination to
press this matter.
What dip the refusal to give the resolution shew?
Simply that we were to be taken by surprise, and
this matter forced upon us. Now what a wonderful
change had come over these gentlemen. They found
that by dodging, they could not carry this question,
and new with an assumed magnanimity they assure
this house. that they never had any desire to press
this question, or even have the principle affirmed by
a mere majority. The action which we had taken in
this matter was precisely the same which hon members
in the other colonies had pursued. He thought that
the petition before the house was a very respectable
one. Every man had a right to petition this house,
whether he were a prince or beggar. This petition
dictated no terms, it merely asked for time to give it
proper consideration. Was that an unreasonable
request? Certainly not. He (Mr R.) was not in the
house when this petition was presented, but he had
heard the observations which the hon member, Mr.
Shea, had made upon it, and he thought them most
insulting and irrelevant to the subject before the
house. He (Mr. R.) had the highest respect for the
merchants who embarked their capital in the trade of
the country, thus giving employment to the operative
population. Could the Canadian merchants do more
for us than our own did at present? He (Mr. Renouf)
doubted whether they could afford us any benefit
whatever. Capital and labour went hand in hand;
and would we not rather see twelve mercantile houses
rise in commercial prosperity than one should fall?
Was it not a well known fact, that Mr. Walter Grieve
had lost more than ÂŁ20,000 during the last two years;
was it not impossible for us to live without the merchants? He (Mr Renouf) was glad
that this House
had determined that this question of Confederation
should be settled by the people. He considered that
they were the proper persons to deal with it, and,
therefore, could not endorse the opinion of Mr Prowse,
that they were too wooden-headed to understand it.
All that we contended for was that we had not the
power delegated to us to definitively settle this matter without appealing to the
peÂşple, Will hon gentleman guarantee to us that they will not take a vote
in this matter? If so the country would be perfectly
satisfied. Then we would be able to believe them.
We would have to watch them carefully still.
Mr. WYATT could not agree with hon members
when they said that this petition was premature. The
Commercial Society had good reason to believe that
it was the intention of hon members to press the matter this session, and thus pledge
the country. They
had not before them at present that statistical information which was necessary to
induce them to give
their consent to any hasty legislation on the subject.
They had before them the opinion of the hon Atty.
General that his resolutions, if passed, would pledge
the country, and for ever settle the subject of Confederation. He thought that they
had a perfect right
to present this petition. They wished that this matter should be carefully and attentively,
considered,
and that the people of the country should have ample
time to discuss it. He did not think that the Commercial Society, when they asked
to be furnished with
information, and with copies of the documents received, had asked for anything that
was unfair or improper. The merchants had a deeper stake in the
interests of the country than any member in this
House. With reference to the statement of the hon
member for Twillingate and Fogo, Mr. Whiteway,
about signing double petitions, all he (Mr Wyatt)
could say in the matter was that those who required
it were not members of the Commercial Society.
Mr.Talbot supported the prayer of the petition,
out of deference to the opinions of so respeciable a
body of men. One would think, however, that they
were only a preel of niggars. He did not agree with
the eulogiums that had been passed on that body
by so many honourable gentlemen. They were no
doubt, a very worthy set of men, but he did not think that they had done so much
for the country, that we
should be alarmed and frightened by this petition,
and hold up our hand and exclaim "oh! the Commercial body have petitioned the House."
No one
objected more to claptrap then he (Mr. Talbot) did
he liked to take up every question, hold it up to the
light, and see what was it. He did not think that
their action in this matter was entirely for the benefit
of the fishermen. They were the ones who reaped all
benefit of the earnings of the fishermen. Their profits
were immense, indeed it would be difficult to ascertain their limits. It was admitted,
however, that they
would not stop there if by the process of grinding,
they could grind anything more out of them before
they left the country to spend their money elsewhere.
They had certainly a perfect right to do this. There
was then no great compliment between the fishermen
and the merchants. They certainly do not bring
their capital to this country; a few might have done
so, but, as a general rule it was all made here. They
make their money and spend it elsewhere, and leave
the country as denuded as if a shilling had never been
earned in it. If the merchants, after having made
their money, settled down in this country and extended their business, it would be
one of the happiest
countries in the world. Had the merchants ever established factories over the country
to afford employment to the people when the fisheries were over?
No, therefore we see so much destitution and suffering. He (Mr. Talbot) was opposed
to confederation,
as it was at present. He would like it if in reality it
was confederation. He would however, like to see
some beneficial result that would flow from it.
Mr.CASEY was of opinion that the petition from the
Commercial Society was as much entitled to respect
as that from any other society in the country. It
was foolish for hon gentlemen to say that the interest
of the merchants was not the interest of the fishermen.
Their interests were bound up together, when the one
was successful, both were benefitted. His (Mr.
Casey's) opinion on this matter was not altered. However, he would refrain from making
any observations
upon this great question until the 15th of the month.
He thought the petition was in very good time, and
deserved the earnest and thoughtful consideration of
every member of this house.
Mr. E. D. SHEA.—It was very stale common
place to say that this petition was entitled to respect.
It was unnecessary for non gentlemen to have taken
so much trouble to prove what every one admitted.
That petition was the result of misconception. It
had been represented to the merchants and overy one
interested in the matter that it was the determination
of this house to pass this matter the present session.
Had it not been universally expressed that there was
no such intention, so often did hon gentlemen declare
that they did not believe it. It was of course necessary for them to make up a case,
so that we might
appear as traitors, and they as the saviours of the
country.They had no other way of lifting themselves
up into a little popularity. It was perfectly true that the hon. Attorney General
had said that if the
resolution which he intended to prepare were passed,
it would pledge the country. But did he not also say
that he would place it on the table of that house for
hon members to deal with it as they pleased. If so,
how could it be contended that there was a desire to
press the matter during this session? It was all very
well for hon. gentlemen to say they disliked claptrap.
But how could they get on without it? Did they not
now find it very useful to serve their purposes? This
petition only asked for what the house had already
determined to give—ample time for the fullest enquiry to be had and the question thoroughly
tested. If
confederation were then adopted every one would be
satisfied.
Hon. ATTORNEY GENERAL wished to make a few
observations on some remarks that had fallen from
the hon. member for Trinity, Mr. Wyatt, to the effect
that the Government had not treated the Commercial
Society with that respect to which they were entitled. The Government were only
too happy at all times to
furnish the Commercial body with any information
that it was in their power to afford and which would
be proper for them to give. It was the duty of the
Government in the present matter to lay the documents which it had first before the
Legislature. There
had been an application to be furnished with all documents on this subject, and they
were told that the
Government at the time were possessed of none that
were not already in the public papers. Despatches
that were received afterwards, were with the Report
of the Delegates, laid before the house. These documents had been furnished to the
Chamber of Commerce. It was, however, only right and proper that
the representatives of the people should have them
first. He (hon. Attorney General) thought that the
Commercial Society had nothirg to complain of. It
had certainly been his intention to lay before this
house a Resolution which, if carried, would have definitively settled the question,
and if the other Colonies had entered this Confederation now, he should
have felt bound to place the matter before the house
this session for adoption or rejection.—Now, however, there was no necessity for such
a course. He
would, however, say that in this proceeding the delegates were in no way responsible.
Entirely with himself must that responsibility rest.
Ordered that the petition lie on the table.
Mr. KAVANAGH presented a petition from Martin
Kough and others of Quidi Vidi, and from Daniel
Keeffe and others of Pouch Cove, which were severally received and read, praying for
grants to complete
roads in these localities.
Ordered that these petitions lie on the table.
Mr. RENOUF gave notice that, on to-morrow, he
would ask the Chairman of the Board of Works for
copy of contracts for supplies for distressed fishermen
emploed on the public works, also return of amount
paid for such supplies to 31st ult.
Mr. TALBOT gave notice that, on to-morrow, he
would ask the chairman of the Board of Works for for
copies of tenders for supplying the several public
Institution with provisions and other necessaries for
the curent year, together with a return of the names
of those whose tenders were accepted by the government.
Also, that, on to-morrow, he would ask the Surveyor General to lay on the table of
the House a
statement of the number of acres of Crown Land
disposed of to purchasers during the last four years,
distinguishing the number of acres in each year, the
electoral districts in which they are situated, the
names of purchasers, and the quantity purchased by
each respectively, and the number of acres brought
under cultivation by each purchaser; also a statement
of the description of crops produced on these lands
respectively, of the pecular characteristics of the soil,
THE NEWFOUNDLANDER
3
and of the average distance of these lands so disposed
of from the sea shore, in each electoral district, and
also similiar statements in reference to the four years
immediately preceding 1861.
The
Hon Receiver GENERAL, by command of his
Excellency the Governor, presented to the house the
following documents-
Consoldiated statement of expenditure for the relief
of the poor for the year 1864.
Financial Secretary's Consolidated Statement of expenditure under Road Act 27th Vic.,
cap. 3.
Report of Cashier of Newfoundland Savings' Bank.
Ordered that these documents lie on the table.
The hon COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of his
Excellency the Governor, presented to the house a
statement of the number of trips made by the steamer
Ariel to the north and west during the past season.
Ordered that this document be on the table.
On motion of the
hon ATTORNEY GENERAL, pursuant to order of the day, the following Bills were
severally read a third time and passed-
The bill to continue the punishment of banishment
in certain cases.
The bill to make provision for the recovery of penalties becoming due upon upon the
forfeiture of certain
recognisances.
The bill to enable courts of law to grant relief
against advers claims made upon persons having no
interest in the subject of such claims.
The bill to regulate the office and duties of coroners.
Ordered that the hon Attorney General and Mr.
Whiteway take these bills to the Legislative Council
for concurrence.
On motion of the
hon. Attorny General, pursuant
to order if the day, the house resolved itself into
committee of the whole on the further consideration
of the bill to provide for the registration of births,
marriages and deaths, Mr. Barron in the chair.
On motion of the
hon. Attorny General the sections
of the bill passed over when the committee last sat
were read
seriatum and adopted, with some amendments, and the committee rose and the chairman reported
the bill with amendments, which were read and
concurred in. Third reading to-morrow.
On the motion of the
hon. Attorny General, pursuant
to order of the day, the house resolved itself into
committee of the whole on the further consideration
of the bill to make provision for wives and children
deserted by their husbands and parents, and of parents
deserted by their children, Mr Wyatt in the chair.
On motion of the
hon. Attorny General, the remaining sections of the bill were read and adopted,
with some amendments, and the committee rose and
the chairman reported the bill with amendments,
which were read and concurred in. Third reading to- morrow.
Mr. MOORE gave notice that on to-morrow he
would ask the hon Colonial Secretary, if any, and
what arrangement had been made to provide a suitable
teamer for the steam packet service in Conception
Bay.
The house then adjourned until to-morrow at three
o'clock.
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