PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.
50
MONDAY, March 27.
House resumed consideration of the papers relating to the Union of the Colonies.
Hon. MR HENSLEY, Mr Speaker, I have heard it stated that
all the talent in this House was enlisted on the side of the Union ; assuming such
to be the case, as I am not in the habit of making long speeches, which, under such
a state of fact, must, of neces sity, be productive of no benefit, I am happy to console
myself by the reflection, that we have, at least, a numerical superiority, as there
are some 25 or 26 members who are opposed to "all the talent" on this question. A
question of this magnitude should be approached free from political or party bias.
When the matter of Confederation was under discussion last Session the idea was expressed,
and very generally acquiesced in, that united with only the Maritime Provinces, we
would be absorbed, and quotations from speeches of the Provincial Secretary of Nova
Scotia, and others, as to the absorption of that Province in case of Union with Canada
were adduced to warrant the opinion. Well, Sir, if such would probably be the effect
of our connection
with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, I can only come to the
conclusion that we would be entirely swamped if we cast in our lot with Canada. No
doubt the idea of forming part of a great country is very captivating, if we really
were a separate and solitary people ; but, I cannot recognise its force in our case
when I call to mind that we are part and parcel of the great British Empire. The important
question for our consideration is whether we are bound by the action of the Quebec
Convention. It is quite clear that we are not. That Convention was held without any
authority from this House, and the Delegates had no power to agree to any conclusions
on the subject, but at the utmost, merely to report to this House. I regret that they
agreed to so formal a document as the one before us, as it seems to convey the idea
to the world that they possessed powers to treat and make a binding arrangement. It
has been said and written that we shall be driven into this Confederacy. I would ask
what foundation exists for such an assertion ? Whence does it arise ? We have no despatches
before us indicating such an eventuality ; in fact the documents submitted to us lead
to the belief in my mind that we shall be allowed to deal with this matter as we please.
I believe that the fact is that the Canadians finding a general Union of the Colonies
would be of service to themselves, sent Delegates here with the view of commending
their project to the favorable consideration of the Legislatures of the Lower Provinces,
and I do not blame them for doing so. The terms of the Report before us are, in my
opinion, very unfavorable to this Island. On the scale of representation proposed,
we would be without the slightest influence in the United Parliament. It is true that,
if we went into the proposed Union, we would have no right to expect as large a number
of representatives as either of the Lower Provinces, but then, if, or why should we
throw away our independence which we now enjoy ? There would, of necessity, be an
increased tariff under the Union, and before I can admit the force of the argument
that Canada and New Brunswick will supply us with boots, shoes, spirits and other
articles of manufacture and at a lower rate than we can get them at present, I should
like to be satisfied, as to their present ability, to supply themselves with those
articles. Such returns of importations into these two Provinces, for the year 1863,
as we have before us, seem to me rather to indicate an entirely different state of
things in that respect. Now, Mr. Speaker, if the people of those two Colonies cannot,
with a high protective tariff, furnish the articles I have specified in quantities
sufficient for their own requirements, it is not to be supposed that they can supply
them to us. Our chief, because most advantageous, trade is with the United States
and Great Britain, and as long as we shall find it to our advantage that it should
be so, it will naturally seek these channels ; and if we come under the influence
of a highest Tariff we shall be taxing our best customers and crippling our most profitable
channels for commercial interchange. I cannot think that Great Britain will look favorably
on a scheme which, so far as these Lower Colonies are concerned, will have the effect
of placing heavier duties on the importation of her manufactured goods.
Hon Mr DAVIES.—This question, Mr Speaker, is, in my
opinion, forced upon us. If the States were now in the same position as they were
before the outbreak of the Civil War, I would oppose any measure of the sort, but
they have now become a great military country, whose boast it has long been to carry
out the Monroe doctrine, and to spread the principles of Republicanism over the whole
Continent. The Imperial Government has expressed its willingness to aid us. It has
said, "Do all that you can towards your own defence, and we will supplement your efforts."
We are too small a people for separate and independent action, and that the termination
of the present Civil War is at hand may be inferred from the fact that the captain
of a blockade-runner told me during the last winter that the game was up ; and we
are all aware of the state of feeling which exists in the Northern States and Great
Britain, which will most likely find expression in an attempt to realize their oft-repeated
vaunt—
No boundless Utica confines our powers,
But the whole boundless continent is ours.
Frequent allusion has been made to the debt of Canada, but that
debt has been principally incurred in the construction of public
works of great value and utility. If we should be absorbed into
the United States we would be compelled to assume far greater
burdens than those to which we would be liable if united to Canada.
I agree that Confederation would exercise a certain moral Â
influence in our favor, but would prefer to remain as long as we
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51
can in our present state of freedom from taxation. Reference
has been made to the unsuccessful attempt made at the Quebec Conference to get an
additional member for the Island in the Lower House. I cannot perceive that the additional
representation would have, in any appreciable degree, increased our influence in that
body. I am not, however, equally satisfied with the proposed Constitution of the Union
House. The prices in Canada of tea, sugar, &c., quoted by the hon member for Belfast,
do not prove that Confederation would enable the people of this Island to purchase
them at the same rates ; for in Canada a merchant can afford to sell at low rates,
in consequence of disposing of large quantities at a time. The excise duty must be
added to the cost of tobacco. The truth is, Sir, that Halifax must regulate the prices
of West India produce in this Colonies. I would be glad to have the continued protection
of Great Britain ; but it is well known that these Colonies were to be educated up
to a sense of the duties of a nationality. It is but natural that John Bull should
at length say, " If they will not defend themselves, let them go?" As I said before,
this question is forced on us and face it we must. We cannot doubt that the Americans
look with greedy eyes upon the coal fields of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the acquisition
of which would be of incalculable advantage to them not only in times of peace, but
also in case of a war with Britain or France, or any of the other European powers.
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