merchants of Montreal did not wish to be hemmed in by Catholics. He (Mr. Pope) had felt it his duty to place such ques tions beyond the reach of political discus. sion; and while he acknowledged fealty to the Protestant minority in Lower Canada, he deprecated the attempt to make political capital by raising creed against creed. Mr. CAMERON (Peel) thought that the Protestant minority in Lower Canada had no reason to complain of the manner in which they had been treated by the Roman Catholics. He had felt strongly on this point. When it was represented that the proposed change would place the Pro testants in a worse position, he had felt as a Protestant that if there was to be an arrangement of that kind it was his duty on behalf of his religion to do everything in his power to prevent it. He had consequently communicated with Protestant friends in Montreal who had informed him that the proposed change would strengthen the Protestant vote. If it had been other wise, he did not hesitate to say that he would have voted against the measure. (Hear, hear.) Mr. SCRIVER thought that the mem ber for Montreal Centre had no intention of raising the religious question. He had spoken in a state of excitement, and had used language which he probably did not mean. From his past experience of the career of the Minister of Militia, he had no doubt that the Protestant minority would be liberally dealt with. His opposition to the bill was on a different ground. He be lieved that the commercial centre of Montreal was entitled to representation, but by the proposed change they would not be able to have such representation. He quoted from the Montreal Witness of a later day than that quoted by Sir George Cartier, to the effect that the commercial community did not approve of a change in the representation. The Montreal Herald and Gazette also opposed the change. He was bound therefore, to support the amendment of the hon. member for Mon treal Centre. Hon. Sir JOHN MACDONALD regretted that his hon. friend from Montreal Centre should have raised the religious question. He felt sure that the matter under discussion would not affect the balance of parties in that respect. Hon. Mr. HOLTON said no such thing as a religious question had ever been raised in any of the political contests with which he had been connected. Hon. Sir JOHN MACDONALD was glad to hear his hon. friend who had had long experience say sɔ. He (Sir John) since 1851 could bear testimony to the fairness with which Protestants had been treated as regarded representation in Montreal; and if there had been an inequality it was because there had been two Protestants. The attempt therefore, to introduce the religious element was unfortunate. He did not blame the member for Montreal Centre for desiring to protect the rights of the Protestants, but he regretted extremely that he had attempted to rouse the reli. gious feelings of the Protestants of Ontario against the Catholics of Lower Canada, as the rousing of these feelings in Upper Canada would revive the latent feeling in Lower Canada against the Protestants, and would re-act in the Local Legislature there. He could not complain of the tone of the member for Chateauguay in the matter, for that hon. gentleman in the past had consistently advocated tolerance in religious matters, and he would no doubt continue to do so in the future; but his argument was erroneous in that he said he could not vote for the change proposed in Montreal because it was exceptional legislation, although he admitted it to be an essential reform if applied to the whole Dominion. All reforms had to be gradual, and if he (Sir John) remembered aright, no later than Saturday the hon. gentleman voted for one piece of excep tional legislation in adding Port Neuf to Quebec; and therefore on that ground and also in order to show his disapproval of the introduction of religious feel. ing into the discussion, the hon. gentle. man ought to vote against the amendment proposed by the member for Montreal. With reference to the argument of the member for Huntingdon, that the commercial interest ought to be represented, he contended that the addition of Griffins town to Montreal Centre in no way took away from its character as a mercantile constituency, inasmuch as humble artizans were quite as much a portion of the commercial interest as were the wealthy employers. In every principle, then, the measure was just. There was an equalization of votes, the different interests were represented and jealousy of race was prevented, inasmuch as in all probability the elections would result in the return to Parliament of a French Canadian, an Irish Catholic, and an English Protestant. Mr. FERGUSON regretted extremely that the religious question had been introduced, but thought that the speech of the Minister of Militia had set that matter at rest. He had it from gentlemen in Montreal that the proposed change would do no injury to the Protestant feeling there, and the Minister of Justice had clearly The bill was then read a third time and passed. SUPPLY. shown the House that the power of the | Mr. Workman's amendment lost on a dimerchants would be increased rather than vision-Yeas, 22; nays, 95. decreased. He could not see the justice of a city of 107,000 people being divided into three constituencies, one having only 7,000 people, while the other two had 50,000 each. He hoped his hon. friend from Montreal Centre would be convinced that justice had been done, and that the Pro. testants would not suffer. He should have no hesitation in voting against the amend ment. Mr. BOWELL thought the member for Montreal Centre had been rather harshly treated. Although that gentleman might have swoken warmly, he had not originated the question of creed or religion in the discussion. It any feeling had been aroused, it was due to the Minister of Militia. He felt that the premises laid down by the Minister of Militia had not been borne out by the facts. It had been shown that the Catholic vote of the pros posed new division would exceed the Protestant by some 6,000. If he rightly understood the matter, St. Ann's ward was almost exclusively a manufacturing ward, while the present Centre Division was composed of merchants and importers whose interests were diametrically opposed to those of the manufacturers, and yet it was proposed to throw these interests together. He would vote for the amend ment. Mr. ANGLIN thought the hon. gentle man should have appealed to the justice of both Protestants and Catholics, rather than to Protestants only. Had he made out a case he (Mr. Anglin) would have voted for the amendment, as he felt that justice was due to the minority in all cases. He had listened with attention to the statement of facts, and thought there was no danger of Montreal ever being without Protestant representative. He would vote against the amendment. Mr. WORKMAN maintained that he had not introduced the religious question, but that it had been forced upon him by the Minister of Militia. He did not wish to say one word that would be offensive or objec. tionable to the Roman Catholics. He had lived among them in peace for forty years, and he did not wish any member in the House to think that he had the least feeling against that body. He quoted from the Montreal Gazette and Herald to show that the proposed change was distasteful to the people of Montreal, and would again state that if he had said one word offensive to any Roman Catholic, he hum bly wished to withdraw it. The members were then called in, and The House then went into Committee items were passed without discussion, and of Supply, Mr. Street in the Chair. Various the Committee rose and reported. ELECTION ACT. duced a bill to amend the Parliamentary Hon. Mr. HAMILTON, from Committee on Banking, Railways and Commerce reported upon the Bill with respect to Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes, with amendment, adopting the law of merchants which prevails everywhere. Ottawa Railway Act. To incorporate Banque Ville Marie. These bills were read a third time and passed. Standing Orders and Private Bills, reported Hon. Mr. DICKSON, from Committee on favorably on petitions of Angus Morrison and others; and of Domirion Trust Com pany CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS. Hon. Mr. SEYMOUR presented a report from the Committee on Contingent Ac counts. Adopted. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. which he had given notice on a previous Hon. Mr. RYAN made the motion of day: That an humble Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General, praying that (during the interval between the dissolution of the present and the assembling of a new Parliament), steps may be taken by the appointment of a commission of enquiry or otherwise, to obtain such full and correct information | to prepare a measure which will satisfy the as may enable the Government to submit people to Parliament at its next session, a Bill or Bills, providing 1st. One uniform system of weights and measures throughout the Dominion. 2nd. The purchase and maintenance at convenient places of accurate and reliable standarus of length, weight and capacity, including standards for the measurement of gas. 3rd, A regular and general inspection of all weights and measures throughout the Dominion. The hon. gentleman stated that the subject had occupied the attention of the House for some time. In 1870 a special committee was appointed to make enquiry into the subject of coins, and weights and measures throughout the Dominion. That Committee made a report which was adopted by the Senate, and after detailing certain circumstances stated that they were "of opinion that no time should be lost in establishing by law a uniform system of weights and measures throughout the Dominion. The duty of initiating legislation on a subject of such importance necessarily devolves upon the Government, and the Committee are of opinion that another session should not be allowed to pass without a measure being submitted to Parliament." Two measures were submitted to Parliament, one of which established the metric system. Another measure, dealing with the general subject of weights and measures a d approaching the organization of a uniform system was also submitted, but when it came to be considered, it was not considered sufficiently perfect, and the Government accordingly withdrew it. He did not think that the country had lost anything by the withdrawal of that measure, inasmuch as since that time great progress has been made in Great Britain towards establishing the best system of weights and measures. A Royal Commission had been sitting now for five years, and their measure was about complete. They had already published five voluminous reports, including also the subject of measurement of gas. The measure, however, was not yet before the Imperial Parliament, though ther was no doubt it would be there during the present session. Under these circumstances it appeared to him that when the subject was considered of such importance, that it demanded the attention of a Commission composed of the most eminent men, including the Astronomer Royal, the Government in this country ought to take time before the meeting of Parliament Hon. Mr. CAMPBELL replied that the Government would consent to the motion. The question had already occupied the attention of the Government, but there were considerable difficulties in the way arising out of the different practices in the different Provinces. A new Parliament, no doubt, would be called upon to deal with the question. The motion was amended, at the suggestion of Hon Mr. Letellier de St. Just to add water metres. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time: Dominion Trust Company's Bill—(Hon. Mr. Aikins.) Manitoba Insurance Company Bill —(Hon. Mr. Girard.) Western Assurance Company Amend ment Bill-(Hon. Mr. Macpherson.) Patents of Invention Bill-(Hon. Mr. Campbell.) Imperial Guara.tee and Loan Society Bill-(Hon. Mr. Macpherson.) DUAL REPRESENTATION. The House went into Committee on the dual representation bill, and amend ments moved by Senator Letellier de St. Just to prevent the measure interfering with or invalidating Ontario Acts, and make the measure applicable to all the Provin. ces, which were rejected. On the motion of a third reading, Senator BUREAU moved to limit the powers of returning officers. The motion was negatived by thirteen to twenty-five and the bill was then passed. Bills on the following subjects were then read a third time and passed: Bills of exchange and promissory notes, with an amendment adopting the law of exchanges which prevails everywhere. St Lawrence and Ottawa Railway. Banque Ville Marie. Montreal, Vaudreuil and Ottawa Rail NEW BRUNSWICK SCHOOL LAW. Senator WARK gave a sketch of the way Denominational grants were made in New Brunswick, and asked whether the Government, in submitting the New the law officers of the Crown, or the de- mitted. Senator CAMPBELL replied that as they were anxious to get all the facts of the case, they would take care that the Gov. ernment of New Brunswick should be con. sulted. Senators LETELLIER DE ST. JUST and CHAPAIS denounced the legislation of Bills on the following subjects were read a third time The Manitoba Insurance Company. The House then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. THRUSDAY, June 11. Mr. SPEAKER took the chair at three o'clock, p.m. EXTENDING ACTS. After routine, Hon. Dr. TUPPER moved the House into Committee. Mr. McDonald (Middlesex) in the chair, on the following resolutions:-That it is expedient to extend to the Provinces of British Columbia the fol lowing Acts:-The Act 31, Vic., c. 58, respecting the navigation of Canadian waters; the Act 51 Vic., c. 59, relating to lighthouses, buoys, and beacons; the Act 31 Vic., c. 64, respecting the treatment and relief of sick and distressed mariners; and the Act 31 Vic., c. 65 respecting the inspection of steamboats, and for the greater safety of passengers by them, and to authorize the imposing of the like ton nage rates and fees as are imposed by the said two last mentioned Acts for the purpose of paying the expenses and remunerating the services required in carrying out their provisions. The resolution was reported without amendment, and Hon. Dr Tupper introduced bill founded thereon, which was read a first time. ADDRESS TO THE GOVERNOR GENERAL move an Address to His Excellency Lord Lisgar, expressive of the regret of the House at his departure: He said that the course of the nobleman had been such, during his stay in Canada, as to command and to retain the good feeling of every one in the country during the whole of his administration. He (Hon. Sir John) believed the House would agree with him in saying that he had performed the duties of his position, as the representative of Our Most Gracious Queen, in a manner that demandel the respect and esteem of all Classes of our people in Parliament (hear, hear). It was not surprising that Lord Lisgar should have pursued a constitutional course in the performance of his duties, as long experience in public life in England, as an officer of the Imperial Government, other high positions, had fully qualified as a member of Parliament, and in several him to understand and to carry out the principles of responsible Government, as they obtain in this colony and most of the colonies of the empire. He (Hon. Sir John) thought, therefore, that every one would agree with him that it was fitting, as it was usual in such cases, that Parliament should express its real feelings with respect to the Governor General, or his retiring from office. Personally he regretted exceedingly that the intercourse which, during the whole time Lord Lisgar had been in office, had been pleasantly con ducted between that nobleman and him. self and the other members of the Govrespect Lord Lisgar had been an exemplary ernment, should now end. In every governor (hear, hear.) For reasons per. sonal to himself he had found it proper to give up the government of Canada, and, to know that he will be succeeded by a while we have every reason to believe, and countryman of his own equally worthy of would regret his departure. our good feeling, yet those who knew him further remark he (Hon. Sir John) moved, Without seconded by the hon. member for Lamb. ton, that an humble address be presented to his Excellency conveying an expression of that regret. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said that, under land and her colonies, all that we have to our system of Government, alike in Engexpect from the head of the state is to preserve that impartial position between necessary; and to the chief of the Execupolitical parties that become absolutely tive, and to the Governor General of this Province, we had always endeavoured to give due credit for the performance of those duties which devolve upon the re presentative of our constitutional sover Hon. Sir JOHN MACDONALD rose to eign. He said it must have afforded the 71 leaving his present charge and taking his place among the public men of England, his associations with the public men of this country, his knowledge of its great resources and conviction of the brilliant future that is in store for it, will enable him to confer great benefits on this country. We must all feel his loss, even though we have the happiness of knowing-and he spoke from private as well as public information-that his successor, Lord Dufferin, is a man of great qualities and a large experience, and will, we all believe, fill his office with as much distinction and impar tiality as the noble Lord who is now leav ing us. [Hear, hear.] The motion was then carried and a select committee appointed to draft an address. The committee reported the following which was adopted and sent to the Senate for concurrence : greatest pleasure to members of Parlia- | ment to have witnessed the care that had been taken of late years by Her Majesty's representative in this colony, and not less by Lord Lisgar than by his predecessor, to observe that dignified neutrality, which, as a former Governor of Canada had said, was necessary in the Governor of Canada. He had great pleasure in seconding the address to Lord Lisgar, believing that it was due to him that the House should manifest its regard for his administration of the present Government, as might perhaps be inferred from the wording of it, he, of course would not support it; but such was not, he presumed, its intention, as there was no reason for identifying His Excellency's name with those things on which he and others differed with gentlemen opposite. Lord Lisgar had endea. voured to preserve that due balance between parties which was always required of Her Majesty's representative in this country. He had on all occasions shown himself most acceptable to the Canadian people, and had endeavoured to perform the high duties devolving upon him in a manner which called for the grateful approval of all classes of our people. He (Hon. Mr. Mackenzie) appreciated the course of action of the present Governor all the more, as on a former occasion the representative of the Queen, as an hon. gentleman opposite happened to know, had acted otherwise. He had always had the most cordial good feeling personally for Lord Lisgar, and he was sure that the gentlemen of his side of the House looked with the greatest regret upon his ap proaching departure. "To His Excellency the Right Hon. John,. Baron Lisgar, G. C B., G. C. M. G., Governor-General of Cunada, &c. "We, Her Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects, the House of Commons in Par liament assembled, beg leave to express to Your Excellency our sincere regret that the termination of your cfficial connection with Canada now approaches. "To the able and distinguished dis. charge of the trusts confided by our Gracious Sovereign to Your Excellency in other portions of Her Majesty's dominions, has been happily added that of the Government of Canada. In expressing our regret at your Lordship's approaching retirement from the high office of Governor General, we venture to add our congratu lations that your Excellency's administra tion of that office has been characterized by the great development of the Dominion and its marked prosperity, as well as by the extension of its boundaries from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans. Hon. Mr. MACDOUGAH said that as he was one, if not the only one, of those outside the Government who had enjoyed confidential relations with His Excellency, he desired not to content himself simply with a formal approval of the resolution before the House, but to add one word in corroboration of the sentiments which had "Your Excellency will bear from our fallen from both sides of the House. It shores our high respect and esteem. We was true that Lord Lisgar's administration trust that Your Excellency will long enjoy had fallen upon happy times. There had the honors conferred on you by Her Mabeen no ministerial crisis, no great occa-jesty, and that you may be spared for many sion for the display of those high qualities which the member for Lambton had spoken of with so much propriety; but he (Hon. Mr. Macdougall) was sure, and he believed all others who had had official relations with Lord Lisgar, must feel equally confident, that, if any such occasion had presented itself, he would have held the scales of office evenly and justly in any constitutional crisis. He was a man of great knowledge and experience, and he (Hon. Mr. Macdougall) felt sure that, on years to give, as one of the grand council of the nation, the benefit of Your Lordship's experience and tried ability in maintaining the welfare and integrity of the British Empire." CENTRAL BANK. Mr. PICKARD moved the second reading of the bill to authorize the winding up of the Central Bank of New Brunswick. Carried. The House went into Committee or the |