The New York herald., 1871-03-30
BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Debate In the New Dominion Parliament Over
the Resolution for the Admission of British
Columbia Into the COnfederatiOn-StrOng
Opposition 20 the Mensure-The Canadian
Pacific Railway Land Grants.
et OTTAWA, March 90, 1871.
Sir George e. Cartier, the leader OF the govern
ment House or Commons, In Introducing resolutions
for the admission OF British Columbia into the Doe
minion, stated that the proposed measure extended
the Dominion OF Canada from the Atlantic to the
Pacific. He proceeded to explain the terms Of
agreement. subsidy Of eighty cents per head,
based upon a population OF 10000, would provide
pensions at the rate OF two-tnirds the former
salaries for those officials Of the colony whose posi-
tons would be affected by the change and whose
services are not required by the government. He
explained the agreemen. as to the tariff and excsa
duties, stating that the present tariff could remain
as long as desired by British Columbia, and by that
arrangement the Dominion exchequer would re-
ceve larger revenue than by the Canadian tariff;
but an assimilation would doubtless take place. He
went into explanations respecting the Canadian
Pacific Railway and stpulations for It's construction,
and the works which have been completed within a
period OF ten years. British Columbia was to AID
mile sections on eacn side OF the line,
which would give the road 5o,360000 acres,
or 81 600 square miles of land It was proposed TO
give in return 100000 annually. which was only the
interest on 81 100000 at five per cent. Placing the
value of the land at dollar per would leave
over $685. 0OO 600 worth or land to AID the railroad.
The length OF the line from Lake Niplssng TO the
Pacific would be about 500 miles, OF which 100 miles
were In Ontario 1t was expected that The Ontario
government would give grant OF 9000,0J acres OF
land to aid in the construction OF the road. The
government did not intend either to construct the
road to AID 1t to any extent 10y money grant. The
government however, was prepared to AID the COM
pany undertaking the construction OF the road with
per annum, being interest at five per cent
on capital OF SIS, 0O00 900. He estimated the cost
OF the road at 800 900 600, and pointed 10 tie nc
cessity Of having the Pacific seaboard, If the
Dominion was to become great Power on the Con-
tinent.
Sir A. T. Gait trusted that the government would
be very careful In entering into the proposed treaty.
Inasmuch as Canada had already great many Obll-
cations to fulfil, 1t would be impruden to enter
any that could not be carried out without cramping
the energies OF the Dominion.
Mr.. Mackenzie, while he was anxious for the adj
mission OF British Columbia into the Confederation,
ye he saw no object In discussing the provisions OF
the treaty submitted by the government 1t had to
be accepted without amendment Ii deemed neces-
sary to do He offered an amendment in effect
that the Dominion government should do no more
than have the survey Of the proposed railway made
until the finances OF the country warranted an ex-
penditure on the road.
Messrs. Cartwright, Blake and others opposed the
resolutions for the admission or British Columbia on
the terms submitted to the House.
The debate was finally adjourned.