The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

102 feasible way to signiry ts apprecia-- tion of the valor and sacrifices of the members of the contingents, and--the matter mentioned by the hon. gentle-- man had also been considered. The lands in New Ontério were, however, free to all persons, and to give grants of 100 or 200 acres would be no con-- sideration. The Premier suggested that the hon. gentleman would rest satis-- fied at having brought the matter up. and perhaps at this session or at a later session the House would be able to see more clearly a way whereby re-- cognition of these services could be given. The question was a difficult one to solve in a practical and useful man-- ner. In reply to Mr. Matheson, the Pre-- mier stated that the Registrarship of the County of Renfrew was not vacant. The Attorney--General said. that he could not understand the request that a resolution from a meimber of an Op-- position laying down a policy should be adopted by the Government. It was almost unheard of, and he would ven-- ture to say that the hon.> gentleman would search in vain in any Canadian or British Parliament for & precedent of the Government being asked to act on a motion of a member of the Op-- position. No member desired to strangle the motion or any sentiment it express-- ed. There was no divergence of opin-- fon, but it was necessary to prepare a policy before bringing it before the lTouse. Such a policy should be con-- si%ered carefully, and he thought it only reasonable, in view of the assur-- ances which had been given, that the hon. gentleman should withdraw his motion. Mr. Duff (Simeoe) pointed out that inducements wore talked of to cause the soldiers to remain in South Africa, and said _ that some counter--attraction should be offered in this country. The leader of the Opposition joined with the Premier in his words of ap-- preciation.. He was glad to hear the Premier use such language and volce such sentiments. 'The Premier had rc-- marked that somethirg of the kind suggested might be done in the future. He had no doubt whatever of the Pre-- mier's intention to do this, but he doubted if in the future the Premier would have the power to carry out his intention. If the power should be tak-- en away from the Premier he (Mr. Whitney) would gsee that those to whom it was given would carry out his intention. He could not understand, however, why the matter could not be taken up now by the Government, and suggested the adoption of the motion with the words, "The time has come when." _ . C Mr. Little said that after the assur-- ances received from the Premier he would withdraw his motion. Mr. Reid (Addington) seconded the member for Cardwell's suggestion, and said that every member of the House felt a pride in the deeds of the Cana-- dian soldiers in South Africa. They who remained at home would not like to leave themseives open to the charge of financial cowardice. Renfrew Registrarship. Proposition Endorsed. Hon. J. M. Gibson informed Mr. Mac-- diarmid that already some advances had been made to County Attorneys in connection with the prosecution of wit-- nesses charged with illegal acts during the recent bye--elections. Hon. Mr. Davis said the lands were being gradually paid for and the amount outstanding was growing less each <year. (Under the act allowing revaluation a number of reductions had been made, and the amounts thus reduced were being paid. That policy would continue to be carried out. Beet Sugar Industry. In reply to Mr. Pyne, Hon. Mr. Dry-- den said that various statements, verbal and otherwise, had been made to the Government in regard to the beet sugar industry, but no definite pro-- position had been submitted from any capitalist to establish such a manu-- factory. The Premier informed Mr. Matheson that he would consult with the Chair-- man of the Finance Commission in or-- der to ascertain whether it was neces-- sary to bring Gdown a supplementary statement explaining certain apparent discrepancies between their statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Province and those given in the public accounts. The appointment of Mr. M. McKay was not considered a permanent one. was not considered a permanent one. Tlis resigration was therefore placed in the hands of the Government, to be acted upon at any time. No promise was made to appoint Mr. R. A. Camp-- bell to the office if he would resign his geat in the Legislature. «_ Payment for School Lands. Mr. Jamieson (South Grey) brought up the question of the amount remain-- ing unpaid on school lands in the Pro-- vince, and asked for an authoritative declaration from the Government as to the policy they intended to follow on the question. He was informed that approximately the amount remaining unpaid was about £380,000. In some cases, where there had been neglect to pay interest, the arrears now amount-- ed to more than three times that of the principal. Some reduction should be made by the Government in the price of these lands that would en-- courage the payment of the amounts outstanding. _ * Mr. Matheson characterized the Pro-- mier's statement as most extraordin-- ary, and cited the Renfrew case as un instance of traflicking in public offices by the Government. Hon. Mr. Ross said Mr. McKay was rot permanently appointed to the office, but there was nothing extra-- ordinary about that. Temporary ap-- pointments were frequently made, and Mr. McKay knew the nature of his ap-- pointment when he took it. There was nothing immoral or discreditable con-- nected with the matter. Mr. Whitney said it had been assert-- ed on behalf of Mr. McKay that he did not regard his appointment as a temporary onre and that his resignation was extorted from him by the Govern-- ment. s The Provincial Finances. Expenses of Witnesses.