Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

The Minister of Militia and Defence will give a reply at some later date to my hon. friend. I do -not think there is sufficient material available just at present to organize a brigade. A suggestion has, however, been made as to more units at the front of distinctively French Canadian personnel. That matter is under consideration.

made to the Canadian people in the celebrated portrait of Wolfe, and I feel that I may assure him that the thanks of this House and of the people are accorded to him for his magnificent generosity. I have already expressed the appreciation of the (Government, and I am now enabled to express, on behalf of the Parliament and people of Canada, their thanks for the splendid gift and their appreciation of the spirit which prompted the Duke of Westminster to present this (great historic painting to the people of Canada.

Mr. RICHARDSON:

Any value that this has will accrue to the Government.

Mr. J. D. REID:

About $1,200,000 has been expended on this road in purchasing right-of-way, making surveys and so on. Any benefits that will arise in so far as this railway is concerned, belong to the Dominion Government. .

Mr. CURRIE:

This railway company, I understand, owns the right-of-way from Toronto to Niagara?

Mr. J. D. REID:

Yes.

Mr. CURRIE:

On that right-of-way,

there are two power lines. Is that right?

Mr. J. D. REID:

I do not know about that.

Mr. CURRIE:

I want to know if they have bought any additional right-of-way during the last couple of years, because since the Electrical Development Company has put two power lines over this right-of-way, there is no room for a railway, and the railway company has leased to the Development Company the right to put power lines on that right-of-way.

Mr. J. D. REID:

The stock of this subsidiary company is vested in the Canadian Northern Railway Company, and on October 1, 1917, five-sixths. of $60,000,000 of the stock of the Canadian Northern Railway was vested in the Dominion Government. Prior to that we had $40,000,000 worth of the stock, so that practically the whole stock of the Canadian Northern is owned by the Dominion Government.

Air. CURRIE:

But what is the relationship between, this railway company and the Electrical Development Company, which is not owned toy the Canadian Northern, but which is owned by the Toronto Street Railway Company, and which has put two power lines over the right of way of this railway company, and, is the Government in a position to state the rental paid for the use of the right of way?

Mr. J. D. REID:

I never heard of that

before. That question was never raised before. At all events, whatever may have been the rights of the Canadian Northern in this railway company at the time the Canadian Northern was taken over, they now belong to the Dominion Government.

Mr. CAHILL:

In what position is the Government of Canada with regard to the Canadian Northern Railway Company? Have we anything to say in the management at the present time?

Mr. J. D. REID:

The stock of the Canadian. Northern Railway Company has been vested in the Dominion Government in accordance with an Act of Parliament passed last session. The question as to the value of the stock taken over by the Dominion Government is now being determined by a Board of Arbitrators sitting at present in Toronto. The arbitrators, as I understand it, will complete their work some time soon, and afteT they have made their report the Dominion Government will take over the absolute control and operation of the railway. *

Mr. CURRIE:

Does the minister intend to make a general statement to the House in regard to the railway situation, and if so, when, so that we may know if it is going to be defeated or not? It has been the custom to make such a statement.