Thomas Andrew Low (Minister of Trade and Commerce)
Liberal
Mr. LOW:
The amount was exactly the
same in 1921, $8,500.
Mr. LOW:
The amount was exactly the
same in 1921, $8,500.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
My Hansard
shows that in 1921-22 the vote was $5,000.
Mr. LOVETT:
I think I can explain the
apparent difference. There was one boat in 1921-22, and afterwards another boat was put on and $8,500 was the subsidy given both boats.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
Is there any
difference at all?
Mr. LOW:
Some years ago the service was
performed by one company with two boats; now two companies have separate contracts, one for $3,500 and the other for $5,000,
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
Mr. Chairman,
the hon. member for Digby and Annapolis (Mr. Lovett) thinks I am wrong. The vote for 1920-21 was No. 192, "St. John, New Brunswick, and ports on the bay of Fundy and Minas basin and Margaretville, N.S., steam service between." As I read it, that combination service was $5,000. What is the reason for the increase?
Mr. LOVETT:
The vote for $3,500 is in
my constituency; the vote for $5,000 is in the constituency of the member for Kings, N.S. (Mr. Robinson). I know that $3,500 is the subsidy for the service in my constituency, and it has been the same for a long time.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
If the minister
does not know', I suppose it is no use holding up the vote. This is simply another unexplained increase.
Item agreed to. St. John, Westport and Yarmouth and other way ports, steam service between, $10,000.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
What is the
service at this point?
Mr. LOW:
The service is for seventy
round trips. Seventy-three and a half trips were made last year. There were 1,611 passengers and 6,985 tons of freight carried. The subsidy has been the same for the last six years.
Item agreed to. St. John and Weymouth, steam service between, $1,500.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
When was that put in?
Supply-Trade and Commerce
Mr. LOW:
In 1923. The contract is with
the Weymouth Transportation Company, for one year. It provides for a weekly service. The Nova Scotia government pays a subsidy of $2,000.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
What business
is there?
Mr. LOVETT:
This boat plies between
Weymouth, Freeport, Westport, Tiverton, Little River, New Edinburgh, Plympton, and many other places where there is no rail connection. It is a very small subsidy. This boat is not making any money; the contractors just about broke even last year.
Sir HENRY DRAYTON:
What was done before 1923?
Mr. LOVETT:
I am not able to say what was done before, but I know that this subsidy is to give the people a much needed service.