Mr. BARNARD.

Was not this government notified that a case was going before the courts?

Mr. BARNARD.

If the minister would look up the files in connection with this matter I think he would find that there are one or two communications from the provincial government, dating some time back, which have not been replied to. He will find at least one communication from the Chief Commissioner of Lands in connection with this matter, now several months old, and which has not yet been replied to. It was dated before the proceedings taken by the provincial government.

Mr. BARNARD.

As a matter of fact, I think the minister will find that there is an agreement practically ratified by order in council between the province and the Dominion, which provides that the reserves should be decreased as the population of the Indians decreased, proportionately; that the provincial government has taken up the question with the Dominion government and has shown them that the population

of the reserves has decreased, and has asked them to release certain lands which are now contained in the reserve. Has not such a communication been made to the department?

Mr. BAENAED.

Do I understand from the remarks of the minister that the government is ready to sell any land on these reserves in cases where the reserve is larger than is required? According to the agreement made with the province in 1876, that could be done provided an arrangement could be made with the provincial government. If that is the case, I think tfiis matter might be arranged without much trouble.

Mr. BARNARD.

I think the minister will admit this is very nearly a case for the last resort. The minister said that the department had exhausted every effort to settle the question. I am not blaming the department because I think they have made some effort to settle it, but it is a matter that must be settled in the near future.