Mr. A. T. LEGER (Kent, N.B.):

I desire to direct the attention of the Government to a matter of importance as set forth in a letter written by a Canadian soldier in England and published in L'Acadien, a French paper published in Moncton, N.B. I have translated the letter into English in order that it may be better understood, and I will read the translation.

Mr. LEGER:

I am not here to represent the speculators or the branch-line owners, but I am here to represent the people who are served by these branch lines. The answers given to the questions put before the Government were not altogether satisfactory to me, with the exception of the statement made by the hon. Minister of Public Works (Mr. Carvell) that these branch lines would be operated. I understood the Government had power to force these companies to run these roads to the satisfaction of the people and of the Government. If that is the case it will be satisfactory. The people who live frotti twenty-five to one hundred miles away from the Intercolonial are certainly entitled to some consideration on the part- of the Government. I am not here to discuss politics, but I am here to discuss the interests of the people whom I represent, and who contributed their share to the building of the Intercolonial, which serves those living within a certain distance of each side of the road. But those living at a distance from the road and on. the shores, farmers and fishermen who are trying to make a living out of their industry, should have the advantage of railway transportation in order to be able to market their products to the best advantage. They have to sell their products at a lower price because of the high freight rates. If it is left in the hand's of the owners of these roads, and if nothing is

done to better the situation, I cannot see how it is going to end'. I would suggest that the Government take charge of these roads, as they have the power to take over any property that in- the public interest it may he necessary for them to acquire. If they cannot agree upon the price they have a way of taking over these roads by expropriation. Let them, then, expropriate the roads. Whether people are engaged in fishing or agriculture, we are anxious to give them every encouragement. I believe it is the duty of the Government to- take steps to serve the people throughout the country as- best they can and in such a way as to promote their interest and the public welfare generally.

Mr. LEGER:

That sawdust wharf belongs to the old order and I would not refer to it here to-night. I am surprised that it is mentioned by the minister. '

Mr. LEGER:

I thank the minister.

Mr. MteKENZIE: I wish to remind the

minister that in my riding, at the mouth of the arm of the sea called the Little Bras d'Or a very large amount of money was spent in dredging, in the years 1908, 1909 and 1910, and some of the work is still unfinished. What is left unfinished consists of ridges here and there through the channel. It is a splendid channel in some places, but these ridges constitute a danger to shipping. I think a very small amount of money would finish up the work. If the minister has not a report on it, I would like him to get a report of the exact condition of that work, as I do not think it is available to navigators.

Mr. LEGER:

Does this item include dredging in small rivers?