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Documents
Policy of the new government
The following article is from:
The London Free Press, and Daily Western Advertizer May 28, 1862, p. 2
We published the following as an Extra on yesterday: --
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Quebec, May 26th.
At the meeting of the house to-day, the Hon. Mr. Morris stated the Ministerial policy, which was precisely similar to that given in the Lower House; a debate arose, which was proceeding when our report left.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
Monday, May 26.
The Speaker took the chair at 3 o'clock.
On motion of different members, new writs were ordered to be issued for the
West Riding of York; North Riding of Oxford; the Town of Cornwall; the County
of Argenteuil, the County of St. Hyacinthe; the County of Quebec; the district
of Montreal West; the North Riding of York, for election of members to
represent these constituencies in the stead of late members who vacated their
seats by the accepting of office.
Mr. Wallbridge then arose and read the following as the policy of the new government:–
FIRST - Recognizing the Federal character of the act of Union, and the danger at the present critical emergency of any change of the basis of that Union, the Government will seek to remedy the evils now encountered in the Government of Canada, by committing to all members composing the Administration for each section respectively, control of all matters of a local or sectional character-the Administration as a whole being charged with all such matters as are necessarily common to both sections of the Province.
FIFTH.-The Tariff will be readjusted so as to meet, as far as possible, the demands upon the revenue, but the re-adjustment will be made with a due regard to the manufacturing interests of the country.
SECOND.-It will be admitted, as a rule, that local legislation should not be forced on either section of the Province against the wishes of a majority of its representatives, and that the Administration for each section should possess the confidence of a majority of its representatives.
SIXTH.-A bill will be introduced to settle, in a more equitable manner, the relation of debtor and creditor, and to afford relief to insolvent debtors in an economical manner; such bill being made to apply to the whole Province.
THIRD.-The Government will submit a measure for the more equitable adjustment of parliamentary representation in each section of the Province respectively.
SEVENTH.-A system of retrenchment, including every branch of the public service, will be adopted, with a view to reduce the annual expenditure of the country within its income.
FOURTH.-An amendment to the Militia Law will be proposed, so as to secure a proper enrolment of the available force of the Province under efficient officers; the distribution of arms furnished by the Imperial authorities through officers of Battalions, and the encouragement of the volunteer movement.
EIGHTH.-Her Majesty's decision with reference to the seat of government will be maintained; a thorough investigation into all matters connected with the public building at Ottawa will immediately be made; so soon as this investigation can be completed, and contracts ascertained to be such as to permit the works to be proceeded with, under them, no time will be lost in endeavoring to place the matter in a condition to make satisfactory progress.
Mr. Loranger then explained the policy in French, and stated that it was the intention of Government to ask the House to pass certain public bills, including a portion of the Tariff Bill of the late Finance Minister; to go on with private bills; and then prorogue Parliament to meet again in January.
They proposed asking the House to hold two sessions on each day until the prorogation. A debate ensued in the course of which the leaders of the late Government stated that they did not intend to offer, at this time, any opposition. The debate was still proceeding when our report left.
