§ MR. JOHN BRIGHTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, If it is true that a deputation consisting of Members of the Canadian Government is coming to this country to ask Her Majesty's Government for a loan, or the guarantee of a loan, for the purpose of constructing the Pacific Railroad; and, if so, whether it is coming in consequence of communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Canada; and, if so, whether the Correspondence that has taken place can be at once laid upon the Table?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHLast week I received from Lord Lorne a copy of 14 resolutions which had been adopted in the Dominion House of Commons with reference to the Pacific Railway. One of them is as follows:—
That, in view of the importance of keeping good faith with British Columbia and completing the consolidation of the Confederation of Provinces in British North America, and for the purpose of extending relief to the unemployed working classes of Great Britain and affording them permanent homes on British soil, and in view of the national character of the undertaking, the Government of Canada is authorized and directed to use its best efforts to secure the co-operation of the Imperial Government in this great undertaking and obtain further aid, by guarantee or otherwise, in the construction of this great national work.That is all I know of the matter. The deputation is not coming in consequence of communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Canada, and there has been no correspondence on the subject.