500 Our North Land. 



led to a large meeting called lately in Winnipeg, at which speeches 

 were made and resolutions carried embodying the strong opinion 

 of all present in favour of the construction of this road. 



" The agitation also extended south of our own borders. The 

 farmers of Dakota and Minnesota, as well as the farmers west of 

 those States, had stronger grievances than ours, and at the Farmers' 

 Convention held at Grand Fort a few weeks ago, which was 

 attended by delegates from Manitoba, the project of constructing the 

 Hudson's Bay Railway was discussed. There was but one feeling 

 on the subject, and that was a feeling of enthusiasm in favour of 

 the project. I believe it was there said that if its feasibility was 

 established not only would the Manitoba and South-Western draw 

 every bushel of wheat grown as far as three hundred miles south of 

 Winnipeg, but would also bring into our border the wheat grown 

 in some of the Western States of the Union. This question should 

 be ventilated by this House and an authoritative decision respecting 

 it obtained through the formation of a committee such as the one I 

 propose. 



"My object in having this committee formed is to get from the 

 most authentic sources all possible information respecting the navi- 

 gation of Hudson's Bay. It is my object to bring before this com- 

 mittee any persons who may have records of importance respecting 

 the navigation of Hudson's Bay. Of its navigability there is no 

 question. The only question is during what period of the year it is 

 navigable. Upon that question there is a great diversity of opinion: 

 some say that the immense icebergs and the peculiarity of the tides 

 will be a permanent obstacle to the establishment of any permanent 

 communication by sea between ports in the Hudson's Bay and the 

 seaports in Europe. On the other hand, it is asserted that from 

 1610, or during two hundred and seventy- four years since the Bay 

 was discovered, ships have navigated it every year according to 

 reports furnished by the Hudson's Bay Company's employes. This 

 would tend to establish that there is at least a period in the year 

 during which the waters of the Bay are just as safe for navigation 

 as the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



" Now, Mr. Speaker, it is within the knowledge of every hon. 



