514 • Our North Land. 



more than one season's exploration. As the hon. member for East 

 Elgin (Mr. Casey) has said, it might be well to have the vessel 

 remain and be frozen in, and have parties stationed at different 

 parts of the coast, for two or perhaps three seasons, in order to ascer- 

 tain what really is the nature of Hudson's Bay and Straits as navi- 

 gable waters. The Government have now this matter under their 

 special consideration. This will be a matter of very considerable 

 expense, but it is one of so much importance that, I think, the result 

 will be that the Government will feel themselves authorized in 

 coming to the House and submitting a proposition for a vote for the 

 purpose mentioned. 



" The importance of opening up a trade there, I think, cannot be 

 exaggerated with respect to the future of the North-West. Not 

 only will it be the means of access to Europe for the general products 

 of the North-West, but it will be exceedingly valuable on account 

 of the known mineral wealth and the wealth of the fisheries that 

 have been alluded to by my hon. friend from Algoma (Mr. Dawson). 

 All accounts seem to go to show that the mineral wealth is very 

 large, and I have little doubt that, with further explorations, our 

 present knowledge of the mineral wealth of that region will be 

 greatly enhanced and increased. The fisheries in these great 

 northern waters must be valuable ; therefore the importance of 

 opening up these waters and the trade through them is obvious, 

 and I do not think can be well exaggerated. I would say to my 

 hon. friend who has made this motion that I see that Mr. Abbot is 

 the only Lower Canadian whose name is on the list. I would 

 suggest the addition of the names of Mr. Desjardins and Mr. Riopel. 

 Mr. Riopel comes from the coast of Gaspe, and is acquainted with 

 the winter navigation of the Lower St. Lawrence." 



Hon. Mr. Blake said : " I am very glad to hear the announce- 

 ment of the hon. gentleman as to the probable intentions of the 

 Government with regard to this cpaestion. I think for some time it 

 has been made very plain that, in view of the great interests 

 involved, we should obtain that more exhaustive information which 

 the hon. gentleman intimates he will ask us to provide the means of 

 obtaining. My own opinion has been for some time past that this 



