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History

The Bill which the Government introduced into the House of Commons to pro- vide for building this railway evoked a considerable degree of opposition in that House and in the country, and although passed by the House of Commons, it was afterwards rejected in the Senate, and thus there is imposed upon the Government the duty of considering some other method of meeting all just expectations of the people of British Columbia, whose Government has not suggested to this Govern- ment any solution of the difficulty.

It would seem reasonable that the people of British Columbia should construct this work themselves, or (if they think other local public works more advantageous) should, in lieu of this, themselves undertake such other local public works, and that the compensation to be given them by Canada for any delays which may take place in the construction of the Pacific Railway, should be in the form of a cash bonus to be applied towards the local railway, or such other local works as the Legislature of British Columbia may undertake, Canada also surrendering any claim to lands which may have been reserved in Vancouver Island for railway purposes.

The sum of $750,000 would appear to the Committee to be a liberal compensa- tion, and the Committee advise that the Government of British Columbia be informed that this Government is prepared to propose to Parliament at its next Session the legislation necessary to carry out the views contained in this Minute as to the con- struction of the Pacific Railway, and the compensation to be given to British Colum- bia for delays in such construction.

The Committee further advise that a copy of this Minute be transmitted to the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

" The propositions contained in this document, after being considered by the Government of British Columbia, were rejected on the following report of the Executive Council of the Province : " The Committee of Council have carefully considered a Minute of the Honor- able the Privy Council of Canada, dated September 20, 1875, proposing to this Government, for their assent, certain alterations in the existing Railway Agreement between the Dominion and this Province.