CHAP. vir] RELATIONS OF THE HOUSES 591
parties in the Senate when Mr. Mackenzie’s Government took
dffice, was courteously but firmly declined, and no subsequent
occasion has ever arisen in which it has even been discussed.
The two nominee Houses of Quebec and Nova Scotia
are hardly distinguished by any marked statesmanship.
They are not liable to be swamped,? but on the other hand,
the example of the Canadian Parliament, in which the
Senate possesses only a weak position, has reacted upon
them and has effectually prevented their obtaining any
great strength. On the other hand, they still exist, owing
to the facts that they are not prepared to surrender their
existence, and that it is impossible to overcome that resis-
tance by any constitutional means. The only way of doing so
would be a wholesale dismissal of members by the Lieutenant-
Governor, and such a proceeding would be altogether illegal
and improper. In the case of Quebec it does not, indeed,
seem that it is possible to remove them, as they are appointed
for life under the Great Seal, but a legislative councillor
may lose his position by various contingencies. as in the
sase of a senator.
In the case of Nova Scotia? the Upper House has still
maintained its existence despite the general tendency which
has been seen in Manitoba, New Brunswick,’ and Prince
Edward Island ¢ for the Legislatures to reduce themselves
to single-chamber assemblies. The constitution of the
Council is very curious. It was created in 1758 by the
commission to the Governor which authorized him to make
laws with the Council and with the House of Assembly. The
* See Senate Journals, 1877, pp. 130, 174. The correspondence was
hen laid before the Senate, which passed a resolution asserting that the
bower should only be used for emergencies, to bring about harmony between
he two Houses. Cf. Senate Debates, 1898, p. 403.
* The number is limited in Quebec by 30 Vict. c. 3, 5. 72, in Nova Scotia
by the old royal instructions maintained in force by the same Act, s. 88.
* See Bourinot, Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 11. ii. 143 seq.
f In 1876 ; see Provincial Legislation, 1867-95, pp. 808 seq.
* In 1891. For its demerits, see Hannay, New Brunswick, passim. In
Pre-responsible government days it used repeatedly to reject Appropriation
Bills. * In 1893: see Provincial Legislation, 1867-95, pp. 1221 seq.
