stefansson-wrangel-09-32-106r

DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT OF CANADA 411

is as just expressed by the Minister of Finance—what we have
we hold.

Mr. Meighen: Well, have we Wrangel Island?

Mr. Graham: Yes, as I understand it, and we propose to retain
it.

Mr. Fielding: We had it in December, and we have not let it go.

Mr. Shaw: I think there is probably as the leader of the Opposi-
tion has said, a great deal more to this matter than appears on the
surface. I understand that the United States have published a
map in which they show all the lands north of Melville Island, I
think, as being a country which does not belong to anybody, and
which is consequently open for discovery by any nation whose
expedition may happen to locate there. I think it is a matter of
the utmost importance that we should not lose sight of the fact
that the extreme northern part of this country should be preserved
to Canada. It may not seen of much importance now, but I have
no doubt that in the years to come it will be a matter of very
great regret if this or any other government fails to take proper
measures to ensure that that country belongs to and is secured
and maintained by Canada.

Mr. Guthrie: I can only say in addition to what has been said
by the Hon. member for West Calgary, that this question is being
discussed in the United States papers now. Within the last month
it has been discussed in the New York Times and the Washington
Post, and there is no doubt that certain interested parties in the
United States intend to make a claim to Wrangel Island as United
States territory by right of orior discovery. In my view, from
the little inquiry I have made, I am satisfied that the claim is un-
founded. There is no right of prior discovery beyond the right of
Canada or Great Britain in that respect. However, this matter
is going to come to the front in the very near future, and I think
it is high time that this Government should take a stand on the
matter and make its stand known to the world. It will be a
matter for international discussion very soon unless we are going
to forego our claims and let the United States take over the island.
Whether the island is of very much practical importance I do not
know, but parties in the United States seem to think it is. In fact,
one paper says that from one point of view, the mineral wealth
of Wrangel Island is far greater than that of Alaska. That may