1915-03-03

[Stage Direction]
[Questions answered orally are indicated by an asterisk.]

Mr. SINCLAIR:: 1.	With reference to the charge brought to the notice of the Government by the member for North Cape Breton on June 10, 1914, as reported on page 5238 of Hansard, that one H. P. Duchemin, of Sydney, N.S., a commissioner appointed to investigate charges against, partisan officials, had embezzled over $75 of the public funds in connection with one item of his account, by charging six days remuneration and expenses for less than one day's work, has the Government investigated this charge?
2.	If not, will the Government investigate this charge?
3.	Has the said Duchemin been asked for an explanation?
4.	What is the total amount paid by the Government to the said H. P. Duchemin for all services in connection with partisan investigations, including outlay since the date of appointment?
5.	Is the said Duchemin still in the employ of the Government?
6.	Is it the intention of the Government to take steps to recover from the said H. P. Duchemin the money so obtained by him?


Mr. CODERRE:: 1,	2, 3, 5 and 6. For the Departments of the Interior, Marine and Fisheries, Militia and Defence, Post Office, Public Works, Railways and Canals and Agriculture, no information.

For the Customs Department, the answer is:	The charge made by the member for
North Cape Breton was looked into by Customs Department and inquired into by Auditor General and found to be not true. The report of the Auditor General on this matter appears on pages F 48 and F 49 of his report for 1913-14. Mr. Duchemin has been employed only when cases were sent him for investigation. There are no cases now before him from the Customs Department for investigation.
4.	Customs Department, $1,190.68; Interior, $26.31; Marine and Fisheries, $1,691.10; Militia and Defence, $36.80; Post Office, $1,242.01; Public Works, $441.63; Railways and Canals, $1,928.60; Agriculture, $124.60.
. UNEMPLOYMENT.
Mr. VERV1LLE:
1.	Has any representation been made to the Government respecting the unemployed problem? If so, by whom?
2.	What is the intention of the Government
in that respect?	.


Sir ROBERT BORDEN:: Representations
have been made from time to time with regard to unemployment. A list of them could be brought down in the shape of a return, if so desired. The intention of the Government is to assist in every way that is practicable and reasonable.


MR. T. A. ANDERSON.
Mr. W. M. MARTIN:: .
1.	Has T. A. Anderson been employed by the Government at any time during the years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915?
2.	Is he still so employed?
3.	What was the date of his appointment, in *what capacity is he employed, and what is his salary or remuneration?


Robert Laird Borden: It would facilitate the answering of this question if we could learn to \vhat department the hon. member alludes.
Question stands.
f


CUSTOMS VALUATION.
Mr. McCRANEY:: 1.	What were the values placed on the following articles by the Department of Customs, and the general tariff rate on each, prior to 21st September, 1911:	breaking ploughs, gang
ploughs, harrow, land packer, seeder, cultivator, reaper, binder (.8 foot), fanning mill, hay rake (10 foot), mower (6 foot), wagon, sleigh, manu-t sp aider, portable engines and threshing machines?
2.	What are, or will be, the valuations and general tariff rates on each such article since the recent Budget speech of the Minister of Finance?


Mr. J. D. REID:: 1.	The Department of Customs does not fix the values for these articles. Imported goods are subject to valuation for duty purposes according to the fair market value as sold for home consumption in the country of export.
Different manufacturers sell similar lines of articles at different prices, so that values are not uniform.
Exporters are required to certify on invoices for entry at Customs the fair market value of the goods as sold for home consumption in the country of export.
The general tariff rates on these articles were as set forth in the Customs Tariff, 1907, with amendments as passed by Parliament.
2.	Answered by No. 1.


Mr. MACNTJTT:: What is the customs valuation of the following Implements imported during the year ending March 31, 1914, and the duty collected on each class: breaking plough, gang plough, harrow, disc harrows, land packers, seed drills, cultivators, reapers, binders (8 foot), fanning mill, hay rake (10 foot), mower (6 foot), wagon, bob sleigh, manure spreader, portable engines, and threshing machines?


Mr. J. D. REID:: The Department of
Customs does not fix the values for these articles. Imported goods are subject to valuation for duty purposes according to their fair market value as sold for home consumption in the country of export.
Different manufacturers sell similar lines of articles at different prices, so that values are not uniform.
Exporters are required to certify on invoices for entry at customs the fair market value of the goods as sold for home consumption in the country of export.
The duty collected during the year ending March 31, 1914, on these articles was as follows :
Value.	Duty.
Ploughs and parts thereof	i ..$1,011,704 $202,340 05
Harrows and parts thereof	 156,869	31,352 80
Land packers are not separately classified in
returns to customs.			
	Value.	Duty.	
Seed drills	$	99,497 ?	! 19,899	40
Cultivators and weeders			
and parts thereof. . . .	57,264	11,441	41Reapers	38,300	6,702	52Harvesters self-binding.	336,675	58,918	42Fanning mills	16,411	4,102	75Horse rakes	41,234	8,246	80Mowing machines ....	47,857	8,375	21Farm wagons	273,053	68,263	25
Bob sleighs are not separately classified in returns to customs.

Value.	Duty.
Manure spreaders	$	42^81 $	8,429 98
Portable engines with
boilers in combination,
and traction engines
for farm purposes. .. 2,342,12'b	466,000 45
Threshing machine sepa
rators	 926,791	185,358 20


NATIONAL TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY- QUEBEC TERMINALS.
Mr. GRAHAM:: 1 Has work been started on the proposed terminal in connection with the National Transcontinental' Railway terminals in the city of Quebec?
2.	If so, what amount has been expended on this work up to December 31, 1914?


Mr. COCHRANE:: 1.	Yes.
2.	$372,514.86 expended by the commissioners for lands, and $154,293.83 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company on tracks and buildings.


Mr. GRAHAM:: 1.	Has the Government purchased what is known as the St. Malo Railway line, adjacent to Quebec?
2.	If so, what was the price paid?
3.	Has any contract been awarded for the rebuilding1 or repairing of the road, or any part of it?
4.	If so, what is the estimated cost of such repairs?


Mr. COCHRANE:: 1.	Yes.
2.	$175,000.
3.	Yes.
4.	$11,000.


CLOSING OF HUDSON BAY RAILWAY BRIDGE.
Mr. MOLLOY:: 1.	Is the Government or the Department of Railways aware that Manitoba provincial police are said to have enforced a blockade of the Hudson Bay Railroad bridge over the Saskatchewan river at The Pas, preventing access to the construction camps along the railway during a period from July 22, to about July 28, 1914?
2.	Was any order issued or any instructions given by the Government or the department, authorizing this blockade? If so, what was the reason for such order?


Mr. COCHRANE:: Copy of telegrams:
The Pas, Man., July 26, 1914. Hon. Minister of Railways,
Ottawa.
Hudson Bay Railway bridge at Le Pas closed and guarded by provincial police, Conservatives are allowed to go up the line, Liberals absolutely debarred. We demand suspension of the regulation until July 30, 1914. Answer immediately.
A. J. Claney,
President The Pas Liberal Association.
Ottawa, July 27, 1914.
J. W. Porter,
Chief Engineer,
Hudson Bay Railway,
Winnipeg, Man.
Wire explanation re following telegram received from A. J. Claney, The Pas, president the Pas Liberal Association, " Hudson Bay Railroad bridge at Le Pas closed and guarded by provincial police, Conservatives are allowed to go up the line, Liberals absolutely debarred. We demand suspension of the regulation until July thirtieth, nineteen fourteen. Answer immediately."
W. A. Bowden.
Winnipeg, Man. July 29, 1914.
W. A. Bowden,
Chief Engineer,
Department of Railways and Canals, Ottawa, Ont.
Replying to your wire of twenty-seventh, regular train left for end of steel Tuesday, July twenty-first, again Tuesday July 28, as per regular schedule foreign gasoline cars are prohibited from running on Hudson Bay railway, some of the Liberal organization bribed night-watchman and ran over the line with a light engine which accounts for precautionary measures taken by contractors.
J. W. Porter.


INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY-GOVERNMENT HIGHWAY.
[Stage Direction]
* Mr. COPP:
1.	How much has the Government paid for the construction of a highway from lands of the Intercolonial railway at Sackville, N.B., to the new wharf at said place?
2.	To whom were such amounts paid, and what services did each of the parties so paid perform?
3.	Who was overseer of said work?
4.	By whom was such overseer recommended?
Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	$1,007.48.
2.	Pay-list, August, September arid October, 1913:	Bedford Crossman, labourer,
$61.25; J. Hennigan Crossman, labourer, $16.62; Martin O. Crossman, labourer, $5.25; Thomas Crossman, labourer, $29.75; Perey Crossman, labourer, $50.75; Clifford Wry, labourer, $19.25; Jno. McCallum, labourer, $10.50; John McAlmon, labourer, $28; Alfred Milton, labourer, $10; Headley Godwin, labourer, $28; Winslow Milner, labourer, $5.25; Henry Crossman, teaming, $73.75; Murray Crossman, teaming, $95; Winslow Milner, teaming, $45.50; Edward Fillmore, teaming, $20; Thos. R. Fillmore, conductor, $103.75; total, $627.87.
Accounts, August and September, 1913 : Edward E. Fillmore, August 27, 1913, l7l pickets at 15 cents, $25.65; 34 double loads ' brush at $1.75, $59.50. J. L. Black & Sons, Ltd., August 23, 1913, lumber, $8.98. Geo. Milton, September 26, planks, $8.98. W. D. Robson, September 26, wire fencing, $61.25. A. W. Chapman, September 26, gravel, $215.25. Total, $379.61.

3.	Under supervision of District Engineer Stead and conductor of works, Thos. R. Fillmore.
4.	By Mr. M. G. Siddall.


GOVERNMENT LABOUR BUREAU.
Mr. STEVENS:: 1.	Has the Government given consideration to the proposal to establish a national Government Labour Bureau?
2.	If so, what conclusion has been reached?
3.	If not, will the Government take necessary steps to have a Bill introduced at the next session of Parliament?


Robert Laird Borden: The Government has the matter under consideration, and whenever any conclusion is reached, an announcement will be made in due course.


SASKATCHEWAN RURAL MAIL.
Mr. McCRANEY:: 1.	What rural mail delivery routes have been established in the Saskatoon electoral district?
2.	How frequent are the deliveries of such
route?	.


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Asquith No. 1; via Arelea, Perdue, Crocusdale, Stoneyroyd, Hurdman Lodge, Eagle Creek (in part); Borden No. 1, via Great Deer, Halcyonia.
2.	Semi-weekly.


GUYSBOROUGH-WEST ERINVILLE MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. SINCLAIR:: 1.	Who is the contractor for the mail service between Guysborough, N.S., and W. Erinville?
2.	When was the contract made?
3.	What is the contract price?
4.	Who are the sureties?
5.	What are the names of all parties who tendered for this service, and the amount of each tender?
6.	If there is no regular contract at present, "who is performing the service, and on whafl terms ?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	George A. Peart.
2.	Contract dates from 1st October, 1914.
3.	$218 per annum.
4.	James E. Hadley and J. Avard Fulton.
5.	As the contract has _not yet been executed it is not considered advisable to give the information at present. It will be furnished when the contract has been signed.
6.	Answered by Nos. 1, 2 and 3.


WAR SUPPLIES-HORSES.
Mr. CARROLL:: 1.	Did the Officer Commanding 5th Mounted Rifles, Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Baker, refuse to accept seven horses which were purchased by Messrs. Palmer and Pallister at Sherbrooke?
2.	If so, what were the reasons given by that officer?
3.	Did Lieut.-Colonel Baker demand a board of inquiry to examine the said horses and report on their fitness for service?
4.	If so, has the hoard been convened and their report submitted?
5.	What is the finding of the said board in respect to the said horses?


Major General HUGHES:: 1.	No.
2.	Answered by No. 1.
3.	No.
4.	Answered by No. 3.
1.	Answered by No. 3.


YARMOUTH HARBOUR DREDGING.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	What amount was spent for dredging in Yarmouth harbour during the years 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, respectively?
2.	What were the prices paid for dredging during wears 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914, respectively?


Mr. ROGERS:: [DOT]
1.	1905-1906, $16,031.57; 1906-1907, $5,728.15; 1907-1908, $26,450.64; 1908-1909, $135,691.88; 1909-1910, $88,972.54; 1910-1911, $92,403.16; 1911-1912, $59,921.66; 1912-1913, $32,679.60; 1913-1914, nil; 1914-1915, $4,038.40; Total, $461,917.60.
2.	1911-1912: 28c per cubic yard and' the expenditure was $59,921.66. 1912-1913: Class A $7 per cubic yard; class B 22Jc per cubic yard, and the expenditure was $32,679.60. 1914-1915: 40c per cubic yard, scow measurement, for the removal of a small quantity, 10,096 cubic yards, costing $4,038.40, and involving the bringing of the dredge from St. John, N.B., and returning it to the same place.


SHELL-FISH COMMISSION.
Mr. SINCLAIR:: What was the total cost of the commission appointed July 4, 1914, to investigate the shellfish industry?


Mr. HAZEN:: I find that no commission was appointed on July 4, 1914, to investigate the shell-fish industry. Possibly the hon. member for Guysborough may oe mistaken in the year, or the year marked in this question may be a clerical error. A shell-fisli commission was appointed in 1912, and if information regarding that commission is required, I may say that at the last regular session of the House a return was laid on the table giving all the information that could be given.


Mr. KYTE:: The commission referred to by the hon. member for Guysborough was composed of Mr. O'Leary, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Maclean.


Mr. IIA  ZEN@: A commission composed of these gentlemen was appointed in 1912; full information with regard to that commission has, I understand, already been furnished this House.


PROPOSED SYDNEY-ST. PETER'S RAILWAY.
*Mr. CARROLL:: 1.	Is it the intention of the Railway Department or the Government, to commence construction this year of a railway from Sydney, county of Cape Breton, to St. Peters, county of Richmond, through the Big: Pond and East Bay district?
2.	Has the department or Government decided on any location for such a road?


Francis Cochrane: The matter is under
consideration.
17TH NOVA SCOTIA REGIMENT.


Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	Who were the different officers commissioned to the 17th Nova Scotia regiment at Valcirtier before they sailed for England?
2.	Who are now the commissioned officers of said regiment?


Major General HUGHES:: 1.	17th (Nova Scotia) Infantry battalion:
Headquarters:	Lieut.-Colonel, Lt.-Colonel
S.	G. Robertson; Major, Major D. D. Cameron; Major, D. Murray; Adjutant, Capt. C. E. Bent; Asst. Adjutant, Lieut. L. R. Cutten; Quartermaster, Hon. Capt. R. McMeekin; Transport Officer, Lieut. C. Hamilton, Catty; Signalling Officer, Lieut. N. F. McKee.
Attached: Medical Officer, Capt. A. Morrell; Paymaster, Hon. Capt. A. McKay; Chaplain, Hon. Capt. P. Goforth.
Company Officers: Captains W. H. Allen; L. 0. Bentley; T. C. Reid; W. B. Coulter; A. Watson; D. C. Sheppard; W. Forbes; J. II. Creighton. Lieuts. G. W. Harris; E. M. Bentley; F. G. McDonald; J. E. Christie;
F.	D. Elliott; E. W. Mingo; C. J. Droggett; H. A. Duncan; J. M. Gillis; R. E. Russell;
G.	A. Ross; M. Brock; G. E. C. Eager.
2. Information not available. Impossible to say what changes have been made by War Office.


WATCHMEN ON RAILWAY BRIDGES.
Mr. MACDONALD:: What are the names of the men employed as *watchmen on the different railway bridges in Pictou county at different times since August last on account of the war?


Francis Cochrane: The following are the names of the men employed on the different railway bridges in Pictou County since August last on account of the war, as watchmen: Maxwell [Mr. Kyte.l
Brooks, Peter Beck, John Bone, John McDearrnid, Russell Chapman, Clarence McKay, Alfred T. McLeod, James N. Matheson, W. R. Creighton, John A. McLeod, Janies McKenzie, Robert Purvis, William Conn, Wm. Fraser, John Pringle, Harry Forward, John R. McDonald, Eric M. Stranberg, Fred Ludwig, James Austin, John MeViear, Duncan McKenzie, John McCra'e, William McGregor and Howard Robertson.


INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY-UNION STATION CULVERT.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	What was the estimated cost of repairs to the culvert Intercolonial railway near Union station?
2.	What has been the cost of said repairs to date?
3.	Have the repairs been completed?


Mr. COCHRANE:: 1. $8,000.00.
2.	$9,353.07.
3.	No.


ST. PAUL'S ISLAND LIFE SAVING STATION.
Mr. KYTE:: 1.	Did the Department of Marine call for tenders during the year 1914 for certain work or. St. Paul's Island, Cape Breton?
2.	From whom were tenders received, and what was the amount of each tender?
3.	What was the nature of the work?
4.	To whom was the contract awarded?
5.	Were any modifications made as to the time in which the contract was to be completed or changes in any other respect?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Siffroi Robichaud, carpenter and builder, Meteghan Centre, N.S., $3,940; E. C. Doyle, of Arichat, N.S., $9,940; W. S. Thompson, general contractor, Sydney, N.S., $16,175.
3.	Dwelling for superintendent and lifesaving staff.
4.	Siffroi Robichaud.
5.	No modification was made as to the date of completion, but the work was not finished strictly on time. The only modification in the contract was the substitution of a Thompson & Sutherland reliance hot water boiler for the Safford boiler specified. A drawback of $250 is being held to insure satisfactory completion of some trifling details as soon as spring weather admits of advantageous outdoor work.


MR. JOSEPH W. JOHNSTON.
Mr. KYTE:: 1.	Is Joseph W. Johnston an employee of the Department of Railways and Canals in connection with the St. Peters canal improvements?
2.	If so, what are his wages?
3.	How much was he paid for the months of

January, February and March, 1913, January, February, March, April and May, 1914, and January and February, 1915?


Mr. COCHRANE:: 1.	Yes.
2.	$50 per month.
3.-	1913.	1914.	1915.January	.. . . $50	$50	$50February	.... $50	$50	$50March,	.... $50	$50	April	$50	May	$150	$50 $250	$100


MILITARY EQUIPMENT-WATERPROOF GARMENTS.
Mr. GAUTHIER:: 1.	Does the waterproof cloak or cape or other garment make part of the kit or equipment of a member of the active militia?
2.	Did the equipment, kit or furnishings of the members of the first contingent contain any waterproof coat, cloak or other garment to protect the wearer from rain?
3.	Has the waterproof or rainproof cape or cloak been supplied to make part of the kit and equipment of those who have enlisted with the second contingent?
4.	Have the members of the first contingent been supplied with any means of protection against rain?
5.	Have the members of the second contingent been supplied with any waterproof garment or cape?
6.	Is it the intention of the Government to furnish the second and subsequent contingents with any waterproof cloak, cape or other garment as a protection against rain?
7.	Are the soldiers of the Allied armies, and in particular, the army of Great Britain, supplied with a waterproof cape, cloak or other garment as a protection against rain and as a * means of avoiding sickness and discomfort?
8.	Is it true that the department of the British War Office that attends to the furnishing of Clothing, supplies each soldier with a waterproof cape or other garment?
9.	Is the department aware that every commissioned officer is said to have in his equipment a waterproof cape or cloak, and is this cape or cloak supplied by the department or purchased at the expense of the individual officer?
10.	Is it true that long previous to the departure of the first contingent, an offer was made to the Government to furnish at the actual cost of material and labour, a quantity of khaki waterproof cloaks and capes, according to the recognized military pattern, and was this offer accepted or rejected?
11.	Is it the intention of the Department of Militia and Defence to furnish every soldier and non-commissioned officer belonging to the second contingent with a waterproof cloak or cape or some other garment as a protection against the discomfort of rain and wet?
12.	Is it the intention of the Department of Miltia and Defence to remedy the reported error in connection with the equipment of the first contTgent by ordering a quantity of waterproof


REVISED
[Stage Direction]
garments or capes in sufficient numbers to furnish one to each of the members of the first contingent?
13.	Is it the intention of the Government to take proper precautions to protect the health of the troops that are going to the front from the Dominion by furnishing each and every member thereof with a waterproof cloak, cape or other garment?
14.	Did the Department of Militia and Defence receive any complaints from members of the first or second contingents, or from any other citizen, in connection with the failure on the part of the Government to provide the troops with a waterproof cape or other garment?
Major Geneial HUGHES:: I,	2 and 3. No.
4 and 5. Yes, greatcoat.
6.	Nothing beyond greatcoat.
7.	No garment other than greatcoat.
8.	No.
9.	If officers provide waterproof garments, they do so at their own expense.
10.	Offers were made, but rejected.
II.	No; nothing beyond greatcoat, which is considered more serviceable than a waterproof garment.
12.	No; no error is admitted.
13.	It is considered that where there is a choice between greatcoat and waterproof garment, the greatcoat is of much more protection than a waterproof.
14.	No complaints were made by members of the first or second contingents. Some civilians did write, but recommendations were not approved.


MEGANTIC POSTMASTERS.
Mr. PACAUD:: 1.	How many postmasters were there in the county of Megantic on the 10th October, 1911?
2.	How many were dismissed from office since that date, and what are the names of the post offices in which they acted?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	75.
2.	13 postmasters have been dismissed since 10th October, 1911. The names of the post offices with dates of the postmasters' dismissals are as follows: Black Lake, 23rd December, 1911; Coleraine Station, 12th December, 1912; Cranberry, 21st December, 1911; Laurierville, 28th October, 1912; Lourdes, 12th January, 1912; Lyster Station, 29th November, 1911; Plessisville, 10th September, 1912; Plessisville Station, 3rd December, 1912; Pontbriand, 5th November, 1913; Rolbertsonville, 16th September, 1912; St. Desire du Lac Noir, 3rd October, 1912; Thetford Mines, 10th April, 1913; Thetford Mines West, 11th April, 1913.


EDITION
[Stage Direction]
61v

Mr. MAROILE:: 1.	Is the Railway Department aware that a person has been arrested by the Intercolonial Railway police, supposed to be a German spy, having in his possession copies of plans of railway bridges and parts of line?
2.	Does the department propose having an investigation to determine as to how he came into possession of these plans?


Mr. COCHRANE:: 1.	A suspected German spy named Reinhold Riedel was arrested by railway detective near Metapedia and handled over to military authorities at Halifax. He did not have in his possession any maps or plans of railway bridge property.
2.	Answered by No. 1.


FIRST EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
Mr. VERVILLE:: 1.	What was the number of British-born In the first expeditionary forces?
2.	What was the number of English Canadians?
3.	What was the number of French Canadians?
4.	What was the number of professional men?
5.	What was the number of labour men or artisans?


Major General HUGHES:: This information is not yet available in the Militia Department.


THE NATURALIZATION LAW.
Mr. COCKSHUTT:: 1.	Is the naturalization law, passed at last regular session of the House, now in force?
2.	If so, when did it come into operation?
3.	If not now in force, when will it become law?


Mr. DOHERTY:: 1.	Yes.
2.	January 1st, 1915.
3.	Answered by No. 2.


MR. RODRIGUE CHARBONNEAU.
Mr. E. LAPOINTE:: 1. Is the Postmaster General aware that a post office employee at Ste. Agathe des Monts, whose name is Rodrigue Charbonneau, is said to have taken an active part in .the recent by-eiection of Terrebonne?
'	2. What' salary does the said Rodrigue Charbonneau receive?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: There is no person of the name of Rodrigue Charbonneau in the employ of the Post Office Department at Ste. Agathe des Monts.


PICTOU COUNTY MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1. Were tenders called for the mail service between Hopewell and railway station, Pictou county?

2.	Who were the tenderers, and what was the amount of each tender?
3.	To whom was the contract awarded?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Yes, in June, 1912.
2.	H. D. McLeod, at 21 cents per double trip.
3.	H. D. McLeod.


Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	When was the contract for carrying the mail between Chance Harbour and Trenton last awarded?
2.	Who were the tenderers for the same, and what was the amount of each tender?
3.	To whom was the contract awarded?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	On the 8th May, 1914, for a contract which dates from the 1st June, 1914.
2.	James W. Fraser, $195 per annum; D. Cameron, $290 per annum; John W. Fraser, $325 per annum.
3.	James W. Fraser.


Edward Mortimer Macdonald: Who were the tenderers for the existing contract for mail service between Pictou and railway station, and what was the amount of each tender?


Joseph Philippe Baby Casgrain: D. W. English, $780 per annum; Alex. Sarson, $783 per annum; Cliff English, $900 per annum. These tenders were considered too high and the tenderers were given an opportunity to submit lower offers, with the following result: D. W. English, reduced from $7e0 to $730; Alex. Sarson, reduced from $783 to $700; Cliff English, reduced from $900 to $750. An offer was also received from Daniel W. Mc-Kerracher at $690, which, being the lowest, was accepted.


UNOPPOSED MOTIONS FOR PAPERS.
[Stage Direction]
Mr. Macdonald:	For a return showing the
number of ships employed by the Railway Department, the number of men hired on vessels and on shore, and the amount expended for supplies, men and transportation from March 31, 1914, to December 31, 1914, in connection with the Hudson Bay railway expenditures.
Mr. Carroll:	For a cdpy of all letters, telegrams, reports or proceedings and all other documents in connection with the purchase of remounts in the province of Quebec since August 1 last up to and including the recent purchases made in the Eastern Townships by Messrs. Palmer and Pallister.
Mr. Sinclair:	For a copy of all Orders in
Council, - departmental instructions, reports, correspondence, telegrams, evidence and findings in the posession of the Government, or any department thereof, relating to a certain investigation held in British Columbia by Commissioner Davie, who was instructed to inquire into certain charges against the Captain of the dredge Mudlark.	_
Mr. Macdonald:	For a return showing the
names of all applicants for Fenian raid bounty

in the county of Pictou who have not yet been paid their bounty.
Mr. Macdonald:	For a copy of all letters,
papers, telegrams, evidence taken at investigations, reports and all other documents relating to the suspension or other action in regard to the charge of drunkenness against Newton Hopper, conductor on the Intercolonial railway, and to his subquent reinstatement.
Mr. Macdonald:	For a copy of all letters,
papers and other documents relating to the discharge of Dr. John McKenzie as medical doctor to the Indians of Pictou county, and to the appointment of Dr. Keith as his sucessor.
Mr. Kyte:	For a copy of all correspondence,
recommendations, letters and telegrams relating to the appointment of H. W. Ingraham as assistant registrar of alien enemies at Sydney, N.S., and to his dismissal from the said office.
Mr. Marcil:	For a copy of all documents
bearing on the payment made to C. R. Scoles, New Carlisle, Quebec, in July, 1914, of balance of subsidy voted to the Atlantic and Lake Superior railway, on the recommendation of the financial comptroller.
Mr. Michaud:	For a return showing how
much money was collected for customs duties each year for the last five years at Edmundston, Clair Green river and St. Leonard, N.B., respectively, and the salaries paid in reference to the said outports for the same period.
Mr. Macdonald:	For a copy of all letters,
telegrams, papers and other documents in regard. to a proposed rural mail delivery service between Pictou and Saltsprings, Pictou county, and as to the arrangements for the existing service between those points.
Mr. Macdonald:	For a copy of all letters,
telegrams, papers and other documents relating to the mail contract between Chance harbour and Trenton, Pictou county, in regard to the existing contract.
Mr. Copp:	For a return showing the estimated cost of fitting up the works of the Canadian Car and Foundry Company, Limited, at Amherst, N.S., for military purposes ; what rent or other remuneration is being paid, or will be paid, this company for the use of its building ; who are to supply the military provisions, including food for men, coal for heating and cooking, and food and other supplies for horses quartered on these premises, and the prices to be paid for same; if it is true that forms for tendering for such military supplies could only be obtained from the office of the sitting member for Cumberland county, and that in several cases forms of tender were refused to applicants ; if the Government is aware that in the case of the supplying of hay, as alleged, not only were Liberals not allowed to tender for same, but supporters of the Government were informed they would not secure any part of the coiitract, if any of the hay to be supplied was to be purchased from a Liberal.

[Stage Direction]
On the notice of motion for production of papers being called:
Mr. Ross:	For a copy of all letters, telegrams, Orders in Council and other documents in connection with the inquiry conducted by officials of the Department of Customs into allegations that W. T. Patten, of Coutts, Alberta, defrauded the said Department of Customs or did commit a breach of the customs law of Canada.
John Dowsley Reid: It has not been the custom of the depart-
39J
ment to bring down papers of this kind; they are always treated as confidential. The reason for this is that the publication of such documents might have the effect of injuring persons who had committed no breach of the customs law. I would therefore not care to agree to this motion passing, at least without further discussion.


Sir WILFRID LAURIER:: If there is objection to the motion it should be transferred to notices of motion for discussion when it comes up again.


John Dowsley Reid: I have no objection to its
being transferred, if necessary.
Motion transferred to notices of motion. HOUSE OF COMMONS READING ROOM.
On the Orders of the Day being called:


Mr. J. J. HUGHES:: Mr. Speaker, I wish to call your attention to the habit of several members of taking the newspapers on file in the Reading Room to their own rooms and keeping them there, thus depriving other members of their use. It would seem reasonable that members who wish to have the newspapers in their private rooms should subscribe for them; or, if this practice is to be continued, additional copies should be provided so that one copy may at all times remain in the Reading Room. The men in charge of the Reading Room tell me that messengers and pages come there and take away papers, and so the curator does not know where they are. I think some remedy for this grievance should be found.


Mr. SPEAKER:: If no other hon. gentleman desires to' make observations on this subject, I desire to say that I shall take an early opportunity of consulting the curator of the reading room, and endeavour as far as possible to obviate the confusion that seems to have arisen.


Mr. MARCIL:: Perhaps you will permit me to say, Mr. Speaker, that during my term as Speaker this difficulty arose. There is only one remedy, if you will allow me to suggest it, and that is that there should be a copy to remain constantly in the reading room. For, once a paper is removed, you do not know where it is.


FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day being called:
Mr. D. C. ROSS (West Middlesex):: I desire to make an inquiry of the Government with regard to a matter that I consider of very urgent public importance at this time of great need for the conservation

of our food supplies for Canada and the Empire. I refer to the foot and mouth disease which has approached very close to our borders, having reached Detroit. I would like to know' from the Government if every precaution is being taken to avert this great provincial and national disaster.
I would like to inquire further, whether, considering the danger that is threatened, and considering the increased price of cattle and the absolutely inadequate compensation that is made for cattle slaughtered in order to prevent the spread of the disease, it is the intention of the Government at this session to so amend the Act that proper compensation can be made to graziers and farmers whose cattle have to be slaughtered in the public interest and to prevent the spread of the disease?


John Dowsley Reid: The Department of Agriculture are taking every precaution to prevent the foot and mouth disease entering Canada. An extra staff of employees has been placed at all ports of entry, and the head of that branch of the department, Dr. Torrance, is giving the matter special attention with a view to doing everything to prevent this disease entering Canada. As to the latter part of the hon. gentleman's question, that is a matter with which, I suppose, the Minister of Agriculture has been dealing, and in his absence I am not informed on the subject.


Duncan Campbell Ross: In spite of the absence of the Minister of Agriculture, the matter should receive the Government's very prompt and serious attention.


Robert Laird Borden: The Act as it is now on the statute books has been in force, I believe, for many years. The Minister of Agriculture has not brought to my attention any proposal to amend it. However, I shall inform him of what the hon. member has suggested and will ask a report from him in regard to it.
17th BATTALION NOVA SCOTIA HIGHLANDERS.
On the Orders of the Day being called:


Robert Laird Borden: I desire to read to the House some correspondence which I have had with Sir George Perley, Acting High Commissioner, with regard to some statements that have appeared in the press respecting alleged ill-treatment or neglect of the Nova Scotia battalion at Salisbury Plains. After hearing that a Statement had been made, I 
think it was in the Morning Chronicle of Nova Scotia, 1 directed that an abstract be made of the allegations contained in the article and transmitted to Sir George Perley by cable. That was done accordingly in these terms:
Ottawa, February 25, 1915. Perley, Dominion, London.
Halifax Chronicle publishes signed staff correspondence from London alleging Nova Scotians Salisbury brutally treated; Seventeenth Battalion Highlanders used for months as lackeys and scavengers for entire Canal.an encampment; Colonel Struan Robertson relieved his command; left without equipment and boots; crowded like cattle in filthy camp; and left for weeks without qualified medical officer to cope with epidemic of disease;, their condition worse than that of Belgians; also that regiment landed Salisbury without equipment and none received. Please ascertain facts and cable.
Borden.
I received from Sir George Perley the following reply:
London, February 261 1915. Prime Minister, Ottawa.
Without knowing facts personally feel confident Halifax Chronicle statement grossly exaggerated. Do not think from what I have heard that 17th were treated any differently from other Canadians.
Perley.
This morning I received the following: London, March 2, 1915. Prime Minister, Ottawa.
General Alderson informs me Crowell representing Halifax Chronicle called on him about three weeks ago asking questions concerning sanitary conditions at camp and particularly as regards 17th. Alderson gave him a few facts and Crowell then stated he regretted not having seen Alderson before and thought would be advisable for him cable his paper not publish article which he had written and forwarded. Alderson says 17th Battalion was under exactly same conditions as all other units 4th Brigade, that they were not crowded like cattle and were never left without qualified medical officer, that they had six cases meningitis and otherwise their health was very good.
Perley.
I have also this further telegram:
London, March 2, 1915. Prime Minister, Ottawa.
Halifax Chroncle. Colonel Robertson was relieved command 17th Battalion. Have brought article attention Lord Kitchner, who says allegations writer quite untrue, and wonders whether there are any means bringing originator these malicious falsehoods within reach law, as such statements are calculated to have bad effects if not strenuously denied.
Perley.


CANADIANS AT THE FRONT.
[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day being called:
Hon. CHAS. MARCIL:	I desire to ask
the Prime Minister if he has any informa-

tion with regard to the doings and fortunes of the Canadian troops in France. As he
knows, of course, there is naturally a tremendous interest taken in the doings of our boys, and the public would be interested to know if anything further than that which has been published has been received.
Major General HUGHES (Minister of
Militia):	The information at hand is
that the Canadian troops, first, second and third brigades, with the artillerv are in the firing line. We are in receipt from time to time of the casualty li^ts, and these lists are published. Hon. gentlemen can easily understand that it sometimes takes a day or two to get the news accurately, and we do not want to publish it until it is accurate; hut as soon as we get it from the British Government, we first notify the friends of those concerned, and publish it immediately thereafter. If it would be of service, we could have the bulletins sent to the various waiting-rooms of the House of Commons for the information of members. The reports as to the behaviour and conduct of our soldiers under fire are just what we might have expected. On every occasion they have borne themselves as became the country whence they came. And, without boasting, I may say that the firing of the Canadians was most accurate and well-sustained.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day oeing called:
Edward Mortimer Macdonald: Can the Minister of Finance tell us when the taxes which are to be collected by stamps are to come into force ? In his Budget speech he made a distinction between certain classes of stamp duties, one class to apply immediately, that is, on 12th February, and the others coming into effect on a day to be fixed in the Act. I should like to know to what articles this last clause of the resolution is to apply, and whether stamps have been issued in connection with any of the articles, and if so, which ones?


Hon. W. T. WHITE (Minister of Finance):: It is impossible at present to fix the date on which the stamp taxes will come into effect, because the Bill has not yet been passed by Parliament. My hon. friend understands that it has been the practice in the past for customs duties to come into effect at once,, and the Bill which will be subsequently passed so enacts. All commodities brought into Canada being under the control of the Customs, it is quite possible to enforce the law from the date of the Budget speech. But the case is different in regard to stamp taxes, and it is my intention to specify in the Bill the date on which they shall come into effect. My recollection is that in the Budget speech I stated that the stamp taxes on wines would come into effect at once. The stamp taxes upon other commodities, such as patent medicines, and the additional taxation upon letters, post cards and other documents will come into effect upon a date of which we shall give ample notice, and which will be mentioned in the Bill that will be introduced after the resolutions have been approved.


THE BUDGET.
[Stage Direction]
Consideration of the proposed motion of Hon. W. T. White (Minister of Finance) for Committee of Ways and Means resumed from March 2.
Mr. II. II. STEVENS (Vancouver)-resuming) :	Mr. Speaker, when the House
adjourned last night I was seeking to demonstrate that the arguments of hon. gentlemen opposite, that this was not a. war budget and that the necessity for its introduction was due to the failure of the Government to properly carry on the Administration, were entirely fallacious, and I think the argument which I presented last night amply demonstrated that. But in order to make the point clear once more, I will remind the House of one or two things.
Hon. gentlemen opposite say that the condition which obtains in this country today is not due to the war, hut to internal conditions. I suggested last night, and I shall do so again to-day, that the condition which obtains in Canada to-day is directly attributable to the war. The lack of shipping, the absolute stoppage of borrowing on the part of municipalities and provinces and industries, the cessation of building on account of lack of funds, the stoppage of railway development largely because it was impossible to get the money to carry on the great undertakings which had been under way for some.years, and impossible to get the money to complete them, all these things had a direct- effect upon the industries of the country, and especially on the steel industry. One thing which demonstrates that beyond all possibility of controversion is the closing of the stock exchanges throughout the world. If the war had nothing to do
[Stage Direction]
with commercial conditions in Canada or on this continent, then I ask why did the great stock exchanges of the world close the day before war was declared, or on that particular day, or the day after, as the case may be, and stay closed for many months afterwards? And to this day the stock exchanges are controlling the minimum prices of, stock. And not only that, ibut all stocks in Canada and throughout the civilized world have suffered a serious reduction in value; and we know very well that with the exception of the leacang ones, stocks are unsaleable to-day from no other reason than the outbreak of war. Another argument I wish to suggest is this: Immediately after the outbreak of war, the United States, which is an absolutely neutral country, called s special session of Congress and brought down a special war budget of $100,000,000 to supplement the revenue of that country, which toad suffered because of the outbreak of war and the consequent disruption of traffic and trade in that country. If it was necessary for a special budget of $100,000,000 to be brought down by the United States, a neutral country which of all countries in the world might calculate to profit by this war, surely it is not unreasonable for this Government to bring down a measure for the purpose of supplementing the falling revenues of this country, and which fall is directly attributable to the war.
It is claimed that this is not a war budget. The hon. member for St. John (Mr. Pugs-ley) said yesterday that not one-half of the revenue to be raised by this Budget would be expended. In other words, they quarrel with the extravagance of the Government, and then they quarrel with the Government because the revenue to. be collected will not be expended. Now, if this revenue will not be expended on the general business of the country as provided for in the Estimates, it stands to reason that there will be a very large surplus, and according to the toon, member foT St. John that surplus on current account will amount at the end of the present fiscal year to about $50,000,000 or $60,000,000. If we have such a surplus, it will undoubtedly be applied to the war expenses of this country. So that that argument of the hon. member for St. John falls to ground. The Government has also been strongly attacked in connection with the British preference. We have been charged with disloyalty. To quote the words of the hon. member for Assiniboia (Mr. Turriff)-and I should hesitate to use

such language on my own responsibility- they say to us:
For God's sake, keep your unholy and disloyal hands off the British preference.
That was a pretty strong statement for the hon. gentleman to make. Now what are we doing? The statute provides that the British preference shall be 33 per cent below the ordinary tariff, and the Minister of Finance is simply carrying out the mandate in that statute. He is doing what is right, what is reasonable and fair, and I do not think it lies with hon. gentlemen opposite to reflect upon the loyalty of this Government or upon the loyalty of its supporters because the British preference has been increased.
The hon. member for St. John made another argument yesterday in connection with the French convention. You will remember, Mr. Speaker, that he drew a very vivid picture of the ladies dressed in silks and satins and of the poor dressed in linen and cotton. He made a particular point of that, and drew a very vivid picture of the sufferings of the poor. His argument was that the Minister of Finance is exempting silks and velvets and other articles of that kind because he is compelled to do so by the French convention. But in his next breath the hon. member for St. John criticised the Minister of Finance for imposing a tax on wines from France, and he asked if the minister had any right to do that. He stated that we were increasing the tax on sparkling wines, which are mainly the product of France by 1,000 per cent, or from 15 cents, as provided by the French convention to $1.50. Now there is no consistency in an argument of that kind. In my opinion it is but a demonstration of the insincerity of the charges made by hon. gentlemen opposite during this debate.
George Perry Graham: Will my hon. friend
allow me a word in the absence of my hon. friend the member for St. John? His argument was not along that line. He argued that the Government was not maintaining the spirit of the French treaty. He was not against the tax on wanes, but against the violation of the treaty with France.


Mr. STEVENS:: I will read his own words. I do not wish to misquote any one, but my memory is fairly good on these points. I am sorry, by th-e way, that the hon. member for St. John is not in his seat to answer for himself. His words are as follows.


An hon. MEMBER:: Look for the squid.


Henry Herbert Stevens: Yes, I might say on that point that the hon. gentleman made another error in regard to squid, which he considered to be fertilizer whereas they are bait, and which does not appear in Hansard. This is a very convenient way of eliminating an error of -that kind. The hon. member for St. John said yesterday:
And while I am upon the French convention, let me ash my hon. friend if he thinks that he is entirely within his powers in imposing an additional stamp tax upon wine which comes from France and upon which, under the French convention, a specific duty has been imposed. Take wine of the fresh grape, not a strong wine; a specific duty is payable upon that under the French convention, under schedule C. It does not come under schedule B but under C and a specific duty is imposed upon it. You have raised the duty upon that by reason of this stamp tax 100 per cent. Have you the right to do it? You will say you have, because you will say that this is an Inland Revenue tax that you are putting on. Well, now, is it within the spirit of the French convention.
The object of the remarks of the hon. member for St. John was to criticise and condemn the Government because they had observed -the terms of the French Treaty in exempting silks, velvets and other articles of that kind,, which they were compelled to do. He sought to condemn the Government on the ground of making the taxation -boar heavily on the poor instead of the rich. He did not argue anything in connection with the French Treaty that brought forth that statement, but it was a statement calculated to condemn the Government for something -they had no control over. I am, therefore, I think, quite within nw rights when I say with all respect to the hon. gentleman that -this demonstrates the insincerity of his argument.
A great deal has been said in regard to the farmers, and we have heard the argument that this new tax will bear heavily upon them. As far as the West is concerned, and I have resided there for over twenty years, the farmers are quite willing to bear their share of taxation. I do not believe that- they' would thank any hon. member of this House to represent them as desiring to -be immune, or to -be relieved, from their fair share of taxation. There is no other class or industry in Canada which will benefit so much as the farming industry. My Rt. hon. friend the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Borden) stated clearly on Monday that it was no-t -the intention of the Government to penalize the farmers by establishing a fixed price for their products at this time. He stated that they were going to have the right to -get the fair market prices of their products which at present are very
favourable. Why should the farmers not be willing, as I believe they are willing, to bear their just and fair share of taxation of this kind ?
Another argument advanced yesterday was in connection with the duty on coal. It was -stated that this Government let anthracite coal in free and taxed bituminous coal. It was also stated, in error, that -bituminous coal was the coal of the poor people. As a matter of fact, the bulk of bituminous coal imported into
4 p.m. Canada is used by -the -railways and large concerns for steam purposes, and is not used by the poor people -at all. According to the hon. gentleman the importation last year of bituminous coal was $15,000,000, and of anthracite, $22,000,000. If these figures are correct, who consumes $22,000,000 worth of coal ? My hon. friend would leave the impression on the House and in the minds of the people that -this coal was consumed only by the rich, whereas, -as a matter of fact, it is well known that anthracite coal is the coal of the householder throughout the length and breadth of eastern Canada, and that soft coal is the coal of the rich corporations who are ready and willing, I believe, to bear their just share of taxation.
I pointed out in connection with the increases yesterday that they were quite justifiable. I desire for a moment now to examine some of the decreases in the present Estimates on which a considerable reflection has been cast, and to show that the Government is doing its utmost to meet the situation with which it is faced at the present time. I remember that when the hon. junior member for Halifax (Mr. Maclean) made his very able speech here a week ago, he criticised the Government in connection with the large expenditure for legislation. We find a reduction in the expenditure for legislation of $156,000, and a reduction in the expenditure for immigration of $263,000. Let me pause at this item for a moment. It has been claimed by hon. gentlemen opposite that the expenditure for immigration might be largely cut off. They say that immigration has - fallen off, and that therefore this expenditure should be reduced to a very small amount. With that I do not agree at all, because it Is utterly impossible to . secure an organization, such as we have in connection with immigration, then discharge the members of that organization, and be able within a year or two to get them together again. There is another reason why it would be unwise to disorganize the immigration system, and it is that the immigration


Mr. MICHAEL CLARK:: Hear, hear.


Henry Herbert Stevens: the year 1913, was $1,625,500,000, which is a very substantial revenue. From direct taxation they get $125,500,000; customs and excise $336,000,000; stamp duties $110,000,000; state monopolies $482,000,000, most of which comes from the sale of spirits-$418,-000,000-; and telegraphs and post offices, $58,000,000. Let me pause to call your attention to the great revolution recently brought about in Russia. Not long ago, by a stroke of the pen, the Czar of Russia wiped out the liquor traffic of that country. This was to apply to the period of mobilization and was designed to protect the troops while mobilizing. The reform was found to work successfully, and the Czar extended the time to the termination of the war. Seeing that this worked better still and that it was received by the people with very great approval, he issued a third proclamation making the abolition of the liquor traffic in Russia a permanent reform, though it meant a direct sacrifice to the Crown of Russia of a revenue of no loss than $418,000,000. This enormous sum will have to be made up by other forms of taxation. So far as we can learn, the people of Russia appreciate very highly the action oi their Emperor in this matter. From State domains Russia receives a revenue of $502,000,000, made up of rents, $17,000,000, forests $46,000,000, and railways $363,000,000. Again I pause for a moment to call attention to the fact that Russia, which has been looked upon as the most' backward of modern civilized countries, receives this revenue of over five hundred millions from State domains, including national railways. Her forests gave a clear profit of $29,000,000, and railways, of which they have 46,000 miles, 36,000 being government-owned, gave them a revenue of $363,000,000. Of course the expenditure on railways was almost as much as the revenue, but they do not undertake to make a gieat profit on the operation of their railways. We find also that Russia is not so far behind when we come to examine the nature of its governmental system. The debt of Russia in 1913 -was $4,425,000,000, the interest on that debt being $202,000,000. The expenditures included $320,000,000 on railways, which left a profit of about $40,000,000. These figures may not have a direct bearing upon the argument I wish to present a little later, but I submit them for the information of the House and in order to inspire in the minds of hon. gentlemen opposite and of the Government a belief in the possibilities of Russia as a new 
market for this country. Let me quote some figures as to agricultural production in Russia. These figures are for the year 1912, which is the latest year for which I could secure accurate information:
Bushels.
Wheat	 888,000,000
Oats	 1,022,000 000
Rye	  1,086,500*000
Barley	 495,000,000
Other grains	 350,000,000
Total	 3,841,500,000
These are gigantic figures. They demonstrate that, for one thing, we cannot hope to find a great market in Russia for the export of agricultural products, and we might as well accept that fact, because Russia is a large exporter. Russia has a great area under cultivation,-256,000,000 acres in cereals; 11,000,000 acres in potatoes;
95,000,000 acres in meadows; 97,000,000 acres grazing lands; and area of forest of merchantable character, 1,200,000,000 acres. This gives us an idea of the vast extent of that country and its possibilities.
I shall not weary the House with further figures concerning production, but will deal briefly with the question of Russia's commerce. The exports of Russia in 1913, were from European ports $791,500,000, and from Asiatic ports, principally Vladivostock and other ports of the North Pacific Ocean, $81,000,000; total, $872,500,000. These European ports offer us a great opportunity for the exports of our machinery to Russia. Formerly, a large portion of the trade with Russia was carried on by Germany, but that trade has been shattered and will not be re-established for many years, if ever. That trade is open to the manufacturers of eastern Canada, and offers an enormous market immediately at the close of the war. Yes, and possibly before the close of the war, because our splendid battleships are at this moment hammering at the gates of the Dardanelles with bright prospects of breaking their way through to the Black Sea at an early day. As to the exports from the Asiatic ports, that more particularly pertains to our Pacific coast. The imports by Russia via European ports were $658,000,000, and by Asiatic ports $48,000,000, or a total of $706,000,000. Thus we see that the grand total of Russia's foreign trade is $1,178,500,000. This is more than double what that trade was in 1900, when it was only $749,500,000. This offers to Canada the brightest prospect of a market of any country in the world to-day, especially in view of the friendly sentiment that now exists which will lead to a willingness

to enter into negotiations for trade with us.
Let me examine for a moment the classification of this trade. As to exports, foodstuffs and raw and half-manufactured articles make up the bulk, an ' with this I shall not deal. But among the imports we find that raw and half-manufactured articles amount to $300,000,000. Manufactures amount to $227,000,000, including the following items:	Machinery, $82,000,000;
miscellaneous manufactures, $50,000,000, and semi-manufactured and raw metals, such as copper, lead, zinc and silver, $25,000,000. In these items we have a splendid opening for Canada. They have a large quantity of iron in Russia, and I do not expect that we shall be able to export to them iron ore. But for our lead mines in the West, for our silver mines, now lying idle for fifteen years, for our zinc mines which have been unproductive, tnere is a splendid opportunity. Russia imports $20,000,000 worth of fish for the supply mainly of the inland population. This offers a splendid opportunity for the export of fish from both the eastern and western seaboards of Canada.
I turn now to an examination of the sources of these imports. Russia imported from Germany $320,000,000 worth; from the United Kingdom, $85,000,000; from the United States, $37,000,000; from France, $25,000,000. In respect of other countries the figures are smaller. It will be observed that nearly all these exports to Russia came from Germany, amounting to $320,000,000, and consisting of manufactured articles, we have an opportunity of getting a substantial share of this trade, and I hope that the Minister of Trade and Commerce, the Government and this House will give some attention to the possibilities of trade expansion which exist in this respect, We can supply Russia with agricultural implements; Great Britain can supply her with woollens and cottons. I believe that a bright future is in store for the woollen trade of Canada if some attention is paid to it. Years ago large numbers of sheep were raised throughout Canada and large quantities of wool were produced. I have not the figures before me, but I think I am safe in saying that to-day we produce only one-tenth of the amount of the wool we produced in 1900. This is not as it should be. Our country is highly suitable to the production of wool, which, together with iron, is one of the great staple products in the world's market. The success of British trade and commerce many
centuries ago was based upon the production of wool; later iron and steel played an important part in the expansion of that commerce. In the matter of the production of wool splendid opportunities are open to Canada, and I urge upon the Government the advisability of giving this important industry some attention. I would cheerfully support putting back in the Estimates of the Trade and Commerce Department that sum of $1,900,000 for the purpose of examining into the possibilities of some of the industries and opportunities of trade which 1 have mentioned.
In the cities and commercial centres of Russia a great demand exists for the metals which I have named-lead, zinc, silver-in semi-manufactured form. In Western Canada-and in some parts of the East, but particularly in my own province-we produce large quantities of copper. That copper is sent in raw or semi-raw. condition in the form of mats to the United States, where it is manufactured into copper wire and other products of that nature. Copper is a product which enters largely into the manufacture of many articles and I would urge upon the Government the advisability of looking also into the possibilities of Canada's copper trade. In the Cobalt district we have the world's supply of nickel. This product, which we have a right to look upon as the peculiar heritage of-Canada, should be developed by the people of Canada. Nickel, copper, iron ore-these industries are capable of vast development; the market is at our very door, as it were.
I understand that our Canadian steel factories are inactive to-day because of lack of demand for their products. Railway building has ceased; our railways cannot get money to extend or complete their lines and the result is a falling off in the demand for steel rails. But in the vast stretches of Russia in a few years railway mileage will be completed to such an extent as to exceed the activities of the United States or Canada in that respect during the last half century. A few years ago we looked upon Siberia as a barren waste. So did we look upon the vast Canadian Northwest. We were wont to think that only a narrow' fringe of land along the boundary line was capable of profitable cultivation; now we find that we can grow wheat a thousand miles north of the boundary line. Siberia is to-day producing millions of bushels of wheat; Russian railway lines will have to be extended into new' districts and new ter-

protest, and only one objection, and that was to the method of administration of the patent medicine tax. I am of the opinion that even that tax will be administered in such a way as to give satisfaction to the patent medicine industry. They did not object to the tax, but to the method in which it has to be imposed.


George Perry Graham: Did they not think it
was a little too high? .


Henry Herbert Stevens: In most cases when any tax is imposed on men they will say it is too high, even if it is only one cent in a thousand dollars. The fact remains that the country has received this Budget with greater satisfaction and with greater expressions of patriotism than I have ever seen accorded any Budget in the history of Canada, and I think the Minister of Finance deserves great credit for its introduction.


Mr. A. B. McCOIG (West Kent):: Mr. Speaker, in rising to say a few words on the Budget presented by the Minister of Finance a few days ago, I cannot quite agree with the hon. gentleman who has just sat down (Mr. Stevens), for I have received a number of complaints from my constituency. I was very glad to hear the hon. gentleman pointing out to the agriculturists of this country the great possibilities of future trade with Russia and other countries. If we are to receive from these countries the great benefits that the hon. gentleman points out, I know that the members on this side of the House and the people throughout the length and breadth of Canada will all rejoice.
As the Postmaster General has just come in, I should like to direct his attention for a moment to some of the rural mail routes that have been established in the county of Kent. I believe that every route that has been established there has met with the approval of the people of that county. In the section comprising the townships of Raleigh, Tilbury East and Romney and the villages of Merlin and Wheatley, upon the Pere-Marquette railway, a number of routes have been established. The Pere-Marquette railway has a contract from the Government for carrying the mail to these villages, and up to a short time ago has given an extraordinarily good service. The people in that section were able to get in the forenoon the London morning papers, as well as the Toronto papers, which have received hundreds of applications from subscribers. But

now the morning service from London has been discontinued, and the people are un able to get the Toronto papers until the next day. This, and the delay in getting their mail, has caused great inconvenience to them, and they are also inconvenienced by being unable to reach Chatham in any reasonable time in the forenoon. I am sure that the people in that section of the country, who have hitherto received a splendid mail service, would be very grateful if the Postmaster General would give this matter ibis immediate attention. If he cannot force the railway to give this service, I feel satisfied that an appeal to the Railway Commission would result in the train be;ng again put on, and the people in that part of the country would then be able to get their mail and papers in good time. The people in the vicinity of the International Harvester Wagon Works and Com-hill's brickyard in Chatham township have also made an appeal for better mail service. There are more than sufficient men there to make up a village, but at present they do not care to come within the city limits of Chatham. But they are anxious for a better mail service and have asked for a post office. There is no mail delivery from the city and no rural mail route. The men have to walk a mile or two to the. city post office to get their mail, and would greatly appreciate the post office they are asking for. I know the expense would be very small, and the mail carriers we have in the Chatham post office could take the mail to this particular point, where there is a store and a butcher shop doing a good business. The mechanics employed by the Harvester Company and Cornhill's brickyard could in that way get their mail, and the cost of the service to the Government would be very reasonable. If the hon. gentleman will give this matter his attention I am sure he will find that the cost will be small, and I have no doubt that he will grant the request and give these people a satisfactory mail service.
As I was saying, the hon. gentleman who has just sat down has spoken of the great possibilities of trade with the allied nations with whom we are battling shoulder to shoulder at the present time. I regret that the Minister of Agriculture is not in his seat, but I know that the Government will draw his attention to any remarks that they may think worthy of his consideration. I have here a pamphlet printed under the authority of the Minister of Agriculture giving the opinions of the different provincial ministers of agriculture throughout

Canada as to the duty of the farmers of this country at the present time.
Let me first read what the Hon. James Duff Minister of Agriculture in the Ontario Government, says:
X hold that the man who joins in the effort to keep up an adequate supply of foodstuffs in time of war is rendering service to his country only second to that being rendered by the man on the firing line.
Hon. George Lawrence, Minister of Agriculture for Manitoba, says:
Gentlemen, the faces of the nation are turned towards you. All eyes are expectantly upon you ; for at such a time the Master of the Soil is the master of National Fate. War has a rapacious appetite, and great quantities of food are required not only while actual hostilities endure but long afterward while the consequent waste is felt.
Hon. W. R. Motherwell, Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan, says:
Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, Great Britain, all these countries in normal times, produce only a portion of their own foodstuffs, and Belgium is principally a manufacturing country. Therefore, we may well ask ourselves : "Who is going to feed the world?" and what greater part can we play than we are playing in providing supplies for the front, and thus further, and to the utmost, assist our struggling armies until victory crowns their efforts in this terrible conflict.
Addressing the farmers of New Brunswick, the Minister of Agriculture for that province says:
To the farmers of New Brunswick, this presents an opportunity, not only for patriotism, but for future profit to themselves, by placing them in a position to supply a market that will be open for a long time to come.
I am glad, in this way, to appeal to the agricultural classes of New Brunswick to unite with those who have in ways that are more apparent, gone to the service of the Empire, and lend themselves to the cultivation of the large acreage in this province which has heretofore not been utilized in this way.
In a public address delivered at the Sherbrooke fair, the Hon. Mr. Caron, Minister of Agriculture for Quebec, spoke about war and agriculture:
He stated that the time was particularly well chosen for helping educational work in agriculture. Never perhaps for the last forty years had the farmers such an opportunity as the present one, and it is to be hoped that they would all strive to increase production, not only in their own interest but also out of their loyalty to our country and our Mother Country. He also spoke of the gift of cheese made by the province of Quebec and stated that the Prime Minister had been told in England that the Allies would surely be victorious if there was no shortage of food.
As the hon. member for St. John (Mr. Pugsley) says, this is not a time for us to put a high tax upon fertilizers, which are so
necessary to the agricultural producers of this country. The Hon. Mr. Burrell states in this book that wherever we find a country producing more products at the present time than it formerly did, it is because that country is farming on advanced lines and utilizing fertilizers to a great extent. During my visit to my home on Saturday list I had a call from a gentleman who had placed his order for four tons of fertilizer in the latter part of last fall, and who had purchased a drill to put the fertilizer upon the land. If he were purchasing the fertilizer and drill to-day it would cost him $20 more than he had to pay last fall. He appealed to me to ask the Government, if they were unable to give the farmers the fertilizer in its manufactured state without any tariff against it, to do the next best thing and give them the materials which are used in the manufacture of fertilizer, so that they would be able to mix these materials themselves and get the results which are expected of the farmers by the people of Canada at the present time. In the province of Ontario it is estimated that an extra 100,000 acres of fall wheat were sown last fall. If that is the case, there will be 100,000 less acres to be sown with other grains during the coming spring. As my hon. friend from West Middlesex (Mr. Ross) said, we have at the threshold of our country the Foot and Mouth disease. This has prevented the sale of many of our cattle in the American market. It has had a tendency to throw upon the markets of Canada many cattle, and has greatly reduced the price of beef in all the great centres. There have been many farmers who have been unable to dispose of their cattle, and they will require pasture for them during next season. They will have to reserve for pasture the land that they had expected to break and sow to grain crops in order to pasture their stock. That again will reduce the acreage, not only in Ontario, but throughout Canada. This stock has to be fed, because it cannot be marketed at a profitable price. You will therefore appreciate the great importance of giving the farmers every assistance to procure their fertilizers at a reduced price, or at such a price as will enable them to respond to the appeal for greater production. I believe that the farmers of Ontario, who are as far advanced in agriculture as are the farmers in any part of the world, would prefer that the Government, instead of sending out lecturers to tell them what to do and how to do it, should take the money

which is being expended upon these men in the way of salary and expenses and expend it in the way of giving them assistance to produce larger crops. I feel satisfied that if this were done it would meet with general approval, and I am. saying this by way of appeal to the Government to do what they can along this particular line.
Now, let us go a little further. The farmer is unable to produce what is expected of him, but what does he find confronting him? When the farmer goes to buy the implements that are required by him to enable him to successfully work his farm, he is met by an increased tariff of per .cent, which he has to pay in addition to the tariff rate that he formerly had to pay. I read in Hansard that the hon. member for Brantford (Mr. Cockshutt), in reply to my hon. friend from Medicine Hat (Mr. Buchanan), said:
So far as our firm is concerned, there is no truth in that report of an increase. It has been decided by the firm that prices shall remain just as they have been.
We also read in the Press reports about the right hon. the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Borden) saying very complimentary things about the hon. member for Brantford and expressing gratification that his company had not seen fit to increase the prices of their goods. Notwithstanding the fact that the hon. member for Brantford has made that statement, I say that their prices have been advanced as between 1914 and 1915 as follows: Ontario footlift gang plough, advanced $1; Ontario footlift sulky plough, advanced $2; Walking Maple Leaf gang plough, advanced $1; Maple Leaf wide bottom plough, advanced $1; 12 different walking ploughs: 9 advanced 5 per cent; 2 the same; 1 advanced 10 per cent.
This is not hearsay. I am not trying to mislead the House. If the hon. member for Brantford were in his seat I am prepared to produce to him the private and confidential wholesale price lists 5 p.m. of 1914 and 1915 copies of which I have. They are not the only manufacturers who are advancing their prices. There is not one manufacturer making agricultural implements but has advanced his prices and again I think I can give you the extent to which they have been advanced. The manufacturers have announced that there will be an advance of 5 per cent on the first of May of this present year which is not sixty days hence. I say without fear of contradiction that the manufacturers of this country have ad-
[Mr. McCoig.l
vanced the prices of agricultural implements which are so badly needed by the farmers to produce larger crops. Not only have they advanced the prices 5 per cent but they have reduced the allowances formerly made to the men who handle their goods and I can speak with authority on this subject because I am connected with a firm handling agricultural implements. The concessions that were made on large quantities and the assistance that was given in the way of setting up implements and ware-room rentals are all cut off. If my hon. friend the Minister of Finance and my right hon. friend the Prime Minister, question my statement they can appoint a commission and have representatives of the manufacturers and the agricultural implement dealers brought before them in Ottawa and any statement I will make will be borne out on oath. That is the position in which the farmer is placed when the Minister of Agriculture asks him to produce more and when the cry of patriotism and production is heard throughout the land. The Government have placed a barrier against the farmer as far as fertilizers and agricultural implements are concerned.
In the counties of Essex and Kent we are under a greater burden than possibly the farmers in any other county in Ontario. In the first place we have a large variety of crops. We have the tobacco crop, the bean crop, the sugar beet crop and the corn crop, and each necessitates the purchase of special implements which in many cases are not manufactured in this country. To carry on these lines of farming successfully it is necessary that these implements should be brought in by the other side. Therefore, in that part of the country we are handicapped to a very large extent by the increased tariff which has been imposed against these implements. On almost every one of these machines there is a fertilizer attachment to enable fertilizers to be properly and economically placed upon the land in order that a larger crop may be secured. Corn planters with fertilizer attachments are brought in mostly from the other side because they are not manufactured in Canada. Tobacco planters are brought in from the other side and sugar beet planters, possibly with one exception are brought in from the other side. Corn binders, with some exceptions, are brought in from the other side, and the duty on them should remain at the same rate at which it was prior to 1915. Grain binders remain at the same price. Those

machines, however, which have to be brought in and used by farmers who wish to be successful, have all been increased in price. If this increase of 5 per cent, which has already been announced, and which the different manufacturers in Canada have agreed upon, comes into effect on the first day of May-and every agent representing the different companies are soliciting orders asking that they be given by the farmers before the price is increased -it will be a greater hardship upon the farmers of Essex and Kent than upon the farmers of any other county, because they are in the corn belt.


Mr. J. E. ARMSTRONG:: In regard to the information that the hon. member has given the House as to the price charged by the manufacturers being in excess of what it was last year, was not that price issued previous to the delivery of the Budget speech?


Archibald Blake McCoig: The 1914 list was issued in the month of January, and the 1915 list was also issued in the month of January. I am not stating this of myself; but the farmers are saying that the manufacturers were farsighted enough to see that the tariff was going to be increased, and they arranged the prices accordingly so that they might be ready for the game. That is what the Government will be accused of, if it does not take some action to see that a fair deal is given to the users of these machines.
Shredders and corn huskers are manufactured exclusively in the United States. These shredders and huskers are used by farmers' associations throughout all sections of the southwestern part of Ontario. Five per cent on a $300 husker and shredder will be an addition of at least $15 on an article that is not manufactured in Canada, and that does not give employment to one labouring man in this country, although it is used so extensively by the farmers, and enables them to carry on their corn-raising business successfully. The large corn belt of the Dominion is in the counties of Kent and Essex. The farmers are not complaining because no duty was put upon corn, but they contend that the implements required to harvest and finish the crop should be allowed to come in without an increase of duty, especially as they are not manufactured in this country.
In my constituency there are hundreds of horses for which we cannot find a market to-day. When the British and: French Governments sent their representatives here, the Canadian Government asked them to leave the Canadian market foT them to 40
purchase horses in. If that is the case, it has proved very unfair to the horse-raisers of this country, because they are to-day able to supply ten times the demand that -there will be from the Canadian Government for horses for army purposes. We find also the Government prohibiting the exportation of horses into the United States. If the exportation of horses fit for army purposes had not been prohibited, we would have been able to send our horses across the border and would have found a market with the British and French buyers, if the maximum is, as I hear it is, $217. I am ready for correction, if that is not the maximum price. If it is, we could send our horses into the United States and pay the $10 tax and supply a large proportion of horses for the British and French Governments. I understand that the maximum price in Canada is $175.


Mr. SCHAFFNER:: That is not the case in Manitoba.


Archibald Blake McCoig: When Sir Adam Beck was at Chatham, he was shown a team supposed to be worth $400, and he said he could not purchase it as the maximum price was $175.


Frederick Laurence Schaffner: I have known of horses being sold as high as $200. The horses were bought for what they were worth and not according to any maximum price.


Archibald Blake McCoig: The hon. gentleman for North Oxford (Mr. Nesbitt) says that the same statement was made in Oxford county. Sir Adam Beck would have no object in making a statement that was not absolutely true.


Frederick Laurence Schaffner: It is not true in Manitoba.


Archibald Blake McCoig: I am telling you what is
true in Ontario, which is largely devoted to horse-raising. So far as the services of Sir Adam Beck are concerned, he did the best he possibly could in selecting horses in the county of Kent. Some of the men whom he had given him by the Government did not give to the Department of Militia the satisfaction that they should have given in making the selection of horses. It was a great mistake on the part of the Government to have incompetent men buying horses for the Department of Militia. It was a great mistake that the hon. member for Kings, N. S., (Mr. de Witt Foster) was allowed to purchase horses for tne Miliua Department, lue hon. gentleman has the patronage of his riding. He chooses his veterinary surgeon, and he goes into a province like Nova Scotia



where ha is well acquainted; and if the veterinary does not buy horses from the friends of the hon. gentleman, the chances are that he will be dismissed. By a return brought down the other day we were informed that the hon. member for Kings, N.S., purchased 428 horses, and, I think, 224 of them were purchased in his own riding. In other words, out of his own riding, he purchased more than half of the horses bought in the province of Nova Scotia. It has not been successfully contradicted, that a number of the horses purchased in Nova Scotia died on the train on their way to Valcartier. 1 have heard the statement made-and I do not think it has been contradicted-that at Halifax one of the horses was 30 years of age and died on the camp ground after it Ih ad been there for only a few days. If that is the case, it will do a great deal to damage the reputation of the horse industry of the Dominion of Canada, when members of Parliament are allowed to take their own veterinary surgeon, to go into a province and purchase horses. I understand that over 400 of the horses were rejected and were sold for a little over $50 apiece. What chance have the farmers to build up a horse industry in Canada so that they will be able to find a market in the other countries of the world, such as those mentioned by the hon. member for Vancouver (Mr. Stevens)?. The Agricultural Department, in the pamphlets sent out encouraging horse-raising in Canada, offer this, that and the other thing to farmers who will raise horses. Not later than last Saturday a farmer said to me, " If you expect us to raise horses, we want you to explain one thing." I asked the farmer what that was. He said: "What contract does the Government give to a company in Montreal under which they lease thousands of acres of land at a very small rental?" I was not sure of the facts, but I have since got the contract, and here it is. It gives a lease of sixty-five thousand one hundred and twenty acres for a period of twenty-one years. The contract provides:
And in consideration of the lease of said land to it, the Exchange has agreed to pay an annual rental of two cents an acre for the same; and has agreed that the Government of Canada shall have the right of pre-emption in respect to all horses raised by said Exchange on said land; and has agreed to hold and mature, until they have respectively attained the age of three years and six months, such of the horses as the Minister of Militia, in pursuance of said pre-emption right, may desire to purchase for military purposes, and which he may have selected before such horses have respectively attained the age of three years. The prices to

be paid by the Militia Department for such horses are not to exceed two hundred and fifty dollars per animal on the range.
Now, if the National Live Stock Exchange is granted thousands of acres of lands belonging to the people of Canada at a rental of two cents an acre and are guaranteed by this Government the price of $250 for each of their horses, what chance has the farmer on the back concessions who is engaged in raising horses on land for which he pays $100 an acre, besides taxes, and taxes on top of that for fertilizer, implements and everything else? Is there any show for the farmer making anything along these lines when the maximum price paid him by the Government for a horse for military purposes is $175, and these people are getting $250 for a horse which probably is inferior to an Ontario-bred horse?
Mr. SAM. SHARPE:	Does not the contract say that the price is not to exceed $250? It is not a guaranteed price.


Archibald Blake McCoig: The hon. gentleman is right.


Joseph Elijah Armstrong: Will the hon. gentleman say where the land is located?


Archibald Blake McCoig: I have not taken up the
time of the House with reading the numbers of the different ranges and townships. If the hon. gentleman will move for it, no doubt he can get a copy of the contract.
. Mr. J. E. ARMSTRONG: The land is outside of civilization.


Archibald Blake McCoig: One would hardly suppose that it was in the city of Calgary. But it is presumably good pasture and well suited for the purpose of raising horses.


Frederick Laurence Schaffner: What is the usual
price for land for grazing purposes in the prairie provinces?


Archibald Blake McCoig: I have not such an abundance of information that I can answer the hon. gentleman. I have not been in Alberta. If the hon. gentleman, who is from the West, does not know the price, he can hardly expect an Ontario man to know.


Frederick Laurence Schaffner: I think the hon. gentleman will find it very far from two cents an acre.


Archibald Blake McCoig: Now, if hon. gentlemen
opposite have any intelligent questions to ask me I will try to answer them.


Frederick Laurence Schaffner: It is to be hoped the hon. gentleman will answer others better than he has answered those already asked him. .


Archibald Blake McCoig: We have heard from the hon. gentleman before. It seems to me it is hardly encouraging for the horse-breeders of this country that, at this particular season of the year, just when we should be considering the class and quality of horses we shall breed for another year, to have this competition brought in against this industry from which we in Ontario have tried to make some money and of which we have been proud. Now, let me go further.


Mr. WILCOX:: Before the hon. gentleman leaves that point: Is it not true that under the agreement to which he has alluded the Minister of Militia is not bound to take the horses, but only has the right to take them if he needs them? The department is not bound to take the horses at $250 apiece?


Archibald Blake McCoig: 
Oliver James Wilcox: What report is the hon. gentleman reading from ?


Archibald Blake McCoig: I announced that I was reading a bulletin prepared by Dr. Dorset, of the United States Agricultural Department. He reports that the supplying of serum throughout the United States would be too expensive, but that experiments were being made in the different states. I see no reason why the Canadian Department of Agriculture should not take action along similar lines, and, by the use of serum, save as many of the farmers' hogs as it is possible to save. This method would not only

be economical, but it would also help the farmers to carry out the suggestion of increased production which is so often made at the present time. I am sorry that the Minister of Agriculture and the acting minister are not in their seats, but I think that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance are sufficiently interested in this matter to bring it strongly to the attention of the Minister of Agriculture. Hundreds of farmers will be willing to permit the veterinaries to make the experiments in order that their hogs may be saved.


Robert Laird Borden: What is the date and number of the bulletin from which my hon. friend is reading ?


Archibald Blake McCoig: The number of the bulletin is 379, issued November 27, 1909. If we want to encourage the farmers to stay in the hog business and develop the hog industry, it is absolutely necessary that we have some assurance from the Government that action will be taken along these lines; that the whole herd shall not be slaughtered if the majority of the hogs are not affected,. and that the farmers shall have the benefit of the system which has been so successfully carried out in the United States.


Joseph Elijah Armstrong: Has the present Government not been carrying out experiments along those lines in the very district to which my hon. friend refers ?


Archibald Blake McCoig: So far as the county of Kent is concerned-I cannot say so much about Essex-I am in a position to say that the Government has not made any such experiments. The only experiment that has been made has been when a hog got sick to shoot him, tn shoot the farmer's whole herd and put them in a hole with quick lime; and-that puts the farmer out of the hog business for the next three months.


Joseph Elijah Armstrong: I understand they
have been carrying on experiments.


Archibald Blake McCoig: 
Oliver James Wilcox: With regard to the serum that is used for the treatment of hog cholera in the United States, the Government there does not pay for the hogs. Would my hon. friend approve of substituting the treating system for the paying system which the Government has established in this country? I have submitted the whole thing to the Veterinary Director General of Canada at the instance of Messrs. Hiram Walker and Sons, of Walkerville. The whole thing over-looked.


Archibald Blake McCoig: If the hon. gentleman is going to follow me in addressing the House it is useless for him to puncture his whole speech with interruptions for the purpose of giving the news to the farmers he represents that this is not the first time tne attention of the Government was called to this question through the Veterinary Director General. As a matter of fact, that gentleman's attention was called to it at Chatham at a corn show and I am satisfied through some more urging of the question in this House and in other places the department will be induced to call upon the Government to have tne Act so amended that it will comply with the requests of the hog producers of Essex, Kent and Canada in general. Representing, as I must say I have the honour and the privilege of doing, a large agricultural section of country and also a large manufacturing centre, I respectfully ask and will appeal' to the Government to give these rambling remarks of mine every possible consideration. If they will do that I feel satisfied that to the cry of production and patriotism will be added progress and prosperity among the farmers and the labouring people of Canada.
Mr. A. De WITT FOSTER, (Kings, N.R): Will the hon. member repeat the statement he made in my absence from the-House a few moments ago with regard to the purchases of horses in Nova Scotia and! the age of one horse in particular?


Archibald Blake McCoig: I read to the House the
answers made by ministers of the Crown to questions asked by members. I also stated that it was generally reported that one horse that was purchased by the coip-mittee purchasing horses in Nova Scotia was bought in Halifax, was 30 years of age, and died in Valcartier camp a few days after it arrived there.


Mr. FOSTER:: I wish, upon the responsibility of a member of this House, to give to that statement an unqualified denial, and to assure the hon. gentleman, that there is absolutely no truth in that statement or in other kindred statements which may be circulated either in Halifax or in any other part of the country. The veterinary surgeons who examined the horses were both graduates of the Ontario Veterinary College, two of the brightest and possibly the best qualified veterinarians who could be found in this country. There is absolutely no truth in that statement, as I myself was at Valcartier camp after the horses arrived there and had been distributed to the various units at the camp at Quebec.


Archibald Blake McCoig: Since the hon. gentleman has been kind enough to inform us of that, would he also inform us why, if two of the gentlemen purchasing horses were graduates of the Ontario Veterinary College, he thought it necessary to accompany them through the riding.


George Eulas Foster: That is a question of policy which will probably appeal to the hon. gentleman when I tell him that when horses were purchased in Kings County during
the South African war, it is generally be-

lieved that the same horse was sold four times over.


Mr. McKENZIE:: How old was he?


George Eulas Foster: He may have been as old as my hon. friend from North Oape Breton.


Daniel Duncan McKenzie: Did they feed him on potatoes?


George Eulas Foster: On potatoes and buckwheat both. Perhaps my hon. friend can appreciate that diet. As a matter of fact, it is generally believed that not only were horses in the province of Nova Scotia sold two or three times over, but that any and all kinds of horses were purchased and turned over to the Government, for imperial purposes I presume, and that various gentlemen in the County of Kings made large sums of money in connection with the purchase of those horses.


Daniel Duncan McKenzie: And that was t<_ be followed up on this occasion?


George Eulas Foster: On this occasion the member for Kings (Mr. Foster) assisted only to the extent of signing the orders upon the Bank of Montreal, and seeing, so far as he could, that the purchases were carried through without any graft. I may say to the hon. gentleman who seems inclined to laugh that' all horses purchased from Nova Scotia were considered by the veterinaries fit to be distributed to the different units, and were so distributed.


Archibald Blake McCoig: How does my hon. friend account for the fact that half the horses purchased from the whole province of Ontario wrere purchased in Kings County? Have they a better quality of horses there? Are the horses in the rest of the province inferior?


George Eulas Foster: The quality of the horses in Kings County is excellent, and there are more of them.


Oliver James Wilcox: Mr. Speaker, as it is nearly six o'clock, I shall not launch upon the address I intended to deliver this afternoon; but it seems fitting that I should refer to one or two of the observations which have been made this afternoon by my hon. friend from West Kent (Mr. McCoig). Personally '! hold that gentleman in the highest esteem and regard. I think he can claim that I am a friend of his, and he is a friend of mine. But since I have been in this House I have often .observed my hon. friend getting in his work politically. I had a note here to congratulate my hon. friend because, when I

jotted it down, it seemed to me that he was delivering an address very different from the tale of woe that has been given by his confreres in this debate. But he soon fell from grace. He landed on fertilizers first, like my friend with the squid, the hon. member for St. John. This big farmer of the Opposition stood up yesterday afternoon and proclaimed and enunciated the value, mind you, to the horny-handed sons of toil of a dose of squids applied to fruit trees, and when this farmer who understands all about agriculture was corrected iby a young member of this House who had the temerity to tell him what a squid was, the hon. member for St. John walked out of the House and expunged the passage from Hansard.


Mr. MIDDLEBRO:: What is a squid?


Oliver James Wilcox: A squid is an animal that lhas eight more legs than my hon. friend. It is used as bait for fish, or may be an imitation of lead that is used as a bait for fish. And this farmer of the Opposition was going to spray his trees and fungi and insect pests with squid, and the farmers of Canada would then be on the high road to prosperity.
That is a fair sample of the arguments that have been 'submitted by my hon. friend. My hon. friend from West Kent- look at his smiling now,-I must not praise him too much or he might pick the passage out of Hansard and show it to his electors if he thought it would do him any good politically. My hon. friend from St. John spoke yesterday of the enormous load that the Government is placing upon the farmers of this country by adding 7J per cent to the tax on fertilizers and the materials which enter into that product. When my hon. friend had finished speaking I made my way to the Library. I was seeking information. I would not trust myself because I wanted to have absolutely accurate information. So I consulted one of the clerks in the Library, and he went through the Trade and Navigation returns' and showed me that the total amount that will be raised by this increased tax upon the imports of all the materials which enter into the manufacture of fertilizers and upon the manufactured product itself, will be only $46,254. This does not constitute such a burden upon the farmers. Let me remind my hon. friends opposite that the farmers realize the issues that are now before the country.


Michael Clark: Is fertilizer produced in Canada at all?


Oliver James Wilcox: I think it is. I am not
assuming that this is the total amount of fertilizer that is used, but I am speaking of the burden which it has been alleged will be placed upon the horny-handed sons of toil by reason of this increased duty. I move the adjournment of the debate.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to, and debate adjourned.
On motion of Sir Robert Borden, the House adjourned at six o'clock.
Thursday, March 4, 1915.