1916-01-12

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PRINTED BY J. dk L. TACHE,


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Gr.C.M.GK, ]P.C., K.C., IjTj.T).

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President of the Privy Council and Acting Secretary
of State for External Affairs (Prime Minister)... Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Laird Bouden, G.C.M.G.,

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Minister of Trade and Commerce	Rt. Hon. Sir George Eulas Poster, B.A., D.C.L.,

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Without Portfolio	Hon. Sir George Halsey Perley, B.A., K.C.M.G.
Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General
of Indian Affairs	 Hon. William James Roche, M.D., LL.D.
Minister of Public Works	Hon. Robert Rogers.
Minister of Railways and Canals	 Hon. Francis Cochrane.
Minister of Finance	 Hon. Sir William Thomas White, B.A., K.C.M.G.
Postmaster General	Hon. Th. Chase Casgrain, LL.D., K.C.
Minister of Marine and Fisheries and Minister of the	«
Naval Service	Hon. John Douglas Hazkn, B.A., B C.L., K.C.
Minister of Justice	Hon. Charles Joseph Doherty, K.C.,D.C.L.,LL.D.
Minister of Militia and Defence	Major General Sir Sam Hughes.
Secretary of State and Minister of Mines__________Hon. Pierre Edouard Blondin.
Minister of Labour	Hon. Thomas Wilson Crothers, B.A., K.C.
Minister of Inland Revenue	Hon. E. L. Patenacde.
Minister of Customs	Hon. John Dowsley Reid, M.D.
Without Portfolio	Hon. Albert Edward Kemp.
Without Portfolio	Hon. Sir James Alexander Lougheed, K.C., Senator.
Minister of Agriculture	Hon. Martin Bcrrell.
Solicitor General	Hon. Arthur Meighen, B.A., K.C.

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Speaker	 Hon. Albert Sevigny
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees... Edgar N. Rhodes.
Clerk of the House	Thos. B. Flint, M.A., LL.B., D.C.L.
Sergeant-at-Arms	Lieut.-Col. Henry R. Smith, C.M.G., I.S.O.,
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Editor of Debates	Albert Horton.
Associate Editor of Debates	Thos. P. Owens.
Official Reporters of Debates :-
English : A. C. Campbell, George Simpson, Robert C. Dunbar, C. S. Blue, F. W. S. Galbraith, Earl G. Young, H. E. Oliver.
French : J. 0. Marceau, Alphonse Desjardins.	[DOT]
Select Committee on Official Report of Debates.
Messieurs Burnham, Descarries, Devlin, Sir George E. Foster, Gray, Hanna, L. A. Lapointe, Lavallee, Lemieux, Marcil, Sir George Perley, Rainville, Schaffner, and Taylor.
Chairman : Jas. D. Taylor.

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Sixth Session, Twelfth Parliament.	-
Achim, Honor£-Labelle.
Alguire, Duncan Ohestes-Stormont.
Ames, Herbert Brown-Montreal, St. Antoine. Armstrong, J. A. Macdonald-York, Ont., N. Riding.
Armstrong, Joseph E. -Lambton, E. Riding. Arthurs, James-Parry Sound.
Baker, George Harold-Brome.
Ball, R. J.-Grey, S. Riding.
Barnard, George Henry-Victoria, B.C. Barrette, Joseph Arthur-Bertbier.
Boland, Hon. Henri S£verin-Beauee.
Bellemare, A.-Maskinonge.
Bennett, Richard Bedford-Calgary.
Bennett, William H.-Simcoe, E. Riding.
Best, John A.- Dufferin.
Bickerdike, Robert-Montreal, St. Lawrence. Blain, Richard-Peel.
Blondin, Hon. Pierre Edopard-Champlain.
Boivin, George Henry

Shefiord.
Borden, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Laird-Halifax. BoULAY, HERMENiGILDE-Rimouski.
Bourassa, J. Boutin-Levis.
Bowman, James-Huron, E. Riding.
Boyce, Arthur Cyril-Algoma West.
Boyer, Gustave-Vaudreuil.
Boys, W. A.-South Simcoe.
Brabazon, Gerald H.-Pontiac.
Bradbury, George Henry-Selkirk.
Bristol, Edmund-Toronto Centre.
Broder, Hon. Andrew-Dundas.
Brouillard, Ovide-Drummond and Arthabaska. Buchanan, William Ashbury-Medicine Hat. Bureau, Jacques-Three Rivers and St. Maurice. Burnham, John H.-Peterborough, W. Riding. Burrell, Hon. Martin-Yale-Cariboo.
Cardin, Pierre Joseph Arthur-Richelieu. Carrick, John James-Thunder Bay and Rainy Riv. Carroll, W. F.-Cape Breton, South.
Carvell, Frank Broadstreet -Carleton, N.B. Casgrain, Hon. Thomas Chase-Quebec County. Cash, Edward L.-Mackenzie.
Chabot, .John Leo-Ottawa.
Champagne, Albert-Battleford.
Charlton, William Andrew-Norfolk.
Chisholm, Alexander W.-Inverness.
Chisholm, William-Antigonish.
Clark, Hugh-Bruce, N. Riding.
Clark, Michael-Red Deer.
Clarke, Alfred Henry-Essex, S. Riding.
Clarke, W. A.-Wellington, N. Riding.'
Clements, Herbert Sylvester-Comox-Atlin. Cochrane, Hon. Francis-Nipissing.
Cockshutt, William Foster-Brantford.
Copp, Arthur Bliss-Westmorland.
Cromwell, Frederick Robert-Compton. Crothers, Hon. Thomas Wilson-Elgin, W Riding. Cruise, Robert-Dauphin.
Currie, John Allister-Simcoe, N. Riding.
Davidson, Avard L.-Annapolis.
Delisle, Michel Simeon-Portneuf.
Demers, Marie Joseph-St. John and Iberville. Descarries, Joseph A.-Jacques Cartier.
Devlin, Emmanuel B.-Wright.
Doherty, Hon. Charles Joseph-Montreal, St. Anne.
Donaldson, Samuel J.-Prince Albert.
Douglas, James M.-Stratheona.
Edwards, John Wesley-Frontenac.
Elliott, George A.-Middlesex, N. Riding. Ethier, Joseph Arthur Calixte-Two Mountains.
Fisher, John Henry-Brant.
Forget, Sir Rodolphe-Charlevoix & Montmorency. Fortier, Edmond-Lotbini^re.
Foster, Hon. Sir George Eulas-Toronto North. Fowler, George William-Kings and Albert. Fripp, Alfred Ernest-Ottawa.

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Gauthier, Louis Joseph. St. Hyacinthe.
Gaumier, Louis Philippe-Gaspe.
Gauvreau. Charles Arthur-Temiseouata. German, William Manley-Welland.
Girard, Joseph-Chicoutimi and Saguenay.
Glass, S. Francis-Middlesex, E. Riding.
Gordon, David Alexander-Kent, E. Riding. Graham, Hon. George P.-Renfrew, S. Riding. Gray, William-London.
Green, R. F.-Kootenay.
Gcilbault, Joseph Pierre Octave-Joliette. Guthrie, Hugh-Wellington, S. Riding.
Hanna, A. E.-Lanark, S. Riding.
Hartt, Thomas A. -Charlotte.
Hazen, Hon. John Douglas-St. John City and County.
Henderson, Hon. David-Halton.
Hepburn, Bernard Rickart-Prince Edward. Hughes, James Joseph-Kings, P.E.I.
Hughes, Hon. Sir Sam-Victoria, Ont.
Jameson, Clarence-Digby.
Kay, William Frederick-Missisquoi.
Kemp, Hon. Albert Edward-Toronto East. Knowles, William Erskine-Moosejaw.
Kyte, George W.-Richmond, N.S.
Lachance, Arthur-Quebec Centre.
Laeortune, David A.-Montcalm.
Laloii, Francis Ramsay-Haldimand.
Lamarche, Paul Emile-Nicolet.
LanctOt, Roch-Laprairie-Napierville.
Lapointe, Ernest-Kamouraska.
Lapointe, Louis A.-Montreal, St. James.
Laurier, Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid-Quebec East, Soulanges.
Lavall^e, Joseph Octave-Bellechasse.
Law, Bowman Brown-Yarmouth.
Lemieux, Hon. Rodolphe-Rouville.
Lesperance, David Ovide-Montmagny.
Lewis, Edward Norman-Huron, W. Riding. Loggie, William Stewart-Northumberland, N.B. Lovell, Charles Henry-Stanstead.
Macdonald, Edward Mortimer-Pictou. Macdonell, Angus Claude-Toronto South. Maclean, Alexander K.-Halifax.
Macleaii, William Findlay-York, Ont., S. Riding-MacNutt, Thomas-Saltcoats.
McCoig, Archibyld Blake-Kent, W. Riding. McCraney, George E.-Saskatoon.
McCrea, Francis N. -Sherbrooke.
McCurdy, Fleming Blanchard-Shelburne and Queens.
McKenzie, Daniel D.-Cape Breton, N.
McLean, Angus A.-Queens, P.E.I.
McLean, Hugh Havelock-Sunbury and Queens. McLeod, Harry F.-York N.B.
McMillan, John Angus-Glengarry.
Marcil, Hon. Chari es-Bona venture.
Marcile, Joseph Edmond-Bagot.
Marshall, David-Elgin, E. Riding.
Martin, M^deric-Montreal, St. Mary's.
Martin, William Melville-Regina.
Meighen, Hon, Arthur-Portage la Prairie. Merner, Jonathan Joseph-Huron, S. Riding. Michaud, Pius-Victoria, N.B.
Middlebko, William Sora-Grey, N. Riding. Mollot, John Patrick-Provencher.
Mondou, A. A.-Yamaska.
Morphy, H. B.-Perth, N. Riding.
Morris, James-Chftteauguay.
Morrison, A.-Macdonald.
Munson, Charles Arthur-Northumberland, Ont., W. Riding.
Murphy, Hon. Charles-Russell.
Neely, Davis Bradley-Humboldt.
Nesbitt, Edward Walter-Oxford, N. Riding. Nicholson, Donald-Queens, P.E.I.
Nickle, William Folger-Kingston.
Northrup, William Barton-Hastings, E. Riding.
Oliver, Hon. Frank-Edmonton.
Osler, Sir Edmund Boyd-Toronto West.
Paoaud, Lucien Turcotte-Megantic.
Paptneau, Louis J.-Beauharnois.
Paquet, Eugene-L'lslet.
Pardee, Frederick Forsyth-Lambton.W. Riding. Patenaude, Hon. E. L., Hochelaga.
Paul, William James-Lennox and Addington. Pelletier, Hon. Louis Philippe-Quebec County. Perley, Hon. Sir George Halsey-Argenteuil. Porter, Edward Guss-Hastings, W. Riding. Power, William-Quebec West.
Pkoulx, Edmond-Prescott.
Pugsley, Hon. William-St. John City.
Rainvillb, Joseph Hormisdas-Ohambly and Ver-cheres.	.
Reid, James-Restigouche.
Reid, Hon. John D.-Grenville.
Rhodes, Edgar N.-Cumberland.
Robb, James Alexander-Huntingdon.
Robidoux, Ferdinand Joseph-Kent, N. B.
Roche, Hon. William James-Marquette.
Roohon, G£d£on-Terrebonne.
Rogers, Hon. Robert-Winnipeg.
Ross, Duncan Campbell-Middlesex, W. Riding.
Sohaffner, Frederick Laurence-Souris.
Scott, Frank Stewart-South Waterloo.
Seguin, Paul Arthur-L'Assomption.
Sevigny, Albert-Dorchester.
Sexsmith, John A.-Peterborough, E. Riding. Sharpe, Samuf.l-Ontario, N. Riding.
Shepherd, Francis Henry-Nanaimo.
Sinclair, John H.-Guysborough.
Smith,William-Ontario, S. Riding.
Smyth, William Ross-Algoina, E. Riding. Stanfield, John-Colchester.

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vii
Steele, Michael-Perth, S. Riding.
Stevens, Henry Herbert-Vancouver.
Stewart, Dugald-Lunenburg.
Stewart, Thomas Joseph-Hamilton West. Sutherland, Donald-Oxford, S. Riding.
Taylor, James Davis-New Westminster. Thoburn, William-Lanark, N. Riding. Thompson, Alfred-Yukon Territory.
Thomson, Levi-Qu'Appelle.
Thornton, Charles Jonas-Durham.
Tobin, Edmund William-Richmond and Wolfe. Tremain, Hadley B.-Hants.
Truax, Reuben E.-Bruce, S. Riding.
Tcrgeon, Onesiphore-Gloucester.
Turriff, John Gillandkrs-Assiniboia.
Verville, Alphonse-Maisonneuve.
Walker, Henry Joseph-Northumberland, Ont., E. Riding.
Wallace, Thomas George-Yotk, Out., Centre, Warnock, David-Macleod.
Webster, John-Brockville.
Weiohel, William George-Waterloo, N. Riding White, Gerald Vernkii-Renfrew, N. Riding. White, William Henry-Victoria, Alta.
White, Hon. Sir W. T.-Leeds.
Wilcox, Oliver J.-Essex, N. Riding.
Wilson, Charles Avila-Laval.
Wilson, Gordon Crooks-Wentworth.
Wright, William-Muskoka.

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Sixth Session, Twelfth Parliament.
A.lgoma, East-William Ross Smyth.
Algoma, West-Arthur Cyril Boyce.
Annapolis-Avard L. Davidson.
Antigonish-William Chisholm.
Argenteuil-Hon. Sir George Halsey Perley. Assiniboia-John Gillanders Turriff.
Bagot-Joseph Edmond Marcile.
Battleford-Albert Champagne.
Beauce-Hon. Henri Severin Beland.
Beauharnois-Louis J. Papineau.
Bellechasse-Joseph Octave Lavallee.
Bkrthier-J. A. Barrette.
Bonaventcre-Hon. Charles Marcil.
Brant-John Henry Fisher.
Brantford-William F. Cockshutt.
Brockville-John Webster.
Brome-George H. Baker.
Bruce, N. Riding-Hugh Clark.
. Bruce, S. Riding- Reuben E. Truax.
Calgary-R. B. Bennett.
Cape Breton North and Victoria-Daniel D. McKenzie.
Cape Breton, South-W. F. Carroll.
Carleton, N.B.-Frank Broadstreet Carvell. Chambly and Vercheres- J. H. Rainville. Champlain-Hon. Pierre Edouard Blondin. Charlevoix-Sir Rodolphe Forget.
Charlotte-Thomas A. Hartt.
Chateauguay'-James Morris.
Chicoutimi and Saguenay-Joseph Girard. Colchester-John Stanfirld.
Comox-Atlin-H. S. Clements.
Compton-F. R. Cromwell.
Cumberland-Edgar N. Rhodes.
Dauphin-Robert Cruise.
Digby-Clarence Jameson.
Dorchester-Albert Sevigny.
Drummond and Arthabaska-Ovide Brouillard. Dufferin-John A. Best.
Dundas-Hon. Andrew Broder.
Durham-Charles Jonas Thornton.
Edmonton-Hon. Frank Oliver.
Elgin, E. Riding-David Marshall.
Elgin, W. Riding-Hon. Thomas Wilson Crothers. Essex, N. Riding-Oliver J. Wilcox.
Essex, S. Riding-Alfred H. Clarke.
Frontenac-John Wesley Edwards.
Q-ASPi:-Louis Philippe Gauthier.
Glengarry-John Angus McMillan.
Gloucester-Onesiphore Turgeon.
Grenville-Hon. John Dowsley Reid.
Grey, N. Riding-William Sora Middlebro.
Grey, S. Riding-R. J. Ball.
Guysborough-J. H. Sinclair.
Haldimand-Francis Ramsay Lalor. xj-ttpay / Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Lai rd Borden.
HALIFAX j A K Maclean
Halton-Hon. David Henderson.
Hamilton West-Thomas Joseph Stewart.
Hants-Hadley B. Tremain.
Hastings, E. Riding-William B. Northrup. Hastings, W. Riding-Edward Guss Porter. Hochelaga-Hon. E. L. Patenaude.
Humboldt-David Bradley Neely.
Huntingdon-James Alexander Robb.
Huron, E. Riding-James Bowman.
Huron, S. Riding-J. J. Merner.
Huron, W. Riding-Edward Norman Lewis.
Inverness-Alexander W. Chisholm.
Jacques Cartier-Joseph A. Descarries.
Joliette-J. P. O. Guilbault.
KLamouraska-Ernest Lapointe.
Kent, N.B.-F. J. Robidoux.
Kent, Ont., E. Riding-David Alexander Gordon. Kent, Ont., W. Riding-Archibald Blake McCoig. Kings and Albert, N B.-George W. Fowler. Kings, P.E.I.-James J. Hughes.
Kingston-Win. F. Nickle.
Kootenay-R. F. Green.
X

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Labellk-Honore Achim.
Lambton, E. Riding-Joseph E. Armstrong. Lambton, W. Riding-Frederick Forsyth Pardee. Lanark, N. Riding-William Thoburn.
Lanark, S. Riding-Adelbert E. Hanna. Lapiiairie-Naiterville-Roeh Lanct&t. L'Assomption-Paul Arthur Seguin.
Laval-Charles Avila Wilson.
Leeds-Hon. Sir W. T. White.
Lennox and Addington-Wm. J. Paul.
Lfivis-T. B. Bourassa.
L'Islet-Eugdne Paquet.
London-William Gray.
Lotbinierk-Edmond Fortier.
Lunenburg-Dougald Stewart.
Macdonald-Alexander Morrison.
Mackenzie-E. L. Cash.
Macleod-David Wamoek.
Maisonnkuve-Alphonse Verville.
Marquette-Hon. William James Roche. Maskinong£- A. Bellemare.
Medicine Hat-Wm. A. Buchanan.
Megantic-L. T. Pacaud.
Middlesex, E. Riding-S. Francis Glass. Middlesex, N. Riding-George A. Elliott. Middlesex, W. Riding-Duncan Campbell Ross. Missisquoi-Wm. F. Kay.
Montcalm-David A. Lafortnne.
Montmagny-D. O. Lesperance.
Montmorency-Sir Rodolphe Forget.
Montreal, St. Anne-Hon. Charles J. Doherty. Montreal, St. Antoine-Herbert B. Ames. Montreal, St. James-Louis A. Lapointe. Montreal, St. Lawrence-Robert Bickerdike. Montreal, St. Mary-Mederic Martin.
Moosejaw-William Erskine Knowles.
Muskoka-William Wright.
Nanaimo-Francis H. Shepherd.
New Westminster-James Davis Taylor.
Nicolet-Paul E. Lamarche.
Nipissing-Hon. Francis Cochrane.
Norfolk-Wm. A. Charlton.
Northumberland, N.B.-William Stewart Loggie. Northumberland,Ont.,E.R.-Henry Joseph Walker Northumberland, Ont., W.R.-Charles A. Munson.
Ontario, N. Riding-Samuel S. Sharpe. Ontario, S. Riding-William Smith.
Oxford, N. Riding-Edward Walter Nesbitt. Oxford, S. Riding-Donald Sutherland.
Parry Sound-James Arthurs.
Peel-Richard Blain.
Perth, N. Riding-H. B. Morphy.
Perth, S. Riding-Michael Steele. Peterborough, E. Riding-John A. Sexsmith.
Peterborough, W. Riding-John H. Burnham. Pictou-Edward Mortimer Macdonald.
Pontiac-Gerald H. Brabazon.
Portage la Prairie-Hon. Arthur Meighen. Portneuf-Michel Simeon Delisle.
Prescott-Edmond Proulx.
Prince Albert-Samuel J. Donaldson.
Prince Edward-Bernard R. Hepburn. Provencher-John Patrick Molloy.
Qu'Appelle-Levi Thomson.
Quebec Centre-Arthur Lachance.
Quebec East-Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
Quebec West-William Power.
Quebec County-Hon. Th. Chase Casgrain.
nnm, P F T / An8'UR A- McLean.
Queens, P.E.I. - |Donald Nicholson.
Red Deer-Michael Clark.
Regina-William Melville Martin.
Renfrew, N. Riding-Gerald Verner White. Renfrew, S. Riding-Hon. George Perry Graham. Restigouche-James Reid.
Richelieu-P. J. A. Cardin.
Richmond N.S.-George W. Kyte
Richmond and Wolfe-Edmund William Tobin.
Rimouski-Hermenegilde Boulay.
Rouville-Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux.
Russell-Hon. Charles .Murphy.
St. Hyacinths-Louis J. Gauthier.
St. John City-Hon. Wm. Pugsley.
St. J ohn City and County-Hon. J. Douglas Hazen St. Johns and Iberville-M. Joseph Demers. Saltcoats-Thomas MacNutt.
Saskatoon-George Ewan McCraney.
Selkirk-George H. Bradbury.
Shefford-George Henry Boivin.
Shelburne and Queens-Fleming B. McCurdy. Sherbrooke-Francis McCrea.
Simcoe, E. Riding-William Henry Bennett. Simcoe, N. Riding-John AUister Currie Simcoe, S. Riding-W. A. Boys Soulanges-Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
Souris-Frederick Laurence Sohaffner. Stanstead-Charles Henry Lovell.
Stormont-Duncan O. Alguire.
Strathcona-James M. Douglas.
Sunbury and Queens, N.B - Hugh H. McLean.
Temiscouata-Charles Arthur Gauvreau. Terrebonne-Gedeon Rochon.
Three Rivers and St. Maurice-Jacoues Bureau. Thunder Bay and Rainy River-John James Carrick.
Toronto Centre-Edmund Bristol.
Toronto East-Hon. Albert E. Kemp.
Toronto North-Hon. Sir George Eulas Foster. Toronto South-Angus Claude Macdonell. Toronto West-Sir Edmund Boyd Osier.
Two Mountains-Joseph Arthur C. Ethier.

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Vancouver City-Henry Herbert Stevens. Vaudreuil-Gustave Boyer.
Victoria, Alta.-William Henry White. Victoria City-Geo. Henry Barnard.
Victoria, N.B.-Pius Michaud.
Victoria, Ont.-Hon. Sam. Hughes.
Waterloo, N. Riding-William George Weichel. Waterloo, S. Riding-Frank Stewart Scott.
Welland-William Manley German.
Wellington, N. Riding-W. A. Clarke. Wellington, S. Riding-Hugh Guthrie. Wentworth-Gordon C. Wilson.
Westmorland-Arthur Bliss Copp.
Winnipeg-Hon. Robert Rogers.
Wright-Emmanuel B. Devlin.
Yale-Cariboo-Hon. Martin Burrell.
Yamaska-A. A. Mondou.
Yarmouth-Bowman Brown Law.
York, N.B.-Harry F. McLeod.
York, Ont., C. Riding-Thomas George Wallace. York, Ont., N. Riding-J. A. Macdonald Armstrong.
York, Ont., S. Riding-William Findlay Maclean. Yukon Territory-Alfred Thompson.
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Kou$e of Commons 33 dilates


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Speaker: Hon. Albert Sevigny.
Wednesday, January 12, 1916.
This being the day on which Parliament is convoked by proclamation of the Governor General for the despatch of business, and the members of the House being assembled:
The Clerk read to the House a letter from the Governor General's Secretary informing him that the Chief Justice of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, would proceed to the Senate Chamber this day at 3 p.m. to open the session.
A message was delivered by Lieut.-Col. Ernest J. Chambers, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:
The Chief Justice of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, desires the immediate attendance of this honourable House in the Senate Chamber.
Accordingly, the House went up to the Senate Chamber, when the Speaker of the Senate said:
Honourable Gentlemen of the Senate:
Gentlemen of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Royal Highness the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada until the Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen according to law; but to-morrow, at the hour of three o'clock in the afternoon, 'His Royal Highness will declare the causes of his calling this Parliament.

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The Clerk of the House, standing on the lower step below the Speaker's chair, said: J have the honour to inform the House that, during the recess, the following notifications of vacancies in the representation have been received:
Of the Electoral District of Kings, N.S., by the resignation of Arthur De Witt Foster, Esq. '
Of -the Electoral District of Carleton, Ontario, by the resignation of William F. Garland, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Hamilton East, by the death of the Hon. Samuel Barker.
Of the Electoral District of Lisgar, by the resignation of William H. Sharpe, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Brandon, by the resignation of Sir James A. M. Aikins, Kt.
Of the Electoral District of Prince, P.E.I., by the death of James W. Richards, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Hochelaga, by the acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown of the Hon. Louis Coderre.
. Of the Electoral District of the East Riding of the County of Grey, by the Hon. Thomas S. Sproule having been summoned to the Senate.
Of the Electoral District of Restigouche, by the death of James Reid, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Lincoln, by the death of Edward Arthur Lancaster, Esq.

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The Clerk said: I have also the honour to Inform thd House that I have received from the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery a certificate of the election and return of Hon. Esioff L. Patenaude for the Electoral District of Hochelaga.

Sir GEORGE FOSTER (Acting Prime Minister):: Dr. Flint, we have just been informed of the vacancy that has occurred in the Speaker's office, and the reasons therefor. I am now, I believe, one of the two oldest sitting members of the House-not in point of age-I am not alluding to that-but in point of service. With the exception, I think, of my ljight hon. friend opposite (Sir Wilfrid Laurier), I am the oldest. I have had the pleasure of sitting and working in this House under the



guidance and direction of eight different Speakers, four of them belonging to one political party, and four haying their origin in another political party. Our system of Speakership here is different from that which obtains in Great Britain; each has its advantages, and, perhaps, each has some disadvantages. I niade allusion to my own experience simply to follow it with the remark that it gives me great pleasure to say that during thirty-four years of service under eight different Speakers I have found that these Speakers have worthily upheld the traditions which cluster around the Speaker's Chair; that, under their guidance and direction, the balances have been fairly held as between the two political parties, and that equal justice has been dealt out to both. If disadvantages and difficulties have existed in connection with the Speaker's tenure of office it may be said to their credit that they have overcome them, and that they have maintained the dignity of the office according to its traditions.
To-day I have the honour to submit the name of Albert iSevigny, E.sq., member for the county of Dorchester, as Speaker of this House. Dr. Sevigny, who, comparatively speaking, is one of the youngest of our members, has, during the short period of his service in this House, by his pleasant personality, by his culture, by his affability and capacity, won for himself the respect and esteem of gentlemen on both sides of the House. I have every hope and confidence, and not the least doubt, that the hon. gentleman who is soon, I hope, to take his place in the Speaker's Chair, will uphold the honour, dignity and traditions of that, iihportant office. I beg to move, therefore, seconded by the Hon. Thomas Chase Casgrain;
That Albert S6vigny, Esq., member for the Electoral District of Dorchester, do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.


Sir WILFRID LAURIER:: Dr. Flint, to those who followed closely the labours of the House last session, it became evident that the health of the then Speaker was failing him, and would no longer enable him to fulfil the arduous duties of the Chair. We were not surprised, therefore, to learn that the hon. gentleman had been summoned to that higher sphere, the Upper Chamber. Since Confederation, it has been the privilege of the Administration in office to select the member of the House who should be the presiding officer, and to 
make that selection from among the most prominent and most devoted of its followers. It has been stated by the hon. gentleman who leads the House in the absence of the Prime Minister-who, we hope, will soon recover from his illness and again take his place in the House-that our system of appointing the Speaker is different from the British system. In some respects it is. I am not sure that our system is not inferior to the British system; in any case, I agree with all that my hon. friend has said as to the character and ability of those of our colleagues who have in years past had the honour of being Speakers of the Canadian House of Commons. My hon. friend has spoken of his having had the privilege of sitting in this House under eight different Speakers. I am a little older than he-not only in point of years, but in point of service as well- a privilege of which I am not at all proud; in fact, I would, if possible, pass it over to him. At any rate, it has been my privilege to serve under eight or nine different Speakers, and I can bear out all that my hon. friend has said as .to the manner in which they have upheld the dignity of the office. Whether they have been of one political party or of another, they have performed their duties to their own credit, to the great advantage of the House of Commons, and to the honour of the Canadian people.
As has been stated by my hon. friend, our first duty to-day is to select a new presiding officer for the House of Commons. My hon. friend has told us that the Government's choice has fallen on the hon. member for Dorchester (Mr. Sevigny). Considering the circumstances of his coming into this House, I think it is a fit sequence that he should be elected to the higher office of Speaker. When Dr. Sproule took the Speaker's Chair he was an ardent Tory; the hon. member for Dorchester when he .came to this House was an ardent Nationalist. As extremes always meet, it seems to be fitting-that Mr. Speaker Sevigny should follow Mr. Speaker Sproule.' And what an evolution this is since the year 1911! If, in the year 1911, the Nationalist candidate in the county of Dorchester, now the Conservative member for the same county, had heard the prediction that he would accept an office, either high or low, from a Conservative Government presided over by Sir Robert Borden, I am sure that the hon. gentleman would have been the very first to protest

against such an idea. I am not sure that he would not have taken it even as an insult, because those of us who come from the province of Quebec know that my hon. friend carried on a campaign of sulphur and brimstone, not only against the Liberal party, but, in equal measure, against the Conservative party. My hQn. friend denounced the nefarious policy of Laurier-.which was a matter of course with him-and also the nefarious policy of Borden just as vigorously, perhaps even more vigorously. He assailed without measure the navy, and I think he was pledged to the repeal of the Naval Service Act. I understand that he also opposed every form of participation by Canada in the affairs of Great Britain. He entered this House still breathing heavily, threatening still. But when once in this House he took his seat behind the Treasury benches-and behind the Treasury benches things which he had condemned took with him another shape. No one heard him in this House denounce the nefarious policy of Borden. I think he ceased to denounce the navy. Certainly he acquiesced in the participation of Canada in the war. He became a repentant sinner, and I never saw a sinner-and I have met some sinners in my time-who derived so much comfort out of repentance. My hon. friend never did penance in sackcloth and ashes. He was within the rays of the ministerial sun; he luxuriated in the tall and fat grasses of ministerial pasture; he was the recipient of some marked ministerial favours. I do not say this by way of complaining of his conversion-far be it from me to do so. If I have any fault to find with him it is that his conversion did not go far enough, because I am not aware that he ever, in the County of Dorchester, confessed his sins to his electors and begged pardon for having so led them astray in 1911.
But this is a matter which more concerns gentlemen on the other side of the House t/han those on our side. To-day my hon. friend is to be elected by this House to the chief office wthich is in its power. He has all the abilities and talents to perform the duties well-I give him this credit. It has been my privilege to know him for some time, even before he entered this House, and it is a pleasure to me to believe-indeed, to be sure-that he will discharge the duties of the office with credit and in the manner of his predecessors. However we may have differed from him in the past, the moment he assumes this Chair he becomes Speaker of the House of Commons, and entitled to all
n
honour and all respect; and, so far as this side of the House is concerned, it will be our duty-nay, it will be our pleasure-to do what His Majesty's Opposition always have done so long as I have been in this House- we shall deem it our duty to give him every assistance to maintain the dignity and traditions of his office, and as well to maintain the dignities and privileges and rights of. the House of Commons.
The motion being put to the House,
The Clerk of the House declared the-motion carried in the affirmative, nemine contradicente, and Albert Sevigny, Esquire, member for the electoral division of Dorchester, duly elected to the Chair of the House.
Mr. iSevigny was conducted-from his seat in the House to the Speaker's Chair by Sir George Foster and Hon. T. Chase Casgrain.
Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT: Allow me to thank you for having raised me to the honourable position of Speaker of this House. While I appreciate more than I can express the distinction conferred upon me, I am fully aware of the responsibilities and the difficulties that are attached thereto.
With your kind indulgence and advice, the task which 1 am called upon to assume will be made lighter; and, for my part, I will endeavour to be worthy of the goodwill you have manifested towards me in electing me unanimously to the Chair; it will be also my aim to justify the confidence you have reposed in me.
My predecessor had the advantage of many years of experience in this House, , which was of great benefit to us all. His decisions, as well as those of the other distinguished legislators who have occupied the position of Speaker of this honourable House, will assist me in maintaining the dignity of this office, and in presiding, with justice and impartiality, over your deliberations, as well as in preserving the integrity and honour of the House of Commons.
The Sergeant-at-Arms then laid the Mace upon the Table of the House.



MEMBER INTRODUCED.

[Stage Direction]
Hon. Esioff Leon Patenaude, member-elect for the electoral district of Hochelaga, by Hon. T. Chase Casgrain and Hon. Sir George Foster.

[Stage Direction]
Report of the Postmaster General for the year ended March 31, 1915 (English and French versions).-Hon. T. Chase Casgrain.
Wilfrid Laurier: I do not think that the presentation of a report at this stage is in order, but we will not raise the point: we will commend the hon. gentleman for his diligence.
On motion of Sir George Foster, the House adjourned at 3.35 p.m.
Thursday, January 13, 1916.