1916-02-03

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Royal Highness the Governor General, transmitting Estimates for the yeaT ending March 31, 1917, was presented by Sir Thomas White (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the House, and referred to the Committee of Supply.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN moved:: 
Sir WILFRID LAURIER:: Mr. Speaker,
on a previous occasion, at the opening of this session, when you were nominated for the Chair, I felt called upon, while assenting to your election, to offer some criticism. On this occasion I can endorse the choice of my right hon. friend without any reservation whatever. The hon. member for Cumberland seems >to me eminently fitted for the position to which it is now sought to elect him. He has given proof, on many an occasion, that he is endowed with a just and fair mind-if he will permit me to say so, a mind so just and so fair that I have been sometimes surprised to see him sitting on that side of the House. But, now that he is to sit neither on one side nor on the other, he will have every opportunity to give effect to his better instincts. Therefore it is with great pleasure that I accept his nomination to the office of Chairman of Committees.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.	*

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

Mr. SINCLAIR:: 1.	How much was received by the Government or any department, from private sources to be expended in the purchase of machine guns?
2.	Have any machine guns been paid for out of these contributions? If so, how many?
3.	Is it the intention of the Government to return the money so subscribed to the donors? If not, what does the Government purpose doing with this money?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	$661,272.45.
2.	A very large number of machine guns were ordered during the first twelve months of the war and considerable deliveries have been made. It is inexpedient to state the exact number.
3.	It is the intention of the Government to apply to the purchase of machine guns the moneys which have been subscribed and paid in for that purpose.


REVENUE FROM POSTAGE STAMPS.
Mr. SINCLAIR:: What was the postal revenue from the sale of stamps in 1914 as compared with 1915?
"Mr. CAS GRAIN: The total revenue from the sale of stamps was as follows:	Fiscal
year ended March 31, 1914, $14,392,510.25; fiscal year ended March 31, 1915, $14,598,267.94.


LETTERS TO SOLDIERS.
John Howard Sinclair: Why are letters from soldiers in active service arriving in Canada free of postage, stamped by the Post Office Department before being forwarded to their destination?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: This is to comply with international postal law, which requires postage on letters to and from soldiers when these have to pass from one country to another, otherwise double the deficiency in postage would have to be collected from the addressees.	.


A MINISTER OF MUNITIONS.
John Howard Sinclair: Is it the intention of the Government to make provision for the appointment of a Minister of Munitions?


Robert Laird Borden: No.


RELIEF FOR ALBERTA FARMERS.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 1.	How much money was expended upon relief for the farmers in the dearth-stricken section of Alberta in the years 1914 and 1915?
2.	How much was expended for seed grain and seed for stock?
3.	How much has been repaid in each case?


Mr. ROCHE:: In the land districts of Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat:
1.	Relief other than fodder for stock, $701,693.46.
2.	Seed grain, $1,804,252.41; fodder for stock, .$712,271.22.
3.	Repaid on seed grain, $225,923.23;
repaid on relief, $17,117.73.


INTERNAL STORAGE ELEVATORS.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 1.	When was the Calgary internal storage elevator opened to receive grain?
2.	What is its capacity?	[DOT]
3.	How much grain did it handle from date of opening till December 31?
4.	What territory is it intended to serve?
5.	How much grain has it handled since January 1, 1915?
6.	How much grain has the Moosejaw internal elevator handled in the same period, since January 1?
7..Is it allowed to ship grain to an internal elevator which is not on the direct line of transit from point of shipping to ultimate destination, and still get balance of through rate from elevator to ultimate destination on reshipment of grain?
8. Taking Fort William as ultimate destination, from how many points on the following lines respectively can grain be shipped to the Calgary elevator for storage, so that reshipment could be made which would allow shipper balance of through freight rate from original point of shipment to ultimate destination: Canadian Pacific railway, Calgary and Edmonton branch; Canadian Pacific railway, Calgary

and Maeleod branch; Canadian Pacific railway, Kipp-Aldersyde branch; Canadian Northern railway, Hanna branch; and the Canadian Pacific railway, Calgary, Medicine Hat division?
9. If A at Lethbridge ships a carload of wheat to the internal elevator at Moosejaw, and sells the grain in the elevator to B; and if B wishes to reship to Port William, is B allowed the balance of through freight from Lethbridge to Fort William, or is he forced to pay the local rate, Moosejaw to Fort William?


Sir GEORGE FOSTER:: 1.	August 27, 1915.
2.	2,500,000 bushels.
3.	Grain received from August 27 to December 31, 1915: wheat, 59,303; oats, 89,636; barley, 10,917; mixed grain, 25,599; total, 185,455 bushels.
4.	The Calgary elevator is intended to serve all territory from which grain can be shipped economically via the Pacific either to the Orient or to Europe via the Horn or through the Panama canal, and for storage purposes, cleaning and treatment. It was not intended primarily for shipment of grain east.
5.	Grain received from January 1, 1915, to January 14, 1916, inclusive: Wheat, 75,827; oats, 127,154; barley, 13,969; mixed grain, 31,417; total, 248,367 bushels.
6.	Grain received from January 1, 1915, to December 31, 1915: wheat, 1,133,282; oats, 288,955; barley, 4,685; flax, 6,082; mixed grain, 5,019; total, 1,438,023 bushels.
From January 1, 1916, to January 14, 1916: wheat, 1,340,742; oats, 329,638; barley, 12,486; flax, 7,181; mixed grain, 6,197; total, 1,696,244 bushels.
7.	The railway laws and practices governing the stop-over privileges do not allow this without extra charge.
8.	The Calgary elevator was not intended
and is not favourably situated for shipping grain east to Fort William. The lines mentioned are .provided for by the elevators at Saskatoon and Moosejaw. The balance of through rates from point of origin on wheat, oats and barley to final destination of reshipment, plus 1 cent per' 100 pounds for terminal service at Calgary, and the following additional freight charges for additional hauling, are allowed:	Canadian Pacific
railway, Calgary-Edmonton branch from Innisfail south, 1 cent per 100 pounds. From Penhold, Tuttle and Red Deer, 1J cents per 100 pounds. Blackfalds and Lacombe, 2i cents per 100 pounds. Morn-ingside-Ponoka-Menaik and Hobbema, 3 cents per 100 pounds. Navarre, Wetaskiwin, Big Stone, Millet, ICavanagh, Leduc, Nisku, Ellerslie and Strathcora, 4 cents per 100 pounds. Calgary-Maclood branch, stations between Calgary and Cayley, 1 cent per 100
pounds. Nanton and Parkland, 1J cents per 100 pounds. Staveley, Claresholm and Woodhouse, 2 cents per 100 pounds. Granum, 3J cents per 100 pounds. Kipp-Aldersyde branch, all stations between Calgary and Blackie, 1 cent per 100 pounds. Brant and Ensign, 1| cents per 100 pounds. Vulcan and Kirkaldy, 2 cents per 100 pounds. Champion and Carmangay, 3 cents per 100 pounds. Barons, 3| cents per 100 pounds. Noble, 4 cents per 100 pounds. Monarch and Kipp, cents per 100 pounds.
Calgary-Medicine Hat Branch.-On this division no balances of through rates allowed. Canadian Northern railway, Hanna Branch.-No balances of through rates allowed. These rates are taken from the tariffs issued by the railway companies.


SCHOONER TWO BROTHERS.
Mr. KYTE:: 1.	Has the Schooner Two Brothers been chartered by the Department of the Naval Service?
2.	If so, upon what date, and from whom?
3.	What was the address of the owner of the said schooner at the date of the charter?
4.	What is the amount paid per month for such charter?
5.	Does the Department of the Naval Service pay wages and supplies of the crew of said schooner during the currency of said charter? If so, what is the cost of same per month?
6.	In what service is the 'said schooner employed ?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Motor boat Two Brothers was chartered by Department of the Naval Service.
2.	30th September, 1915. Wm. Fuller.
3.	North Sydney, N.S.
4.	$250.
5.	No. Wages and supplies of the crew were paid by the owners of the vessel and covered by the amount paid per month for the charter.
6.	On patrol duty. Charter terminated December 30th, 1915.


GLACE BAY MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. CARROLL:: 1.	Who has the contract for carrying the mail between the tram car and the post office at Glace Bay?
2.	What remuneration does he receive?
3.	What was the amount of his tender?
4.	Who were the other tenderers, and the respective amount of their tenders?
5.	Who had the contract previously, and what was his remuneration?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	William Gracie.
2.	$345 per annum.
3 and 4. Tenders were received from Daniel McIntosh at $350, and Joseph Devoe

at $400. Mr. Devoe reduced his tender to $345, and the contract was awarded to him. On account of the enlistment of his son, he withdrew his offer, and the contract was given to William Gracie at the same price.
5.	Daniel McIntosh, who received $484.79.


MEDICINE HAT-EAGLE BUTTE MAIL.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 1.	In what month of the year 1915 did the Post Office Department first advertise for tenders for the carriage of the mails between Medicine Hat and Eagle Butte, Alberta?
2.	When was the contract awarded?
3.	How many tenders were received?
4.	Who were the tenderers, and what was the amount of each tender?
5.	Was the lowest tender accepted? If not, why not?
6.	To whom was the contract awarded, and at what amount?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Tenders were received on 23rd April, 1915. Notice inviting tenders dated 12th March, 1915.
2.	2nd December, 1915.
3.	Ten.
4.	J. S. Knodel, $1,000 per annum; James Moore, $1,150; Wallace Nichol, $1,175; F. R. Kettlewell, $1,300; B. C. Nason, $1,500; John Dempster, $1,500; R. R. Smith, $1,500; Robt. Shannon, $1,550; D. A. McDonald, jr., $2,200; W. J. Avery, $2,500.
5.	The lowest tender was set aside, the department having been advised that Mr. Knodel was an unsuitable person to entrust with the mails. The contract was awarded to James Moore, but having removed from the locality he declined to accept it.
6.	John Dempster, the former contractor, having agreed to accept the contract at the rate of James Moore's tender, it was awarded to him at $1,150 per annum.


PAYMENTS ON PRE-EMPTIONS.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 


MEDICINE HAT POST OFFICE.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 1.	What was the total cost of extras In connection with the addition to the post office at Medicine Hat?
2 What was the total cost of extras in connection with the post office at Bassano?
3.	How much was the contractor's bill for extras in each instance?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	$3,501.
2.	$75.
3.	For Medicine Hat, $4,326, and for Bassano post office, $75.


DOMINION-WIDE PROHIBITION.
Mr. MURPHY:: Is it the intention of the Government to introduce during- the present session of Parliament legislation restricting or prohibiting the manufacture or sale of liquor during the war?


Robert Laird Borden: Several notices of motion with regard to this question are upon the Order Paper, and it is not desirable to anticipate the discussion thereon.


SUBMARINE TORPEDO EQUIPMENT.
Mr. MURPHY:: 1.	Upon what dates were the two submarines purchased for the Dominion Government at Seattle by Sir Richard McBride equipped with torpedoes?
2.	By whom was the torpedo equipment supplied and installed, and what was the total cost thereof?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Upon the purchase of the submarines, torpedoes were immediately shipped from Halifax and were received and installed on 14th August, 1914.
2.	The torpedo equipment was installed
by the builders of the boats. The cost was included in the price paid for the boats. It is not known by whom this equipment was supplied.	[DOT]
1.	What is the total amount of money so far received in payment of pre-emptions in Western Canada?
2.	How much is still outstanding?
3.	What is the total amount of the Interest arrears?
4.	How much of interest and principal was paid during the years 1913, 1914 and 1915?


Mr. ROCHE:: 1.	$3,490,210.43, up to December 31, 1915.
2.	$20,669,112.91 approximately.
3.	$507,651,52, as at March 31, 1915.
4.	Principal.	Interest.1913-	-	-$545,169.94	$215,566.181914-	-	- 342,408.96	45,399161915-	-	- 574,060.14	26,236.65


SIR MAX AITKEN.
[Stage Direction]
* Mr. MURPHY:
1.	Is Sir Max Aitken engaged in any capacity in connection with the Canadian overseas forces?
2.	If so, what duties does he perform, and what remuneration is he to receive therefor?
3.	Up to date what amount has he been paid?
Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Yes.
2.	(a) General representative for Canada at the front, (b) Nothing for self, and only travelling and offioe expenses of his staff.
3.	Answered by No. 2.


TECHNICAL, EDUCATION.
Mr. LEMIEUX:: Is it the intention of the Government to take action on the report of the Commission on Technical Education?	,


Mr. CROTHERS:: As soon as complete copies of this report were received from the King's Printer, the Minister of Labour caused a complete copy to be forwarded to each provincial premier, together with a letter from the Minister of Labour inviting an expression of view regarding the recommendations of the Commission, and intimating that any suggestion would receive a careful consideration. In the meantime the Department of Labour proceeded with the distribution of the report, several thousand copies being distributed to persons believed to be interested in the subject of technical education, requests for copies also receiving prompt attention. The various provincial premiers acknowledged reception of the reports, but, with one or two exceptions, no expression of view was received. The recommendations of the Commission being based on a proposed intimate co-operation as between the Dominion Government and the governments of the various provinces, the Dominion Government will be better able to determine its course of action when it has received the views of the various provincial governments.


RIOU STORE REPAIRS.
Mr. GAUVREAU:: 1.	What was the cost of repairs to the store of Mr. S. C. Riou, or any other one, at Fraser-ville, for the purpose of converting it into an armoury, or drill hall, for the enlisted soldiers?
2.	What is the monthly rent for the said store?
3.	For how many years has it heen rented?
4.	What is the monthly cost of maintenance of such armoury-store?
5.	Does the Government intend to buy it? If so, what amount has been asked and what amount has been offered?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Cost of refitting to the Riou store at Fraserville was $439.42.
2.	$75.
3.	Since 19th May, 1914.
4.	The total cost for maintenance of this building up to date has been $16.
5.	No.


THE POOR AND UNEMPLOYMENT.
Mr. MEDERIC MARTN:: Does the Government intend to aid the municipalities in supporting the constantly increasing number of poor people and people out of work?


Robert Laird Borden: This question does not seem to comply with the rules of the House, and I beg to suggest that the hon. member should amend it in form.


Wilfrid Laurier: In what respect does it not comply with the rules?


Robert Laird Borden: It contains allegations of fact.


Wilfrid Laurier: Hear, hear.


NEW CARLISLE WHARF.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Was any work done on the Government wharf at New Carlisle, Quebec, in 1915?
2.	If so, what was the nature of the work, what did it cost, is it completed, and was it done under contract? If not, why not?
3.	If by day work, who was the overseer and how much was he paid?
4.	Who supplied the timber, and were tenders called for?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	Yes.
2.	(a) Work done consisted in the rebuilding of a portion of the face timber on the west side of the wharf; the slip was also repaired, and general repairs done to the planking and sheathing of the wharf, (b) $1,463.62.	(c) Completed, (d) Day labour,
as it was a work of repairs.
3.	Daniel Walker. $2.50 per day.
4.	(a) E. W. Legrand, M. Walker, Jas. Ray, Wm. Imhoff, John Imhoff, J. H. Flowers, D. Law, J. S. Thompson, Jas. Ren-ouf, A. Dobson, A. Flowers, H. Caldwell, R. P. Flowers, W. P. Flowers, C. Hall, B. Rousey, J. Weary, (b) No.


INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY-CAMPBELL-TON SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Who succeeded the late Mr. Price as Superintendent of the Intercolonial railway, at Campbellton? [DOT]
2.	Was the principle of promotion followed in the appointment?
3.	Was the new appointee connected with the intercolonial railway service?


Mr. REID:: 1.	W. R. Devennish.
2.	Yes.
3.	Yes.


OVERSEER OF FISHERIES.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Who succeeded the late Dr. Wakeham as overseer of fisheries, in command of the C.G.S. Princess, and was the appointment made a permanent one ?
2.	If no appointment was made, why not?
3.	Is one soon to be made?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1 and 2. Captain Joseph Chalifour has been temporarily entrusted with the duties.
3.	The matter is under consideration.


GASPE -AND BONA VENTURE LIGHT -HOUSES.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Were any new lights or lighthouses put UP on the Gaspe and Bonaventure coast line in 1915?
2.	If so, was the work done by contract after notice?
_ 3. Who were the contractors, what were the amounts paid, and where are these new lights or lighthouses situated?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	A small pole light was installed on Grindstone wharf, Magdalen islands. The old lighthouse at Perce was rebuilt in concrete and a new lantern and apparatus supplied from the lighthouse depot at Prescott.
2.	The tower at Perce was built by contract after inviting public tenders.
3.	Tenders for the above were as follows: Joseph A. Boucher, carpenter, Perce, P.Q., $1,845; Charles Lamb, contractor, Perce, P.Q., $2,225; Lewis Maloney, contractor. Barachois West, P.Q., $2,500. The contract
* was awarded to the lowest tenderer. The new light at Grindstone consists of a lantern hoisted on a pole. The lantern was supplied out of departmental stores. The total expenditure in connection with the installation was $162.64.


PASPEBIAC WHARF.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Was any work done by the Department of Public Works in 1915 on the wharf belonging to Messrs. Robin, Jones and Whitman at Paspebiac, Quebec?
2.	What was the nature of the work, is it completed, and how much did it cost?
3.	If the work is not completed, how much is it intended to spend there, and when will the work be done?
4.	Does this wharf remain a private wharf or is it open to the public, and on what conditions? ?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1,	2 and 3. No work done in calendar year 1915.
4.	Is still a private wharf.


MARIA BEACH PROTECTION WORKS.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	How much has been expended altogether on the beach protection works at Maria, Quebec, and how much last year?
2.	Is this work completed? If not, is it intended to go on with it this year, and how much will it cost?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	$4,315.11, including $1,599.04 expended last year.
2.	Yes, completed.
*
CARDETON BEACH PROTECTION WORKS. Mr. MARCIL:
1.	What amount was expended in 1915 by the Department of Public Works on the beach protection works at Carleton, Quebec, and has the work been completed?
2.	If not, how much more money is required, and is it intended to go on with the work this year?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	(a) $688.31.	(b) No.
2.	(a) The district engineer reports that
$1,000 will be required for the coming fiscal year; this will be considered in discussing Estimates, (b) Information will be given when the Estimates are laid before Parliament.	.


CAMPBEDLTON-GASPE STEAMSHIP SERVICE.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Have any arrangements been made for the subsidized steamship service between Campbell-ton, N.B., and Gaspg, Quebec, for 1916, and what are they?
2.	How much was paid for this service in 1915, and to whom?


Sir GEORGE FOSTER:: 1.	No.
2.	$20,000 paid to the Gaspe and Bate des Chaleurs Steamship Company Limited.


GASPE-ANTICOSTI MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. MARCIL:: 1.	Was a mail service subsidized in 1915 between Gaspg, Anticosti and the North Shore of the St. Lawrence?
2.	If so, who was the contractor, what was the service, how much was paid, and during what time was the service maintained?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Robin Jones and Whitman; frequency, fortnightly; rate, $2,000 per. season; 1st May to 27th October, 1915.


PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND STEAMSHIP SERVICE.
Mr. J. J. HUGHES:: 1.	Did the Charlottetown board of trade petition or request the Government or the Department of Trade and Commerce to subsidize a steamer or steamers for the trade between Prince Edward Island and St. John's, Newfoundland, for the season of 1915?
2.	Did the board of trade suggest or recommend the Red Cross Steamship Line of New York for that service?
3.	Did the Department of Trade and Commerce enter into a contract with the said steamship line?
4.	If so, what was the nature of the contract, how many ships were to be employed, how
l

many round trips were to be made, what were to be the ports of call, and what subsidy was to be paiij?
5.	Did the SS. Florizel of the Red Cross Dine make one or more trips? If so, how many, and what did the service cost?
6.	What was the tonnage and carrying capacity of the SS. Florizel?
7.	Was the contract with the Red Cross Dine, if any existed, cancelled? If so, why, and at whose request or instance?
8.	Was a 'contract entered into with any other steamship or steamship company?
9.	If so, who was the owner of the steamer, what was the name of the company, and what was the name of the steamer?
10.	What was the nature of the contract, how many trips were made, what was the tonnage and carrying capacity of the steamer, and what did the service cost?
11.	At whose request or instance was the
new contract entered into, and was the Charlottetown board of trade consulted in the matter? If not, why not?	.
12.	What quantity ef produce was carried by the Black Diamond Steamship Dine from Prince Edward Island to St. John's, Newfoundland, in each of the years 1912, 1913 and 1914. and what did the service for each of these
years cost?	. , ,
13.	What quantity pf produce was carried in the year 1915, and what did the service cost?


Sir GEORGE FOSTER:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Yes.
3.	No.
4.	Answered by No. 3.	.
5.	The department has no definite information. No subsidy has been paid.
6.	The Florizel is a steamship of 3,081 gross tons. The department has no definite information as to carrying capacity.
7.	No contract was entered into.
8.	Yes.
9.	W. N. Macdonald. Steamship Senlac.
10.	The usual contract for the carriage of mails, passengers and freight. Two trips were to be made in July, two in August, three in September, three in October, three in November, and if service continued during December, two trips in said month. The Senlac was 615 net and 1,011 gross tons, with carrying capacity of 1,100 tons and accommodation for 400 passengers.
'The subsidy paid up to December 8, 1915, was $10,416.67.
11.	Tenders were invited from 15 firms and the contract awarded fo' the only person submitting a proposal. The Charlottetown board of trade was sent a copy of the call for tenders.
12.
Year.	Tons	Tons	SubsidyWeight	Measurement	Paid1912	7,736	138	$12,000.001913	6,009	84	16,500.001914	5,622	57	14,278.84
13. Abstract manifests of exports for 1915 have not been received from the contractor yet. Cost of service, $10,416.67.


WATER CARTS.
Mr. NESBITT:: 1.	What number of tenders were received for water carts or wagons for the lot that was to be closed on the 25th May, 1915?
2.	What is the (a) name of each tenderer, the (b) price of each cart or wagon, and the (c) number of carts or wagons ordered at that time, and (d) from whom ordered?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Five (5) tenders were received. ,
2.	(a) Names of tenderers:	Woodstock
W-agon and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Woodstock, Ont.; Canada Carriage Co., Ltd., Brockville, Ont.; Preston Car and Coach Co., Ltd., Preston, Ont.: The Bain Wagon Co., Ltd., Woodstock, Ont.; Ottawa Car Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Ottawa1, Ont. (b) The price of the water cart was $232 each, (e) Forty-eight (48) water carts were ordered, (d) The carts were ordered from the Woodstock Wagon and Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Woodstock, Out.


NOVA SCOTIA HAY COMPRESSING CONTRACTS.
Mr. COPP:: 1.	Has the Department of Agriculture, as agent for and on behalf of the British government, entered into a contract with any person or persons, firms or corporations Cor the compressing of hay, at Windsor, or at any other place in the province' of Nova Scotia?
2.	If so, with what persons or firms, and at what place?
3.	What price is being paid said persons or firms for the hay compressed, and at what place or places of delivery?
4.	If any such contract has been entered into, was same let by public tender?
5.	If tenders were called for, from whom were tenders received, and what was the price given in each tender?
6.	Is it the intention of the Government to make arrangements for the compressing of hay either as a Government work or for and on behalf of the British government at Halifax,., or at some other point in the province of Nova Scotia on the line of the Intercolonial railway?
7.	Has the Department of Agriculture decided to compress hay at Windsor or any other place in the province of Nova Scotia as a Government work?
8.	If so, at what place or places will said work be done.


Mr. BURRELL:: 1. The Department of Agriculture acts as agent for the British Government in the purchase of various supplies whenever requested. It is undesirable in the public interest to give information on such matters at the present time.



INTERCOLONIAL RAILWAY COAL SUPPLY.

[Stage Direction]
'Mr. MACDONALD:
How many tons of coal were stored on December 31, 1915, at the following Intercolonial railway stations:	RiviSre du Loup, St. Flavie,
LSvis, Drummondvllle and Montreal?
["'\n1.\tYes.\n2.\tAs sub-collector, salary, $2,400 a year.\n3.\tThe Government is aware that Dr. Elliott has acted as town clerk and secretary of the Board of Trade at Le Pas, hut has no information as to the salaries received by him in these positions.\n4.\tDr. Elliott should devote his time to customs duties during customs hours.\n5.\tIt has been the practice of the Department of Customs to permit customs officers in special eases to hold other positions which do not interfere with their duties as customs officers"]
Mr. REID:: Riviere du Loup, 8,599 tons; Ste. Flavie (Montjoli), 1,571 tons; Levis, none; Chaudibre Junction, near Levis, 26,075 tons; Drummondville, 16,508 tons; Montreal, none.



Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	What was the date or dates when- contracts were signed with the different coal companies in 1915?
2.	What was the price awarded to each company?
3.	What were the quantities allotted to each company ?
4.	Were any contracts awarded in 1915 for the delivery of coal by water?
5.	If so, to what companies, what amount, what price, and what was the date of said contracts? .


John Dowsley Reid: [DOT]
1.	No regular contracts were signed with the companies. The orders were given by letter and the dates of the orders are shown below, the only exception being a contract with The Valley Camp Ooal 'Oompamy, dated June 9, 1915, for 100,000 tons, more or less.
Company.
Dominion Coal Co
Nova Scotia Steel & Coal Co
Colonial Coal Co	
Inverness Railway & Coal Co.
Intercolonial Coal Mining Co. Acadian Coal Co	
Maritime Coal Co.
Minudie Coal Co	
E. Long	
L.	C. Betts	
Atlantic Coal Co	
M.	F. Keith	
Minto Coal Co	 ' \
G.	H. King	
Northheld Coal Co	
Rothwell Coal Co	
H.	Wei ton	
A. G. Robinson	
' Valley Camp Coal Co	
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Co
2 and 3.
Date of order.
. April'28....
June 9....
October 2 ... November 2.
December 7	
. July 13	
July 2(1	
December 4	
December 7	
. April 21	
May 8	
September 10....
December 28	
May 3 and 7	.
April 29 and
May 7	
April 29 and
May 1	
Sept. 10	
April 29 and Mav 7. June 17..
May 7	
July 23	
April 30 and May 7
May 7 and 30...
June 22 and July 9 May 7 and July 22 May 7 and Aug. 16 May 7 and June 22 May 7 and June 22
June 7, 1915...
June 1, 1915 .... November 9, 1915.
Prices.*	Quantity.
$3.25	130,000 tons.
3.00	
1.75	60 to 100 tons weekly.
3.70	5,000 tons.
3.00	1,000 tons.
3.00	36,000 tons.
3.60	32,000 tons.
3.65	18,000 tons.
4.95	10,000 tons.
3.00	36,000 tons.
3.00	
2.50	60,000 tons.
3.10	Requirements at Pt. Tupper
2.75	and Mulgrave.
1.25	As ordered weekly.
3.02	500 tons.
3.10	800 tons weekly.
2.75	
3.25	71,300 tons. ,
3.25	110,0(*0 tons.
3.00	
3.10	As required.
3.25	75,000 tons.
3.00	
1.50	As required weeklv.
3.20	60,000.
1.55	As required weekly.
3.20	30 tons weekly.
3 20	30 tons weekly.
3.20	50 tons weekly.
3.20	120 tons weekly.
3.15	20,000 tons.
3.20	As ordered.
3.20	As ordered. [DOT]
3.20	As ordered.
3.20	As ordered.
3.15	As ordered.
4.50	3,000 tons.
3.08	127,000 tons.

4 and 5.
Water Coal.
Company.	Date of Order.	Prices.	. Quantity.May 3 and 7 . * [DOT] October 2	$4.05 2.70 3.55 3.35 and freight. 3.08 3.00 2.93 3.63 2.18	18,700 tons. 15.000	tons. 30 tons. 130,000 tons. 700 to 800 tons. 15.000	tons.
November 26	 [DOT]June 9, Nov. 9 and Dec. 7			
Valley Camp Coal Co				
	November 2			
Hard Coal.
Company	Date of Order
Buckley Coal & Contracting Co	Aug. 14	
Aug. 16	J. S. Gibbon & Co	
Valley Camp Coal Co. 	
Hudson Coal Co	- [DOT]	Aug. 16 	
October 12	
October 12	
Prices	Quantity.
$7 25		120 tons.
7.35		120 tons
6.75 		700 tons.
6.60		3,060 tons.
6.75 		600
8.00 		Ordered from time to time in small quantities as required.
10.10		Ordered from time to time in small quantities as required.
8.00


Mr. LAW:: 1.	How many tons of coal were purchased by the Intercolonial railway in the province of Nova Scotia from the 1st of April to the 31st of December. 1915?
2.	How much was purchased from each of the coal companies in Nova Scotia, and at what price in each case?


Mr. REID:: 1.	447,1544 tons.
Tons.
Maritime Coal Co	68,4781	3	255,584	3	009401	1	753,174	1	50301	1	35Minudie Coal Co	
32,3151	3 20251	2	952,358	1	55904	1	65L. C. Betts	1241	3 20Atlantic Coal Co	
1,2661	3202. Dominion Coal Co	Tons. 6,280|	$3	7013,902	3	5570,9102	3	25294	3	1535,294	3	003581	1	851,501	1	75Colonial Coal Co	10,797 J	3	0026,900J	2	50Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Co.	3511	4	95377|	3	6532,000	3	60284	3	368,256	3	00Inverness Coal Co	26,622	3	103611	3	021,7601	2	752,552	1	25Acadia Coal Co	16,4551	3	251,2271	3	1033,9444	3	00Intercolonial Coal Co	41,981	3	25


M. G. ARCHIBALD.
Mr. SINCLAIR:: 1.	Is there an officer of the C.A.M.C. in Kamloops, B.C., named M. G. Archibald?
2.	If so, what is his rank and rate of pay?
3.	Is he paid for full time, or fees for services rendered?
4.	Is the Department aware that he is continuing his private practice?
5.	Is the Department aware that he fills the following public offices in addition to his military duties: medical health officer for the city of Kamloops, medical inspector of schools, coroner, and provincial health officer?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Yes, medical officer, 102nd Regiment.
2.	Captain M. G. Archibald has been employed since August 10, 1914, as medical officer of 102nd Regiment, Rocky Mountain Rangers, and drew pay and allowances of

a lieutenant from August 10, 1914. He was jpromoted to captain from September 25, 1915, and as he is carrying on a private practice he is only entitled to pay of rank, $3 a day from that date.
3.	Pay of rank, $3 a day; no allowances, as he is carrying ,on a private practice, as per regulations.
4 and 5. Yes.


'STEAMER STARLING.
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:: On what terms, and for what purpose is the steamer Starling: hired by the Government of Canada, what is the age and tonnage of the said steamer, and from whom is she chartered?
. Mr. HAZEN:	$60 per day. Owners to
pay for engine room and deck stores, wages and board of crew, and provide board and accommodation for an officer of the Department of the Naval Service. Owners to accept and pay for ordinary marine insurance risk. Department to provide fuel, water, port charges and pilotage and to accept war risk on vessel. Term of charter for minimum period of 3 months and from day to day thereafter as required. Owners to be paid monthly in advance and for any sums paid and not earned department to have lien on ship. Fourteen days' notice of termination of charter to be given. All fittings and alterations necessary to meet the Government's purposes to be removed or restored prior to return at the expense of the Government. The vessel to be returned in her original condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Payment to cease if ship should be prevented from performing her duty for more than 24 hours on account of any defect or breakdown. Built 1888. Gross tonnage, 122 tons; net tonnage, 50 tons. Chartered for mine-sweeping and patrol. Chartered from Lockport Cold Storage Company.


CANADIAN IMMIGRATION.
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:: 1.	What was the immigration into Canada by nationalities for the calendar years 1914 and 1915?
2.	What were the total numbers entered for each of said years at Halifax, St. John, Quebec, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria, respectively?


Mr. ROCHE:: 
DT.-COL. ARMAND LAVERGNE
Mr. EDWARDS:: 1.	Does Armand Lavergne, M.P.P. of Quebec, still retain his rank as a Colonel in the militia of Canada ?
2.	Does the Government intend to allow him to retain his rank in the militia?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Lieut.-Colonel A. R. Lavergne holds the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Canadian militia, commanding the 61st Montmagny Regiment of Canadian militia.
2.	The Government's course in the matter is governed by the provisions of the Militia Act, the relevant section of which, section 74, is as follows:
" The Army Act for the time being in force in the United Kingdom, the King's Regulations, and all other laws applicable to His Majesty's troops in Canada and not inconsistent with this Act or the regulations made thereunder, shall have force and effect as if they had been enacted by the Parliament of Canada for the government of the Militia."
" 2. Every officer and man of the militia shall be subject to such Acts, regulations and laws,.- " (a) from the time of being called out for active service ;
"(b) during the period of annual drill or training under the provisions of this Act,-
" (c) at any time while upon military duty or in the uniform of his corps or within any rifle range or any armoury or other place where arms, guns, ammunition or other military stores are kept, or within any drill shed or other building or place used for militia purposes;
"(d) during any drill or parade of his corps at which he is present in the ranks ; " (e) when going to or from the place of drill or parade; and
"(f) at any drill or parade of his corps at which he is present as a spectator whether in uniform or not."
" 3. Officers and men of the permanent force and members of - the permanent staff of the militia shall at all times be subject to military law."


PORTSMOUTH PENITENTIARY-TRANSFER OF INSANE CONVICTS.
Mr. EDWARDS:: 1.	When were the insane convicts removed from Portsmouth penitentiary to Guelph?
2.	What salary was paid to Dr. Phelan for each of the months from April to December, 1915?
3.	How much is paid per week for the care of each insane convict sent from the penitentiary to Guelph?


Mr. MEIGHEN:: 1.	July 14, 1915.
2.	The usual salary, namely, $225 per month.
3.	Five dollars.


PORTSMOUTH PENITENTIARY-CONVICT GOWAN.
Mr. EDWARDS:: 1.	Was convict Gowan sent to Guelph on the removal of the insane convicts from the penitentiary?
2.	Was he liberated by the order of officials at Portsmouth penitentiary two years before the expiration of his term?
3.	Was he re-arrested? If so, was he returned to the penitentiary or to Guelph?


Mr. MEIGHEN:: 1.	Yes.
2.	No.
3.	Yes, and returned to Kingston penitentiary,-the Guelph authorities having pronounced him sane when discharged.
PORTSMOUTH PENITENTIARY	.


SURGEONS.
Mr. EDWARDS:: 1.	When did Dr. Phelan cease acting as surgeon at Portsmouth penitentiary?
2.	Was he dismissed or did he resign?
3.	Was, he asked to resign?
4.	Was he given a gratuity? If so, how much?
5.	Is he to receive an annual pension? If so, how much?
6.	Who have been appointed as surgeons of Portsmouth penitentiary, and what are their respective duties and salaries?


Mr. MEIGHEN:: 1.	December 31, 1915.
2.	He was retired on superannuation, his office having been abolished-
3.	No.
4.	No.
5.	Yes. $1,512 per annum.
6.	Dr. Robert Hanley and Dr. W. T. Connell have been appointed joint surgeons, the former as attending surgeon at a salary of $860 per annum, and the latter as consulting surgeon at a salary of $500 per annum.


RIGAUD-POINTE FORTUNE MAID ROUTE.
*Mr. BOYER:: 1.	What are the names of the tenderers for the contract for the carrying of letters, etc., in the rural mail boxes that have been set up between Rigaud and Pointe Fortune, and what is the amount asked by each of them?
2.	Who obtained the said contract' and for what amount?
3.	What are the names of the tenderers for the contract for the carrying of letters, etc., in

the rural mail boxes that have been set up in other parts of the parish of Rigaud, and what is the amount asked by each of them?
4.	Who obtained the said contract and for what amount?


Mr. CASGEAIN:: 1.	Rigaud Rural Route No- 1:-Hilaire Seguin, $495; Adelard Belisle, $599; Hilaire Seguin, $600; Arthur Larocque, $600; J. Hector Chevrier, $650; Elphege Mallette, $650; L. J. N. Chevrier, $747; Napoleon Seguin, $850.
2.	Hilaire Seguin, at $495 per annum.
3.	Rigaud Eural Eoute No. 2:-Joseph Cholette, $595; Edmond Lalonde, $700; Joseph Cholette, $700; Onesiphore Mallette, $723; Pierre Chevrier, $748; L. J. N. Chevrier, $820; Hector Blais, $850; Napoleon Seguin, $900.
4.	Joseph Cholette, at $595 per annum.
BERLIN, ONT., REGISTRAR OP ALIENS. Mr- DEVLIN:
1.	Did the Minister of Justice receive a petition from the city council of Berlin, Ontario, in May or June, 1915, praying for the appointment of a registrar of aliens for the city of Berlin, Ontario?
2.	What action, if any, has been taken in regard to the said petition?


Mr. MEIGHEN:: 1.	Yes, dated May 18, 1915.
2.	Upon investigation the conditions at Berlin did not appear to warrant the maintenance of a registration office, as the chief constable had already been authorized under the proclamation of August 15, 1914, to arrest and detain all suspected aliens. However, on May 21, 1915, Mr. John A. Weir, police magistrate, was also authorized to act under the same proclamation.


WAR SUPPLIES-HORSES.
Mr. KAY:: 1.	Is the British Government at present buying any horses in Canada for military purposes? If so, how long have they been buying in Canada?
_ 2. Is the French Government at present buying any horses in Canada for military purposes? If so, how long have they been buying in Canada?
3.	Is there any agreement or understanding between the Dominion Government and the British or French Governments as to the number of horses to be bought by the British or French Governments in Canada, or as to the provinces in which they may be purchased? If so, what agreement is there?.


Sir EOBEET BOEDEN:: 1.	There is a British Remount Commission in Canada but the Government is informed that the commission is not purchasing horses at present. Up to November last a considerable number of horses were

purchased in Canada by the British Remount Commission.
2.	The Government is informed that the French Government is at present buying horses in Canada for military purposes and that they have been so purchasing for several months past.
3.	There is no agreement on the subject but both Governments have been urged to purchase in Canada so far as possible any horses required for military purposes. In the month of August last the Prime Minister conferred with the authorities of the War Office and after some correspondence and discussion succeeded in securing arrangements by which the French Government should in future be permitted to purchase in Canada horses required by that government for military purposes.


Mr. J. J. HUGHES:: 1.	How many horses did the Government buy in Prince Edward Island for military purposes from the 1st August, 1914, to date?
2.	What was the total amount paid for these horses, exclusive of commissions, and what did the commissions amount to?
3.	What was the average price per horse?
4.	What are the names and addresses of the persons who made the purchases, and how many horses did each of the buyers purchase?
5.	Were the horses purchased in Prince Edward Island found to be suitable and satisfactory?
6.	What was the average price paid for horses purchased in the other provinces of Canada, and were they found to be suitable and satisfactory?
7.	What was the total number of horses purchased by the Government in Canada for military purposes from 1st August, 1914, to date?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	115 horses.
2.	Total cost, $20,068. No commissions were paid by the Government.
3.	Average price per horse $174.50.
4.	Mr. W. S. McKie, Charlottetown, 99
horses; Major E. C. Thurston, Sydney, N.S., 2 horses; Lt. N. J. Barry, Ottawa, 14 horses.	.
5.	Yes.
6.	Average price $167.29. Yes.
7.	Total number of horses purchased by the Government in Canada since 1st August, 1914, to date, 24,672.


Mr. KAY:: 1.	How many horses have been bought in
Canada by the Dominion Government for military purposes from the outbreak of the war up to November 30,	1915, and wha*t was the
average price paid?
2.	How many horses have been bought by the Government of Canada for military purposes between November 1 and November 30, 1915, and what was the average price paid?
3.	Is the Government buying any horses at the present time for military purposes?

SiT SAM HUGHES:
1.	Total number of horses purchased from
outbreak of war to November 30,	1915,
24,672. The average price paid was $167.29.
2.	None.
3.	No.


INTEREST ON SAVINGS DEPOSITS.
Mr. L. A. LAPOINTE:: Is it the intention of the Government to introduce during the present Session of Parliament legislation for the purpose of fixing the rate of interest on deposits in the post office and other Government savings banks?


Sir THOMAS WHITE:: No. The Governor-in-Council has power under existing legislation to fix from time to time the rate of interest referred to, not exceeding four per cent.


Louis Audet Lapointe: Is it the intention of the Government to introduce during the present Session of Parliament legislation for the purpose of fixing the rate of interest on savings deposits payable by the banks, under the Bank Act, at not less than four per cent?


William Thomas White: Existing conditions would not, in the view of the Government, warrant or justify the enactment of such legislation.


HUDSON BAY RAILWAY.
Mr. GRAHAM:: 1.	What amount of money has been expended on the Hudson Bay railway project up to January 1, 1916?
2.	What amount has been expended respectively, on the railway, bridges, and harbour and approaches?
3.	How many miles are graded, and on what mileage has steel been laid?
4.	When is it expected that the railway portion of the project will be completed?
5.	Will the harbour be completed or ready for traffic about the same date?
6.	What amounts have been expended respectively by the Railway Department and the Marine Department?


Mr. BLONDIN:: Department of Railways and Canals:
1.	$15,465,304.70.
2.	Expended on the railway to January
1,	1916, $10,446,592.96, which includes an expenditure to January 1,	1916, upon
bridges, trestles and culverts of $683,166.75.
Expended on harbours and approaches by the Department of Railways and Canals up to January 1, 1916, $5,018,711.74, which includes an expenditure to January 1, 1916, upon bridges of $163,012.30.
3.	378 miles graded, steel laid to Mile 242.
4.	It is expected that steel will reach Port Nelson early in 1917.
5.	It is expected that the harbour, will be ready for traffic, though incomplete, about the time tfiat the railway will be ready for operation.
6.	$5,018,711.74.
Department of Marine and Fisheries:
6.	$21,293.96.


SHELL BOXES.
Mr. GERMAN:: 1.	Has a contract or contracts been awarded to C. W.- Burgoyne, of Fenelon Falls, or to' Alfred Tiers of the same place, to manufacture shell boxes for the Government?
2.	What number of shell boxes are to be manufactured under such contract, and what, price is to be paid per box?
3., By whom is such contract or contracts, if awarded, being carried out?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	No.
2 and 3. Answered by No. 1.


SHELBURNE PORT PHYSICIAN.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Is there a regular port physician at Shelburne, N.S.? If so, what is his name?
2.	Is he paid a salary by the Government, or for work performed, or both?
3.	How much was he paid for each of the years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915?
4.	Will the Government bring down a copy of all accounts paid the said port physician during these years?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes. Dr. S. W. Burns.
2.	Salary.
3.	Dr. Burns was appointed port physician
January 1, 1913, at a salary of $100 per annum. He was paid for the fiscal year
1912-13, 3 months, $25; for 1913-14, $100. On March 1, 1915, his salary was increased to $150 per annum, to include treatment of sick mariners at out-port of Sanby point. For the fiscal year 1914-15 he was paid $104.16, being 11 months at the rate of $100 per annum, and one month at the rate of $150 per annum.	'
4.	No accounts paid except salary.


APPLICATION FOR BELL BUOY.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Has the Government received a petition from residents of Shelburne county, N.S., asking for a bell buoy on Bantam rock, at the entrance to North East harbour or Cape Negro-harbour??
2.	If so, does the Government intend to place bell buoy on said rock, and when?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	No. An application, however, was received for a bell buoy to mark a rock locally known as Bridget, and evidently that chartered as Budget. This application-

was cqnsidered by the Lighthouse Board, but the board reported unfavourably.
2.	See answer to No. 1.


THE COMMANDEERING OF WHEAT.
Mr. KYTE:: 1.	How many bushels of wheat were commandeered by the Government in 1915?
2.	On whose requisition did the Government
act?
3.	How many bushels were loaned back to
the dealers or operators, and what deposit per bushel was required?	[DOT]
4.	How much of said wheat has been shipped from Canada?
5.	To whom has such shipment from Canada been made?
6.	At what price has such wheat been disposed of?


Sir GEORGE FOSTER:: 1.	13,621,806.50 bushels.
2.	Authority to purchase the wheat was cabled by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on November 23.
3.	8,051,968.10 bushels. Of the wheat loaned from eastern elevators a deposit of 10c per bushel was required. On that which was loaned from terminal elevators no deposit was required, but the bills of lading and the official commandeered wheat certificates were retained until the grain was paid back.
4.	4,296,617.50 bushels.
5.	The shipments have been made or are under order to the Committee of the Allies.
6.	The wheat is passed on to the Committee of the Allies at the price paid therefor at Fort William, viz., 1 Northern, $1.04 3-4; 2 Northern, $1.03 1-8, and 3 Northern, 98 3-4c.


INSPECTORS OF MUNITIONS.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	How many inspectors of munitions have been appointed since the war began?
2.	By whom are those officials appointed?
3.	What qualifications are required for these positions?
4.	Has the Minister of Militia assured himself in all cases, before making the appointment, that the person to be appointed possesses the necessary technical knowledge of the work?	"
5.	Have these appointments been made on the recommendation of the person having the political patronage in the district where they have been employed?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: L For Militia Department, four officers on militia contracts.
2.	By the Hon. the Minister of Militia and Defence, on the recommendation of the Chief Inspector of Arms and Ammunition, for militia work.
	.
3.	Those already with some knowledge of inspection duties, or certified mechanical
' engineers.
4.	The Chief Inspector of Arms and Ammunition, as the technical representative of the hon. the minister, has done so in all cases.	'
5.	No appointments have ever been made on the recommendation of the person having the political patronage in the district where they have been employed; they have been selected for their technical qualifications only.


THE FARMERS BANK.
Rodolphe Lemieux: Is it the intention of the Government to introduce any legislation during the present session, with a view to reimburse the depositors of the defunct Farmers Bank?


William Thomas White: It is not the intention of the Government to introduce such legislation during the present session.


CAPE NEGRO ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Were public tenders called for the construction of a new lighthouse and dwelling on Cape Negro island?
2.	If so, in what papers were the advertisements published?
3.	Who were the tenderers for this contract, and what was the amount of each tender?
4.	To whom was the contract awarded, and at what price?
5.	Who was the inspector on said work, how much per day did he receive, and what was the total amount paid him for his services?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Tenders asked by posters.
3.	D. C. Mulhall, $15,900.
4.	D. C. Mulhall, $11,200.
5.	Samuel K. Greenwood, four per cent of contract price, $448.


THE AMERICAN VESSEL STARLING.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Was the American vessel, Starling, entered for duty at Shelburne, N.S., during years 1915 or 1916? If so, on what date?
2.	What valuation was placed on said vessel, and on what price was the duty paid thereon?
3.	Did said vessel receive a crew register? If so, what is the number?
4.	What is her gross tonnage?
5.	What is her registered tonnage?
6.	When was said vessel built, and where?
7.	Who is the registered owner or owners of said vessel?
8.	Have any negotiations passed between any person or persons and the Government in respect to a proposed charter of said vessel to the Government ?
9.	If so, for what service, and at what price?
10.	What was the date of said charter, with

whom is said charter partly made, and when is vessel to be taken over by the Government?
11.	How long does the Government expect to employ said vessel?
12.	Will the Government bring down all correspondence relative to chartering of said vessel?


Mr. BLONDIN:: 1.	(Customs): The American vessel Starling was entered for duty at Shelburne, N.S., December 18, 1915, and was appraised for duty purposes in the usual manner.
2.	It is not usual to give information as to the value of individual importations entered at the Custom House.
3.	(Marine): The official number of the ship's certificate of registry is 134,177. The Registrar of Shipping registered this vessel under a misapprehension of his instructions and the matter, is receiving attention.
4.	121 -58 tons.
5.	50'43 tons.
6.	1888; East Boston, Mass., U.S.A.
7.	The Lockport Cold Storage Company, Ltd.
8.	Yes.
9.	Patrol and Minesweeping Service; $60 per day.
10.	11th January, 1916. Lockport Cold Storage Company; 7th January, 1916.
11.	For a minimum period of three months.
12.	There are no objections to bringing down this correspondence.


MAHONE BAY-MARTIN'S BROOK MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:: 1.	What persons recently tendered for the mail contract service between Mahohe Bay and Martin's Brook, Lunenburg County, N.S. ?
2.	What was the amount of the respective tenders ?
3.	To whom was the contract awarded, and at what amount?


Joseph Philippe Baby Casgrain: .
1 and 2. This service is performed under two contracts: (a) Mader's cove and Mahone bay; (b) Mader's cove and Martin brook. Tenders received for Mader's cove and Mahone bay: Harris W. Ham, $79.50; Penney Bros., $93; Abel Lohnes, $95; Charles W. Joudrey, $234; A. Essenhaur, $250.40. Tenders received for Mader's cove and Martin brook:	Harris W. Ham, $53.50;
Penney Bros., $62.40; Charles W. Joudrey, $62.40; A. Essenhaur, $70.20; Abel Lohnes, $80.
3.	The contract was awarded to'the lowest tenderer in each case.


SHELBURNE FISHERY GUARDIAN.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Is Joseph Nickerson, of Port LaTour, a fishery guardian in the county of Shelburne, N.S.? If not, when did he resign?
2.	What salary was paid him while in office, and on what date was he last paid such salary?
3.	Who is his successor, and what salary does he receive?
])fr. HAZEN:
1.	No. He left the district about August 1.
2.	$1.50 per day for such days as his services were required. He received $42 for twenty-eight days' services.
3.	George L. Nickerson, of Port Latour, who is paid at the same rate as his predecessor.


CAPTAIN JOHN BATEMAN.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Is Captain- John Bateman of Patrol Boat Service in Shelburne county, N.S., still in the employ of the Government? If so, in what capacity?
2.	What salary per month did he receive during 1915?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes. Officer in charge of patrol boat

2.	$75 per month when the boat is in commission, he paying his Own living expenses, and half pay the remainder of the time.


CAPTAIN CHARLES BLADES.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Is Captain Charles Blades, of Patrol Boat Service in Shelburne county, N.S., still in the employ of the Government? If so, in what capacity ?
2.	What was his salary during 1915?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes. Officer in charge patrol boat F,
2.	$75 per month when the boat was in commission, he paying his own living expenses, and half pay the remainder of the time.


CAPTAIN WILLIAM ROSS.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Is Captain William Ross, at present of ,Ca,pe Negro, N.S., formerly cajptain of) SS. Winchester, stilL in the employ of the Government? If so, in what capacity?
2.	What wages were paid him per month during 1915, and how many months was he paid during said year?


John Douglas Hazen: .
1.	William Ross is1 serving in the Royal Canadian Navy as Chief Warrant Officer.
2.	Pay, $80 per month, twelve months.


SALE OP WAR STAMPS.
Mr.   SMTH@: What is the percentage paid postmasters for the sale of war stamps?


Joseph Philippe Baby Casgrain: Under consideration.
No payments will be made under this heading until next fiscal year, this year's revenue serving as the 'basis tor postmasters' salaries next year.


WESTERN, N.S., FISHERY INSPECTOR.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	Who is Fishery Inspector for Western Nova Scotia ?
2.	When did Ward Fisher, Fishery Inspector, resign, who is his successor in office, and what salary does he receive for such services?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Ward Fisher.
2.	Answered by No. 1.


SHELBURNE FISHERY GUARDIANS.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	What are the names of the Fishery Guardians for the county of Shelburne for the year ending March 31st, 1915, and how much was paid each one for his services during that year?
2.	What are the names of the Fishery Guardians for Shelburne County. N.S., at the present time?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	John Nichol, $50; K. McKay, $50; Wm. MacLean, $30; Freeman Hagar, $50; R. E. Hagar, $30; Chas. Towner, $25; John J. Ryer, $40; H. Smith (resigned, October 13), $40; B. O. Bower, $40; Oliver Goodick, $40;
S.	Smith, $40; John McKay,. $40; R. Firth, $40; J. F. Farrington, $258; Geo. Long-hurst, $404.25; H. C. Dash, $156.60; J. E. Gross, $122.40; W. E. Decker, $25; D. P. Swim, $25; F. Poole, $25; V. Brannen, $462; H. L. Shand, $462; B. H. Smith, $462; David Atwood, $412.50; J. E. Smith, $390; John Nickerson, $255; H. Swaine, $152; P. A. Stoddart, 647.50; Judah Nickerson, $384;
J.	M. Davis, $50; total, $3,677.
2.	John Nichol, R. M. McKay, Wm. McLean, Freeman Hagar, Robert E. Hagar, Chas.. Towner, John J. Ryer, Clifford Harris (in place H. Smith); B. O. Bower, Oliver Goodick, S. Smith, John McKay, R. Firth, J. F. Farrington, Geo. Longhurst, H.
C.	Dash, J. E. Gross, W. E. Decker, D. P. Swim, F. Poole, V. Brannen, H. L. Shand, B. H. Smith, David Atwood, Jos. W. V. Wilson, (in place of J. E. Smith, deceased); Jos. Nickerson, (in place of John Nickerson); George Nickerson, (in place of Joseph Nickerson); H. Swaine, P. A. Stoddart, Judah Nickerson, J. M. Davis.


RIMOUSKI CUSTOMS OFFICER.
[Stage Direction]
*	Mr. GAUVREAU:
1.	Did the honourable the Minister of Customs receive a letter from Mr. L. O. Vallee, of Rimouski, requesting an investigation in connection with his dismissal as Customs officer at Rimouski ?
2.	If so, does the minister intend to grant him such investigation? If not, why not?
Mr. REID:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Investigation was made by the Inspector of Customs for the district, and no further investigation is necessary.


LOUISVILLE POST OFFICE.
Mr. GAUVREAU:: 1.	To whom was the contract given to make a cement sidewalk all around and in front of the post-office at Louisville?
2.	What was the cost of that cement work?
3.	To' whom was the contract given for the
building of a fence around the post office at Louisville?	-
4.	How much did such fence cost?
5.	What has been the total cost of- the post office at Louisville, including the land and the repairs that have been made?


Robert Rogers: 1 and 3. Messrs. George Therien and L. Lamy.
2. $584.75, approximately.
4.	$8%.50, approximately.
5.	$33,164.38 to December 22, 1915, including cost of site, $2,700.
*	Mr. GAUVREAU:
1.	At what date did Mr. T. A. Mousseau cease to be employed as superintendent of the construction work in connection with the construction of the post office at Louisville?
2.	What is the total amount that has been
paid him for all the time that he was so employed at Louisville?	m


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	Services dispensed with on December 29, 1914, but re-employed as required.
2.	Services to October 7, 1915, $2,808; outlay, $44.90; commission to November 4, 1915, $22.64; total, $2,875.54.


VICTORIA, B.C., DREDGING.
Mr. CARVELL:: 1.	How much money has been paid to Messrs. Grant, Smith & Co. in their contract for dredging in Victoria, B.C., harbour, outer wharf?
2.	What was the estimate of the Public Works Department when tenders were called for, as to solid rock, and as to mud or dirt?
3.	How many cubic yards have been returned on progress or final estimates for solid rock and for mud or dirt?
4.	How many cubic yards have been paid for from May 1, 1915, to date, for solid rock and for mud or dirt?
5.	What was the contract price for solid rock and mud or dirt?

6.	Who was the engineer in charge of the works ?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	$201,151.67.
2.	4,300 yards of rock, 47,600 yards of mud or dirt.
3.	Latest progress estimate received: earth 31,940 cu. yds.; rock, 25,288 cu. yds.
4.	Earth, 28,746 cu. yds.; rock, 18,165-7 cu. yds.; rock blasted but not removed, 4,594-5 cu. yds.
5.	Earth excavation, 52 cents per cu. yd.; rock excavation, $9.10 per cu. yd.
6.	J. S. Maclachlan.


Mr. CARVELL:: 1.	Who supplied coal for the Government dredges Ajax and Mudlark, Victoria, B.C., dur-the years A.D. 1911 and 1912, respectively?
2.	What was the contract price and amount delivered in each of said years?
3.	Was a contract entered into for the above services services for the fiscal year ending1 March 31, 1914, with J. Kingham & Co.?
4.	If so, what was the price per ton in said contract?
5.	Was any coal delivered thereunder? If not, why not?
6.	Prom what other persons or firms did the department purchase coal for said services during said fiscal year?
7.	What was the price per ton, and the amount purchased?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	Fiscal year 1911-12, J. Kingham and Company; 1912-13, J. Kingham and Company.
2.	Fiscal year 1911-12. Terms: Delivery
alongside dredge, wharf or other place, as may be specified, best lump, $5.50; washed nut, No. 1, $5.00; washed nut, No. 2, $4.50. Deliveries:	Dredge Ajax, 1,244 tons at
$5.50; 152 tons at $5.00. Mudlark, 657 tons at $5.50.
Fiscal year 1912-13. Terms:	Delivery
-alongside dredge, wharf or other place, as may be specified. Best lump, $5.25; washed nut, $4.75. Deliveries: Dredge Ajax, 1,428 tons at $5.25; 156 tons at $5.50; Mudlark, 5 tons at $6.75; 148 tons at $5.50; 249 tons at $5.25.
3.	Yes.
4.	Delivered alongside dredge, w-haTf or
other place: Best lump, $5.25; w-ashed nut, $4.75.	'
5.	Yes.
6.	Kirk and Company; Victoria Fuel Company.
7.	Dredge Mudlark. Kirk and Company, 10 tons at $6.50; 1,205-73 tons at $7.00; 22 tons at $7.50. Victoria Fuel Company (under contract on board dredge), 10 tons at $5.50; 200 tons at $6.00; 10 tons at $6.60.
35i	! |) [
Dredge Ajax. Kirk and Company, 586 T6., tons at $7.00; 373-65 tons at $6.25.


FIELD KITCHENS.
Mr. OLIVER:: 1.	How many of the infantry battalions ol the Canadian Expeditionary Forces now in France and Belgium are supplied with field kitchens ?
2.	How many of such field kitchens have provided by public subscription?
3.	How many field kitchens provided by public subscription have been accepted by the military authorities of Canada?


Samuel Hughes: '
L All the infantry battalions o-f the Canadian Expeditionary Forces now serving in France or Belgium are fully supplied with travelling kitchens. .
2 and 3. This is not known, as the supply by public subscription was -a private and regimental matter, and did not come before the department.


MAJOR GENERAL LESSARD.
Mr. PROULX:: 1.	What is the present position of Major General Lessard in connection with the Canadian militia or with the Overseas Expeditionary Forces?
2.	Is the Minister of Militia and Defence availing himself of the services of Major General Lessard in connection with the Overseas Expeditionary Forces ?
3.	Is Major General Lessard' going to Europe as an officer of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces or as a civilian?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Inspector-General of Eastern Canada.
2.	Yes.
3.	For purposes of instruction.


AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN IMMIGRANTS.
William Ashbury Buchanan: How mdny persons of Austrian and German nationality have entered Canada from August 1, 1914, up to the present time?


William Roche: Via ocean ports: 173 Austrian, 166 German. From United States of America: 106 Austrian, 61 German. Total: 279 Austrian, 227 German.
Of the Austrian immigration by ocean ports, 154 came during August, 1914, and of the balance since that date, all but six were women or children.
Of the German immigration by ocean ports, 112 came during August, 1914, and -of the balance since that date, all but 12 were women or children.


QUEBEC P.O. SUPERINTENDENT.
*Mr. LEMIEUX:: 1. Who has been appointed superintendent ol the parcel post branch at the Quebec post office, and what is his salary?

2.	When was he appointed, and has he begun his duties?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Dr. Michael Fiset; $2,800 a year.
2.	Appointed and reported for duty on *the 18th April, 1914.
FISHERIES GUARDIAN, GULiF DIVISION.


Mr. BOULAY:: 1.	Has Commandant Wakeham, of the vessel guarding our fisheries, been replaced? If so, by whom?
2.	What is the name of the vessel that is to guard our fisheries this year?
3.	Has such vessel instructions to visit the coast of the Bay des Chaleurs?


John Douglas Hazen: .
1.	Captain Joseph Chalifour has been temporarily entrusted with the duties of inspector of fisheries for the Gulf division.
2.	As in past years, several vessels and boats will be engaged in this service.
3.	Bay des Chaleurs will as in past years receive necessary supervision.


NATIONAL. TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY THROUGH LUMBER RATE.
Mr. GRAHAM:: 1.	Is there a through rate on lumber from points on the National Transcontinental railway to points bn the Canadian Pacific railway, Grand Trunk railway, and the Canadian Northern railway in Quebec and Ontario?
2.	If not, when was such rate cancelled, and why?


Mr. REID:: 1.	There are through rates on lumber from all points on the National Transcontinental railway, east of the St. Lawrence river; also from such points west of the river to Hearst, Ont., inclusive, from which lumber is likely to be shipped to points on the Grand Trunk railway in Quebec and Ontario. No through rates yet arranged to points on either, the Canadian Pacific or Canadian Northern railways in Quebec and Ontario.
2.	Answered by No. 1.


GOVERNMENT RAILWAY COAL RATES.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	What is the freight rate on the Canadian *Government railways at the present time on coal from the following points, respectively, to Montreal: Sydney, Stellarton, Point Tupper and Springfield?
2.	What was the freight rate between the same points on coal in 1911?


Mr. REID:: 1. Freight rate, Stellarton to Montreal, $1.90 per ton; Point Tupper to Montreal, $2.30 . per ton. No commodity rates in effect at present between Springhill or

Sydney and Montreal and no business offered.
2. Coal rates in 1911 to Montreal as follows: Springhill, $1.80; Stellarton, $1.80; Point Tupper, $2.25; Sydney, $2.55.


S.S. STADACONA.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	What was the amount paid the Department of Naval Service for the "Stadaeona"?
2.	When was she purchased?
3.	What amount has been expended on her for repairs?
4.	Is she now ready and fit for service?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	$70,000.
2.	August 4, 1915.
3.	Repairs to ship, $31,509.64; wireless equipment, $3,076.80.
4.	Ship has been on duty all fall doing efficient work.


BADDECK WHARF.
Mr. McKENZIE:: 1.	Was there any wharfage charged at the Government wharf at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, -during the years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915?
2.	If so, from whom was the wharfage collected, and now much from each one?
3.	Is there any authority issued by the department to collect wharfage at the above wharf? If so, who has such authority, and what is the scale of wharfage provided by the department?
4.	Do the following steamers pay for the use of the Government wharf at Baddeck; the Blue Hill, the Mariner, the Seal, the Scotsburn? If so, how much for the season?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes, during the years 1913, 1914 and 1915.
2.	See attached statement (filed with Clerk of the House).
3.	Wharfage is collected in accordance with the provisions of chapter 112, Revised Statutes, " An Act respecting the Government Harbours, Piers and Breakwaters." See page 7 of attached regulations. (Filed with Clerk of the House.)
4. Yes.	1913.	1914.	1915.Marion	. 39 60	36 00	22 50Blue Hill .. . .	71 40	74 70	57 00Seal	9 00	6 60	6 60Scotsburn . . ..	5 60	80GOVERNMENT	TELEGRAPHS,	VICTORIA


COUNTY.
Mr. McKENZIE:: 1.	Were there any new Government telegraph lines built in Victoria county during the years 1913, 1914 and 1915? If so, where, and what was the length of such line or lines?
2.	Were there any telegraph poles purchased for new lines in Victoria during the years above mentioned? If so, from whom, and at what price?

3.	Are all the telegraph poles purchased in the county of Victoria during the above years paid for?
4.	When were such poles ordered by the department, what are the names of the persons or parties who were authorized to buy these poles, the names of persons from whom they were purchased, and prices paid to such persons?
5.	Who was the paymaster of the department in connection with the above work and procuring of said poles?


Mr. ROGERS:: 1.	Yes, line built from Little Narrows to within four miles of Washabuck Centre in 1912, completed in 1914. Poles for the above were purchased from Neil P. McLean, 153; from John D. McRitchie, 110, and from Murdoch McAskill, 165, at seventy-five cents each. In 1915, seven miles of loop line from South Gut to Munroes Point, and four miles extension from Washabuck Centre to Grass Pond.
2.	Yes, for the above eleven miles and for repairs from N. McAuley, 150; J. Morrison, 160; D. D. McLeod, 90; A. W. McNeil, 120; and from N. A. McNeil, 186, at $1 each.
3.	Yes.
' 4. The above seven hundred and six poles were ordered by the late J. G. Dunlop, general line repairer, without any authority from headquarters.
5.	Work of construction paid for in 1914 by D. G. Dawson, district superintendent, and in 1915 by C. W. McKee, acting district superintendent. Poles were paid for by cheque from the department .


I.C.R. SLEEPERS.
Mr. BELLEMARE:: 1.	Did Messrs. Stewart and Culligan receive a contract or an order from the Government to supply sleepers for the Intercolonial railway?
2.	If so, what prices were paid to these gentlemen for Nos. 1, 2 and 3?	<


Mr. REID:: 1.	Yes.	'
2.	No. 1, 44 cents; No. 2, 36 cents; No. 3, 24 cents.


GOVERNMENT RAILWAY DIVISIONS.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	Have any orders been given for the management of the various divisions of the Canadian Government railways or the creation of a new division or divisions?
2.	If so, what are the changes made in that respect?


Mr. REID:: 1.	No.
2.	Answered by No. 1.


RIVER JOHN CUSTOMS.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	Who is the sub-collector of customs at River John, Pictou county?
2.	When was he appointed?


Mr. REID:: 1.	Charles T. Gammon is acting subcollector of customs at River John, Pictou county.
2.	He was employed August 1, 1915.


RURAL MAIL, PICTOU.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	How many rural mail services have been established in the county of Pictou during- the years 1914 and 1915?
2.	What was the extra cost of those services in each year respectively, and the services previously given in the districts'served?
3.	How many' post offices have been closed as the result of the new rural services, and what are the names of such offices?


Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Rural mail service established in 1914, 1; in 1915, 13.
2.	Extra cost of service established in 1914, nil; in 1915, $4,022.74.
3.	Number of post offices closed, 25: Abercrombie, Abercrombie Pier, Central West River, Churchville, Cross Roads, Roger's Hill, Elmfield, Granton, Green Hill, Heath-bell, Hedgeville, Iron Rock, Island East River, Lime Rock, Loch Broom, Lovat, Lower Barneys River, Mountain Road, Mount William, Pleasant Valley, Ponds, St. Paul's, Silvester, Upper Elmfield, Upper Scotsburn, Welsford.


PICT'OU TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION.
Mr. MACDONALD:: Is it the intention of the Government to provide telephonic communication between Pictou Island and the mainland?	[DOT]


Robert Rogers: No steps are being taken to provide telephone communication between the island and the mainland.


PICTOU ISLAND LIFE BOAT.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1.	Has any request been made to the Department of Marine as to changing the site of the life-boat station at Pictou Island?
2.	Is it the intention of the department to make a change in said site? If so, to what point?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	No.
2.	No.


BIG ISLAND MAIL SERVICE.
Mr. MACDONALD:: 1. Have any petitions or requests been re, ceived by the department relative to giving

additional mail service to Big: Island, Meri-gomish, Pictou county?
2. If so, does the Department intend to give additional service?


Mr. CAS GRAIN:: 1.	A petition for a daily mail service was
received at the department from Mr. Charles Tanner, M.L.A., on January 28, 1916.	_
2.	The Post Office Inspector has been instructed to inquire into the matter-


WAR PROFITS TAXATION.
Mr. TURRIFF:: Is it the intention of the Government to consider the advisability of following the lead of Great Britain by enacting legislation levying taxation in respect of excess profits over the pre-war standard of profits of any trade or business arising out of war contracts?


William Thomas White: Any taxation
measures the Government may have to propose to Parliament will be announced, following the usual practice, in the Budget speech.


YARMOUTH PUBLIC WORKS.
Mr. LAW:: What amount has been spent in the county of Yarmouth, N.S., for public works, wharves, breakwaters and blockings, either for new works or repairs to same, during the years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915, and what were the respective amounts paid for such works?


Robert Rogers: $103,394.83, as follows:-
Bluff Head Breakwater-Construction, repairs, 1913-14, $3,367.81; 1914-15, $2,976.27; 1914-15, $199.29; total, $6,543.37.
Chebogue, Town Point wharf:-Repairs,
1913-	14, $1,099.57.
Chebogue Harbour Boat Channel, 1915-16, $150.
Chegoggin Breakwater-Construction :- 1912-13, $984.05; 1914-15, $2,698.65; total, $3,682-70.
Eel Brook Wharf-Construction, 1912-13, $1,020.50.
Kelly's Cove, Breakwater-repairs, 1912-13, $348.64; construction, 1913-14, $149.93; construction, 1914-15, $9,206.73; repairs, 1914-15, $99.10; repairs, 1915-16,	$1,290.22; total,

East Pubnieo Wharf-1914-15, $150.90.
Lower West Pubnieo, breakwater- repairs, 1913-14, $775.57.	.
Middle West Pubnieo, wharf-repairs, 1912-13, $399.74.
North Belleville, wharf-1914-15, construction, $210; 1915-16, $815.27; total, $1,025.27.
Port Maitland, breakwater-Construction -1912-13, $200; Repairs, 1913-14,	$62.67;
1914-	15, $954.59; total, $1,217.26.
IMr. Macdonald.]
Sanford, breakwater - Construction:-
1914-	15, $3,914.87; repairs, 1914-15, $3,075.12;
repairs, 1912-13, $393.83; repairs, 1913-14, $197.41; total, $7,581.23.	.
Surette's Island, boat channel-1915-16, $148.96.
Tusket Wedge, wharf-Construction:-
1912-	13, $1,709.81.
Wedgeport, wharf - Repairs: - 1915-16, $297.68.
West Pubnieo, wharf-Construction:-
1913-	14, $1,424.16; repairs, 1915-16, $397.64; total, $1,821.80.
Yarmouth Harbour Improvements.- Dredging, 1912-13, $32,679.60; repairs, 191314,	$430,27; dredging 1914-15,	$4,038.40;
construction, 1914-15, $4,227.28; dredging,
1915-	16,	$10,039.98; construction, 1915-16,
$3,673.68; repairs, 1915-16, $1,914.08; total, $57,003.29-
Yarmouth Public Building, including maintenance:-1912-13,	$1,952.49;	1913-14,
$3,229.45; 1914-15, $2,390.62; total, $7,672.56.
Grand total, $103,394.83.


YARMOUTH DREDGING.
Mr. LAW:: 1.	What amount was spent for dredging in Yarmouth Harbour during the year 1915?
2.	Were tenders called, and what price per cubic yard was paid for same?


Robert Rogers: $4,924.21 at Yarmouth
Bar at 30 cents a cubic yard, scow measure; $1,466 at Amiros Point at 35 cents a cubic yard, and $3,549.77 at the Gateway Fish Company's wharf, at 30 cents a yard. Work done under agreement.


ADVANCES ON LIVE STOCK.
Mr. BUCHANAN:: 1.	Is it the intention of the Government to introduce any amendments to the Bank Act during the present session?
2.	Has the Government received a request from the United Farmers of Alberta asking that the Bank Act be amended, so that small farmers may have the privilege of borrowing' at long date from the banks on the security of live stock?
3.	If so, what action does the Government purpose taking?


Sir THOMAS WHITE:: 1.	It is the intention of the Government to introduce an amendment to the Bank Act authorizing advances upon the security of live stock.
2.	A request has been received from the United Farmers of Alberta with reference to the matter.


SEPARATION ALLOWANCES.
Mr. OLIVER:: 1. Do the dependents of men enlisted for overseas service receive separation allowance be-

fore these enlisted men are provided for in camp or barracks?
2: Do the dependents of men enlisted for overseas service receive an allowance from the patriotic fund before these enlisted men are provided for in camp or barracks?
3.	What is the subsistence allowance of men enlisted for overseas service before they are provided for in camp or barracks?
4.	Where men having dependents enlist for overseas service and are billeted, do their dependents receive separation and patriotic fund allowances?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	Yes, from date of enlistment; only, instead of calling the money -paid to dependents separation allowance, the Paymaster of the unit pays the dependent subsistence allowance of 65 -cents a day, which is equivalent to separation allowance of $20 a month, or, in -ease of a married man, living at his -own home, the wife is paid 85 cents a day subsistence instead of 65 cents.
2.	Application should be -made to the Secretary Canadian Patriotic Fund for this information.
3.	Subsistence allowance for -men enlisted for overseas service is as follows:
(1)	Men living at their own homes if (a) married men; (b) widowers with children under sixteen years of -age; (c) single men if the sole support %of widowed mothers; 85 -cents a day to he paid by Regimental Paymaster to the wife, guardian or widowed mother.
(2)	Married men not living at their own homes, also widowers and single men under classes (b) and (c) above; 65 cents a day to be paid by Regimental Paymaster to wife, guardian or widowed mother, and the soldier 'himself if quartered in government buildings, etc., will receive rations in kind the same as unmarried men under clause 4, or, if billeted, then to be rationed under arrangements by the Units concerned at a total cost not excee-eding 60 cents per diem.
(3)	Unmarried men if billeted m villages, etc., whether living in their own homes or not. To be rationed under arrangements made by the units concerned at a total cost not exceeding 60 cents per diem. This payment covers cost of -board and lodging, washing, etc.
(4)	Unmarried men if quartered in government buildings or free quarters provided by local authorities, etc. To be issued with rations.
4.	' Answered by 1, 2 and 3, i.e., when billeted the dependent receives a subsistence allowance of 65 cents a day, which is equivalent to separation allowance.


HERRING FISHERY AT SOURIS.
Mr. J. J. HUGHES:: 1.	Did the Government, or any department thereof, carry on an inquiry into the Herring Fishing at Souris, P.E.I., last summer?
2.	If so, what was -the object of the inquiry, and what results were obtained.
3.	How many professors or doctors of science were employed in this inquiry, and what is the name, address and nationality of each, and what salary or wages did each receive?
4.	Has the inquiry been closed or is it still going on? If so, what is it costing per day, per week or per month?
_ 5. How many men were employed all told in connection with the inquiry, and what was the wage or salary of each, per day, per week or per month?	.
6.	How many steamers were employed m
connection with the inquiry, what was the total number of men employed on board said steamers and the cost per day, per week or per month?	,	.
7.	Were any buildings, parts of buildings or other property rented at Souris in connection with this inquiry?
8.	If so, to whom did such property belong, and what rents were paid?
9.	Was any property bought for purposes of this inquiry?
10.	If so, to whom did it belong, what was paid for it, and what became of it?
11.	What is the total cost of the inquiry up. to date?


Mr. HAZEN:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Two objects:	(a) to determine the
seasonal movements of herring schools in our Atlantic waters; (b) to decide the cause of the seasonal fluctuations in our herring supply. Final report of investigation now in course of preparation.
3.	Five: Dr. Johan Hjort, Norwegian, Bergen, Norway, $300 per month; Dr. Paul Bjerkan, Norwegian, Bergen, Norway, $125 per month; Professor A. Willey, Canadian, McGill University, no salary; Dr. Huntsman, Canadian, Toronto University, $200 per month; Dr. J. A. Mavor, Canadian, Toronto University (now at Madison, Wisconsin), $200 per month.
4.	The inquiry is closed.
5.	One technical employee, Captain Iver-sen, Norwegian, Bergen, Norway, $250 per month, and boy assistant, Casimir Marcon, paid $16 for season.
6.	One herring drifter No. 33, having a crew of 5, ait a total cost per month of $327.50 for April and May, 1915, and $560 per month in June and July, when the crew consisted of 10 men. Two steamers, D.G.S. Princess and D.G.S. Acadia, assisted while engaged in their ordinary duties, without cost to the investigation.
7.	Yes.

8.	(a) Augustus MacDonald, Souris, at $13.33 per month; (b) A. L. Fraser, Souris, $25 for the period the building was in use.
9.	No.
10.	Answered by No. 9.
11.	$17,112.77. '


SUPPLIES FOR TROOPS IN CANADA.
Mr. J. J. HUGHES:: 1.	What procedure Is followed to obtain supplies for the troops at local headquarters?
2.	Are tenders asked for by public advertisement, or is there a patronage list, and are the parties whose names are on the patronage list asked to submit offers?
3.	Is there a patronage list for Prince Edward Island ?
4.	If so, who prepared the list for the Government, what are the names and addresses of the parties on the list, and who recommended these names to the Government or the purchasing commtitee?


Sir SAM HUGHES:: 1.	The practice followed in making contracts for supplies to the troops at the various mobilization centres throughout Canada varies according to circumstances. If there is time enough before the supplies are required, tenders are called for 'by public advertisement, usually by posters put up in and about the town where the troops are to be stationed. When the time is too shbrt to allow this to be done, tenders are obtained by circular letter or telegram from Ottawa, addressed to dealers of the locality concerned. Names of dealers are supplied by War Purchasing Committee. In some cases where the time is very short, the officer commanding the district is authorized to procure tenders from local concerns and transmit them, by mail or telegraph, to Ottawa for approval. No application from responsible parties for permission to tender is refused; and tender forms and necessary information are supplied to all such applicants. In all cases, the lowest tenders received are accepted.
2.	Answered by No 1.
3.	No.
4.	Answered by No. 3.


ANTIGONISH FISHERY OFFICER.
Mr. W. CHISHOLM:: Who was the fishery officer for the county of Antigonish during the past year, and how much has been paid to him for salary and expenses respectively?


John Douglas Hazen: Hugh McDougall, Cross Ponds, Ohio. Salary, $200; disbursements, $254.87.


ANTIGONISH RIVER GUARDIANS.
William Chisholm: /
What are the names of the river guardian: who were employed last year in the county of Antigonish, and how much was paid them, respectively, for their services?


John Douglas Hazen: .Frank McLean, $35; Thomas McAmis, $20; John McDonald, $30; John J. McLean, $20; Daniel Murphy, $20; Wm. Gordon, $10; Hugh Chisholm, $20; Donald Cameron, $35; Duncan McDonald, $20; John L. McDonald, $20; Alex. McDonald, $15; Ivan Randall, $6; Peter Williams, $20; Alex K. Chisholm, $20; John A. Chisholm, $20; Daniel A. Cameron, $19.40; Archibald Cameron, $2.40; William Landry, $15.40; William Forbes, $10. Total, $358.20.


ANTIGONISH POST OFFICES.
[Stage Direction]
Mr. WM. CHISHOLM:
1. What post offices were closed or dispensed with in Antigonish county since October 6, 1911?
2.. What new post offices were established since said date?
Mr. CASGRAIN:: 1.	Baeklands, Frasers Grant, Pomquet River, Rear Caledonia Mills, Usher.
2.	Beechwoo'd (re-opened), Cape Jack, Ireland (re-opened), Merland, Rear Caledonia Mills (since closed), Rear Georgeville, Sylvan Valley (re-opened).


PAYMENT OF SOLDIERS.
Mr. MURPHY:: 1. Has the attention of the Government been drawn to a special despatch from Ottawa,
published in the Toronto Mail and Empire, on November 10, 1915, as follows:
"Will Pay Soldiers' Wages By Cheque.
"Provides an Additional Check on Paymasters and Sheets.
'^Special to the Mail and Empire.
"Ottawa, November 9.-All the soldiers are to be paid by cheques in the future. That is the new order to the paymasters, both of the organized units and the paymasters in recruiting offices. The cheques are drawn on the Bank of Montreal, and being Government cheques, no war tax is necessary on them.
"In the past the soldiers have been paid in cash. The change is viewed with favour generally by the paymasters, especially in the cases where the paymaster is also the recruiting officer. It avoids the dangers of mistakes in paying out in cash, but it is understood that the real reason for the change is that the Government may have a closer tab on the pay. This is an additional check on the paymasters and the pay-sheets, as they come into headquarters and the cheques have to correspond. It is claimed that in some parts of Canada there have been grave suspicions about paymasters in recruiting stations which had resulted in the change being made. One game which it is said

has been played is in regard to subsistence allowance. Each soldier is allowed seventy-five cents a day for his maintenance from the time he enlists until he goes into camp where the Government keeps him. This is in addition to the ordinary pay. In some parts of the country where living is not quite so high as it is, far example, in Ottawa, the recruiting officers, it is claimed, have arranged for/the men's board in 'boarding houses at fifty cents or thereabouts a day. The recruiting officer kept the difference between the amount the Government paid and the amount the board came to.
It has been the custom practically everywhere for the recruiting officers to pay the soldier's board and keep it out of the pay, instead of paying the soldier and letting him pay the board bill. The reason was that sometimes the board bill would not be paid, and there was trouble all round. The recruiting officer stands good for the board when the soldier enlists until the first pay."
2.	What amount of money was mis-appropriated as alleged in the above despatch?
3.	Was the amount so mis-appropriated, recovered by the Government?
4.	Were the guilty parties punished? If so, what punishment was inflicted?


Samuel Hughes: The statement of the Mail and Empire is very much exaggerated. There was no loss to the department or the public, as all cases of such nature were adjusted and refunds made, hut with the view of preventing any abuse or worry to the Pay Branch of the Militia Department the system of pay-check was adopted. In no instance, however, was fraud proven. In every case where subsistence was charged at lower prices than those allowed by regulations, these differences were absorbed and credited to regimental funds, and in no case was the money appropriated for personal use. Therefore, it was a very easy matter for the department to adjust these accounts.


ASSISTANT RECEIVER GENERAL, REGINA.
Mr. W. M. MARTIN:: When will the office of the Assistant Receiver General he opened in Regina?


William Thomas White: The office in question will not be opened until the building acquired for the-purpose has been remodelled and proper vault accommodation provided. At present it is not regarded as expedient that the expeh-diture involved should be made as there is no immediate urgency for the establishment of the office.


DR. H. H. ELLIOTT.
Mr. CRUISE:: 1.	is Dr. H. H. Elliott employed by the Customs Department at Le Pas, Manitoba?
2.	If so, in what capacity, and at what salary ?
3.	Is the Government aware as to whether or not the said Dr. Elliott acts as town clerk of Le Pas at a salary of $1,500 per annum, and is also said to be secretary of the Board of Trade at Le Pas at a salary of $500 per annum?
4.	Is the said Dr. Elliott supposed to devote all his time to the duties of the position tm holds from the Customs Department?
5.	Is it the policy or intention of the Government to allow their officials to hold other positions at remunerative salaries, and at tire same time continue in receipt of an annual salary from the Government as well?


John Dowsley Reid: '
1.	Yes.
2.	As sub-collector, salary, $2,400 a year.
3.	The Government is aware that Dr. Elliott has acted as town clerk and secretary of the Board of Trade at Le Pas, hut has no information as to the salaries received by him in these positions.
4.	Dr. Elliott should devote his time to customs duties during customs hours.
5.	It has been the practice of the Department of Customs to permit customs officers in special eases to hold other positions which do not interfere with their duties as customs officers


UNOPPOSED MOTIONS FOR PAPERS.
[Stage Direction]
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents relating to the purchase by the Government of the several parcels of land now comprised in the Experimental Farm at Rost-hern, Saskatchewan.-Mr. MeCraney.
For a copy of all affidavits, letters, telegrams and other correspondence during the years 1914 and 1915 in reference to the S.E. 7-1-13 West 2nd Meridian, now the 160-acre homestead of Frank Strubell, between the Department of the Interior or the Minister, or any officer of the department and the land office at Weyburn and Estevan, and with all parties who endeavoured to secure or assisted in securing homestead entry for the said land.-Mr. Turriff.
For a return showing the names of all employees of the Government of Canada in the inside and outside service who have enlisted since the 4th day of August, 1914, for overseas service; and the names of all employees of the Government of Canada in the inside and outside service who have enlisted since the 4th day of August, 1914. for home defence; also the salary received by each previous to enlisting; and the rate of pay received by each since enlisting; specifying those, if any, who continue to enjoy the salaries paid them before their enlistment and the amount of same.-Mr. Kyte.
For a return showing the names and addresses of members of the House of Commons and of the various provincial legislatures in Canada who are in the service of the Department of Militia and Defence either in Canada or overseas; the official rank and rate of pay of each; the names of those who are now in Canada; the names of those who are in England, and the names of those who are or have been in active service at any of the battle fronts.-Mr. Kyte. [DOT]
[Stage Direction]
For a copy of all letters, papers, telegrams, pay-sheets, pay-rolls, receipts and documents of all kinds whatsoever in connection with the extension or repairs on the public breakwater at Port Morien, in South Cape Breton, during 1915.-Mr. Carroll.
For a copy of all letters, papers, telegrams and documents of all kinds whatsoever in connection with the tenders and awarding of the contract for carrying the mails between the tram cars and the post office at Glace Bay, South Cape Breton.-Mr. Carroll.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams, or other communications sent to the Government or any member or department thereof before August 15, 1914, pointing out the necessity of granting relief to the settlers in the drouth-stricken area of Alberta.-Mr. Buchanan.
For a copy of all letters, tenders, advertisements, posters, telegrams and of other documents in connection with the letting of the contract for conveying the mails between Medicine Hat and Eagle Butte, in the constituency of Medicine Hat, Alberta.-Mr. Buchanan.
For a copy of all Orders in Council, letters, telegrams, reports and other documents regarding the proposed public building in Prince Rupert for post office and other purposes, and regarding the land proposed for such public building and the purchase of such land.-Mr. Knowles.
For a copy of all Orders in Council, letters, telegrams, recommendations and other documents in connection with the Government's decision in September, 1915, to exact payment of one-half of the seed grain liens.-Mr. Knowles.
For a copy of all documents, letters, messages, correspondence and reports concerning the contract for carrying the mails between the post office at Saint Jean, P.Q., and the railway stations of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, the Grand Trunk Railway Company and the Vermont Central Railway Company since and during the year 1911.-Mr. Demers.
For a return showing all the employees in the inside service of the Department of Inland Revenue, their names and Christian names, and their respective salaries in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915-16. Also of all the employees in the outside service of the same department, their names, Christian names and respective salaries for 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915-6. A statement of the services for which these latter were employed, and of the services in which they were employed, and the number of dismissals and appointments since 1911.-Mr. Gauvreau.	'
For a copy of the investigation held from 1911 to 1913 concerning the loss of a horse, at Lac au Saumon, on the Intercolonial railway, by J.
S.	Thfiberge.-Mr. Boulay.
For a copy of all Orders in Council passed since August 4, 1914, dealing with members of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in the following particulars: Pensions to partially or totally disabled soldiers or their dependents; money allowances or other provision made for the support or care of partially or totally disabled returned soldiers; and pay allowances or other consideration to dependents of soldiers while on active service, and after their return from active service, because of disablement from any cause.-Mr. Oliver.
[Mr Kyte.]
For a copy of all correspondence, memorials, letters and telegrams received by the Hon. Postmaster General or the Right Hon. Sir Robert L. Borden, in 1915, relating to the contract for carrying the mails between Roberta, in the county of Richmond, and West Bay, in the county of Inverness, N.S., and also of all replies thereto.-Mr. Kyte.
For a copy of all correspondence, letters, telegrams and memorials received by the Hon. Postmaster General or the Right Hon. Sir Robert L. Borden, since January 1, 1912, relating to the contract for carrying the mail across Lemon ferry in the county of Richmond, N.S., and also of all replies thereto.-Mr. Kyte.
For a copy of the report of the investigation held in connection with the burning of the barn of George Lavoie, a farmer at Bic, on the 23rd May, 1914.-Mr. Boulay.
For a copy of all reports upon the depths of water in the different locks in the East River of Pictou, improvements, and of all correspondence and recommendations in regard to changes on the plans therefor.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a return showing the names of all medical officers employed and designated in the years 1914 and 1915 in the examination of recruits in the county of Pictou, and of any changes in the list of said officers in said period.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, papers, evidence, reports and all other documents relating to the investigation into certain alleged irregularities in the weighing of freight on the Intercolonial railway at Stellarton and New Glasgow in 1914 and 1915, and the dismissal of Arthur McLean in connection therewith.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams, correspondence and agreements between the Department of Railways and Canals, and any official thereof, including the officials of the Intercolonial railway, regarding the. installation of the McQueen siding, so-called, at Shediac, in the province of New Brunswick, and the subsequent removal thereof.-Mr. Carvell.
For a copy of all documents, papers and telegrams in any way referring to the application of Aenas McKinnon, of Iron Mines, Inverness county, for the Fenian Raid Veteran bounty.- Mr. A. W. Chisholm.
For a copy of all documents, letters and petitions in the possession of the Railway Department relating to the dismissal of Wm. P. Mills, bridge and building master of District No. 4, Intercolonial railway; and also a copy of all letters, telegrams, petitions and documents of all kinds in the possession of the Government, either in Ottawa or at Moncton, relating in any way to the application of said Wm. P. Mills for an investigation into the causes which led to his dismissal.-Mr. A. W. Chisholm.
For a copy of the report of the investigation held in the case of Messrs. Nazaire Morin and Napoleon Hubert, of Ste. Florence, county of Matane, bearing the number 10083 of the records of Mr. Alward of Moncton.-Mr. Boulay.
For copies of all telegrams, letters, petitions, correspondence and other documents whatsoever relating to the post office and the postmaster of the parish of St. Esprit,' in the county of Montcalm, from October, 1911, to the present day.- Mr. Seguin.
For a copy of all petitions, letters, papers, telegrams, tenders and other documents relating to the establishment of rural mail route from

Scotsburn to North iScotsburn, Rogers Hill and Hardwood Hill, and as to the closing of any post offices on said route.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters and other documents relative to the appointment of Mr. Price as assistant superintendent of the Oxford and New Glasgow division of the Government railways, and as to his retirement therefrom, and the appointment of Mr. Rufus Martin in his stead.- Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams, agreements and all other papers relative to the creation of a Board of Conciliation, during the year 1915, under the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act in regard to the employees of the Nova Scotia Steel Company, in the county of Pictou.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams, petitions and other papers relative to the granting of a Conciliation Board to the employees of the Acadia Coal Company, in the county of Pictou, in the autumn of 1915.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams, petitions, directions and other documents relative to the surveys for a railway under the Railway Department, which have been carried on during the past summer, points east and west from Sunnybrae, in the county of Pictou.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all tenders, letters, telegrams and contracts relative to a mail contract from Noel to Maitland, in the county of Hants, and relative to the awarding of the same under contract.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents, including tenders, relating to the establishment of a rural mail route between Pictou and West River, in the county of Pictou. -Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents, including tenders, relating to the establishment of the rural mail route from Eureka to Sunnybrae and return, in the county of Pictou.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents, including tenders, relating to the mail contract from Tatamagouche to New Annan and Tatamagouche Mountain, in the county of Colchester.-Mr. Macdonald.
For a copy of the investigation held on the loss of a horse belonging to Louis de Gonzague Belzile, of Amqui, county of Matane, during the year 1915.-Mr Boulay.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents in detail, showing expenses, mileage and disbursements of Joseph W. V. Wilson, of Barrington, N.S., as fishery guardian in Shelburne, N.S., during year 1915.-Mr. Law.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents in connection with repairs, upkeep and watchman's services on Patrol Boat A, Captain Blackford while laid up at Shelburne, N.S., during the month of December, 1914, and subsequent months until ready for sea in 1915. -Mr. Law.
For a copy of all telegrams, letters and other documents in connection with repairs to wharf at Shag Harbour, Shelburne county, N.S., during the years 1915 and 1916.-Mr. Law.
For a copy of all letters, papers, pay-rolls, telegrams and correspondence in connection with the expenditure of, and receipts and vouchers for moneys paid for the building of a wharf or blocking at the head of Belleville, Yarmouth county, N.S.-Mr. Law.
For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other documents relative to repairs on the Hanlover at Cape Negro, Shelburne county, N.S., in 1915.
-Mr. Law.
For a return showing the itemized disbursements of Ward Fisher, inspector of fisheries for western Nova Scotia, for the year 1912, amounting to $388.40, and the year 1913, amounting to $1,009.84.-Mr. Law.
For a copy of all letters telegrams and other documents in connection with the purchase of a site for -the post office building at Bear River, N.S.-Mr. Law.
For a return showing the fractional areas of homestead lands, or otherwise, in the province of Saskatchewan, sold in the year 1915, the name of the purchaser, and the price paid in each case.-Mr. Martin (Regina).
For a copy of all documents, title deeds, papers, notarial deeds or private writings in connection with the sale, donation or transfer, by the estate of Alex. Fraser, of Riviere du Loup, to the Government or the Railway Department, for the Intercolonial, the lot of land or part of the lot of land, at the east of the Intercolonial bridge at Riviere du Loup, at a place called Gauvreau Yard; also of all correspondence in this connection.-Mr. Gauvreau.
For a return showing:	Who the recruiting officers were for the counties of Lunenburg, Queens, Shelburne and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, during the months of July, August, September October, November and December, 1915; what remuneration each received during each month, for salary, disbursements and expenses; if they are still employed as recruiting officers ; if so, what salary is being paid each recruiting officer per day or per month.-Mr. Kyte.
For a return showing:	How many officers,
N.C.O.'s and men went from Canada with the First Contingent; how many of these w<sre British subjects born outside Canada, French Canadians, English Canadians, that is Canadians of English, Scotch, Irish or Welsh descent, and German Canadians ; how many of the First Contingent were Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and other denominations.-Mr. Edwards.
For a return showing: The number of officers, N.C.O.'s and men enlisted in Canada for overseas service during the year 1914, and during the year 1915 ; how many enlisted from each province in each year; how many of those enlisting in each year were British subjects, born outside of Canada, French Canadians, English- Canadians, that is, Canadians of English, Scotch, Irish or Welsh descent, and German Canadians; how many of those enlisting in each year were Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and other denominations.-Mr. Edwards.

Mr. BURNHAM:: Mr. Speaker, the Toronto Star of Tuesday, February 1, has the following:
Ottawa, Out., Feb. 1.-At the opening of the House yesterday, J. G. Turriff, M.P. of Assim-boia, rose to a point of privilege. He quoted from Captain Burnham's paper, the Peterborough Review, in which, during the course of the latter's speech, Messrs. Carvell and Turriff were accused of having made remarks which the Review interpreted as showing a

desire on the part of the Liberals for an election.
"I am quoted as having1 said that (an election) is what we wanted last year," said Mr. Turriff. " Now, what I actually did say was, ' That is what you wanted last year.' I consider it unfair for any member of the House to distort the words of other hon. gentlemen in his own paper."
Mr. Speaker Sevigny thought the point well taken.
This is an absolute fabrication. What was said by the hon. member for Assini-boia (Mr. Turriff), as appears from the Hansard report, was this:
I am not attributing any blame whatever to the paper. The mistake has occurred through the Hansard reporter not catching exactly the right word; the word " we " was substituted for the word " you," which changes the whole meaning of the sentence. What I said was: " That is what you wanted last year." Instead of " you " they put in " we."
In this correction made in Hansard by the member for Assiniboia no reference was made to me, none whatever as you will see, Mr. Speaker, and there was no reference to distortion. If reportg like those can be sent out about a member of this House, public life in Canada vould become intolerable. This is no joke. I ask for the protection and the ruling of the Chair.


Mr. SPEAKER:: I may inform the hon. member and the House that my attention was called this morning to the article referred to, and I can only say that it is certainly unjust; I need not say more to the hon. member for Peterborough. If this report was sent to the paper in question by a member of the Press Gallery, I think it is his duty to apologise, and to do justice to the hon. member for Peterborough.



TRAIN SERVICE IN THE WEST.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day:
John Dowsley Reid: I wish to read, for the information of the House, a telegram that I have just received with reference to the delay, in fuel deliveries in the West:
Toronto, Ont., Feb. 3.
Hon. J. D. Reid,
Acting Minister of Railways,
Dominion of Canada,
Ottawa, Ont.
From newspaper reports of proceedings Ottawa, some members would appear to be under impression delay in delivery coal to western towns and villages tributary our line due to lack of cars or motive power. This absolutely untrue. Deliveries fuel have been delayed due continuous snow storms and low temperature which has made it quite impossible do more than mortal men can do. With ample fighting facilities our disposal we are giving delivery fuel first consideration and yesterday distributed one hundred twenty-three cars. This
IMr. Burnham.]
matter receiving our most serious consideration.
D. B. Hanna.



CONTROL OF WATER-POWERS.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day:
Mr. GRAHAM:: May I call the attention of the Government to an item which appeared in the press Of Tuesday, which stated that an arrangement had been arrived at between the Dominion Government and the Government of Ontario by which the water-powers heretofore under the control of the federal authority were to be handed over to the Provincial Government. Is that report correct?


Robert Laird Borden: There was some negotiation between counsel representing the Government of the province of Ontario and counsel representing the Dominion Government with regard to certain outstanding litigation touching the respective rights of Canada and of the province in water powers. No arrangement has been arrived at, so far as I am aware, up to the present time, but I think the negotiations are progressing rather favourably.


Wilfrid Laurier: Do I understand my right hon. friend to mean that the negotiations are progressing towards a transfer of the rights of Canada in water powers to the province of Ontario?


Robert Laird Borden: No, progressing with regard to the questions involved in litigation which is outstanding in the courts, and which calls in question on the one hand, the rights of Canada in the water-powers, and on the other hand, the rights of the province of Ontario.


Wilfrid Laurier: It is a question which is in the courts?


Robert Laird Borden: An action was brought in the courts-I think it was instituted by the Attorney General of Ontario, if I remember rightly-and the Deputy Minister of Justice was instructed to make a report upon a proposal which is confidential at present on the part of the province of Ontario, looking to some arrangement along lines that were not really in controversy. Negotiations have gone on, but no conclusion has been reached yet, so far as I am advised.


Wilfrid Laurier: Do I understand my right hon. friend to mean that in addition to the question which is involved and is in controversy in the courts, negotiations are progressing with regard to some other question?


Robert Laird Borden: No, with regard to the question as to rights raised in the courts.


Wilfrid Laurier: With a view to a compromise?


Robert Laird Borden: With a>
view to coming to a conclusion without further litigation


Wilfrid Laurier: A settlement out of court?


Robert Laird Borden: Yes. There were certain concessions made on the one hand and on the other, which seemed to warrant the belief that a conclusion might be arrived at without further litigation.


George Perry Graham: The reason I asked the question was that Sir Adam Beck is reported to have told a deputation from eastern Ontario who are anxious to get water power-I think it was two days ago- that an arrangement was under consideration, though not yet completed,' by which those powers would be handed over to the province, subject to legislation by both this House and the Provincial Legislature.


Robert Laird Borden: His answer
might relate to some particular phase of the question as to which I have not been advised. I think there was some reference to certain water-powers which was distinct from the general question about which my hon. friend asked.



HALIFAX MILITARY HOSPITALS.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day:
Alexander Kenneth Maclean: I would like to inquire of the Minister of Militia if he has yet received the report of the Commission appointed to inquire into the administration of the military hospitals at Halifax, and if so when it will be made public?


Samuel Hughes: The report has not yet been received.



RECRUITING-THE COLOUR LINE.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day:
Mr. PUGSLEY:: I would like to take advantage of the presence of the Minister of Militia to ask him if he can give the information-which the Minister of Finance was unable to give when asked-with regard to a number of young patriotic coloured men in the city of St. John who are anxious to enlist and go to the front to fight for the flag, but who, as they allege, have been driven from pillar to post. They^ were advised to go to the recruiting office
in St. John, and they did so, and offered their services, and they were told they would 'be accepted. Then they were sent to Sussex, and after being there for some few days they were told they were not required. The question I put to the Government, in the absence of the Minister of Militia, was: whether there is any colour line so. far as the enlistment of soldiers is concerned, and whether the Minister of Militia would look into this question and give an answer upon the subject. I may say, as I informed the Minister of Finance a few days ago, that I have a letter from a very intelligent and thoroughly reliable coloured citizen of St. John stating these facts, and expressing the hope that I would draw the attention of the Government to the matter.


Samuel Hughes: From the city of St. John a large number of coloured men have enlisted in the various regiments raised in that vicinity. There is scarcely a regiment in the Dominion, or at the front, but has coloured men in the ranks, and they are splendid soldiers; very excellent soldiers indeed. I may further say that application has been made for permission to raise a coloured regiment, but we have asked that a statement be made as to the population from which such a regiment could draw its men, its details, and the possibility of keeping up recruiting. Owing to the limited number of the coloured race in Canada, it is impossible, they themselves admit, to get up a regiment composed of coloured people alone. The case referred to by my hon. friend I will inquire into. The only complaint we have any record of is with reference to the fact that two or three young men, possibly good fellows, came to a certain recruiting office and were rejected because they were not in the very best condition. I do not know whether my hon. friend wants anything further or not.


William Pugsley: I am told that some of these young men were actually accepted and enlisted and were then sent away being told that their services were not required. My hon. friend the Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Hazen) knows that we have in St. John quite a large coloured population, certainly very many thoroughly respectable citizens, and I, am sure that quite a large number are anxious to tender their services. As to what my hon. friend has stated as to their condition, I never heard that there was any objection on that score.


Samuel Hughes: The reference I made was to two or three men who went from St. John to Sussex.


William Pugsley: There were some twenty.


Samuel Hughes: I may say that no respectable or reputable young coloured man in the Dominion of Canada has been rejected as far as I have any information in regard to the matter. Such men are accepted, they make excellent soldiers and are very handy in various ways around the camp.



COL. PAPINEAU.

[Stage Direction]
On the Orders of the Day:
Alexander Kenneth Maclean: I should like to ask the hon. Minister of Militia and Defence (Sir Sam Hughes) if anybody has replaced Col. Papineau at the Wellington Barracks School at Halifax whilst he is engaged at the newly-established school in Ottawa, and if the minister does not think it is-hardly fair to the Wellington Barracks school to have him away from there?


Samuel Hughes: The Wellington Barracks school will be conducted by the officer next in command. Colonel Papineau *will be here for a very short time. We have splendid officers and instructors at the Wellington Barracks school to take the matter in hand. Colonel Papineau is not the only officer in Canada who is capable of conducting the school.



ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BILL.


[Stage Direction]
On the order for the second reading of Bill No. 2, to amend the Criminal Code.- Mr. Biekerdike.
Mr. BICKERDIKE:: It has been suggested that I should delay asking for the second reading of the Bill until my hon. friend the Minister of Justice (Mr. Doherty) returns. Under these circumstances I have no objection to postponing it. I would like to have it understood, however, that I would not lose my turn on the Order Paper. The Minister of Justice may be away for some time, and I want the Bill to become law this session.
I would like the right hon. the Prime Minister to say that I shall not lose my turn.


Robert Laird Borden: I think the request is quite reasonable. My hon. friend 
the Minister of Justice is expected1 to be here early next week, probably on Monday. Order stands.



COMMANDEERING OF WHEAT.

William Melville Martin: For a copy of all orders in council, letters, telegrams, reports and other documents in connection with the commandeering- ot wheat about the 27th November, 1915, and in connection with the disposal of such wheat.


Sir GEORGE FOSTER:: I have no
objection to this passing, with the proviso that the Government must exercise	its	discretion as to which of
these papers may be brought' down. A number of them may be brought down without any public interest being harmed in any way. Others, however, are so much connected with negotiations from the other side that at the present time they could not properly be brought down. 4 p.m. Everything necessary to a reasonable understanding of the question, can, I think, be placed before the House.



TRANSPORTATION AND MARKETING OF FISH.

[Stage Direction]
Mr.	CLARENCE JAMESON (Digby) moved:
That, whereas, fish is a highly nutritious and palatable article of food, of which abundant supplies are continually available at low prices at the sea-coast and inland waters of Canada; and, whereas, in order that an increased demand for fish might be speedily developed in the interior markets of the country by having the same placed thereon in prime condition and at moderate prices, the Government has been and is assisting the industry, under certain conditions, by paying a portion of the express charges, and providing more adequate transportation facilities ; notwithstanding which, the prices at which fish can he purchased in such interior markets seems unreasonably high, as compared with those received by the producer, which condition is militating against the ends in view.
Therefore, he it resolved, that, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that an inquiry should be made to determine if possible the cause or causes of the great discrepancy between the price of fish at the places of production and that charged on the interior markets.
And it is further resolved, that this resolution he referred to the Committee on Marine and Fisheries, with instructions to consider the subject matter thereof and make such inquiry.
He said: I wish to acknowledge the courtesy of hon. gentlemen on both sides of the House in permitting this resolution, which stands ninth in order, to take precedence over the others. The subject with which it deals is an iinportant one; it appeals, I

think, to the people of all Canada, and 1 ^ am glad to have an opportunity of discussing it briefly this afternoon.
It will, I think, be admitted that in computing the annual value of food products of Canada, too little importance, from an economic and national standpoint, has hitherto been given to the harvest won by our fishermen from lake and sea. A quarter of a century ago this harvest was valued at less than $18,000,000, while last year it was valued at over $31,000,000. Create the demand, and in five years' time I believe that this total will be nearer $50,000,000. About 50 per cent of the fish represented by this amount was consumed in Canada during 1915, either in a fresh or partly cured condition. Some $2,500,000 worth of fish and fish products were imported, of which oysters represented a substantial part, while our exports of fish were valued at almost $20,000,000. Economically, Mr. Speaker, I believe we are all wrong. $20,000,000 or $25,000,000 worth of this cheap food should now be consumed in Canada yearly. One reason why such is not the case is that the transportation companies have been delinquent; and the other reason, and perhaps the principal one, is that the people themselves have been rather indifferent.	'
In discussing a subject of this character, statistics are a sort of necessary evil, and I will inflict as few as possible upon the House. I wish, however, to give the value of the fisheries of the different provinces for the year 1914-15, in order that the extent of the business may be fully appreciated. In Nova Scotia the value of fish marketed in that year was $7,730,000, in round numbers; New Brunswick, $4,940,000; Prince Edward Island, $1,261,000; Quebec, $1,924,000; Ontario, $2,755,000: Manitoba, $849,000; Saskatchewan, $132,000; Alberta, $86,000; Yukon Territory, $69,000; British Columbia, $11,515,000. The total market value of Canadian fisheries for the year mentioned was $31,264,631.
The amount invested in the fisheries of Canada in 1915, by divisions, was as follows: Atlantic division, consisting of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the gulf division of Quebec, $13,610,000; inland division, consisting of inland Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon, $2,292,000; Pacific division, consisting of the province of British Columbia, $8,829,000. The total is $24,733,163.
The following table shows the number of persons employed in the fisheries business in 1913:
In fish-Fishermen. houses, p i !	*	freezers,'in' [ |	j	etc.Atlantic division	
49,998	17,070Inland division^. ..	. .	.. ..	8,124	393Pacific division	
11,232	7,096Totals	
69,954	24,559Total number of fishermen	
69,954Total number of persons engaged in fish-houses curing and preparing fish for market	
24,559Total number of persons employed ..	94,513The fish marketed	from the	Atlantic
division consists principally of cod, halibut, cusk, pollock, herring, mackerel, sardines, smelts and haddock, from which latter the standard finnan haddies are produced. To this should be added lobsters, which are chiefly tinned or shipped fresh to the American market, where the demand is fairly regular, and to which, from certain districts, the means of transportation assures quick delivery, which is imperative.
The fish marketed from the Pacific division consisted chiefly of salmon and halibut, while the inland waters yield white-fish, trout, pickerel, bass and pike.
Food fishes caught by the Canadian fisherman constitute a nutritious and palatable article of food. Authorities on food values have worked out a table showing the relative nutritive properties of various food fish and meats, which is very striking. This information has been included in a booklet recently prepared by the Superintendent of Fisheries, and issued by the department, entitled, " Fish and How to Cook It." The pamphlet, which is of great value to housekeepers, may be obtained by application to the Department of Naval Service. Here I should like to pay a tribute to the energy, zeal and intelligence displayed by Mr. Found, the Superintendent of Fisheries, in the discharge of the important duties devolving upon him.
Generally speaking, fish may be classed as only from 2 to 4 per cent poorer in nutritive nitrogenous ingredients than meat, though in some instances, notably in the case of cod steaks, its nutritive qualities run higher. I have here a table showing the comparatitve food values of certain fish and meat foods which I shall read:
[Stage Direction]
Protein by Factor
Kinds of Material.	(n X 6.25)
Fresh Fish.	Per cent.
Cod (steaks)	 n.u
Cod (dressed)	 11.1
Cush (dressed)	 10.1
Hake (dressed)	 7.3
Haddock (dressed)		'	 8.4
Halibut (dressed)	 15.3
Herring (whole)	 11.2
Mackerel (dressed)		 11.6
Pickerel (dressed)		 12.0
Pollock (dressed)	 15.4
Salmon Atlantic (dressed)	 15.0
Shad (dressed)	 10.6
Smelt (whole)	 10.1
Sturgeon (dressed)		 15.1
Oysters in bulk	 6.0
Oysters in shell ....1	 1.2
Long-neck clams in	the shell	
5.0Little neck clams in	the shell	
2.1Mussels in shell	
4.6Lobster in shell	
5.9Lobster in can	
18.1Crabs in shell	
7.9Crabs in can	
15.8
Animal Foods.
Beef, side, medium	fat	  14.8
Mutton, side	 13.0
Average of beef, veal	and mutton.. 14.5
Pork, side	 8.3
Chicken	 13.7
Turkey	 16.1
Milk	  3.3
Vegetable Foods.	.
Wheat flour	   11.4
Wheat bread	   9.2
Beans, dried	 22.5
Potatoes	 1.8
Cabbage	 1.4
This is a splendid showing, and is ample justification of our advocacy of the fish diet. Not only do food fishes constitute a very nutritious article of diets but it has been stated on the authority of eminent scientists that fish is the brain food par excellence. This prompts me to observe that of the five Canadian born premiers of Canada, Sir John Abbott, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Sir John Thompson, Sir Charles Tupper and Sir Robert Borden, the three last named came from the province of Nova Scotia, where, for upwards of a century the fish diet has held an esteemed place in the domestic economy of every well regulated household.
John Hampden Burnham: Does that include lobsters?


Mt. JAMESON:: My hon. friend is in an attitude now that suggests them. For years past the price of meats has been steadily rising in this country and in the United States. This has been due partly to the increased population and partly also to the raising of a lesser number of food

animals in the United States and in Canada relatively to the population. This, while regrettable in itself has nevertheless led to th-e increased use of fish, as a cheaper and yet nutritous food. But we find that food fishes, at certain points distant from the coast sell at prices which seem unreasonably high for fish should be cheap in Canada. If the fisherman who by toil, industry and hardship compels the sea to yield him tribute were deriving the advantage of these prices, there would probably be little'or no cause of complaint on any side. The fisherman, however, secures relatively little advantage from the price paid, under normal conditions by the consumer, although his prices have advanced to some extent in recent years and just now, owing to the abnormal conditions created by the war the price of fish on the seaboard is abnormally high. Nor does the shipper, as a rule, obtain the advantage of the price. He is subject to competition amongst shippers and must accept a reasonable profit only or he cannot continue to do business.
Yet it should be borne in mind that in a country of great distances such as Canada, many miles separate producer and consumer, and that reasonable transport a-. tion charges and legitimate profits of dealers have to be paid.
The rates charged on fish by the. transportation companies are, however, the subject of much concern. And not only do some people engaged in the fish trade consider they are getting neither the rates nor the services which the importance of the business warrants, but in certain instances actual discrimination affecting adversely cities in the interior of Canada has been more than hinted at. I may add that fresh and lightly cured fish generally speaking, require uudeT existing conditions, to be shipped by express in order to reach the consumer in prime condition. I would like to place a table of the express and freight rates on Hansard:
Transportation Rates-Fresh Fish.
Express
From Halifax or Mulgrave to:
From St. John or St. Andrews to :
Quebec	
Montreal	
Ottawa	
Toronto	
Hamilton	
London	
Windsor, Ont. . . . Digby to Montreal
$1.25	$1.25
1.50	1.30
1.60	1.40
1.75	1.60
1.90	1.60
2.00	1.75
2.50	2.00
1.50	
Per 100 lbs. net weight of fish, including delivery.

Freight	Carload.	L.C.L.From Halifax to Montreal.	. . .26	.35From Mulgrave to Montreal	. . .28	.38From St. John to Montreal	. . .22	.31From Digby to Montreal. .	. . .27	.41Per 100 lbs. gross weight, delivery extra.	Express	From Vancouver or	New Westminster to :	Carload.	L.C.L.Calgary 	. .$2.50	$2.80Edmonton 	.. 2.75	3.20Regina 	.. 2.50	3.60Prince Albert 	.. 3.75	4.80Winnipeg 	.. 2.50	3.60Toronto, Montreal or Boston. *3.00	Per 100 lbs., including delivery, charge on net	
weight of fish in C. L. lots and on net weight plus 25 per cent for ice and packages less than C.L.L.
From Prince Rupert to:
Edmonton	$2.50	$3.20Regina	
2.50	3.60Prince Albert	
3.30	4.20Winnipeg	
2.50	3.60Toronto, Montreal or Boston. *3.00	....
A delivery charge of 15 cents is made in Boston.	'	K
Freight
From Vancouver or
New Westminster to:	Carload. L.C.L.
Calgary	$0.94	$1.8SRegina	
1.25	2.55Winnipeg	
1.25	2.87Per 100 lbs. gross weight, delivery	extra.
From Prince Rupert to:
Edmonton ....	$1.05	....Winnipeg ... *....S	
1.25	....
The Marine and Fisheries Department has for some years been endeavouring to aid in .securing a market foT the producer and good fish, at fair prices, for the consumer. It will be of interest to state what has been done in this way. The following is a synopsis:
The Federal Government is giving the following aid to develop the fish business:
(a)	It accepts responsibility for one-third of the express charges on less than carload shipments from all points on the Atlantic coast to destinations in Quebec and Ontario, and from all points on the Pacific coast to destinations as far east as the eastern boundary of Manitoba.
(b)	It has arranged for a weekly refrigerator express service from Mulgrave to Montreal, shipments from Halifax being consolidated dn the car at Truro one day each week during the summer season. In addition to paying one-third of the transportation charges on shipments in this car, the express and railway companies are guaranteed that the earnings on this car will be at least those on 10,000 pounds.
(c)	It has made available to the shipper^ at Mulgrave and Halifax a cold storage freight car one day each week by guaranteeing the railway that the earnings on this car will be at least those on two-thirds of a minimum carload of 20,000 pounds at carload lot rates.
(d)	It has for the past two seasons given a first-class exhibit at the Toronto exhibition, which has been awarded a gold medal each year.
(e)	It has sought to advertise fish by the issuing of a booklet which has been broadly distributed throughout the country.
The shipments carried by express on which a rebate is paid, include fresh and mildly cured fish, such as smoked fish as well as shellfish. The increase in the sales resulting will be gathered from the payments made to the express companies during the past number of years, which are as follows:
On shipments On shipments. Tear.	from East. from West.
19.09-10	$15,162 20	$13,541 761910-	11	
16,898	13	21,896	731911-	12	
19,620	62	35,315	101912-	13	
29,969	48	39,277	131913-	14	
37,818	85	44,114	471914-	15	
26,667	33	34,528	60


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: Does that refer
only to fresh fish?


Clarence Jameson: This is all fresh and
mildly cured fish.
The industry to which this assistance was granted increased very rapidly as the result, I am told, of that assistance. Last year, it seems, there was a falling off to a certain extent; I do not know what the explanation is unless it be that smaller quantities of fish are being shipped by express and larger quantities by freight, in which case I think the same amount of assistance would not be rendered. In view of the assistance in respect of transportation charges upon fish, and the increased quantities handled, it might reasonably have been expected that the cost to the consumer would be reduced very considerably. The tendency of price however has been to go up rather than to become less.
Let us for a moment follow the journey of the fish from the boat to the consumer. Having been caught by the fishermen, dressed, and lightly cured, or packed in ice and shipped by the local buy'er it reaches some centre in the interior of Canada where it is perhaps sold to a jobber. It is then sold to a retailer who may do business 50 or 100 miles distant, involving further transportation charges. By him it is again sold to the consumer at a price which is startling compared with that received either by the fisherman or by the local shipper. Two important facts should not be overlooked; first, that under our present system the ownership of the fish necessarily changes four, five or six times between the time it leaves the hands of the producer and reaches the consumer; and secondly, that there is a loss by the retailer which the consumer must eventually pay, by reason of the fact that he has not in his establishment proper facilities for preserving or attractively displaying the fish. So, there are expenses and profits at every stage of the journey from the fisherman to the con-



sumer at whose door the retailer leaves the fish, it may he 100, 500, or 1,000 miles distant from the waters from which it was taken.
I have an illustration to give to the House of what it would mean if we could affect a short cut, so to speak, between the producer and the consumer. It is the experience of a gentleman in the Eailway Department J. L. Payne. This gentleman informs me that he recently purchased 900 boxes of finnan haddie from a Nova Scotia firm and they were laid down at the doors of some 900 different people in Ottawa who had joined with him in the order. \ The fish at their doors, all expenses paid, cost seven cents per pound, while at the same time, in the retail stores in this city the same class of fish was selling at twelve and a half cents and upwards per pound.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: I suppose there
were no further expenses in connection with that shipment other than the original cost of the fish and the transportation charges?


Clarence Jameson: That is my information.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: These were no distribution and selling expenses?	*


Clarence Jameson: No. The shipment was the result of co-operation on the part of different people. Mr. Payne kindly acted as agent, and my information from him is that he paid six cents per pound to the producer, and that it cost one cent per pound to bring the fish to Ottawa -and to deliver it at the doo-r of the consumer. There were no profits.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: Can my hon. friend tell me what the selling price of the same class of fish is say, in western Nova Scotia, say at a point like Windsor or Kentville?


Clarence Jameson: I cannot tell my hon. friend that; I do not know what the profits are down there, but I think the dealers just sell to the one man. For instance, the man who prepares the fish for the wholesale market would 'sell to the retailer, and so there would be just a profit for two individuals.
The trouble in dealing with this matter in regard to transportation is that two or three transportation charges' are superimposed on the original price of the fish, and that the profits of dealers, jobbers and retailers, have to be considered. I merely mention this instance of which I have been informed -by Mr. Payne, in order to show

that unnecessary transportation -charges, and perhaps the profits of some ' jobbers, might be eliminated or reduced.


John Douglas Hazen: From wh-at point of Nova S-coti-a did they -come?


Clarence Jameson: 
Alexander Kenneth Maclean: If they do not what shall we do?


George Eulas Foster: Eat less fish.


Clarence Jameson: My hon. friend (Mr. A.
K.	Maclean), I am sure, sympathises with the attitude I take. He is not yet a recipient of any of these royal favours, whatever the future may hold for him, and, being one of the proletariat like myself, I have not the slightest doubt but that he will endorse up to the hilt the remarks that I have made.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: I wish you would provide a penalty.


Clarence Jameson: We are in hopes they will act. The public would penalize them in some way, at all events. As a nation we have not yet perhaps entirely outgrown the extravagance of the pioneer in our use of the natural wealth of the country. This no doubt, in some measure, is the reason why ,the consumer calls for fish not only of standard variety, but also of standard size, the smaller which in other countries find a ready market, being in little demand here. And here I venture to express the opinion that the method in towns and cities of purchasing food for the household by telephone, rather than as formerly, by a visit to the market or shop of the dealer, and the delivery by the seller, instead of by the purchaser is probably in itself responsible for a substantial increase in the cost of supplying the family table.
In those great natural storehouses,- seas, rivers and lakes-a bountiful providence has reserved to the people of Canada an almost unlimited supply of sea foods. With this great natural advantage, aided by a properly organized system of distribution, fish should be cheap in Canada.
In the distribution and sale of food fishes is there needless expense which can be eliminated? Are there excessive or unnecessary transportation or other charges? Are there multiplied profits which might
be avoided? I believe the answer should be "yes" to all these questions. They are questions to which, however, it may be undesirable to give an offhand answer; but they are questions that should be answered M possible. They are questions of importance to the consumer who wants to know he is not paying undue profits; and no less are they of importance to the fisherman, whose future market must depend, in a great measure, upon the product of his industry being available to the consumer at fair and reasonable prices. Yet, tnis at least we know, that to-day and for years to come, economy -should be the watchword of this nation. Anything which will tend toward reducing the cost of supplying the family table calls for serious consideration.
I have some suggestions which I propose to make in a very kindly -spirit to my hon. friend the minister who takes -a deep interest in- this matter an-d I will make them as briefly as I can. I believe there are others who desire to speak on this important resolution. The present method of distribution of sea foods seems extravagant and wasteful. I think it -should be more highly organized. Reshipments involving several freight or express charges -should be avoided, where possible. Transportation corporations all of which have -been generously bonused by the people of Canada, should recognize their responsibility. They -should aid in the distribution of a cheap food, by making especially favourable rates, which hitherto they have not seemed inclined to do.
This, I am informed, -can be done without disturbing other rates by placing fish in what is known as a "commodity" classification instead of -as at -present. F^st freight trains, and what may be termed the "peddler car" system would also greatly aid in affecting cheaper transportation. The "peddler car" is a -through car with a through rate, carrying car-load lots, and distributing its load at different points en route, -an additional charge being made each time the car is opened for that purpose. The transportation -companies, being in favor of less than carload rates, are against the "peddler" caT.
Fi-sh dealers at inland points could get a better service by placing their orders a reasonable time in advance. Shipments could then be consolidated, and carlo-ad lot rates obtained. Thi-s, combined with a peddler car -service, would effect a great saving in the cost of transportation. It would also tend to eliminate the jobber,

and so save his profits, to the benefit of the consumer.
Avoidable waste occurring, owing to lack of proper facilities in most retail markets for preserving and attractively displaying the fish, should be overcome. For not only does it add to the cost of the fish to the consumer, but nothing is more liable to discourage its general use than careless methods of handling; while to obtain good, fresh fish from Tetail dealers under such conditions, is impossible.
The Department of Marine and Fisheries,
* which for many years has been1 expending large sums in protecting the fisheries of sea and lake, should now, I think, go a step farther. In every important community they might establish, or exhibit for demonstration purposes, a model fish market. This might consist of what is known as a silent salesman, or glass case, with proper refrigeration. In a short time progressive fish dealers would, no doubt, properly equip their premises. A vigorous campaign should be set on foot for promoting the consumption of sea foods, not on fast days only, as chiefly heretofore, but as a stable article of diet throughout the year.
A demonstration kitchen, conducted by one who understands how fish should be cooked and served, should be made a feature at all fairs in Canada. The department might very easily keep this service up the year round in those centres where it would do the most good, until the blessings of a fish diet were known.
It should be borne in mind that the increased consumption of ,fish will aid in solving some features of the transportation problem. When .fresh fish can be shipped in carload lots, the rates will be much less, tending to reduce the cost of the fish to the consumer. In this good work an important section of the press of Canada has already rendered signal service, and is entitled to the thanks, both of the fishing interests and the consumers. With their continued co-operation advantageous results can, I believe, be attained. With this introduction I beg leave to move the resolution standing in my name.


John Howard Sinclair: Mr. Speaker, the subject of which my hon. friend from Digby (Mr. Jameson) has been speaking is one of very great interest to my constituents, and I am very much pleased that he has brought it before the House. I do not know of any branch of business that could be promoted to a
CMr. Jameson.]
greater degree by the Department of Marine iand Fisheries, than that of out fisheries, by the adoption of such measures as will increase the sale of fresh fish throughout Eastern Canada; I am not so familiar with the trade of the West.
The slight assistance that was given a few years ago has given splendid results. Prior to ten or twelve years ago, a large part of the fresh fish consumed in Montreal, Toronto, and other Canadian cities came from Gloucester in the United States. Our Nova Scotia fishermen worked on these Gloucester vessels, which caught the fish off our own coast and then took it to Gloucester, whence it was returned to Montreal -and Toronto. This was A very unsatisfactory state of affairs, and the Government of that day introduced the policy of subsidizing the transportation of fish from the eastern -coast of Canada to the big cities inland, by paying one-third of the express rates. The trade immediately
5 p.m. -changed. Ln-stead of the inland cities of Canada -buying their fish from Gloucester and Boston, they bought from Eastern Canada, w-ith the result, that at present only a relatively small quantity of fresh fish is imported into this country.
I -agree with -my hon. friend that fish as an article of fo-o-d i-s not as much used in this country as it should he, and I think a good deal could be done by. advertising -to increase its consumption. The Minister of Marine and Fisheries, in advertising out fish, at the last Toronto Exhibition took a step in the right direction; and I commend him for so doing. If it were known throughout the towns of Ontario that the fr-e-sh fish of Nova Scotia was -such delicious food, that we had plenty of it in Ea-stern Canada, and that it could be bought cheaply. I have no doubt that much more fish would be purchased and used in our homes. While referring to this matter I never could understand why the fisheries should be put under the Naval Department, and I must S-ay th-at the House -and the country . have n-ever yet been given -an intelligent reason as to why thi-s w-as done. I had hoped that the fisheries of this country would grow to such an extent as to occupy a minister most of his time, but instead of that, -the Fisheries Department has been placed under the control of certain naval officers who have nothing whatever to do

with the fisheries of this country. If there is any business at all which should be under the branch known as the Marine and Fisheries, surely it is the fisheries of this country. I do not tfiink it was , a wise step to take, and jt seems to me that some explanation should be given. My hon. friend from Halifax (Mr. A. K. Maclean) says he understands that only the ships of the Fisheries Department are under the control of the Naval Department, but as I understand it, everything connected with the fisheries is under the control of officers of the navy. This is an abnormal state of affairs, and I do not think it is in the interests of the industry.
The main problem is to find a market for our fish: if that industry is to grow, and it has possibilities of becoming very extensive, the local market will not suffice. I quite agree with my hon. Mend (Mr. Jameson) that we should do everything in our power to develop the local market, and I have no criticism at all to make of his proposal in that direction; but the local market in Canada for fish, fresh or any other kind, is very small compared with the great supply- it is possible to obtain around our coasts. Why should we not look for a market outside? There is no reason why we should not do everything in our power to develop a foreign market for our fish. Regulations are made to encourage people to export manufactured goods. If you look through the tariff, you will see that a man who makes an engine or a boiler in this country and sells it abroad can go to the Custom house and get a rebate of ninety-five per cent of the duty that he paid on the raw material. We are actually paying money to induce our people to send these articles abroad, and I think the policy is a good one, but why should we not apply the same policy to fish? Why should we not encourage the exportation of our fresh fish to the United States? To the-south of us is an enormous country with a population of ninety million people. It is the richest country in the world, and the best market in the world,	but we	are notdoing anything	at	all	to	reach
that market. It has always been a puzzle to me why hon. gentlemen opposite appear to think it would be an unwise thing to develop a iparket for our fish in the United States.? Two years ago I ventured to point out to the Minister of Marine and Fisheries that in eastern Nova Scotia, in the vicinity of Canso and the, banks of that region, we have one of the most prolific fishing coasts to be found in all America. We have a fine class of fishermen, who are second to none.
We have everything that is needed to build up an enormous business in fish, .except a good market. I proposed that the Minister of Marine and Fisheries should subsidize a fast fish boat, touching at some of the ports of eastern Nova Scotia, and then going direct to Boston, which is the great market for our fish. That is where our surplus fish has to go whenever there is a large run of fish on the coast. If mackerel comes in on the coast in large quantities it has to go to Boston, because there is no sufficient demand for it in our Canadian cities.	.	.
Again, in eastern Nova Scotia we have not the facilities they have in the western part of the province, at Yarmouth, for example. If you compare the rates paid for fish at Canso, and at Yarmouth, you will find that a hundred pounds of codfish is worth $1.50, and sometimes more, at Yarmouth than it is at 'Canso. And the reason for that is that a boat runs between Yarmouth and Boston. When a fisherman comes into Yarmouth with his fresh fish, he loads it on the boat and gets it to Boston in twelve or thirteen hours, and he gets the market price for it, whereas at Canso we have not these facilities. If a fisherman catches a boiat-load of haddock at some harbor on the coast wheTe there is no transportation facilities, for example, what can he do with it? If it is winter he can freeze it, or convert it into finnan-haddie and sell it in the local market, but he cannot sell the fresh fish at a good price as can the Yarmouth fisherman. My proposal to the minister was that the Government should subsidize a fast line of fish boats, not.passenger boats, to carry fresh fish from the ports of eastern Nova Scotia direct to Boston, Portland, and other American cities. I feel sure that if this proposal is adopted, a very large business can be worked up that will be of enormous benefit to the fishermen on that coast. The main trouble with them now is lack of transportation. We are spending a good deal of money to enable our fishermen to send their fresh fish to Toronto, Montreal, and the western cities- That is all right, and I am glad that it is being done. It has been done for a good many years, it is a proper policy and has worked out well. But, if we want to build up this industry to the proportions which it may reach, we must get into the United States markets, and the way to do that is to have a line of fresh-fish boats calling at the ports of Eastern Nova Scotia and delivering the fish direct to the Boston market. It would not cost very much to

provide this service. At present we are paying large sums to subsidize ships to go to South Africa, Australia, and other far-off parts of the world with our products. Why should not we do the same thing in the case of the United States, which we can reach in twenty-four hours from the places where the fish are landed? I would like some of my hon. friends on the other side . to struggle with that question and tell me if they can, why that trade should not be cultivated. The Prime Minister must be as much interested in this as I am, for he represents a county with a very long sea-coast and among the inhabitants of which are a number of hardy fishermen. We have the fish on the coast and we have the men to catch them; we have, in fact, everything but the market.
This is not a party question but a business question, and one that a business government ought to deal with. As this is a friendly discussion, I do not wish to criticise, but I would remind my hon. friend from Digby (Mr. Jameson) that freight rates have been increased since the present Administration came into power. The rate for express, I understand, is the same as it was before, but the freight rate on fresh fish from Nova iScotia to Montreal is higher than it was in 1911. I am surprised that my hon. friend from Digby, or my hon. friend from Shelburne and Queens (Mr. McCurdy),did not put in a protest when that was done. The increase between Mulgrave and Amherst, or Mulgrave and Truro, is something like $12 a carload, and this increase of rates was made by the present Minister of Railways to the disadvantage of the fish trade in the local market. I think the old rate should have been allowed to stand; if the department could not afford to reduce it, at least they should not have increased it. If we are to be confined to the Canadian market for our fish, we. want as cheap transportation as we can get.


Clarence Jameson: The hon. member has taken it for granted that I did not make a protest with respect to the increase in the freight rates. I may tell him that I did make this the subject of an interview, a somewhat warm one, between the Minister of Railways and myself. And that is what I mean when I say that you can not do anything with these men who are not at the top and who are , not themselves responsible for the rates. The hon. gentleman, I am sure, will agree with me in that.


John Howard Sinclair: I am glad my hon. friend did make a protest, but I am sorry that it was not effective.


Clarence Jameson: That is why we want to get their experts before the committee provided for in the resolution. We will then be able to show them the facts, and perhaps convince them.


John Howard Sinclair: Perhaps I do not understand my hon. friend, but surely this is a matter which the minister and his department can settle. If the minister wishes to give an advantage to the transportation of fresh fish, it is quite within his power to do so.	,


Clarence Jameson: But the point taken was that the Minister of Railways was advised by his officers that certain rates had to be charged in order to make the business pay, and he did not want to use the railway to give a bonus; he said the Department of Marine Was giving a bonus.


John Howard Sinclair: I am not referring to what the Department of Marine is doing- the assistance that department is giving to pay the express rates is satisfactory-but I am referring to the freight rate from Mulgrave to points along the Intercolonial, where the increase was, I think, much larger than it ought to have been, and which increase has interfered, I have no doubt, with the trade.
I am glad to see the Minister of Trade and Commerce (Sir George Foster) in his place, also the Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Hazen), and the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Borden), and I would like to impress upon these gentlemen the importance of assisting the transportation of fresh fish from points on the eastern coast of Canada to the Boston and New York markets. I have no douot that it would be of immense advantage to the fishing industry. Ask any merchant on the coast and he will tell you that if we could get in touch with those markets we could get better prices, and could be sure that we 'would always sell our fish. Why should we subsidize ships to distant parts of the world and leave unimproved an opportunity to develop the greatest Canadian industry that it is possible to develop? The supply of fish is inexhaustible; we have the whole Atlantic ocean to draw upon, and you cannot fish it out. They have been fishing cod off Canso for 300 years; the Breton fishermen were there in the fifteenth cen-

fury. The fishermen are on the same banks to-day, and the banks are as prolific and as well stocked as when the fishermen first came. It is a question of giving the fishermen an opportunity to put the fish on the market whenever they catch them. That is the problem for the Government. Can they do anything?


Mr. F. B. McCUEDY (Shelburne and Queens):: Mr. Speaker, the House will, I
trust, unanimously adopt the resolution under consideration. The inquiry will come under the direction of my hon. friend the member for Pigby. Appreciating, as the House does, the diligent interest of the hon. member in, and his keen understanding of, the problems surrounding the fishing industry, the more readily will it consent to the committing of this matter to the committee over whose deliberations my hon. friend so ably presides.
The investigation of the subject will be peculiarly interesting because any benefits to follow will be twofold in their effect, in that they may advance the interest of the consumer as well as that of the primary producer, the hardy fishermen who constitute the commercial and social fabric of the communities in so many of the important districts particularly along the eastern seaboard of Canada.
The divergence in market prices existing at points of production and consumption in a great many lines of business in Canada and elsewhere has been a matter of bewilderment in many cases, even to those most directly engaged in such businesses. Official inquiries as to the primary causes for such divergences both in Canada and the United States have in different instances been made. I believe some of these inquiries have resulted in improvement in conditions, and it seems to me that of all lines of business that of the catching and marketing of fresh, fish lends itself best to an inquiry such as is proposed.
The difficulties of operating >a diversified fishing business will readily suggest themselves to all who consider the fundamental necessities of such an industry.
The food value of fish has long been very widely recognized, and is doubtless attracting more attention year by year. It is, of course, of the greatest importance that the product should reach the market in the freshest condition possible, other-vise consumption will not be encouraged. A considerable improvement of conditions in the trade has already been accomplished
by Government aid. to cold storage, the provision of refrigerator oars and of a fast refrigerator freight service, and other ways in which the Government has -assisted. '
Should the inquiry develop that there are substantial ways by which further Government assistance can improve conditions under which the industry operates, the Government should not be slow, and I am satisfied, will not'be slow, to recognize the desirability of giving -such assistance.
During the past fen years, a great deal of governmental attention has been given to particular industries in, Canada. Generous bounties were made available to producers of iron, steel, lead -and other metals; a system of interior and terminal elevators has been provided to foster the grain interest; steamship subsidies have been granted to encourage and promote general export business; enormous sums of money have been paid out in railway subsidies, and immense obligations undertaken by means of bond guarantees to provide railway transportation, and a programme has been undertaken involving the expenditure of $10,000,000 in the improvement of the great agricultural industry of the country.
All the above have been put forward in the general interest, and industry has been quickened and conditions improved as a result of many of the expenditures mentioned. It can be expected then that generous consideration will be given by Parliament of any feasible assistance required by the very important basic fishing industry.
The total value of the fish -catch of Canada for the fiscal year 1913-14, according to reports furnished by the Department of the Naval Service, amounted to $33,207,748, and for 1914-15, 'to $31,264,631.
There possibly exists the temptation that Parliament, in the exploitation of our new found prairie wealth and magnificent resources of the western part of Canada, should overlook the older, but no less substantial, resources to whose value we may have become somewhat calloused, on account of long knowledge and association.
So long ago as the year 1758, the fishery was one of the most important industries in the whole country. A very interesting account of those fisheries is given in Brown's "History of Gape Breton." It states that 726 vessels and 1,555 shallops, which is a smaller type of fishing vessel, employed 15,138 men,-the number engaged in the fishing industry of Cape

Breton. The catch of the former class of vessels averaged 700 quintals per vessel, or about 508,200 quintals, and the shallops averaged about 300 quintals each, or 466,500 quintals in all, making a total of 974,700 quintals of fish, which would be worth roughly, at to-day's market price, $6,000,000.
In 1871 the Nova Scotia catch was valued at $6,570,000 and in 1872 at $6,016,000. Continuously then year by year the sea has yielded up its wealth, to be had for the taking, in good years and bad, furnishing employment to a large population of as fine a class of citizens as exists in the whole Dominion.
So that it can be seen that this industry is a very old one, that it has furnished a means of livelihood to a large population for over a century and a half, and has been the base of substantial and steady commercial activity, and supplied a commodity which the province oi Nova Scotia at any rate, as part of the Dominion of Canada, has utilized year by year to pay off a substantial portion of the annual foreign trade balance.
The exports of fish from Canada, according to the returns of the Statistical Department of the Marine and Fisheries and Naval Service Departments for the past ten years have been as follows:
1904-05			$11,114,318
1905-06			 16,025,840
1906-07		. . . . 10,362,142
1907-08			 13,867,36 8
1908-09			 13,319,604
1909-10			 15,663,162
1910-11			 15,675,544
1911-12	,		 16,704,678
1912-13			 16,336,721
1913-14		. . . . 20,623,560
Total		
Average			$14,969,299
The average annual export value of fish from the province of Nova Scotia alone has been $6,141,093, while in 1914 the export rose to the banner amount of $7,438,625. British Columbia coming second with $6,946,231, and New Brunswick third among the provinces with $2,437,469. So that while in the past decade the average annual catch has been $28,097,973, the average annual export has been $14,969,299.
Students of the present economic situation in Canada cannot fail to appreciate that the present great need of Canadak is for increased production. For years we have carried on a great construction programme.

We must now get down to the great question of a bigger production.
One of the great problems of Canada today is rural depopulation, with its corresponding increase in urban population. The production of natural products of the country is greatly exceeded by their consumption, which fact is one of the most important features to-day in the high cost of living. The people of cities must turn their attention to economy and to production; if it is not possible for them to produce in the cities, they must, of necessity, go to the land, or go to some other part of the country where their labour or knowledge can be utilized to produce wealth. They must utilize undeveloped land, they must exploit every avenue offering productive occupation.
We call, and properly, for improvement in conditions making easier the production of wealth from the soil, and improving the living conditions and attractiveness of rural life. I support the resolution which suggests consideration of ways and means to make possible a larger production of wealth from our fisheries, to remove any restrictions or drawbacks under which this portion of our productive populace labour, and that will lead to improvement in living conditions and an increase in the fishing population of the country.
I can safely assert that while the attention of Canada during the period of the past few years has been largely directed towards the development of the West, the resources and possibilities of the Maritime Provinces, where fundamental conditions are probably as sound as in any part of the world, have during that period been partially overlooked. But they are attracting more attention to-day. The production of the Maritime Provinces has always greatly exceeded (consumption, and this excess has been piling up year after year as a great cash reserve. The vast majority of property there is free from encumbrance. Here may be found not only millions of acres of choice farm lands, plenteous timber and pulp limits, coal, iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, limestone, petroleum, natural gas and other minerals, but, as important as any other, the fisheries.
All these resources are concentrated, and navigation is open twelve months of the year. In 1913-14 the exports of Canada were some $300,000,000 below the imports. That situation has fortunately since been righted, but a substantial portion of the export is in the item of war munitions-the need for

which every one prays may at an early date be removed by the return of peace. When that item of export disappears we shall want further items of natural products to take its place. With the natural resources which we possess, and the character of the people inhabiting the Dominion, we may be sure that production generally will continue to increase. Meanwhile, if we are to be make good to our creditors, we must continue to concentrate our efforts towards economy and production
Enormous sums of money have been devoted by Canadian Parliaments during the past ten years and longer to facilitate the construction of rail transportation systems. We have gone the limit in the provision of assistance to railway promoters and builders. Some careful observers, whose opinions are entitled to great consideration, are of the opinion that the country has handled the transportation needs very badly, and that undue sums have been expended or wasted in the construction of parts of our railway systems, or the unnecessary duplication of systems, and they have much to support them in their views. There has undoubtedly been great waste in the building of our railway systems. I presume there will always be some waste in large construction enterprises.
The excuse, if not the reason, which is put forward in justification of the immense amounts of public moneys and credit given or loaned to the railway corporations, has been that production, particularly in the West, should be accelerated.
While subsidiary advantages have accrued to the more easterly parts of Canada in connection with the large construction pro' gramme of the past ten years or longer, still the fact remains that every resident of Canada, even in remote and inaccessible parts, has shouldered nis share of the burden in providing the great transportation systems, largely for the direct anticipated benefit to the tiller of the soil. I therefore wish to take advantage of the present opportunity to bring the attention of the minister and the House to the necessity for giving the greatest attention to facilities for the prosecution of the very important fishing industry.
I am not unmindful of the assistance which has been given to that industry in the past. This assistance has, apart from tariff protection, mainly taken the form of facilitating transportation.
Notwithstanding the assistance given for shipments of fresh fish and the very large increase in the business at Montreal, the
railways have not, I am advised, given any 'lower rates. The rates for small shipments appear to be too high, and prevent profitable business being done by small dealers unless the consumer is charged beyond reason. With reasonable rates and proper facilities for handling, it would appear, prima facie, that the retailer should be able to sell at lower than current retail rates and still have a fair profit.
The hon. member for Guysborough (Mr. Sinclair) and other hon. gentlemen have at different times urged in this House that provision be made by the Government for a steamship service to carry the output of the fisheries fresh to foreign markets. The hon. member, with his extensive knowledge of business, will appreciate the desirability of this service being performed by private effort if possible. My hon. friend from Guysborough (Mr. Sinclair) will probably agree that if private initiative,will establish such a service it will be apt to secure a better demonstration than if undertaken by ' Government.


John Howard Sinclair: If my hon. friend will
excuse me. I did not propose that the Government should establish a line of boats as a Government line. If my hon. friend took that meaning from what I said, it is not what I intended. My idea was that they should give a substantial subsidy to enable private enterprise to put a private line of fast boats on the route between eastern Nova iScotia and the Boston and New York market. I would like to know if my hon. friend is in favour of that.


Fleming Blanchard McCurdy: The arrangement to
which I referred was one under which private interests should provide a steamship service with cold storage equipment, between a leading Nova Scotia fish producing port and foreign markets without any expense to the Government. No subsidy was asked for. Unfortunately, however, the war intervened and these projects have not been carried out, but I am assured that they have nbt been abandoned. These interests are to be congratulated on their enterprise. The experiment will, as soon as it can be undertaken, I am sure, be watched with interest, and _if successful, I trust that my hon. friend may find that, in the constituency which he specially represents, as well as elsewhere, enterprising trade interests may afford the advantages of such a service to the fishing industry of the different producing districts.

there is a United States duty of three-quarters of a cent a pound on this commodity which duty is taken out of the pockets of our fishermen.
I am sorry to say that the lot of the fisherman is getting harder year by year. I was sorry to be informed just a few days ago that the price of rope has advaiiced to 20 cents a pound, and that the price of gasolene has advanced very largely, and is likely to go still higher. With these prospects in view, I am sure our fishermen can not expect as large profits in the future as they have had in the past unless something is done for them by the Government. I do not think that the hon. member for Lunenburg makes any suggestion at all for the amelioration of the lot of the fisherman, unless it might be that indicated in the remark which he made that it was important to get the fish as quickly as possible from the fishermen to the mouths of the consumers. The best way in which that could be done-and it would satisfy the constituencies of ray hon. friend from Shelburne and Queens and my hon. friend from Digby, as well as my own constituency, and, in fact, all of the western counties-would be by the Government subsidising a line of boats running between Boston and Yarmouth so, that the boats would put in proper cold storage plants. The matter was discussed last year at some length, but I am sorry to say that up to the present time nothing has been done in reference to it. It would certainly help the fishermen to a very large degree.
Another way in which the fishermen could be helped would be to give a bonus, or a bounty, in some form to them. There is no line of industry in the world that is fraught with so much danger and hardship as the fishing industry. In my own constituency the fishermen carry on a very large industry in live lobsters, as will be seen by the figures which I have given to the House. This industry is carried on between the 15th of September and the 15th July, and it therefore takes practically the whole of the winter season. These fishermen are obliged to go out day after day, exposing themselves to hardship and cold as well as to danger and death. If there is any way in which the Minister of Marine and Fisheries and his department can alleviate the difficulties and hardships of the fishermen, it would certainly be appreciated by those who are engaged in this industry. I have no fault to find with the

motion which has been moved by my hon. friend from Digby. If anything can be done for the fishermen by submitting this matter to the committee, I shall be heartily in accord with it. I am sorry to say that I am afraid that the hon. gentleman is commencing at the wrong end of this question. Unless the committee consider the question of free fish into the United States, which is the natural market, and without which market the fish business in the western part of Nova Scotia would be entirely obliterated, I am afraid that we can not hope for any great results.
At six o'clock, the House took recess.
The House resumed at eight o'clock.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: Mr. Speaker, I have just a few words to say on the resolution of the hon. member for Digby (Mr. Jameson), and I am afraid I shall disappoint my hon. friend the member for Algoma (Mr. Boyce) if his kind reception of myself is an indication that he expects an instructive or a lengthy speech from me. I of- course very cordially approve of the remarks of the hon. member for Digby, and if as the outcome of this brief discussion, the fish trade will be benefited in any way, the House I am sure will be indebted to the hon- member who has introduced this subject. The wording of the resolution rather indicates the subject for discussion as being the cause of the difference in the price of fish between the points of production and the points of consumption,' in the interior portions of the domestic market I assume, namely, in Canada. If that be the point which the hon. gentleman desires discussed in this House, I would say that it is rather an abstract and a very much involved issue, and to discuss it intelligently it would be necessary for one to have a very extensive knowledge of the fish trade; 'for instance, as to the cost of catching fish, methods of curing, methods of marketing, and then to some degree a knowledge of the tastes of the consumer. But the hon. member for Digby and the hon. gentlemen who have followed him have practically confined their remarks to the fresh fish trade and the cost of transportation, and I will therefore assume that, after all, those were the two points largely in the mind of the hon. member for Digby when introducing this resolution. In the few remarks I have to make I shall, therefore, confine myself to that aspect of the case.

The marketing and transportation of fish involves a great many issues, and it is very difficult to assign any disadvantages in our marketing and transportation of fish to any one cause. For instance, it might be that some of the disadvantages might lie with the fishermen in their methods of catching, others with the fish exporter, and others again with those who transport and market the fish. A great deal would also depend upon the consuming population, that is as to whether they were a fish-consuming people.
The domestic fish trade of Canada is, of course, largely of the fresh fish business. In the Maritime Provinces our experience largely relates to the salt fish trade. We have been engaged in that form of fish trade for a long number of years, and our markets are to be found throughout the whole world. Consequently, as our long experience has been mostly in the salt fish trade, we are not so well acquainted with the fresh fish trade. In the province of British Columbia their experience largely relates to the fresh and canned fishing business. In fact, with the exception of the Maritime Provinces, the experience of the rest of Canada is largely with the fresh fish business. The experience of the Maritime Provinces has, until recent years at least, been practically confined to the salt fish business. The fresh fish trade presents many difficulties, not only in Canada, but also in the United States. For instance, it is necessary to have a regular supply of fish, and a regular and fairly cheap system of transportation. Again, the fresh fish market is more easily disturbed by weather conditions than the salt fish market. Those who have any knowledge of the fresh fish trade understand very well that it is a much more hazardous business than the salt or cured fish trade. In connection with the Canadian fresh fish trade, there are also difficulties which are peculiarly due to conditions in this country.' In the first place, we have a very small and a very scattered population, and in this respect we are at a very much greater disadvantage than are those engaged in the same trade in the United States. For instance, the port of Boston is probably the largest fishing port in North America, and probably in the world, and in connection with the fresh fish trade it has tremendous advantages over any Canadian port. If there is a surplus of fish on the Boston market after that city and nearby places have been supplied, the Boston fish
merchants can readily load several cars, or even a train, with the surplus and dispose of it in the towns of the States of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, where they will find a large number of customers. If they are unable to dispose of their surplus in these cities and towns they have the market of Montreal, even in the face of the duty. It is for these reasons that the American fresh fish trade has many advantages over persons engaged in that business in Canada. I have heard the suggestion made more than once by fish merchants in Canada that the Canadian people per capita do not consume fish to the same extent as people in the United States, and I fear there is an element of truth in that. What it is due to I would not venture to say. I would imagine, however, that Canada being a cold country, on the whole, that there is not the same desire to use fish as a foodstuff as would be in warmer countries.
T-he hon. member for Guysborough (Mr. Sinclair) expressed his disagreement with the policy of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries in assigning to the Naval Branch of that department the administration of fisheries. I was not aware that this was the case. I had been under the impression that merely the administration of the steamers and ships belonging to the Government had been placed under the Department of Naval Affairs for administration. I concur in the view expressed by the hon. member for Guysborough. To have fisheries administered by the Naval Branch is apt to bring that service into ridicule and contempt. I do not mean 'to *say that the administration of fisheries is injured in efficiency by being placed under the control of the naval branch, but upon the face of it, and upon paper, it looks rather absurd and is apt to bring the service more or less into ridicule. I quite approve of the work of the department in producing the little booklet dwelling upon the value of fish for food purposes, but I think the booklet is made less effective by bearing on its face the announcement that it was issued by the Naval Branch. For there is no relation whatever between the administration of fisheries and the administration of the naval service. I think I mentioned this last year in the House, or else I spoke to the minister privately about it. I have forgotten what reasons he gave me on that occasion for the course of the department in this matter. I am not making these remarks in any cen-

sorious spirit, and will close my remarks on this point by again urging the minister to restore the administration of the fisheries to the Fisheries Branch.
I think the country may fairly complain of the interest manifested by the Department of Marine and Fisheries in fisheries matters. I do not attach blame to this Government more than to its predecessors, for I think there never has been an aggressive, intelligent, scientific administration of fisheries ;in this country. The entire staff of the department seems to be given up to administrative affairs, largely clerical work. Very little scientific or research work has been done by anybody in connection with the department. For instance, Professor Prince's duties relate to scientific affairs, yet his time for a great many years has been broken in upon by special matters assigned to him. Being a scientific man his work in the department should *be scientific, and the special or extra work given to him of late years should be given to some other person. Little or no study is given by the department to the transportation and marketing of fish. There is little or no circulation of literature by the department for the purpose of instructing the country in the use of fish as a food, or in the methods of using it or marketing it. Everything is left to individual effort, which ordinarily I approve of; hut I do think that by more aggressive and modern administration of fishery affairs by the department, our fisheries might be made to contribute a>
great deal more to the good of the country. In saying this, I repeat, I would not have the minister understand me as attacking the administration of the department by himself or by the present Government, any more than that of previous ministers and of previous Governments. I think there is great opportunity for reform and progress in our fisheries administration.
The bon. member for Shelburne and Queens (Mr. McCurdy) spoke of the importance of increasing our fishery production- Of course, any wealth produced from the sea is as valuable in our accumulation of wealth as that produced by agriculture, lumbering, mining or manufacturing. There is this difference to be noted-and it is to the advantage of bur fisheries-that the supply is not diminished, apparently, by the annual catch. Further, no expenditure of capital or labour is needed in preparing and cultivating the source of supply, where-

*as, especially in agriculture, the producers must devote a great deal of money and time to cultivation in order to assure the yield. I cannot but realize, however, that the increase in production from fisheries in Canada depends largely on the possibility of marketing the product. We cannot increase our fisheries production to any great extent if we must depend upon the domestic market alone. I should not look for such an increased consumption of fish products in Canada within the next few years as would increase our fish production to any great extent. We must seek markets in other countries. The hon. member for Shelburne .and Queens, in 1911, when the question of markets for fish was a vital and prominent issue, took the position that the Canadian markets were of more importance to the Canadian fishermen than the markets of the United States. I believe that it is hopeless to expect any great increase in our production of fish unless we gain a greater market in the United States. Upon some fish products we have free entry into that market to-day; upon others we encounter a small duty. We have advantages in production over the Americans, and with access to that market we should easily be able to hold our own against the producers in that country. I am inclined, therefore, to favour the suggestion made by the hon. member for Guysborough:	to
encourage, if we can, the marketing of fish in the United States-I speak largely from the standpoint of the Maritime Provinces -by aiding the establishment of a shipping service between the Maritime Provinces and the United States.


Alexander Kenneth Maclean: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think that it would be quite appropriate if, I should extend to you my hearty congratulations on your first appearance in the Chair. Your fellow-members from Nova Scotia are greatly pleased indeed to see this distinction conferred upon, you, and I am sure that you will do honour to the position.
I was saying that if a regular steamship service, designed particularly for the carriage of fish between the Maritime Provinces and the United States, could be established by the granting of a small but reasonable subsidy, it would be invaluable to the fishing interests of Nova Scotia. I would say further-I think the hon. member for Guysborough made the same suggestion this

afternoon-that the fishing industry in the Maritime Provinces is possible only because of the market in the United States. It would be hopeless to talk of increasing our domestic markets if we were not able to carry on the fishing business in the large way that we do at the present time, and the extent of the industry is made possible by the fact that the United States is the largest market that we have, and that we export to that country fish valued at millions of dollars. As the hon. member for Queens-Shelburne suggests, I am always pleased to see an industry developed by private initiative; I do not like to see the Government extend aid to any form of industry if it is possible for that industry to make progress by itself. If a substantial increase in the fresh fish export business of the Maritime Provinces could be made by the granting of a subsidy to a line of steamships which would serve a number of ports, I would gladly support any steps taken in that direction. Indirectly that would benefit the consumers of fish in Canada, because it would make it possible to ship fish much more readily and much more cheaply to our home markets. Our catch would be much greater and there would at all times be a surplus which could be satisfactorily disposed of in the home market.
There is nothing further that I desire to say upon the resolution of the hon. member for Digby except that I heartily concur in it, and I trust that some good may come from its reference to the Committee upon Fisheries for their consideration.


Mr. D. D. McKENZIE (North Cape Breton and Victoria):: Coming from a
county that is largely interested in the fish business, I should like to offer a word of commendation to the resolution that has been introduced by the hon. member for Digby (Mr. Jameson). Before saying anything upon that resolution, let me join with my hon. friend the hon. member for Halifax (Mr. A. K. Maclean) in congratulating you, Mr. Speaker, upon your elevation to the position which you occupy. I adopt the words, sentiments, hopes and aspirations of the hon. member for Halifax in regard to your elevation to this office, and as to your reflecting honour and dignity upon the position.	'
I am glad that the hon. member for Digby has brought forward this motion as it gives us an opportunity to discuss the fisheries, which we do not often have; and the subject is well worthy of discussion.
As has been said, one of the first essentials for the carrying on of a successful fishing industry is an efficient system for the collection of the fish into shipping centres and their rapid transportation to markets. It is all very well to talk about having vessels run along the shores of Cape Breton, Guys-borough and Halifax counties touching at the different fishing centres, collecting fish and taking it to Halifal for shipment to Boston or New York; but such a system must necessarily be a slow one. I believe that for the rapid collection of fish we must depend on failways. We have now a *railway along the shore from Halifax to Yarmouth, and I believe there is one running down the valley to Yarmouth. Trains on these lines collect fish at the various stations and take them to one of these ports, whence they are shipped to Boston or New York. If the few gaps that we have in our railway lines were filled in so that there would be railway connection with every fishing centre, then trains could collect the fish each morning and convey them to Halifax or Yarmouth, whence they could be transported to the American market which, aftef all, I believe is our natural market for fish.
There are two ways in which the Minister of Marine and Fisheries can greatly assist the fisheries. The first of these is by inducing his colleague the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Rogers) to further improve the harbours along our coasts. These harbours have been greatly improved of late years and our fishermen have thus been benefited; but there is still room for improvement. Owing to the enlargement of our harbours, the fishermen have been enabled to use larger boats and thus to catch much greater quantities of fish. In this way they have been able to attract attention in the Bostpn market, and large Boston dealers now send agents among our fishermen to buy their fish, which, of course, is of great advantage to our men. The further enlargement and improvement of our harbours would enable our fishermen to better compete with the Americans who go upon the fishing grounds with large vessels, equipped with auxiliary gasolene engines, which they are able to use because of the good harbours in the United States from which they operate. If our fishermen had as good harbours they could employ the same class of boats and thus make greater catches. I would therefore urge very strongly on the minister that he use his influence with the hon. Min-

ister of Public Works to have the good work of harbour improvement continued.
My second suggestion is, I believe, a new one. In some parts of Cape Breton there are fishermen who have practically no land. Many of these people came from Newfoundland where they had been engaged in the fisheries all their lives. When these people came to Nova Scotia most of the land from which it would be possible to operate on the good fishing grounds had been taken up. The fishing companies will not part with their land, and these fishermen are hugging the shore, I might almost say, scraping the beach, trying to get a foothold from which to carry on fishing operation. I would suggest to the minister that he take power to expropriate lands where necessary, in order that these people may have an opportunity to properly carry on their fishing operation. I do not say that the minister should give them land for nothing; but it is in the public interest that these men should be encouraged to prosecute the fisheries and it is almost impossible for them to do so unless they have at least some land. As I have said, these men have come from Newfoundland. They are sturdy, fearless, seafaring men, of the same stock as those fishermen of Newfoundland who, in the Empire's hour of need, have left the fisheries and gone home in large numbers to join the Imperial Navy. If they are encouraged in the way I have suggested, not only will we have an increased fishery production but, when the call goes forth for recruits for the Imperial Navy, the officers can go among these men and secure the best naval recruits to be found in the world. I trust that the minister will give this matter his most favourable consideration.


Mt. W. S. LOGGIE (Northumberland, N.B.):: Mr. Speaker, will you allow me ffirst to congratulate you on the honour conferred upon you by your appointment to the responsible and dignified position of deputy speaker.
If, Sir, I were to say that I know something about the fisheries, I might he told:	you knew something about the
fisheries-for there are new developments in our fishing industry every day. It was contended at that time that the express rates from Portland and Boston were much less than from Halifax, and that the merchants of Montreal and Toronto were importing their fish both from Boston and Portland. In order to

meet that difficulty, it was decided to assist the producers on the Atlantic seaboard to aupply the large dealers of Montreal. That concession was granted, and in my best judgment it was a concession that was wisely granted. The result of it was a larger distribution of fish from the Atlantic seaboard to Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. I do not know whether it would be wise in the interests of the industry to extend that concession to all the inland places in the Dominion, at any rate to the inland places ih Ontario and Quebec-The concession is not made to such places, as I understand. What might be a good thing, in the interests of the fisheries on the Pacific seacoast would be to grant the concession to fish which is expressed to the east.	[DOT]


John Douglas Hazen: It is.


William Stewart Loggie: It is on fish expressed
from the west to the distributing centres Montreal, but there are distributing centres further east which do not get the benefit of the concession. However, so far as I am concerned, I think it would be a retrograde movement if the suggestion of the minister made at Ottawa were carried out. I would like very much if the minister would favourably consider the idea that it would be in the interests of the fisheries if this concession were continued. I want to tell the minister and the public that I can ship frozen ,salmon from Chatham to London in better condition that I could ship them by express from Chatham to Montreal.


Mr. MICHAEL CLARK:: London, England.


William Stewart Loggie: Yes, London, England.
The minister may wonder how it can be done. Let me explain first of all that salmon or frozen fish for export are packed in tight boxes, and loaded in refrigerator cars which are charged with tons of salt forty-eight hours before the fish are put into them. The fish are kept there until they go on board the steamer at say Montreal, and they are again put into a refrigerator, and kept in a reasonably even temperature until they arrive at London or Liverpool, where they are immediately put into cold storage. Thus they arrive in the hands of the consumer in fairly good condition- Salmon are even brought from the Pacific coast and transported t6 London in good condition. On the other hand, let me tell the minister, that if I wanted to convey that , same box of

salmon, say in the middle of January, to Ottawa, I would have to put it on board a heated car which is ruinous to frozen fish. The car has lo be heated because the express man must live in it and he must have a certain temperature, but the result is that within twenty-four hours the oil which is in the salmon, which is a very rich fish, there being no such salmon in the world as the Restigouche or Miramichi and Gaspe salmon-


John Douglas Hazen: St. John harbour salmon.


William Stewart Loggie: I forgot about the St. John harbour salmon. By the time the salmon arrive at Montreal the oil has gone out of the fish, and you see a white scum on the skin. That fish must be consumed almost immediately, as in that condition it is not up to the standard. Now if that difficulty could be got over, if the minister would be willing to take up the matter with the Railway Department, and insist that the fish be put in a car with a partition so that one end could be kept cool while the express man could have his quarters in the other compartment, the fish would arrive in Montreal in perfect condition. The cost of such an arrangement would not be very large. I realize perfectly that the matter is surrounded with difficulty, because of the uncertainty . as to the quantity of fish that would be put on the cars and expressed. But I believe that the proper way in which to carry fresh fish in small quantities is by express. You must keep the temperature of that portion, of the car in which the fish is placed reasonably cool. I do not think it would be a very difficult proposition to have some arrangement with the Government railways and with the other railways for carrying the fish to Montreal under such conditions. So far as the Government railways are concerned at any rate, I think the proposition might be favourably considered. My hon. friend from Halifax said that we could not greatly increase the domestic consumption of fish. I do not care how much we increase the domestic consumption; that depends upon how fast the population grows. .What I want to do is to give the people whom we have in this country our Atlantic fish. I think it is a reasonable proposition that we ought to consume our own fish, and not have them caught by American fishermen and shipped from Portland and Boston to Montreal and Toronto. In order to accomplish that, we must give the producers at the Atlantic end
the best transportation facilities possible. I regret I was not present when the hon. member for Guysborough advocated the subsidising of a line of steamers between Canso, I think, and Boston. That, to my mind, is a very desirable proposition, but it would not necessarily fill the bill, because it would serve only one section of the country, whereas the express companies touch nearly every point in the Maritime Provinces.
If the Government would carry out the policy that they have already laid down of extending the Intercolonial Railway by means of branch lines to these producing centres they would serve the fishing industry in a marvellous way, and do a great deal to encourage th-e marketing of fish. Then the hon. member for Digby could hardly say what he has said in his resolution. The point that the hon. gentleman makes in his resolution is that the fish should be placed in prime condition, and at moderate prices, on the interior markets of the country. This, I am sure, is a laudable idea and one that we can promote by providing for prompt transpdrtation. For fresh fish express transportation is the only kind that is feasible for reasonably long distances, such as that between Montreal and the Atlantic seaboard.
' With reference to prices, I am not sure that the hon. gentleman is right in what he says about that subject. I am inclined to believe that fish is to-day sold at moderate prices in the consuming centres, of the Dominion. I have never known of any unreasonable price being asked for fish. The hon. gentleman must not forget, when discussing the difference between the cost of production and the cost to the consumer, that this commodity is something like vegetables. You will recall, I am sure, the discussion there has been regarding the difference between what the farmers get for their vegetables and what the consumer pays for them on the market, but if any hon. gentleman will go into the business of distributing vegetables, or into the retail fish business, in any of our large cities, he will find how great an expense there is in conducting a business of that character. Therefore, I am not sure that the hon. gentleman is right in that part of his resolution. In my judgment, fish are sold at moderate prices all over the Dominion. He says that the prices seem unreasonably high, and that this condition militates against the end in view, which is to encourage the greater consumption of fish



throughout Canada. I shall be very pleased to support the resolution to have this matter discussed before the Marine and Fisheries Committee.
At this time Mr. C. R.
9 p.m. Stewart, Chief Doorkeeper of the House of Commons, came hurriedly into the 'Chamber and called out: "There is a big fire in the reading room; everybody get out quickly." The sitting was immediately suspended without formality, and members, officials, and visitors in the galleries, fled from the Chamber. Some of them were almost overcome by the rapidly-advancing smoke and flames before reaching a place of safety. The fire, which had originated in the reading room, gained momentum with extrme rapidity and was soon beyond control. It continued till the following day, resulting in the almost total destruction of the Parliament buildings, together with the loss of several lives.
Friday, February 4, 1916.