1917-01-18

[Stage Direction]
Vol. I-Pages .	.	1-1124 Vol. IV-Pages . . 3187-4242II "	.	.	1125-2138	V "	[DOT]	[DOT] 4243-5270III "	.	. 2139-3186	VI "	.	.	5271-6094


[Stage Direction]
J. de labroquerie tachL

[Stage Direction]
\
[Stage Direction]


\

>
!
[Stage Direction]
*


[Stage Direction]
President of the Privy Council and Secretary of State	_	_ _ „ _ ,, . ,
for External Affairs (Prime Minister)	Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Laird Borden, P.C.,G.C.M.(t.,

[Stage Direction]
Minister of Trade and Commerce	Rt. Hon. Sir George Eulas Foster,P.C.,K.C.M.G.,

[Stage Direction]
Minister of Overseas Forces of Canada	Hon. Sir George Halsey Perley, K.C.M.G., B.A.
Minister of the Interior and Superintendent General	TT
of Indian Affairs	 Hon. William James Roche, M.D., LL.D.
"Minister of Public Works	Hon. Robert Rogers.
Minister of Railways and Canals	 Hon. Francis Cochrane.
Minister of Finance	 Hon. Sir William Thomas White, K.C.M.G., B.A.
Postmaster General	Hon. Pierre Edouard Blondin.
Minister of Marine and Fisheries and Minister of the	™	^ t
Naval Service	Hon. John Douglas Hazen, K.C., B.A., B.O.L.
Minister of Justice	Hon. Charles Joseph Doherty, K.C.,D.C.L.,LL.D.
Minister of Militia and Defence	Hon. Sir Albert Edward Kemp, K.C.M.G.
Secretary of State and Minister of Mines	Hon. Esioff Leon Patenaude, B.A.
Minister of Labour	Hon. Thomas Wilson Crothers, K.C., B.A.
Minister of Inland Revenue	Hon. Albert Sevigny, K.C., B.A.
Minister of Customs	Hon. John Dowsley Reid, M.D.
Without Portfolio	 Hon. Sir James Alexander Lougheed, IC.0.1VI.G.,
K.C., Senator.
Minister of Agriculture	Hon. Martin Burrell.
XWithout Portfolio (Solicitor General)	Hon. Arthur Meighen, K.C., B.A
not of the cabinet
Parliamentary Secretary of the Department of
Militia and Defence	F. B. McCurdy, Esq.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs	Hugh Clark, Esq.
"Resigned 15th August.
fResigned 12th June.	.	,.
JBecam© Secretary of State and Minister of Mines 25th August,

[Stage Direction]
Speaker	Hon. Edgar N. Rhodes, B A., LL.B.
Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees... J. H. Rainville, LL.B.
Clerk of the House	
Sergeant-at-Arms	A.D.C.Editor of Debates	
Associate Editor of Debates ..	A. C. Campbell.
Official Reporters of Debates :-
English : George Sirnpson, Robert C. Dunbar, C. S. Blue, F. W. S. Galbraith, Earl C. Young,
H. E. Oliver.
French: J. O. Marceau, Alphonse Desjardins.
SELECT COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL REPORT OF DEBATES :
Messieurs : Ames (Sir Herbert), Burnham, Descarries, Devlin, Foster (Sir George), Hanna, L. A. Lapointe, Lemieux, Marcil, Perley (Sir George), Rainville, Schaffner and Taylor.
Chairman : Jas. D. Taylor.
Deceased 20th September.

[Stage Direction]
Seventh Session, Twelfth Parliament.
Aohim, Honore-Labelle.
Alguihe, Duncan Orestes-Stormont.
Ames, Sir Herbert Brown, K.B.-Montreal, St. Antoine.
Armstrong, J. A. Macdonald-York, Ont., N. Riding.
Armstrong, Joseph E. - Lambton, E. Riding. Arthurs, James-Parry Sound.
Ball, R. J.-Grey, S. Riding.
Barnard, George Henry-Victoria, B.C. Barrette, Joseph Arthur-Bertbier.
Beland, Hon. Henri S4v4rin-Beauce.
Bellkmare, A.-Maskinonge.
Bennett, Richard Bedford-Calgary.
Bennett, William H.-Simcoe, E. Riding.
Best, John A.-Dufferin.
Bickerdike, Robert-Montreal, St. Lawrence. Blain, Richard-Peel.
Blondin, Hon. Pierre Edouard-Champlain. Boivin, George Henry

Shefford.
Borden, Right Hon. Sir Robert Laird, P.C., G.C.M.G.-Halifax.
Boulay, Hermenegii.de-Rimouski.
Bourassa, J. Boutin-Levis.
Bowman, Jambs-Huron, E. Riding.
Boyce, Arthur Cyril-Algoma West.
Boyer, Gustave-Vaudreuil.
Boys, William 4j,ves-Simcoe, S. Riding. Brabazon, Gerald H.-Pontiac.
Bradbury, George Henry-Selkirk.
Bristol, Edmund-Toronto Centre.
Broder, Hon. Andrew-Dundas.
Brouillard, Ovide-Drummond and Arthabaska. Buchanan, William Ashbury-Medicine Hat. Bureau, Jacques-Three Rivers and St. Maurice. Burnham, John H.-Peterborough, W. Riding, Burrell, Hon. Martin-Yale-Cariboo^
Cardin, Pierre Joseph Arthur-Richelieu. Carrick, John J ames-Thunder Bay and Rainy Riv.
Carroll, W. E.-Cape Breton, South.
Carvell, Frank Broadstreet -Carleton, N. B. Cash, Edward L.-Mackenzie.	.
Chabot, .John Leo-Ottawa.
Champagne, Albert-Battleford.
Charlton, William Andrew-Norfolk.
Chisholm, Alexander W.-Inverness.
Clark, Hugh-Bruce, N. Riding.
Clark, Michael-Red Deer.
Clarke, Alfred Henry-Essex, S. Riding.
Clarke, W. A.-Wellington, N. Riding.
Clements, Herbert Sylvester-Comox-Atlin. Cochrane, Hon. Francis-Nipissing.
Cockshutt, William Foster-Brantford.
Copp, Arthur Bliss-Westmorland.
Cromwell, Frederick Robert-Compton. Crothers, Hon. Thomas Wilson-Elgin, W. Riding. Cruise, Robert-Dauphin.
Currie, John Allister-Simcoe, N. Riding.
Davidson, Avard L.-Annapolis.
Delisle, Michel Simison-Portneuf.
Demers, Marie Joseph-St. John and Iberville. Descaeries, Joseph A.-Jacques Cartier.
Devlin, Emmanuel B.-Wright.
Doherty, Hon. Charles Joseph-Montreal, St. Anne.
Donaldson, Samuel J.-Prince Albert.
Douglas, James M.-Strathcona.
Edwards, John Wesley-Frontenao.
Elliott, George A.-Middlesex, N. Riding.
Ethier, Joseph Arthur Calixte-Two Mountains.
Fisher, John Henry-Brant.
Forget, Sir Rodolphe, Kt.-Charlevoix and Mont morency.
Fortier, Edmond-Lotbini^re.
Foster, Right Hon. Sir George Eulas, P.C., K.C.M.G.-Toronto North.
Fowler, George William-Kings and Albert. Fripp, Alfred Ernest-Ottawa.

[Stage Direction]
Gauthier, Louis Joseph, St. Hyacinthe.
Gauthier, Louis Philippe-Gaspe.
Gauvreau, Charles Arthur-Temiscouata. German, William Manley-Welland.
Girard, Joseph-Chicoutimi and Saguenay.
Glass, S. Francis-Middlesex, E. Riding.
Gordon, David Alexander-Kent, E. Riding. Graham, Hon. George P.-Renfrew, S. Riding. Green, Robert Francis-Kootenay.
Gcilbaclt, Joseph Pierre Octave-Joliette. Guthrie, Hugh-Wellington, S. Riding.
Hanna, A. E.-Lanark, S. Riding.
Hartt, Thomas A. -Charlotte.
Hazen, Hon. John Douglas-St. John City and County.
Henderson, Hon. David-Halton.
Hepburn, Bernard Rickart-Prince Edward. Hughes, James Joseph-Kings, P.E.I.
Hughes, Hon. Sir Sam, K.C.B.-Victoria, Ont.
Jameson, Clarence-Digby.
Kay, William Frederick-Missisquoi.
Kemp, Hon. Sir Edward, K.C.M.G.-Toronto East. Knowles, William Erskine-Moosejaw.
Kyte, George W.-Richmond, N.S.
Lachance, Arthur-Quebec Centre.
Lafortunk, David A.-Montcalm.
Lalor, Francis Ramsay-Haldimand.
Lanct6t, Roch-Laprairie-Napierville.
Lapointe, Ernest-Kamouraska.
Lapointe, Louis A.-Montreal, St. James.
Laurier, Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid, P.C., G.C.M.G.- Quebec East, Soulanges.
Lemikux, Hon. Rodolphe-Rouville.
Lewis, Edward Norman-Huron, W. Riding. Loggie, William Stewart-Northumberland, N.B.
Macdonald, Edward Mortimer-Pictou. Macdonell, Angus Claude-Toronto South. Maclean. Alexander K.-Halifax.
Maclean, William Findlay-York, Ont., S. Riding. MacNutt, Thomas-Saltcoats.
McCoig, Archibald Blake- Kent, W. Riding. McCraney, George E.-Saskatoon.
McCrea, Francis N. -Sherbrooke.
McCurdy, Fleming Blanchard-Shelburne and Queens.
McKenzie, Daniel D.-Cape Breton, N.
McLean, Angus A.-Queens, P.E.I.
McLean, Hugh Havelock-Sunbury and Queens. McLeod, Harry F.-York N.B.
McMillan, John Angus-Glengarry.
Marcil, Hon. Charles-Bona venture.
Marcile, Joseph Edmond-Bagot.
Marshall, David-Elgin, E. Riding.
Martin, Mederic-Montreal, St. Mary's.
Meighen, Hon, Arthur-Portage la Prairie. Merner, Jonathan Joseph-Huron, S. Riding,
Michaud, Pius-Victoria, N.B.
Middlebeo, William Sora-Grey, N. Riding. Molloy, John Patrick-Provencher.
Mondou, A. A.-Yamaska.
Morphy, H. B.-Perth, N. Riding.
Morris, James-Ch&teauguay.
Morrison, Alexander-Macdonald.
Munson, Charles Arthur-Northumberland, Ont., W. Riding.
Murphy, Hon. Charles-Russell.
Nesbitt, Edward Walter-Oxford, N. Riding. Neely, Davis Bradley-Humboldt.
Nicholson, Donald-Queens, P.E.I.
Nickle, William Folger-Kingston.
Nortiirup, William Barton-Hastings, E. Riding.
Oliver, Hon. Frank-Edmonton.
Osler, Sir Edmund Boyd, Kt.-Toronto WeBt.
Pacaud, Lucien Turcotte-Megantic.
Papineau, Louis J.-Beauharnois.
Paquet, Eugene-L'Islat.
Pardee, Frederick Forsyth-Lambton,W. Riding. Patenaude, Hon. E. L.-Hochelaga.
Paul, William James-Lennox and Addington. Perley, Hon. Sir George Halsey, K.C.M.G.- Argenteuil.
Porter, Edward Guss-Hastings, W. Riding. Power, William-Quebec West.
Pkoulx, Edmond-Prescott.
Pugsley, Hon. William-St. John City.
Rainville, Joseph Hormisdas-Chambly and Vercheres.
Reid, Hon. John D.-Grenville.
Rhodes, Hon. Edgar N.-Cumberland.
Robb, James Alexander-Huntingdon.
Robidoux, Ferdinand Joseph-Kent, N. B.
Roche, Hon. William James-Marquette.
Rochon, GiDioN-Terrebonne.
Rogers, Hon. Robert-Winnipeg.
Ross, Duncan Campbell-Middlesex, W. Riding.
Schaffner, Frederick Laurence-Souris.
Scott, Frank Stewart-Waterloo, S. Riding. Seguin, Paul Arthur-L'Assomption.
Sevigny, Hon. Albert-Dorchester.
Sexsmith, John A.-Peterborough, E. Riding. Sharpe, Samuel-Ontario, N. Riding.
Shepherd, Francis Henry-Nanaimo.
Sinclair, John H.-Guysborough.
Smith,William-Ontario, S. Riding.
Smyth, William Ross-Algoma, E. Riding. Stanfield, John-Colchester.
Steele, Michael-Perth, S. Riding.
Stevens, Henry Herbert-Vancouver.
Stewart, Dugald-Lunenburg.
Stewart, Thomas Joseph-Hamilton West. Sutherland, Donald-Oxford, S. Riding.

[Stage Direction]
Taylor, James Davis-New Westminster. Thorcrn, William-Lanark, N. Riding. Thompson, Alfred-Yukon Territory.
Thomson, Levi-Qu'Appelle.
Thornton, Charles Jonas-Durham.
Tobin, Edmund William-Richmond and Wolfe. Tremain, Hadley B.- Hants.
Truax, Reuben E.-Bruce, S. Riding.
Turgeon, ONfeiPHORB-Gloucester.
Turriff, John Gillanders-Assiniboia.
Verville, Alphonse-Maisonneuve.
vii
Walker, Henry Joseph-Northumberland, Ont., E. Riding.
Wallace, Thomas George-York, Ont., Centre. Wabnock, David-Macleod.
Webster, John-Broekville.
Weichel, William George-Waterloo, N. Riding. White, Gerald Verner-Renfrew, N. Riding. White, William Henry-Victoria, Alta.
White, Hon. Sir Thomas, K.C.M.G.-Leeds. Wilcox, Oliver J.-Essex, N. Riding.
Wilson, Charles Avila-Laval.
Wilson, Gordon Crooks-Wentworth.
Wright, William-Muskoka.

[Stage Direction]
Seventh Session, Twelfth Parliament.
Algoma, East-William Ross Smyth.
Algoma, West-Arthur Cyril Boyoe.
Annapolis-Avard L. Davidson.
Antigonish-
Argenteuil-Hon. Sir George Halsey Perley, K.C. M.G.
Assiniboia-John Gillanders Turriff.
Bagot-Joseph Edmond Marcile.
Battleford-Albert Champagne.
Beauce-Hon. Henri Severin Beland.
Beauharnois-Louis J. Papineau.
Bbllechasse- -
Bertuier-J. A. Barrette.	.
Bona venture-Hon. Charles Marcil.
Brandon-
Brant-John Henry Fisher.
Brantford-William F. Cockshutt.
Brockville-John Webster.
Brome-
Bruce, N. Riding-Hugh Clark.
Bruce, S. Riding- Reuben E. Truax.
Camary-R. B. Bennett.
Cape Breton North and Victoria-Daniel D. McKenzie.
Cape Breton, South-W. F. Carroll.
Carleton, N.B.-Frank Broadstreet Carvell. Carleton, Ont.-
Chambly and Vercheres-J. H. Rainville. Champlain-Hon. Pierre Edouard Blondin. Charlevoix-Sir Rodolphe Forget.
Charlotte-Thomas A. Hartt.
Chateauguay-James Morris.
Chicoutimi and Saguenay-Joseph Girard. Colchester-John Stanfield.
Comox-Atlin-H. S. Clements.
Compton-F. R. Cromwell.
Cumberland-Hon. Edgar N. Rhodes.
Dauphin-Robert Cruise.
Digby-Clarence Jameson.
Dorchester-Hon. Albert Sevigny.
Drummond and Arthabaska-Ovide Brouillatd. Dufferin-John A. Best.
B
Dundas-Hon. Andrew Broder.
Durham-Charles Jonas Thornton.
Edmonton-Hon. Frank Oliver.
Elgin, E. Riding-David Marshall.
Elgin, W. Riding-Hon. Thomas Wilson Crothers. Essex, N. Riding-Oliver.!. Wilcox.
Essex, S. Riding-Alfred Henry Clarke.
Frontenac-John Wesley Edwards.
Gasp£-Louis Philippe Gauthier.
Glengarry-John Angus McMillan.
Gloucester-Onesiphore Turgeon.
Grenville-Hon. John Dowsley Reid.
Grey, E. Riding-
Grey, N. Riding-William Sora Middlebro.
Grey, S. Riding-R. .T. Ball.
Guysbobough-John H. Sinclair.
Haldimand-Francis Ramsay Lalor.
( Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Laird Borden, P.C. Halifax

] G.C.M.G.
( A. K. Maclean.
Halton-Hon. David Henderson.
Hamilton East-
Hamilton West-Thomas Joseph Stewart.
Hants-Hadley B. Tremain.
Hastings, E. Riding-William B. Northrop. Hastings, W. Riding-Edward Guss Porter. Hpchelaga-Hon. Esioff L. Patenaude.
Humboldt-David Bradley Neely.
Huntingdon-.Tames Alexander Robb.
Hukon, E. Riding-James Bowman.
Huron, S. Riding-J. J. Merner.
Huron, W. Riding-Edward Norman Lewis.
Inverness-Alexander W. Chisholm.
Jacques Cabtier-Joseph A. Descarries.
Joliette-J. P. O. Guilbault.
Kamouraska- Ernest Lapointe.
Kent, N.B.-E. J. Robidoux,-
Kent, Ont. , E. Riding-David Alexander Gordon.
Kent, Ont., W. Riding-Archibald Blake McCoie.
X

[Stage Direction]
Kings and Albert, N 15. -George W. Fowler. Kings, N.S.-
Kings, P.E.I.-James J. Hughes.
Kingston-Win. F. Nickle.
Kootenay-Robert Francis Green.
Labelle-Honore Achim.
Lambton, E. Riding-Joseph E. Armstrong. Lambton, W. Riding-Frederick Forsyth Pardee. Lanark, N. Riding-William Thoburn.
Lanark, S. Riding-Adelbert E. Hanna, Laprairie-Napierville-Roch Lanctot. L'Assomptiox-Paul Arthur Seguin.	[DOT]
Laval-Charles Avila Wilson.
Leeds-Hon. Sir Thomas White, K.C.M.G. Lennox and Addington-Win. J. Paul.
Levis-J. B. Bourassa.
Lincoln-
Lisgar-
L'Islet-Eugene Paquet.
London-
Lotbiniere-Edmond Fortier.
Lunenburg-Dugald Stewart.
Oxford, N. Riding-Edward Walter Nesbitt. Oxford, S. Riding-Donald Sutherland.
Parry Sound-James Arthurs.
Peel-Richard Blain.
Perth, N. Riding-H. B. Morphy.
Perth, S. Riding-Michael Steele.
Peterborough, E. Riding-John A. Sexsmith.
Peterborough, W. Riding-John H. Burnham. Pictou-Edward Mortimer Macdonald.
Pontiac-Gerald H. Brabazon.
Portage la Prairie-Hon. Arthur Meighen. Portneuf-Michel Simeon Delisle.
Prescott-Edmond Proulx.
Prince Albert-Samuel James Donaldson.
Prince, P.E.I.-
Prince Edward-Bernard R. Hepburn. Provencheu-John Patrick Molloy.
Qu'Appelle - Levi Thomson.
Quebec Centre-Arthur Lachance.
Quebec East-Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, P.C., G.C.M.G.
Macdonald-Alexander Morrison.
Mackenzie-Edward L. Cash.
Maoleod-David Warnock.
Maisonneuve-Alplamse Vervijle.
Marquette-Hon. William James Roche. Maskinonge-A. Bellemare.
Medicine Hat-Win. A. Buchanan.
Meg antic-L. T. Pacaud.
Middlesex, E. Riding-S. Francis Glass. Middlesex, N. Riding-George A. Elliot. Middlesex, W. Riding-Duncan Campbell Ross. Missisquoi-Will. E. Kay.
Montcalm-David A. Lafortune.
Month agny-
Montmorency-Sir Rodolphe Forget, Kt. Montreal, St. Anne-Hon. Charles J. Doherty. Montreal, St. Antoine-Sir Herbert Brown Ames K.B.
.Montreal, St. James-Louis A. Lapointe. Montreal, St. Lawrence-Robert Bickerdike. Montreal, St. Mary-Mederic Martin.
Moosejaw-William Erskine Knowles.
Muskoka-William Wright.
Nanaimo-Francis H. Shepherd.
New Westminster-James Davis Taylor.
Nicolet-
Nipissing-Hon. Francis Cochrane.
Norfolk-Wm. A. Charlton.
Northumberland, N.B.-William Stewart Loggie. Northumberland,Ont.,E.R.-Henry Joseph Walker Northumberland, Ont., W.R.-Charles A. Munson.
Ontario, N. Riding-Samuel S. Sharpe.
Ontario, S. Riding-William Smith.
„	,, f Alfred E. Fripp.
Ottawa Cm{John Le0 chabot.
Quebec West-William Power.
Quebec County-
, T>
,, T	f Angus A. McLean.
Queens, P.E.I.	\Donald Nicholson.
Red Deer-Michael Clark.
Regina-
Renfrew, N. Riding-Gerald Vemer White. Renfrew, S. Riding-Hon. George P. Graham. Restigouche-
Richelieu-P. J. A. Cardin.
Richmond N.S.-George W. Kyte.
Richmond and Wolfe, Q.-Edmund William Tobin. Rimouski-Ilermenegilde Boulay.
Rouville-Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux.
Russell-Hon. Charles Murphy.
St. Hyacinths-Louis J. Gauthier.
St. John City, N.B.-Hon. Wm. Pugsley.
St. John City and County, N.B.-Hon. J. Douglas Hazen.
St. John and Iberville-Marie Joseph Demers. Saltcoats-Thomas MacNutt.
Saskatoon-George Ewan McCraney.
Selkirk-George A. Bradbury.
Shefford-George Henry Boivin.
Shelburne and Queens-Fleming B. McCurdy. Sherbrooke-Francis N. McCrea.
Simcoe, E. Riding-William Henry Bennett. Simcoe, N. Riding-John Allister Currie Simcoe, S. Riding-William Alves Boys. Soclanges-Rt. Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, P.C.. G.C.M.G.
Souris-Frederick Laurence Schaffner.
Stans'tead-
Stormont-Duncan O. Alguire.
Strathcona-James M. Douglas.
Sunbcrt and Queens, N.B.-Hugh H. McLean.

[Stage Direction]
Temiscouata-Charles A. Gauvreau.
Terrebonne-Gedeon Rochon.
Three Rivers and St. Madrice-Jacques Bureau. Thunder Bay and Rainy River-John James Carrick.
Toronto Centre-Edmund Bristol.
Toronto East-Hon. Sir Edward Kemp, K.C.M.G. Toronto North-Right Hon. Sir George Eulas Foster, R.C., K.C.M.G.
Toronto South-Angus Claude Macdonell.
Toronto West-Sir Edmund Boyd Osier, Kt.
Two Mountains-Joseph Arthur Calixte Ethier.
Vancouver City-Henry Herbert Stevens. Vaudreuil-Gustave Boyer.
Victoria, Alta.-William Henry While.
Victoria City, B.C.-Geo. Henry Barnard. Victoria, N.B.-Pius Michaud.
Victoria, Ont.-Hon. Sir Sam Hughes, K.C.B.
Waterloo, N. Riding-William George Weichel. Waterloo, S. Riding-Frank Stewart Scott. Welland-William Manley German.
Wellington, N. Riding-W. A. Clarke. Wellington, S. Riding-Hugh Guthrie. Wentworth-Gordon C. Wilson.
Westmorland-Arthur B. Copp.
Winnipeg-Hon. Robert Rogers.
Wright-Emmanuel B. Devlin.
Yale-Cariboo-Hon. Martin Burrell.
Yamaska-A. A. Mondou.
Yarmouth-	.
York, N.B.-Harry F. McLeod.
York, Ont., C. Riding-Thomas George Wallace. York, Ont., N. Riding-J. A. Macdonald Armstrong.
York, Ont.,.S. Riding-William Findlay Maclean. Yukon Territory-Alfred Thompson.
[Stage Direction]
House ol Commons Debates
[Stage Direction]
Thursday, January 18, 1917.
This being the day on which Parliament is convoked by proclamation of the Governor General for the despatch of business, and the members of the House being assembled:
Thomas B. Flint, M.A., D.C.L., the Clerk of the House, read to the House a letter from the Governor General's Secretary, informing him that the Chief Justice of Canada, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, would proceed to the Senate Chamber on Thursday, the 18th of January, at 3 p.m., to open the session.
A message was delivered by Lieut.-Col. Ernest J. Chambers, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:-
His Honour the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor-General desires the immediate attendance of this Honourable House in the Chamber of the Honourable the Senate.
Accordingly, the House went up to the Senate Chamber, when the Speaker of the Senate said:-
Honourable Gentlemen of the Senate: Gentlemen of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Excellency the Governor-General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parliament of Canada until the Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen according to law; but to-morrow, at the hour of three o'clock in the afternoon! His Excellency will declare the causes of his calling this Parliament.
And the House being returned to the Commons chamber:

[Stage Direction]
The Clerk of the House, standing on the lower step below the Speaker's chair, said: I have the honour to- inform the House that, during the recess, notifications have been received of the following vacancies having occurred in the representation, viz.:-
Of the Electoral District of Antigonish, by the resignation of William Chisholm, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Yarmouth, by the decease of Bowman Brown Law, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Montmagny, by the resignation of David Ovide L'Espe-rance, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Nicolet, by the resignation of Paul Emile Lamarche, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Regina, by the resignation of William Melville Martin, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Brome, by* the decease of George Harold Baker, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Stanstead, by the decease of Charles Henry Lovell, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Toronto East, consequent upon the acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown by the Hon. Albert Edward Kemp.
'Of the Electoral District of London, by the decease of William Gray, Esq.
Of the Electoral District of Quebec County, by the decease of the Hon. Thomas Chase Casgrain.
Of the Electoral District of Dorchester, consequent upon the acceptance of an office of emolument under the Crown by the Hon. Albert Sevigny.

[Stage Direction]
The Clerk said: I have also the honour to inform the House that, during the recess, I have received from the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery a certificate of the election and return of:
Hon. Albert Edward Kemp for the Electoral District of Toronto East.

Rt. Hon. Sir ROBERT BORDEN (Prime Minister):: Dr. Flint, it has become necessary for this .House to elect a new Speaker.



The speakership is an office which, as we are all aware, is invested with great importance and distinction in this country as in other countries. The duties of a Speaker and the importance of the office which he fills have been noted by all constitutional writers. He is called upon to discharge functions of the highest order, and the conduct of the business of the House depends upon the ability, the impartiality, the firmness, the courtesy and the tact with which those duties are discharged. There is a member of this House, Mr. Edgar N. Rhodes, member for Cumberland, who, although a comparatively young man, has spent nearly nine years in the service of his country in Parliament; and who, in the discharge of his duties as Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker, has, in my judgment, given evidence of the qualities to which I have alluded- Last year when I had the honour of proposing that he should be Chairman of Committees, very warm tributes were paid to him by many members of the House, and I am confident that his record in the discharge of the duties of that office was such as to show that those tributes were properly rendered. We have rules, written and unwritten, which govern the conduct of business in this House and govern also the conduct and demeanour of its, members; and I would say that in this House, as in all deliberative assemblies, there is one unwritten rule which is not less important than any of those promulgated in written form; and it is this: that all the written rules of the House must be administered with fairness, with impartiality, with firmness and with tact.
I have no doubt whatever that Mr. Rhodes will discharge the duties of this office in accordance with the best traditions of the past and in accordance also with the principles to which I have alluded, principles which I am sure will be accepted by all the members of this House as proper and appropriate.
I therefore have very great pleasure in proposing, seconded by Mr. Rogers, that Mr. Edgar N. Rhodes, member of this House for the electoral district of Cumberland, be Speaker of this House.


Rt. Hon. Sir WILFRID LAURIER (Quebec East):: Dr. Flint, on behalf of the members of this House who sit on this side, I havte to declare that we will accept the nominee of the Government for the high position of Speaker of this House with very great pleasure. Indeed I am happy on this first day of this session to be able to join

with my right bon. friend in the first motion *>
he makes. I wish it could be so all through the session-a wish which perhaps may not be fulfilled in its entirety; but if all the motions which are to be made by my right hon. friend in this House are of the character of this one, we shall have an easy and pleasant session indeed. Mr. Rhodes has already given evidence in the capacity of Chairman of Committees that he is highly endowed for the position of the first officer of this House in character, education and judicial temperament. In fact, having been a colleague of Mr. Rhodes now for some nine years, and, if I may say so, having been a friend of his during that time, I know of no blemish in him except that he is a Tory. But it is not given to everybody to be a Grit-it is a special dispensation of Providence. At all events, even if Mr. Rhodes is a Tory at the present time, I have no doubt at all that when he ascends the steps which will lead him to that chair, he will leave his Toryism behind him, and that he will be a true, an honest, an impartial presiding officer of this House, and will administer the rules of this House, as has been said by my right hon. friend, with absolute impartiality and fairness; that he will be the arbiter between the two sides of this House, and that he will maintain the traditions of the high office to which he has been called. For my part, I offer him my congratulations upon his unanimous election to the speakership of this House.


Robert Laird Borden: Dr. Flint, I am very much obliged to my right hon. friend for the handsome way in which he has welcomed the first measure which I have had to propose at this session, and while, as he observes, I cannot anticipate that everything I shall propose during the session will meet with his approval, I can assure him that everything which I shall propose will be equally meritorious.


Wilfrid Laurier: That is boasting.
The Clerk of . the House declared the motion carried in the affirmative, nemine contradicente, and Edgar N. Rhodes, Esquire, member for the electoral division of Cumberland, duly elected to the Chair of the House.
Honourable Mr. Rhodes was conducted from his seat in the House to the Speaker's Chair by Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Borden and Hon. Robert Rogers.

Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT said: I beg to bender to this House my sincere and hearty thanks for the high honour it has conferred upon me by electing me as its Speaker. It shall be my pleasure, as well as my duty, to endeavour to deserve -that high honour by dealing with all questions which come before me in my official character with firmness and with impartiality. I am fully sensible of my unfitness for the position, but I rely confidently upon the co-operation of hon. members on both sides of this House to assist me in maintaining and in preserving our rights and privileges, and in preserving the freedom and dignity of debate according to ancient usage.



APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY SERJEANT-AT-ARMS.

Mr. SPEAKER:: I have the honour to inform the House that the Serjeant-at-arms has appointed Louis Charles Panet, Esquire, with my approval, to be his deputy.	[DOT]



TRIBUTES TO DECEASED MEMBERS.

Robert Laird Borden: Mr. Speaker, before the House adjourns to-day, it is proper that we should give expression to our sympathy in respect, to the loss' which this House has sustained in the death of four of its members, who have passed away since the last session. They are, as hon. members know, the Hon. Thomas Chase Casgrain, Postmaster General; Lieut.-Col.. George Harold Baker, member for Brome; Mr. William Gray, member for London; and Mr-Charles H. Lovell, member for Stanstead. Mr. Casgrain, who was not only a colleague, but a warm personal friend of mine, had a distinguished record in the public life of this country. He entered the Provincial political arena in Quebec in 1886, and, I believe, continued in that arena until he was elected to this Parliament in 1896, the year in which I entered public life. It was then that I first became acquainted with him, and I had the privilege of enjoying his intimate friendship evter afterwards- He filled, several 'very important and distinguished positions in public life, -among others those of Attorney General of his native province, I!at-t-onier-Genera 1 of the province of Quebec, Chairman of the Canadian Section of the International Joint Commission, and Postmaster General of Canada, a position which he filled for more than two years. The very great ability of Mr. Casgrain, * whether at the bar or in public life, was universally admitted; and his high cha-r-
H
acter, his fine spirit, -his splendid enthusiasm for everything that interested him, and his charming personality were such as to endear him very closesly indeed to -those who had the privilege of knowing him intimately and who were associated with him in political affairs. He also, I believe, endeared himseslf to those who, although opposed to him in public life, had -the privilege of knowing him intimately. He had not been in robust health for nearly a year before his death. Last spring his condition became worse, and he was obliged to take a long rest from his- public duties; indeed, he was not sure whether the condition of his health might not then bring about his enforced retirement from public life. However, he came back from England with renewed strength, and took up with his accustomed devotion and energy the work of his department. The last occasion on which I had the privilege of speaking to him was in the city of Quebec, wh^re we both addressed the same public meeting. I was shocked at his apparent illness at that time, and strongly urged him to take a rest, a long respite from work. He promised to do so, and I next -heard from him -shortly after my return from the West when on Christmas day, -although then. very ill, -he sent me a message of greeting and remembrance. I mourn his loss as that qf a very dear friend and I am .sure that all the members of -this House will join in conveying their deep sympathy to his widow and the members of his family.
I did not know Mr. Lovell so well. He had not been in Parliament very long. I knew better his father who preceded him in public life. He was, I believe, a man well informed in public affairs, and although he did not often address the House, I realize that he commanded the complete confidence of those who entrusted him with their mandate in this Parliament. To his family as well, I am sure we will all join in the expression of our sympathy.
I had known Mr. William Gray, of London, for a long -time before he entered public life. He had been intimately associated for many years with the political affairs of the constituency which he afterwards represented. He was a man of great energy, who took a keen interest in public affairs; a strong partisan, but a man of warm and generous instincts. I deplore the loss which the House has -sustained in his death, and his family and children will also receive our deep sympathy.
I had known Lieutenant-Colonel George Harold Baker for some years before he en-

tered this Parliament. He is the first member of the Parliament of Canada who has made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of liberty and justice, the cause for which this Empire is fighting in this war. He came of a family that had great traditions in public life. His grandfather was in the Legislature of the province of Quebec as far back as 1834. His father had a service of no less than twenty-five years in this Parliament, and, I believe, of nine years in the Legislature of the province of Quebec. Lieutenant-Colonel Baker came into, this Parliament in 1911. His voice was not very often heard here, but, knowing him well, I had the warmest appreciation, not only of his character and ability, but of the great promise which he gave of usefulness in the future public life of this country. I do not think it is too much to say that there is no place in the public life of Canada to which, if he had been spared to serve his country in this Parliament, George Harold Baker might not have aspired. I remember very well, when he spoke to me about his offer of military service, the over-mastering sense of duty to his country which he evinced. I remember well my conviction that it was mot possible for me to interpose any objection in the face of such a sense of duty as [DOT]that which possessed him. He took up his work in a characteristic way. He knew the necessity of absolute thoroughness of training, and he searched not only Canada, but the other side of the Atlantic, and even India, to have associated with him a man who could undertake duties for which fee believed himself not adapted by previous training and' experience. He went to the front. I remember that shortly before he left I had the privilege of making him acquainted with a very distinguished American gentleman who was on a visit to Ottawa at that time. This gentleman, .after conversing with Lieutenant-Colonel Baker foi a short time, said to me, " If your Canadian officers and men are of the type of that man I do not wonder at the splendid record that * they have made at the front." We know of the splendid spirit and magnificent courage and patriotism that have animated, and still animate, the men of the Canadian Expeditionary Force; but I venture to think that no finer spirit, no truer patriot, no man of more brilliant promise, ever left the shores of Canada to make the supreme sacrifice beyond the seas than George Harold Baker. Somewhere in France is his grave. I believe that in the House, as in the *country, all who knew him mourn his loss. I feel that in him the country *r.Sir Robert Borden.]
has lost a man of the highest possible promise in public life, and personally I know that I have lost not only a loyal follower, who was most truly an encouragement and a support to me on many difficult occasions, but one of the most valued intimate friends I have ever known since I entered public life.


Wilfrid Laurier: Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with every word which has been spoken by my right hon friend with respect to the four colleagues whose loss we mourn. My right hon. friend has spoken fittingly of them, especially ot his colleague the late lamented Postmaster-General. Mt. Casgrain was not long enough in this present Parliament to give to it his full measure of strength. His health was not good, and it was noticeable to all who had known him formerly, and especially during last session, that perhaps we might anticipate what 'has occurred. Everything that my right hon. friend has said of Mr. Casgrain is perfectly true. He was, as those who knew -him in a former Parliament know, a very able member; and those who knew him before he came to Parliament know that ;he was not only a very able man, but just as courageous as he was able, and as fair in debate and in political combat as he was courageous. I have known him personally *since he was a law student. I met him when he had been called to the bar, and afterwards, when he had entered politics. It was my lot to meet him upon many platforms and in very hot contests, at a time when the political atmosphere was rather charged with electricity, and I am proud to remember at this date, how that he is no more, that not a single offensive word ever passed between us; nor did I ever hear such a word used by him. I may say further that, though we were opposed on almost every question, there was always between us what I will, not call an intimate, but a very strong friendship.
With regard to the late Mr. Lovell and the late Mr. Gray, one sitting on one side of the House and one on the other, both seemed to me to be of very much the same character; men unobstrusive in this House, but endowed both with a very high sense of honour and strong common sense, and upon whose judgment the leader of the party could always depend for solid advice.
As to Lt.-Col. Baker, it was not my privilege to meet him except on the floor of this House, but it was my privilege to meet his father, whom I knew very intimately in the province of Quebec, .and in this House

especially. The father of our late lamented friend was, like Mr. Casgrain, a man of absolute integrity, sincerity and courage, and if his son was endowed in any way like his father, I am not at all surprised that he took the part he did in the tremendous struggle in which we are now engaged. Of a man of his character, though we may lament his death, I am sure that we may say (he has met the death which he would have wished above all others. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of our four deceased colleagues.


Sir THOMAS WHITE (Minister of Finance) :: Mr. Speaker, I desire to associate myself with the tributes which have been so eloquently paid by my right hon. friends to the memory of our comrades who have passed away, and particularly I desire to refer to my personal friend and deskmate, the late Hon. T. Chase Casgrain, Postmaster-General. I had the advantage of his acquaintance over many years. Originally I knew him when I was engaged in business in the city of Montreal, He was at that time one of the most eminent counsel of that great metropolis. On many occasions I had the privilege and advantage of his advice on matters of financial and commercial importance. Later I had the honour to be associated with him as member of the Government. I desire to bear testimony to the fine integrity of his character, to the exquisite urbanity of his disposition, and to the genial qualities of head and heart which endeared him to all, and made him so charming a comrade and friend. I wish to speak particularly of his unremitting devotion to the duties of his office, duties greatly increased by the exigencies of this unprecedented time through which we are passing. The late Postmaster-General had a very high sense of duty. He was unsparing of himself to the work of his department, and I am convinced that it was his unflagging devotion to the duties of his office which impaired and undermined his constitution, and thus laid him open to the insidious disease which carried him off. I desire to express my personal sorrow and my sympathy with his widow and the members of his family, and the sense which I entertain of the loss "to the people of Canada through his untimely death.



PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARYSHIPS.

Robert Laird Borden: I desire to lay on the table of the House an Order in
Council passed on the 15th of July last, providing for the office of Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for External Affairs, and an Order in Council of 21st October, appointing to that office Mr. Hugh Clark, member of the House of Commons for the Electoral District of North Bruce. Also an Order in Council of 13th July last, providing for the office of Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Militia and Defence, and an Order in Council of 19th of July last, appointing to that office Mr. Fleming B. McCurdy, member of the House of Commons for the Electoral District of Shelburne and Queens.



MINISTER OF THE OVERSEAS FORCES.

Robert Laird Borden: I also lay on the Table of the House an Order in Council approved on October 28, 1916, providing for the office of Minister of the Overseas Forces of Canada, and an Order in Council, approved on October 31, 1916, appointing to that office the Hon. Sir George Halsey Perley.



IMPERIAL CONFERENCE CORRESPONDENCE.

[Stage Direction]
On the motion of Sir Robert Borden for the adjournment of the House:
Wilfrid Laurier: Is it the intention of the Government to lay on the table at as early a moment as possible the correspondence with regard to the proposed Imperial Conference?


Robert Laird Borden: Yes. I do not know of any reason at the moment why it should not be laid on the table of the House. I think it has practically all been made public so far. There has been no very extended correspondence.


Wilfrid Laurier: At all events you will bring down whatever there is?


Robert Laird Borden: Whatever there is we shall bring down. I hope to lay it on the table of the House to-morrow.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to, and House adjourned at 3.45 p.m.
Friday, January 19, 1917-