Mr. CLANCY.

Is it the intention in this case as in others that the sum which appears here as a decrease shall appear as an increase in some other vote.

It is a transfer from one service to another, but that does not alter the number of officials.

Mr. CLARKE.

Nor the amount to be paid each.

If they are employed as temporary writers, and are now made junior second-class clerks, they would of course get increased salaries.

Administration of justice $101,055

Is it necessary that this vote should stand in the absence of the Solicitor General ?

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

1 do not ask that the vote should stand, but when the Solicitor General is here I would like very much on some occasion, possibly when going into supply, to mention a matter in connection with this vote, and I give this as notice to the Solicitor General so that he may be prepared to discuss it. There seems to be a misunderstanding at the bar in Vancouver in regard to the arrangement for the sittings there of judges of the Supreme Court. Some time ago the question was raised as to whether there was a condition in the order in council, or in the commission, or in both, requiring the judge who was appointed at that time to reside in Vancouver. As a matter of fact no judge does reside in that city, although there is an impression that there was an arrangement made at the request of the bar of Vancouver to bring that about. One judge comes over generally on Monday and leaves on Friday or Saturday. That does not mean that there is always a judge from Tuesday to Friday, because for various reasons the judge who generally attends is not always able to keep these appointments. I wish the Solicitor General would refresh his memory on that matter, so that it may be known whether the government is in the position to have the wishes of the bar of Vancouver met, in order that we might have a resident judge in Vancouver. .

I will see. that the matter is mentioned to the Solicitor General, and no doubt at a later stage he will deal with it.

This vote includes the item of $9,000 for the enforcement of the Alien Labour law. Is there any objection to letting the item stand ? We ought to have some explanations of it from the Solicitor General.

Mr. LEFURGEY.

Might I ask for an explanation of the increase of $400 in the salaries of three judges in Prince Edward Island ?

I think the salaries of these judges are regulated by statute. When the Solicitor General is present, I am sure he will give my hon. friend the explanation.

Item allowed to stand.

Legislation-House of Commons contingencies, including $300 for clerical assistance for the leader of the opposition $25,000

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

I think the government would do well to take into consideration that item of $300. It is a very small amount for a first-class man.

I am quite agreeable, and perhaps when we bring down the supplementary estimates we may have something more.

Publishing debates $40,000

Mr. CLARKE.

What does that include ?

Mr. SPEAKER.

It is for the publication of the Debates. We expect that this session will be a short one, and next session also, and that is the reason why we are simply asking for the sum of $40,000.

Mr. CLARKE.

The question of more expedition being used in issuing ' Hansard ' after the House closes has been already before the Debates Committee. It seems to me that an unnecessary delay takes place now, and also that it might be possible to have * Hansard ' supplied to the members of the House at a much earlier hour on the day following the debate. I do not know whether the matter had best be discussed here or in the Debates Committee ; but I would like to ask the minister if any application was made by the Department of Printing for an additional press for the purpose of expediting the printing of ' Hansard.'

Yes- not particularly for the printing of * Hansard,' but for the several work of the department, there has been a suggestion that we should increase the plant. We did provide some increased plant a little while ago, but it is the kind of department that will always require a little more money.

Mr. CLANCY.

I would like to ask if the vote of last year for this service, $60,000, was all expended ?

Mr. SPEAKER.

Yes, I understand that the vote of last year was fully expended, owing to the session being so long.

Mr. HENDERSON.

There is perhaps not so much complaint with regard to the publication of the bound volume as there is with regard to the issuing of the revised copy. I understand the press throughout the country does not receive ' Hansard ' until revised and printed, and there is usually a delay of ten or twelve days before that is done. It seems to me that that time should be shortened at least one-half. There is no reason why the revised * Hansard ' should not be issued say between five days after the unrevised edition is published. This would be a very great convenience to people in the country. We get extra copies of the revised edition to send out, and in the case of important speeches on special subjects, the subject is almost too cold by the time the public receive the debates. I hope those in charge will use every effort possible to have the revised edition published at a much earlier date.

Mr. SPEAKER.

The printing of debates is entirely under the control of the Debates Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TTJPPER.

Committee, and the subject is one which should be discussed before that committee. I understand that last year this question was brought up several times and that some new scheme was devised in order to secure greater expedition in the distribution of ' Hansard.' I do not know what has been the result, but the Speaker of this House has nothing to do with the printing of the debates, and the members of the Debates Committee are doing their best to render justice in that regard, and I have no doubt will do their best to give the House satisfaction.