Mr. MONK.

What is the amount of notes printed ?

The increase in the circulation is in proportion to the general increase in the volume of business. As the trade of the country expands, you have to provide more notes. Instead of providing too many, we are receiving criticism for not issuing new notes fast enough. The complaint is that many of the notes have been years in circulation, and are not as clean as they should be.

Mr. CLARKE.

Are the plates on which these notes are printed still being engraved in the United States?

The system which has obtained for several years continues. All the work of engraving is done in Canada, but the dies on which the plates are made, are, under the terms of the agreement, permitted to be made in the United States.

Mr. MONK.

I would like the hon. Minister of Finance to tell us what proportion of notes this increase of $5,000 represents. It is an increase of one-tenth.

It is our own estimate of the probable requirements of the year beginning the first of July next, and necessarily it is only an estimate. It is impossible to do more in a general way than indicate the sum of money to be required. We have not figured Mr. PRIOR.

out the precise number of each kind of notes, but inasmuch as the trade of the country is increasing from year to year, we ask some small increase in the appropriation for that purpose.

Mr. HENDERSON.

I judge from the remarks of the hon. minister that this increase is intended to meet the requirements of the growing times. I presume he will also say that the same evidence will go to demonstrate the fact that a growing time heretofore did not exist because there was no increase of Dominion notes required. 1 am not sure that we have any greater reason for believing that there will be an increased demand for those smaller notes in the years to come than there was in the past, though I think it very well to make provision for the calling in of those notes which are soiled and torn, and the replacing of them by a new issue. I am quite sure that the country will hail with delight the promise that a great many of those small notes which have been handled so much are taken out of circulation, and some cleaner ones substituted in their place.

Mr. CLARKE.

The last item on page 10 includes printing, advertising, and so on. Is it intended that this printing shall be done in the Government Printing Bureau here, or will it be given out ? I wish to enter an emphatic protest against the practice, which seems to be carried out to a greater extent than heretofore, of sending the government reports and other matter to be printed in various printing offices throughout the country. With all respect, I contend that the aim of the government should be to make the plant here as complete aud perfect as possible. The work of printing can be done with a government plant more cheaply and expeditiously than if it is farmed out. Is any of the work covered by this item to be done outside of the Government Printing Bureau ?

None of the printing in my department has been sent out.

Mr. CLARKE.

I congratulate the minister on that.

The general question is worth discussing, and it can be taken up at another time. The printing of my department has all been done at the Bureau.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

What was the expenditure under this head last year? In the report of the Auditor General, I see that the estimate was $12,000, but the expenditure was $21,000, an excess of nearly 100 per cent.

Under the items in the Auditor General's Report, a number of the expenditures seem to be

grouped. I cannot give the hon. gentleman (Sir Charles Hibbert Tupper) the information he asks for, hut will try to procure it.

X would be willing to reserve the item, or, without that, to give the information at a later period.

Sir CHARI.ES HIBBERT TUPPER.

I do not wish to have it reserved.

Mr. CLANCY.

Can the hon. minister explain the very rapid increase in the vote for printing Dominion notes ? The estimate for 1899-1900 was $40,000, and it is now increased to $60,000. There may be a good reason for it, but the increase is a large one.

The hon. gentleman (Mr. Clancy) is right in his figures. If he will turn to the statements I have made in the budget speeches, he will see that there has been a great increase in the circulation of Dominion notes. I have not a statement of the increase for the current year, but it is very considerable. There is no other explanation, for there has been no increase in the rate.

Mr. CLANCY.

Does any of this increase arise through the issue of new denominations, to which we have seen some references in the public press ?

The MINISTER OF FINANCE No ; there has been no change in that respect; we are not issuing new denominations.

Mr. MONK.

Can the hon. minister tell us what portion of this item is for printing, and what for advertising, and so on ? It would shorten the work of the committee if the factors making up such an item as this were given.

I find that the Auditor General has grouped some of these items, and I cannot at the moment answer the question, which was the same as was asked by my hon. friend from Pictou (Sir Charles Hibibert Tupper), but, if it is desired, I shall be glad to procure the information later on.

Sir CHARLES HIBBERT TUPPER.

I do not wish to delay the committee, but it seems to me that it is stretching this item somewhat to include in it this amount of $9,000 odd.