Mr. PUGSLEY laid on the table of the House a copy of correspondence, &c., in connection with the dredging of the Nap-an-ee river. He said: In looking over this return I find that some correspondence between the hon. gentleman (Mr.. Wilson, Lennox) and myself, has not been included. If, on looking over the return, he would like to have that correspondence included I will bring down a supplementary return.
Mr. WILSON (Lennox).
When I wrote the last letter to my hon. friend he did not answer. I of course ceased writing because I did not see that it was much use.
Mr. BLAIN.
(The questions answered orally are indicated by an asterisk.)
1. Is the Minister of Marine and Fisheries aware that his law officers have so construed the law relating to the care of sick mariners, that a ship arriving in a Canadian port on December 31, and paying her legal sick mariners' dues on the day of arrival, is held not to be entitled to the care of her sailors who become sick the day following, namely, January 1 ?
2. If so, does the minister propose to remedy
this defect?' ,
1. Any such case as that mentioned in the question should receive the benefit of the Sick Mariners' Fund, if the ship has not entered another port since the payment of duty so made on December 31, provided that such ship is on an actual voyage, id est, that she is not wintering and that her crew has not been discharged. But should the ship have entered another port on the first of January she would have had to pay duty again, according to the interpretation of this part of our law given by the department.
2. The matter is receiving consideration.
1. Was the Falconer system of book-keeping or accounting in the Department of Marine and Fisheries ever completed? If so, when?
2. Since its adoption in this department, has it been adopted in any other department of the government?
3. Is this method or system in operation in the Marine Department and in the Naval Service?
1. Yes, June 1, 1907.
2. Yes, Naval Service Department.
3. Yes, in the Marine Department.
*Mr. FOSTER asked question No. 5 relating to the incorporation of the Farmers' Bank.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
Stand.
Mr. FOSTER.
I would request the Prime Minister not to ask that to stand too long. It is rather an important question, and I should think it could be readily answered.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
The department is prepared to give the answer, but
there is one matter which has to be referred personally to the Minister of Finance. If my hon, friend insists I shall give an answer to-morrow, but it may have to be amended later on.
Mr. FOSTER.
That would be satisfactory.
1. Has the attention of the government been directed to a recent article in the London ' Times ' which states that a state-owned cable between Great Britain and Canada is under consideration by the imperial .government?
2. Is it true that this subject is under consideration by the government of Canada?
3. What steps have been taken and what steps are proposed in that regard by this government ?