Mr. BRODEUR:

' Tenno ' formerly ' Wanda.'

1. Registered length 64 feet.

2. Steam.

3. Triple expansion. Three cylinders, 6 in, 10 in, 16 in, 9 in stroke.

4. The steamer was duly registered at Brockville on the 20th day of October, 1909.

Mr. FOWKE:

Has the attention of the government been called to the recent speeches of Sir Edward Grey and President Taft in reference to a proposed arbitration treaty between the British Empire and the United States, and is the government prepared to express any opinion on the subject?

Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

The attention of the government, and, it may be added, of the whole people of Canada, could not fail to be attracted to the proposition, now' being discussed by Sir Edward Grey and President Taft, of a treaty of arbitration between Great Britain and the United States which would secure for them and their respective peoples the blessings of perpetual peace.

Whilst the government of Canada could have no direct voice in the negotiations, it can be safely asserted that there is ho part of the British Empire where such a treaty would be more welcome than in the Dominion of Canada, which is so closely connected with the United States by geographical proximity and ever-increasing trade relations, and which is still more intimately connected with Great Britain by the strongest bonds of devoted allegiance.

1. Has a patent been issued for S.E. i of section 6, township 7, range 8, W. 1?

1. If so, to whom? If not, why not?

1. No patent has been issued.

2. By order in council of the 3rd November last, authority was given for the sale of this land. No payments have yet been reported on account of such sale, and therefore no action has been taken to issue a patent.

1. Has the contract for the Quebec bridge been let ?

2. If so, is there a fair wage clause attached to said contract? If not, why not?

3. If so, what is the minimum rate of wages for all branches of trades in connection with the erection of the bridge?

1. Is it the intention of the government to decide before the -work is commenced the rate of wages to be paid per hour in the erection of same?

5. What will be the attitude of the government in case of a dispute or discontent relating to wages and hours?

C. What will the government classify as a dispute?

1. No.

2. It is proposed that a Fair Wages Clause for the adequate protection of the labour to be employed on this work shall be embodied in the contract.

3. 4 .and 5. It is provided in the Fair Wages Clause which formed part of a draft contract upon which tenders were invited for this work that all mechanics, labourers and other persons who perform labour in the construction of this work shall be paid such wages as are generally accepted as current for competent workmen in the district in which the work is to be performed, and if there is no current rate in such district then a fair and reasonable rate, and shall not be required to work for longer hours than those fixed by the custom of the trade in the district where the work is to be carried on, except for the protection of life or property or in the case of other emergencies.

It is also provided in the draft contract that in the event of a dispute arising as to what is the current or a fair and reasonable rate, or what are the current hours fixed by the custom of the trade, it shall be determined by the Minister of Labour, whose decision shall be final.

No schedule of the rates of wages to be paid in the erection of this bridge was inserted in the draft contract because, upon inquiry, it was ascertained by the Fair Wages Officer who visited the locality for this purpose that there was no work of a similar nature being carried on in the district upon which a schedule could be based.

6. On receiving any representations which are shown clearly to be made on behalf of workmen concerned, and at their instance, indicating that different views

Mr. OLIVER,

prevail as between contractors and the workmen ' as to what is the current or a fair and reasonable rate of wages, or what are the current hours fixed by the custom of the trade,' inquiry will be immediately made by the Department of Labour, and subsequent action will be guided accordingly.

Mr. LAKE.

About a fortnight ago, when the question of the coronation contingent was brought up, I asked how many men of the Northwest Mounted Police would be sent. Is not the Prime Minister (Sir Wilfrid Laurier) prepared to make a statement as to the number and as to the method of selection?

Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

It is proposed, 'but not definitely arranged, to send 75 men and five officers of the Northwest Mounted Police.

Mr. HAGGART (Winnipeg).

I see by the proceedings in the Imperial Parliament that it is the intention there to make the day appointed for His Majesty's coronation a bank holiday throughout the United Kingdom. Have the government given any consideration to the carrying out of a similar idea in Canada?

Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

I have to inform my non. friend that the matter has not been considered.

Mr. FOSTER.

I desire to ask the Prime Minister if he has thought to inquire whether there are any papers or information that could be given with reference to the Secretariat in London. He will remember that I spoke about it six or seven weeks ago, and he told me he would look up the matter and see if there was any additional information.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

I am sorry to say that I had forgotten the matter. But I am to have an interview with the Undersecretary of State this afternoon, and I will call his attention to it.