Mr. J. A. BEST (Dufferin).

Mr. Speaker, I desire to call the attention of the House to a paragraph that appeared in the ' Toronto Globe ' yesterday, a part of which reads as follows:

For instance, in the Agricultural Committee on Wednesday last Mr. Sexsmith, the chairman, was formally told by Mr. John A. Best, of Dufferin, and Mr. H. B. Morphy, of North Perth, both of them stalwart Conservatives, that he must warn the Premier to ' keep that man Hughes in check ' or there would be trouble.

I wish to say here that I never mentioned Colonel Hughes' namt, nor aid I mention that of the right hon. leader of the government (Mr. Borden). But I believe that the statement I have just read is on a par with many others that appear in the same paper. There is not a word of truth in it. I never criticised the Minister of Militia's (Mr. Hughes) estimates, nor the estimates of any other department, nor did I hear any other member of that com-Mr. BORDEN.

mittee criticise those estimates. I think it most unfair' that such statements should be made concerning the meetings of the committee. A stop should be put to it. I wish to say to the Minister of Militi. . and the. other ministers, that no-fault was found in the committee with the estimates so far as I know. The paragraph I have quoted is quite untrue.

Mr. PROULX.

Did the hon. gentleman, (Mr. Best), say that too much money was being spent on the militia?

Order.

Mr. MORPHY (North Perth).

I also desire to say a word in regard to the same matter. The paragraph quoted by my hon. friend from Dufferin, so far as the mention of my name is concerned, is absolutely unwarranted. I did not, either directly or indirectly, refer to the estimates of the Militia Department, nor did I refer to the minister (Mr. Hughes) by name. Nor did I refer, either directly or indirectly, or use words which could have any. reference to the estimates of the Militia Department. I do not feel much concerned myself about a report of that kind, but I think that in fairness to the minister (Mr. Hughes), I should make an absolute and unqualified denial of this statement made in the ' Globe.'

Mr. NEELY.

Mr. BORDEN.

Mr. EMMERSON.

I desire to call the attention of the Secretary of State (Mr. Roche) to an inquiry made on Friday evening with respect to the mon

payment of the election expenses in the county of Albert for the last election.

Mr. ROCHE.

I have brought this to the attention of the Attorney General, in whose department it is; and as yet he has not furnished me with a reply.

Mr. MACDONALD.

Yesterday I asked the Prime Minister (Mr. Borden), in the absence of the Minister of Railways (Mr. Cochrane), for a statement as to the newspaper report of the appointment of certain commissioners to investigate matters in connection with the Transcontinental railway. The' Minister of Railways is in. his place, and perhaps he would be good enough to let us know what foundation there is for this report.

Mr. COCHRANE.

A commission has been appointed by order in council to investigate the affairs of the Transcontinental railway.

Mr. MACDONALD.

Who are the commissioners?

Mr. COCHRANE.

Mr. Lynch-Staunton and Mr. Gutelius, of the Canadian Pacific railway.

Mr. MACDONALD.

Will the minister lay on the table the order in council and other papers in connection with the appointment?

Mr. COCHRANE.

I will, be very glad to do so.

WHITE (Minister of Finance) moved that the House go into Committee of the Whole to consider certain proposed resolutions respecting the appointment of a Tariff Commission. (See ' Hansard/ January 24). He said: These resolutions relate to the creation of a

tariff commission. It will suffice at

this stage to say that the commission is to consist of three members to be appointed by the Governor in Council, for a period of five years. The salary of the chairman is to be $7,500, and the salary of each of the other members to be $7,000. Each commissioner gives his entire time to the work of the commission. The duties of the commission are set forth in the resolutions. Authority is given to the commission to engage such expert and other assistance as may be necessary for carrying on their work.

Mr. LEMIEUX.

What classes of the community are to be represented?