Mr. KNOWLES:

The Moosejaw Morning News on the 6th instant contained an editorial statement to the effect that this Government will introduce legislation for the purpose of substantially reducing the duty on agricultural implements. I know I would not be in order if I asked the Prime Minister whether the report were true or not, because this is probably not the time to discuss tariff matters; but I would ask the right hon. gentleman whether there is any foundation for the report or whether there has been any utterance by any member of the Government which would be a justification for the report that this Government will introduce legislation substantially to reduce the duties on agricultural implements.

Right Hon. R. L. BORDEN:

I think I am constrained to answer the hon. gentleman's question in the way that he suggests another question should be answered.

Mr. KNOWLES:

I just wish to ask what the Prime Minister meant by his answer. Did he mean that there had been no announcement made of the proposed reduction?

Mr. BORDEN:

I meant exactly what I

said to my hon. friend. Announcements with regard to the tariff are made in this House in the first instance, and on the proper occasion.

Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:

I am advised by a person resident in the county of Victoria, Nova Scotia, where a provincial election is now being held, that is, the election which was referred to last week in connection with the customs boat Alert, that persons supporting the Conservative candidate in that election are publicly saying that the Supplementary Estimates contain specific votes for expenditures in specific localities in the county of Victoria. I desire to ask the Minister of Public Works if there is any authority for such statements or if any person is authorized to make a statement to that effect and if such statements

have any foundation in fact. The minister will remember the occurence of a similar matter about a year ago in connection with a provincial election in the county of Antigonish, and I think the Minister of Public Works stated' in Parliament that he deprecated such conduct on the part of any person. Has anybody been authorized to make a statement of this kind, and have advance copies of the Supplementary Estimates been issued from his department and information contained in them placed in the possession of any person?

Hon. ROBERT ROGERS:

Of course, I am not in any way responsible for any statement that my hon. friend the junior member for Halifax may have heard or any reports he may have seen, and not having information as to the exact report or statement to which he refers it would be impossible for me to give a definite answer as far as that part of my hon. friend's question is concerned. I may say, however, in respect to Supplementary Estimates, that whatever we may have under consideration for works to be carried on in this particular locality, the county of Victoria, I believe, they have not been published nor has any information, so far as I am aware, been given to any individual outside of the department.

Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:

Has there been

any definite conclusion about any expenditure ?

Mr. ROGERS:

With respect to definite

conclusions they will only be announced when the Supplementary Estimates are brought down to the House.

Mr. CARROLL:

I have a telegram from the same source which says that the Conservative workers in Victoria county are using lists of Supplementary Estimates purporting to be for public works in the riding. Is there some authority for the use of these Estimates? These people must have some source of information, otherwise they -would not be using these lists.

1. Was a memorandum or agreement entered into within the past six months between the Canadian Government railways and the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, covering the transportation of freight and passengers between Halifax and St. John over the Intercolonial railway, in connection with the Canadian Pacific and Allen line of steamships, carrying British mails, making Halifax the terminal port for such ships? If so, what is the date of its execution, what date did it bear, by whom was it signed, when did it take effect, and for how long a period?

2. Was the said agreement, if any, ratified and approved by an Order in Council of His Excellency the Governor in Council? If so, what was the date of such Order in Council, and when was it passed and assented to by His Excellency the Governor General?

3. Did the right hon. Prime Minister, or any other member or members of the Government have a conference or interview with, or receive a delegation from the city of St. John, representing the Board of Trade or the city of St. John, on the subject-matter of said agreement or the draft thereof? If so, what was the date or dates of the holding of said interviews or conference, or of the hearing of said delegation by the Government, or by any member or members thereof?

1. Yes. The date of its execution is September 30, 1913. It is signed by G. M. Bosworth, for the Canadian Pacific railway, and F. P. Gutelius, for the Canadian Government railways. It is effective from November 15, 1913, to May 15, 1914.

2. No.

3. The department has no information.