Mr. BORDEN:

A copy of the communication was received this morning. No answer has yet been sent.

Air. EMMERSON:

I wish to direct the attention of the Minister of Militia and Defence to a question I asked at a former sitting. He will recall that I mentioned that a poster had been put up through the county of Westmorland, presumably on' behalf of the Department of Militia and Defence, and signed, ' Captain L. G. Carey, 74th Regiment-,' in which poster is recited the following:

The undersigned has been requested by the Militia Department to submit the names of all men who, in the event of a general mobilization, would be willing to enlist in ' E ' Company, 74th Regiment, also all retired officers, exmilitiamen and civilians who would be willing to accept employment with the Army Service Corps, Army Medical Corps, Ordnance Corps, Army Veterinary Corps, or Army Pay Corps.

By sending or handing in your name you will not be enlisting, but merely showing your willingness to serve your country in the event of war.

The minister promised, on that occasion, to furnish to the House information as to the request that was made of the officer in question 'by the Militia Department. I simply want to know what the nature of that request was, what it included and what it contemplated.

parturient will be represented thereon, and the divisional or district commander will himself preside.

The divisional officer at Halifax who is, I understand, an enthusiastic and very capable officer, in order to save himself the trouble of calling on all the people in the county to ascertain their views, took the way that my hon. friend takes in his county, and, let the broad light of heaven in on his plan. I expect my hon. friend will be the first man to send in his name as being ready to serve his country in case of necessity.

Mr. EMMERSON:

What about the member for Brockville (Mr. Webster)?

Mr. HUGHES:

I did not disable him

completely.

Mr. GRAHAM:

What about you ?

Mr. HUGHES:

I took just two out of him and he took one out of me.

Mr. EMMERSON:

You are evidently interested in the ambulance corps.

Mr. HUGHES:

The order sent by the divisional officer contains this paragraph:

It may be noted that it is understood that the returns herein called for are to be prepared and submitted without expense to the public.

The mobilizations are all here; I will lay them on the table.

Mr. SAM. HUGHES: I am delighted to see my hon. friend so interested in this matter. I presume he would join the Army Service Corps as that is where the rations are kept. In conformity with the custom of previous years the divisional officers send out mobilization plans each year. That has been -done from time immemorial. The paragraphs in the Canadian mobilization regulations bearing upon this matter are:

Air. PROULX:

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order. The privilege in regard to the asking of questions of members, other than members of the Government, is governed by the following rule:

S.t Questions may be put to ministers of the Ci-own relating to public affairs; and to other members, relating to any Bill, motion, or other public matter connected with the business of the House in which such members may be concerned.

And after giving the usual notice. The matter to which the hon. gentleman refers would not, in my judgment, come within the rule because it has nothing to do with any business of this House with which the member is concerned.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER:

But my hon. friend (Mr. Proulx) has not stated it yet.

Mr. PROULX:

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to ask the hon. Minister of Militia (Mr. Hughes) if he ever gave permission to the hon. member for Centre York to send this cablegram. Here is the cablegram.

Order, order.

Mr. PROULX:

I want to read the cablegram.

Mr. SPEAKER:

No, the hon. member cannot do so, because he is doing it in violation of a rule of the House, which is intended for a very good purpose.