1. With reference to the charge brought to the notice of the Government by the member for North Cape Breton on June 10, 1914, as reported on page 5238 of Hansard, that one H. P. Duchemin, of Sydney, N.S., a commissioner appointed to investigate charges against, partisan officials, had embezzled over $75 of the public funds in connection with one item of his account, by charging six days remuneration and expenses for less than one day's work, has the Government investigated this charge?

2. If not, will the Government investigate this charge?

3. Has the said Duchemin been asked for an explanation?

4. What is the total amount paid by the Government to the said H. P. Duchemin for all services in connection with partisan investigations, including outlay since the date of appointment?

5. Is the said Duchemin still in the employ of the Government?

6. Is it the intention of the Government to take steps to recover from the said H. P. Duchemin the money so obtained by him?

Mr. CODERRE:

1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. For the Departments of the Interior, Marine and Fisheries, Militia and Defence, Post Office, Public Works, Railways and Canals and Agriculture, no information.

For the Customs Department, the answer is: The charge made by the member for

North Cape Breton was looked into by Customs Department and inquired into by Auditor General and found to be not true. The report of the Auditor General on this matter appears on pages F 48 and F 49 of his report for 1913-14. Mr. Duchemin has been employed only when cases were sent him for investigation. There are no cases now before him from the Customs Department for investigation.

4. Customs Department, $1,190.68; Interior, $26.31; Marine and Fisheries, $1,691.10; Militia and Defence, $36.80; Post Office, $1,242.01; Public Works, $441.63; Railways and Canals, $1,928.60; Agriculture, $124.60.

. UNEMPLOYMENT.

Mr. VERV1LLE:

1. Has any representation been made to the Government respecting the unemployed problem? If so, by whom?

2. What is the intention of the Government

in that respect? .

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

Representations

have been made from time to time with regard to unemployment. A list of them could be brought down in the shape of a return, if so desired. The intention of the Government is to assist in every way that is practicable and reasonable.

Mr. W. M. MARTIN:

.

1. Has T. A. Anderson been employed by the Government at any time during the years 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915?

2. Is he still so employed?

3. What was the date of his appointment, in *what capacity is he employed, and what is his salary or remuneration?

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

It would facilitate the answering of this question if we could learn to \vhat department the hon. member alludes.

Question stands.

f

1. What were the values placed on the following articles by the Department of Customs, and the general tariff rate on each, prior to 21st September, 1911: breaking ploughs, gang

ploughs, harrow, land packer, seeder, cultivator, reaper, binder (.8 foot), fanning mill, hay rake (10 foot), mower (6 foot), wagon, sleigh, manu-t sp aider, portable engines and threshing machines?

2. What are, or will be, the valuations and general tariff rates on each such article since the recent Budget speech of the Minister of Finance?

1. The Department of Customs does not fix the values for these articles. Imported goods are subject to valuation for duty purposes according to the fair market value as sold for home consumption in the country of export.

Different manufacturers sell similar lines of articles at different prices, so that values are not uniform.

Exporters are required to certify on invoices for entry at Customs the fair market value of the goods as sold for home consumption in the country of export.

The general tariff rates on these articles were as set forth in the Customs Tariff, 1907, with amendments as passed by Parliament.

2. Answered by No. 1.

Mr. MACNTJTT:

What is the customs valuation of the following Implements imported during the year ending March 31, 1914, and the duty collected on each class: breaking plough, gang plough, harrow, disc harrows, land packers, seed drills, cultivators, reapers, binders (8 foot), fanning mill, hay rake (10 foot), mower (6 foot), wagon, bob sleigh, manure spreader, portable engines, and threshing machines?

Mr. J. D. REID:

The Department of

Customs does not fix the values for these articles. Imported goods are subject to valuation for duty purposes according to their fair market value as sold for home consumption in the country of export.

Different manufacturers sell similar lines of articles at different prices, so that values are not uniform.

Exporters are required to certify on invoices for entry at customs the fair market value of the goods as sold for home consumption in the country of export.

The duty collected during the year ending March 31, 1914, on these articles was as follows :

Value. Duty.

Ploughs and parts thereof i ..$1,011,704 $202,340 05

Harrows and parts thereof 156,869 31,352 80

Land packers are not separately classified in

returns to customs.

Value. Duty.

Seed drills $ 99,497 ? ! 19,899 40

Cultivators and weeders

and parts thereof. . . . 57,264 11,441 41Reapers 38,300 6,702 52Harvesters self-binding. 336,675 58,918 42Fanning mills 16,411 4,102 75Horse rakes 41,234 8,246 80Mowing machines .... 47,857 8,375 21Farm wagons 273,053 68,263 25

Bob sleighs are not separately classified in returns to customs.

Value. Duty.

Manure spreaders $ 42^81 $ 8,429 98

Portable engines with

boilers in combination,

and traction engines

for farm purposes. .. 2,342,12'b 466,000 45

Threshing machine sepa

rators 926,791 185,358 20

Mr. GRAHAM:

1 Has work been started on the proposed terminal in connection with the National Transcontinental' Railway terminals in the city of Quebec?

2. If so, what amount has been expended on this work up to December 31, 1914?

1. Yes.

2. $372,514.86 expended by the commissioners for lands, and $154,293.83 by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company on tracks and buildings.

1. Has the Government purchased what is known as the St. Malo Railway line, adjacent to Quebec?

2. If so, what was the price paid?

3. Has any contract been awarded for the rebuilding1 or repairing of the road, or any part of it?

4. If so, what is the estimated cost of such repairs?

1. Yes.

2. $175,000.

3. Yes.

4. $11,000.