Alexander Kenneth Maclean
Liberal
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:
Does that gc to the Bank of Montreal agency?
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:
Does that gc to the Bank of Montreal agency?
Mr. WHITE:
No, that would be the fee charged by brokers on purchasing for the sinking funds in the open market.
Mr. MACLEAN :
'It does not cover the case where the Bank of Montreal is acting as Government agent?
Mr. WHITE:
It is not paid to the Bank of Montreal. It is the brokerage for the purchase of securities for sinking fund account. .
Removal of foreign and uncurrent coin from circulation, $15,000.
Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:
Has the minister any statement to make as to the quantity of foreign coin removed from the country this year? .
Mr. WHITE:
The amount exported for the 11 months of the current fiscal year was $1,534,009.16 and the charges paid, $10,951.79. My hon. friend no doubt knows that we have an arrangement with the banks under which, for a small commission and I think the payment of the cost of expressage, we export American silver.
Departments generally-Contingencies-Care and cleaning of Departmental buildings, including amount of $50 each to E. Snowden and W. H. Jeffrey for firing noon gun, $175,000.
Mr. GRAHAM:
I suppose that Mr. Snowden and Mr. Jeffrey do not have to pass a civil service examination for firing the gun?
Mr. WHITE:
Since the war has broken out it might be advisable to consider whether they should not do so.
Mr. GRAHAM:
Their names appearing here would indicate that they did not have to pass an examination.
Mr. WHITE:
That is an historic item it has been included for many years
Mr. DEVLIN:
Was it necessary to rent a number of additional buildings?
Mr. WHITE:
My hon. friend will surmise . that this Government would not spend any money that was not absolutely; necessary. I believe it was necessary to rent the buildings. Of course, my department has charge only of the caretaking after they have been rented.
Mr. DEVLIN:
My hon. friends, before 1911, condemned the Government then in power for renting additional buildings in the city.
Mr. WHITE:
Before I can pass judgment on the merits of the case, I would have to be acquainted with all the facts. .
Mr. DEVLIN:
Has a new High Commissioner been appointed?
Mr. WHITE:
No.
Mr. DEVLIN:
Is one likely to be appointed in the near future?
Mr. WHITE:
The Prime Minister would be better qualified to answer that question. I believe the Acting High Commissioner will remain there for some considerable time yet.
Mr. MARCIL:
Is the Paris office still under the control of the High Commissioner, oj is it independent? I understood the Paris office had to report by way of London?
Mr. WHITE:
I understand that that is not the case now. The Paris office is under the Prime Minister, I think.