Mr. SPEAKER:

I submit herewith a report of the Clerk of the House with reference to certain changes in the organization of the Hansard -section of the reporting branch of -the House of Commons. Some of these changes, which have been in operation since the opening of the present session, have been found to be very satisfactory and not attended with any increase- of expense.

The views expressed in the said report meet with my approval and I recommend that the same be ciarrie-d into effect:

House of Commons,

March 2S, 1916.

Sir,-In response to your request for a report on the work of the Reporting Branch (Hansard Section) of the House of Commons, since the transfer of its secretary to the Votes and Proceedings Branch of the service, I beg to report that, following upon your directions, at the beginning of this session, the editors of debates took over ail the secretarial duties, and I understand that the work of the branch has proceeded most satisfactorily. There being no longer any occasion for a secretaryship as a separate position, I recommend that no further appointment he made and that the office be abolished.

As Mr. Owens has been relieved of reportorial work, a temporary transfer from the committee section of a reporter was made to the Hansard section. This, by reason of the secretary's- salary being no longer required, occasioned no additional expense.

I beg further to recommend, as a consequence of this change, that Mr. Owens, on account of his long service and experience, he designated

Editor of Debates " to act conjointly with Mr. Horton, instead of " Associate Editor of Debates and Reporter," and that the editors of debates have equal responsibility in regard to the work of the Hansard Section of the Reporting Branch of the House.

I am, sir,

Tour obedient servant,

Thos. B. Flint, Clerk of the House.

The Honourable

The Speaker of

The House of Commons.

Mr. CLEMENTS:

I rise to a question of privilege. I understand that in the Public Accounts Committee the hon. member for Gar-leton (Mr. Carvell) was questioning a witness, a Mr. Mallory, who made the statement, in connection with the dredging at Victoria, that he ihad overhead Mr. Mac-donell say that he had paid over $1,000 or $1,500 to myself, Mr. Clements-, the member for Atlin,. If the hon. member for Garleton endeavoured to insinuate that I had received one nickel or $1,000 or $1,500 from Mr. Mac-d-onell or any other man in the Dominion, then I say without any hesitation that he prevaricates, -and so does th-e witness, and he is nothing more than a slanderer. I say that without any hesitation.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order.

Mr. CLEMENTS:

I never received a cent.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order.

Mr. CLEMENTS:

I will withdraw that statement, but that is how I feel.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order. It is * unparliamentary to insinuate that an hon. member is a slanderer.

Mr. CLEMENTS:

I bow to your decision. I cannot repeat that statement, but that is how I feel. I have been a member of this House for a number of years, both in Opposition and on the Government side, and let me say to the House-and I will say it on oath as soon as I get before the Public Accounts Committee-that I have never received a five-cent piece by way of graft either in public or in private life.

Mr. PUGSLEY:

I rise to a question of privilege for the purpose of correcting a statement which appears in Hansard purporting to have been made by me during the remarks of the hon. member for Richmond (Mr. Kyte). It will be found on page 2379 of Hansard. Mr. Kyte was speaking, and he used these words:

Mr. Kyte: I wonder if I am making any

impression upon hon. gentlemen opposite.

Some hon. Members: None whatever.

Mr. Kyte: Well, then it is just what I expected, so I am not surprised.

Mr. Pugsley: The longer you speak the less the impression.

What I said was: "The worse the story the less the impression." I would be glad if that would be corrected in the revised edition.

Mr. PUGSLEY:

I would like to ask my right hon. friend the Prime Minister a question in regard to the operation of the Transcontinental railway by the Government. There is a good deal of discussion taking place in New Brunswick regarding the operation of the road, and I would like to ask my hon. friend if the arrangement for the operation of' the Transcontinental railway by the Government is a temporary one or a permanent one.

The operation of what part of it?

Mr. PUGSLEY:

The whole Transcontinental from Winnipeg to Moncton, which is being operated just now by the Government as a part of the Intercolonial.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

It could not be a permanent arrangement unless the Government had entered into an agreement to take over the road and to relieve the Grand Trunk Pacific from its operation. No such agreement has been made, and we could not make one without the authority of Parliament.