Mr. DEVLIN:

I wish to call the attention of the Acting Minister of Militia to the issue of the Star, of London, England, of March 9, 1916, in which is to be found, under the heading ''The Fishmonger General," a picture of a soldier of Canada, with this wording underneath:

Major Hughie Green, who has come from, Canada on a special mission to organize the supply of fish to the Canadian troops.

In this photographic reproduction of Major Hughie Green, the major is holding a glass vase said to contain a trained fish called "Maggie."

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

What is the name of the fish?

Mr. DEVLIN:

Maggie. My object in rising is not so much to give to the House the name of the fish as to inquire from the acting minister if this is in the form of a paid advertisement, and, if so, what is the object of Major Hughie Green having his photograph taken as a Canadian soldier and having it published in the London papers.

Mr. KEMP:

It is hardly necessary for me to explain to my hon. friend that I have never before heard of a fish called Maggie. I do not know anything about the item published in the London newspaper to which my hon. friend refers, but I will make inquiry. I might explain, however, that in England fish is very high in price

owing to the large number of trawlers which have been taken over by the Admiralty, and it was thought desirable to endeavour to introduce the use of Canadian fish for the Canadian troops in England. 'The experiment has been tried, and it seems to be working out quite satisfactorily, and we are able to give the soldiers over there [DOT]fresh Canadian salt-water and inland-water fish in good condition. Major Green, who is an expert on fish, has advised the Department of Militia and Defence in regard to the transporting of fish to the old country and. has given advice in other ways as well.

Mr. DEVLIN:

Can the minister tell me whether the photograph is paid for by the Government or not?

Mr. KEMP:

I do not think the photograph was paid for by the Government; I am pretty sure that it was not. I do not think the Government knows anything about it.

Mr. PTJGSLEY:

Is Major Green in the employ of this Government or is he operating on his own account?

Mr. KEMP:

Major Green has been employed by the Department of Militia and Defence for the purpose of trying to work out this experiment in fish, and he has given very favourable reports in regard to the matter.

I have just received the newspaper from my hon. friend. I ought to make an explanation to the House. I spoke under the impression that the name " Maggie was printed in the article which was read by the hon. member for Wright.

Mr. DEVLIN:

No, I wrote the word

*" Maggie," which is the name of the fish. I assure the minister that that is the name the fish goes by. Perhaps the minister has some other name for the fish, but that is the only one I know.

Mr. KEMP:

The item printed in the

London Star is headed " The Fishmonger General," and it says:

Major Hughie Green, who has come over from Canada on a special mission to organize the supply of fish to the Canadian troops.

The hon. member will have to explain why " Maggie " was written.

Mr. DEVLIN:

This is a question of veracity between the minister and me. Does he fail to see in the photograph a glass vase? The officer is holding up a vase. Does not he see a fish in the vase?

Mr. KEMP:

Yes.

Mr. DEVLIN:

I was correct. The fish's name was Maggie.