Mr. J. E. Armstrong presented the report of The Special Committee to whom was referred Bill No. 13, to consolidate and amend the Railway Act, as follows: Your Committee have under consideration Bill No. 13, an Act to consolidate and amend the Railway Act, and have agreed to report the same with amendments. Your committee also submit herewith their minutes of proceedings and evidence, and recommend that the same be referred to the Printing Committee with a view to having the whole printed in blue book form and as an appendix to the Journals of the House.
Sir Robert Borden moved: That the recommendation of His Honour the Speaker, laid on the table of the House on the 14th instant, respecting the appointment of Mr. Herbert Charles Stock to the position of messenger in the Library of Parliament, be concurred in. Motion agreed to.
Sir Robert Borden moved: That sessional paper No. 183, laid on the Table of the House on the first of June, instant, comprising reports from the several departments of the Government in respect to printing, etc., pursuant to a resolution of the House of the 18th May, 1916, be referred to the Joint Committee of both Houses on the Printing of Parliament.
Sir WILFRID LAURIER:
Yesterday I asked that this motion should stand in order that I might have occasion to refer to it later. I have looked into it and it is all right.
Motion agreed to.
Report concerning the production, cost, price, and -system of distribution of sugar; a like report concerning anthracite coal.- Mr. Crothers.
(Questions answered orally are indicated by asterisks.)
Mr. TOBIN:
Referring to the statement of the Hon. Member for Victoria-Haliburton on page 439 of Hansard, February the 2nd, as follows:-
"Mr. Carvell: Would the right hon. gentleman let me know whether he found out during the dinner hour who it was that ordered or was responsible for the reduction of the Ross rifle from *462 to *4'57 in 1910?"
"Sir Robert Borden: I stated at the time that my information did not come from the Department of Militia and Defence, but that it was reliable. I have asked the Deputy Minister to produce absolutely accurate information on that point, which' I shall give to the Committee."
"Sir Sam Hughes: I understand that it was on the recommendation of Colonel Harkon, the expert adviser to the Militia Department under Sir Frederick Borden. The Standing Committee on Small Arms was never consulted."
1. Was this statement of the member for Vic-toria-Haliburton, in regard to the reduction of the chamber of the Ross rifle, from .462 to .457 in 1910?
2, Is there any report in the Militia Department from Colonel Harkon recommending the change in the Ross rifle referred to?
1. It is regretted that the Department of Militia and Defence is unable to answer this query.
2. No.
1. Has the Government received a resolution from the Trades and Labour Council of Montreal, adopted on or about May 17, in which the said Trades and Labour Council referred to the high cost of living, and alleging the same was increasing to alarming proportions and also alleging that profits from such sources were not in the interest of the Dominion and recommending severe measures be adopted without delay to prevent the same, and referring to an Order in Council passed with a view of preventing dishonest speculation and alleging that efforts to carry out such Order in Council have proved ineffective owing to legal technicalities and delays in investigation and from other causes, and requested the repeal of such Order in Council and to enact legislation which will more clearly and effectively carry out the intentions of the Government.
2. If so, what measures does the Government intend to adopt in the premises?
Mr. CROTHERS:
1. No. That answers the second question.
1. Is it true that the Government wharf at Gascons, Quebec, is so damaged that it cannot be used by steamers or sealing craft?
2. If so, (a) what is the extent of the damage (b) when and how was it caused ?
3. Will said damage be repaired?
4. If so, when? '