Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

In my absence yesterday the hon. member for Edmonton (Mr. Oliver) made allusion to a book called " The Fiddlers," which he has mentioned on two or three occasions. I did expect that some statement would have been made before this date and I so intimated to my hon. friend. It was thought desirable, however, to obtain pretty definite information with regard to one or two statements in

the book in so far as they concern the Canadian Expeditionary Force. That is in progress. We are anticipating a report from Surgeon-General Fotheringham, who has had experience both on this side and the other side, and we have also asked for certain information to be sent here from Great Britain. I shall try to see that there is no unreasonable delay in the matter.

I

have been asked by Sir Joseph Flavelle to read a letter apropos of -a statement made by the hon. member for Richmond (Mr. Kyte) yesterday, a statement whose accuracy my hon. friend may remember I challenged. The letter is as follows:

And Sir George Foster having read the letter.

Mr. SPEAKER:

The Minister of Trade and Commerce (Sir George Foster) has read a letter from Sir Joseph Flavelle referring to certain statements made in this House by the hon. member for Richmond (Mr. Kyte). When the minister started to read the letter, I was of opinion that it was questionable whether, in accordance with the rule he could do so. I sent for a copy of Bourinot, and by the time I had been able to place my finger upon the rule in question, the letter had been read. The rule is:

Nor is it in order to read articles in newspapers, letters or other communications, whether printed or written, emanating from persons outside of the House, and referring to, or commenting on, or denying anything said by a member, or expressing any opinion reflecting on proceedings within the House.

It is evident, therefore, that the hon, minister was not in order in reading the letter. Under the circumstances, the letter ought to be regarded as not having been read, and should be expunged from Hansard.

Mr. KYTE:

Withdraw.

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

Peccavi; I acknowledge the corn. But, Mr. Speaker, you will not attribute it to my desire to break the rules of the House. I should have known the rule very well; I am sure that I would have recalled it if I had thought for a moment. The letter was put

[Rir Robert Borden.]

in my hand just as I came to my desk, and I read it. I hope, however, that the constitution will still survive, even though it has been so badly punctured in this respect. I am extremely sorry to have offended against the rules of the House.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER:

I doubt whether the letter comes within the rule, because it confirmed the statement of the member for Richmond.

Mr. SPEAKER:

The rule refers to letters " referring to or commenting on or denying anything said by a member."

* In accordance with the direction of Mr. Speaker the letter is not printed. _

Mr. E. M. MACDONALD (Pictou):

Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of privilege. Yesterday afternoon the hon. the senior member for Queens, P.E.I. (Mr. A. A. McLean), said:

The member for Pictou a day or two ago expressed the view that it was not necessary to have the gauge of the P.E.I. Railway widened; he thought that the matter should be left over until after the conclusion of the war.

I desire to say I have not made any such statement as the hon. member attributed to me.

Mr. G. W. KYTE (Richmond, N.S.):

Mr. Speaker, I desire to call the attention of the Minister of Finance to the following telegram, which I received yesterday from Sydney:

Have information that Sydney Post proposes advertising scheme calling for four issues of forty thousand advertising local advantages as sites for industries that Americans are supposed to he looking for. Price per page $320. Solicitor pulling off scheme here assures advertisers that Finance Minister guarantees that Government will help the good work by giving dollar for every dollar collected. Understand that Halifax Herald and St. John Standard also-in scheme. Find out if this is so.

I would ask the Finance Minister if he knows of any such scheme as it is said in this telegram has received his support,