Mr. A. B. McCOIG (West Kent):

I desire to call the attention of the Government to a despatch from Washington dated August 12, which reads as follows:

U.S. Wheat Crop to Be Controlled-Elevators

and Mills Will Be Licensed-Keep Eye on

Exchanges and Middlemen.

Washington, Aug. 12.-The food administration announced to-night its plan for controlling wheat, flour and bread, revealing that the Government is prepared to take over the whole 1917 wheat harvest if necessary to conserve the supply, fighting forces and their allies, and reduce costs to the general public in the United States.

Establishing of buying agencies at all the principal terminals, licensing of elevators anji mills, fixing of a price to be considered fair, regulation of the middlemen, and of gi'ain exchanges, with the elimination of trading in futures, are the chief features of the plan. The licensing will begin September 1.

The minimum price of $2 for wheat fixed by Congress does not become effective until next year, but the administration proposes to exercise a very thorough control over this year's crop through powers conferred under the food and export control bills.

I ask the Government, in view of the fact that the wheat threshing throughout the province of Ontario is in progress at the present time, and the farmers and consumers, as well as the milling companies, are anxious to know if the Government purpose taking some similar action before the wheat crop is disposed of.

Sir GEORGE FOSTER (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

The extract from the paper which my hon. friend has read may be founded upon facts, or it may not. The legislation which has been held up so long in Congress has at last passed; the Bill has received the signature of the President, and is now in force; that is, power is given for the work of the Food Controller, who had been formerly appointed, and who now enters upon his labours. The grain supervisors who were appointed some ten days ago, and who have, in Canada, powers given them by the appointing Order in Council to

fix the price of wheat, have already acted, in so far as fixing the maximum price of wheat for last year's crop is concerned. They have deferred action with reference to this year's crop until the United States authorities have had their powers defined. It is the intention of both countries and of these two bodies in each country to cooperate and work along parallel lines. No decision, however, has been come to as yet with reference to what will eventually be done.

Mr. MARCIL:

May I ask the Minister of Militia whether he is correctly reported in to-day's issues of Montreal and Ottawa papers as having said yesterday at Camp Borden:

We are going to put the Conscription Bill into force right away.

Sir EDWARD KEMP:

Yes, that is correct.

1. Is G. O. Aiken in the employ of the Government in Kingston?

2. If so, what are his duties and his salary?

3. When was he retired from the position of guard, and why?

4. What was the date of his new appointment?

5. Who previously performed the duties of the position to which Mr. Aiken has now been appointed?

6. Why was not a returned soldier given this position?

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

We will have

an answer to this question on Wednesday.

Mr. MACNUTT:

Does the Government include the immediate descendants of naturalized persons of alien enemy birth who were born in Canada, in the policy of non-enlistment for combatant service, outlined by the Prime Minister of Wednesday, July 25, In reply to my question of Saturday, 21st of July, regarding enlistment of persons of foreign birth? '

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

The persons designated were not included in the answer which I gave on a previous occasion. As a .matter of fact, I understand that the descendants of naturalized persons of alien enemy birth have in some instances been accepted for military service under the voluntary system. So far as compulsory service is concerned, the circumstances of each case would, of course, have to be taken into consideration. I am speaking altogether of combatant service. For service other than combatant service, no question would arise.

1. Does the Government Intend to Indemnify those persons who have suffered loss by the fire at the Parliament Buildings?

2. If so, will it he done during the present

session?