Mr. SPEAKER:

I have the honour to inform the House that I have received notification of a vacancy having occurred in the representation of the electoral district of Lanark by the decease of Adelbert E. Hanna, Esquire. I have accordingly issued my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery to make out a new writ of election for the said electoral district.

Mr. SPEAKER:

In view of the extremely severe financial pressure due to the present war, I have thought it proper to endeavour to effect such economies in con-

nection with the management of the business of the House as may be secured without injuriously affecting its prompt and efficient conduct. To this end I appointed a committee of three of the senior officers of the House to look into the question of the parliamentary printing. This committee has made a report recommending that the Votes and Proceedings and the. Journals should toe consolidated* The committee believes that in this way, while a full and proper record of the proceedings of the House would be preserved, that a very large saving would result. I beg to suggest, therefore, that the House appoint a small committee of three experienced members to consider whether this proposal should be adopted. It is not intended to make any change this session, but during the coming recess to work out the details of the scheme, and to begin the new arrangement next session.

I may also, inform the House that I purpose, myself, to immediately make a very full inquiry into the duties and organization of the staff of the House, the result of which I shall communicate to the House in due course.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

In accordance

with the proposal which has just been made by Mr. Speaker I move, seconded by Sir George Foster, that a committee composed of Messrs. Pardee, Niokle, and Lemieux, be appointed to consider and report upon the question of consolidating the Votes and Proceedings and Journals of the House.

Sir WILFRID LAURJER:

The committee as proposed is quite acceptable, hut I would suggest that the name of Mr. Cuj-rie, of Simcoe, be added. That hon. gentleman presented a very valuable report upon a similar question last session, which perhaps did not receive the consideration it merited. Doubtless the new committee will find a good deal of information in the report referred to.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

I shall be very

glad to add M*r. Currie's name.

Moltion as amended agreed to

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

It has been suggested that the second reading of the Bill respecting Bankruptcy should be taken pro forma in order that it may he referred to a special committee for the purpose of studying it. The second reading of the Bill under such conditions will not commit the House to the principle of the measure, or to any particular provision of it, hut will afford an opportunity for the special committee to study the Bill and make their report with regard to it, and for the House to consider that report during the present session should time permit.

Mr S. W. JACOBS (George Etienne Cartier):

I beg to move second reading

of this Bill.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

I move, seconded by Sir George Foster, that Bill No. 25 respecting bankruptcy be referred to a special committee to be composed of Messrs. Guthrie, Nesbitt, Coekstoutt, Redman, Morwat, Henders, Thomson (Qu'Appelle), Niokle, Green, Jacobs, MoMaster, Ross, Lapointe (Kamouraska). Leduc and Sinclair (Antigonish and Guysboro) with power to report from time to time, and that the said committee have leave to sit during the time that the House in in session.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN moved:

That the House do now return to Motions.