Mr. BUREAU:

Is it only when complaints are made by workers that the inspectors make inquiry and report to the minister, or do they keep in touch with the various industries, ascertain the labour conditions and whether the men have any complaints to make, and so on?

Mr. CROTHERS:

The fair wage officers do not wait until complaints are made- that is, i'f .they are not busy at something else. We endeavour to keep them going. For instance, our fair wage officer in Montreal is instructed to visit the various industries in that city from time to time, even if he is not called upon to do so by complaints. We are doing that in the city of Ottawa. If we hear that there is likely to be trouble in Toronto, for instance, we send one of these men there.

Mr. MURPHY:

Did I understand the minister to say that he is doing that in Ottawa now?

Mr. CROTHERS:

I do not say that it is being done to-day, but we ask the inspector to go out occasionally and find out how things are. [DOT]

Mr. MURPHY:

I thought my hon. friend referred to some special case.

Mr. CROTHERS:

Oh, no.

Progress reported.

On motion of Hon. J. D. Reid, the House adjourned at 11.02 p.m.

Wednesday, April 17, 1918.