Explain.

Mr. MEIGHEN:

The class covered

by this Bill are known generally as military defaulters. They are comprised of those who failed in their military obligations under the Military Service Act. The subclasses are specifically defined. As to those, the Bill provides that they shall be disqualified in the following respects for a period of fifteen years: from holding any office under the Crown, from being members of Parliament or members of the Senate, and from voting at any Dominion election. The Bill provides that any of that class who have satisfied any -conviction properly obtained and punishment imposed by such conviction shall not be included therein, nor shall any who came in under the amnesty proclamation of August last, nor shall any one who having been apprehended actually served in the military forces after apprehension, and, any who subsequently satisfied the terms otf any legal conviction thereby (become relieved of the disqualification provided by the Act.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

Does this include all the defaulters under both the Department of Justice and the Militia Department? There are six classes, as the minister outlined the other day. Does this include the whole six?

Hon. Mr. MEIGHEN:

Yes.

1. Have any leases for oil lands, in the western provinces, been issued since 1st January, 1917?

2. If so, under what regulations and to whom?

3. Has any application been made, lately, for special privileges on, or reservation of, oil lands in the western provinces, by any company?

4. If such privileges and reservations have been made or are to be made, under what terms and to whom?

5. Is it the intention of the Government, before granting such privileges and reservations to consult Parliament?

1. Yes. 2,168 such leases issued since 1st January, 1917.

2. Under the petroleum and natural gas regulations, a printed copy of which is attached. The preparation of a list of the names of the lessees would involve several days' work.

3. A great many applications have been made for such privileges on or reservation of oil lands in the western provinces.

4. No such special privileges have been granted.

5. The Government will consult Parliament in all cases except where it acts on authority already granted by Parliament.

&ILITIA ACCOUNTS.

1. Has the Government passed an Order in Council under the War Measures Act, providing for the audit of the Militia accounts in Canada by an official of that department?

2. Has the Auditor General been asked to accept the audit by the official of the Militia Department without receiving the usual accounts and evidence of payment required by the Statutes?

3. Has the Government power under the War Measures Act to compel the Auditor General to accept an audit performed by an official over whom he has no control?

4. Who is the official appointed by the said Order in Council? How long has he been in the employ of the Militia Department, what is his salary and what was his occupation or profession prior to his being employed by the Militia?

Major-General MEWBURN:

1. P.C. 316, dated February 8, 1918, provides for the appointment of a general auditor for the Militia Department, responsible to the deputy minister. Previous to this date, the audit was carried out as a part of the work of the branch of the Accountant and Paymaster General.

2. Under P.C. 1136, dated May 22, 1918, the General Auditor of the Militia Department was removed from the jurisdiction of that department and "made responsible to and under the control of the Auditor General." This step was taken after consultation with the late Auditor General, who has initialled the original Report to Privy Council. This was done in vierw of the tremendous expenditure of the Department of Militia and Defence under War Appropriation, and the provisions of the said Order in Council have been accepted by the present Auditor General as a temporary measure, until such time as the Militia Department comes back to its ordinary level. Under the provisions of P.C. 1136, all accounts are audited before payment by the representa-

tive of the Auditor General* thus safeguarding public funds to the greatest extent possible. The Auditor General still receives the usual accounts and evidence of payment. Previous to the passing of P.C. 1136, these accounts were paid by the Department of Militia and Defence and post-audit carried out by the Auditor General. Under the provisions of P.C. 1136, all accounts are audited before payment by the representative of the Auditor General.

3. Yes-Answered by Nos. 1 and 2. The Auditor General was a party to the arrangement, and not compelled, as implied.

4. Lieut.-Colonel D. F. Pidgeon joined the C.E.F. on August 10, 1914, as a lieutenant; was promoted to the rank of captain and served overseas 12 months, 9 months of which in France

Salary, $4,182.50, same as General Auditor Overseas-Paid as an officer, Canadian Expeditionary Force-Previous occupation, financial and real estate broker.

UNOPPOSED MOTIONS FOE PAPEES. Mr. LEMIEUX:

For a copy of all letters, telegrams and other papers regarding supplies purchased for the Yukon Telegraph Lines, during the fiscal year 1918-19, including copy of all tenders, the names of the tenderers and the amounts of each tender.