Mr. A. R. McMASTER (Brome):

I wish to draw the attention of the Government to an artiqje which appeared in the Financial Times of the 3rd instant, stating in effect that Premier Borden had communicated with the Dominion Iron and Steel Company and advised them that they were not to amalgamate with the Nova Scotia Steel and Coal Company, and that this action on his part had been suggested, if not insisted upon, by the British Government. I wish first to -know whether it is true that the British Government has taken the position of advising our Prime Minister what should be done in connection with Canadian local affairs; and, if true, I would ask how the Government reconciles that position with its somewhat loud protestations in this House of the growth of nationality?

Sir THOMAS WHITE (Acting Prime Minister):

In answer to my hon. friend's

rather rhetorical question, I may suggest to him that the British Government is not at all likely to interfere, and has not to my knowledge interfered, in any way in such a matter of purely Dominion jurisdiction as the one brought to our attention. So I think I can ease his mind at once

as to that. T may say further that it is not within my knowledge that the Prime Minister has recently communicated in any way with the Dominion Iron and Steel Company or the Nova Scotia Steel Company with regard bo the' matter in question. It did receive some attention during the war, when, I believe, it was thought decidedly inadvisable that the control of the steel industry in Canada should pass from Canadian hands. So far as I am concerned, that would be my position to-day.

Mr. G. W. ANDREWS (Winnipeg Centre):

May I ask my hon. friend the President of the Council, if the Government has received any communication from the Amalgamated Postal Workers in reference to a possible strike?

Hon. N. W. ROWELL (President of the Privy Council):

On May 7, the Postmaster General received the following telegram from the Secretary of the Amalgamated Postal Workers, Mr. J. A. Elrick:

Events seem to indicate re-classification will not go through Parliament this session or it it does we will not have time to represent our opinion. If so must remind you our most important questions were deferred pending same and pre'sent restlessness will immediately develop trouble when prorogation becomes obvious. Would appreciate statement for information of membership.

To which the Postmaster General replied on the 8th:

Tour fears absolutely groundless. Newspaper reports entirely without foundation. Matter being printed every day and will be taken up as soon as bound and ready. It will unquestionably be attended to this session and every opportunity given to postal workers for examination.

That apparently did not satisfy some members of the Association, and the Postmaster General received a further telegram on Sunday afternoon pressing for a statement that the re-classification would be brought down this week, to which he replied in accordance with the statement made by the Acting Minister of Trade and Commerce (Hon. A. K. Maclean) in the House yesterday. I have also received the following telegram from Mr. Elrick:

Re-classification Bill promised May first covers most important grievances of postal workers and its non-appearance and general upheaval driving members beyond control and when definite steps are taken only complete settlement will suffice. Official notification of impatient action will reach me within three days and only quick showing of re-classification

will stand the general demands for a tie up and the keystone of the trouble being Government employees will create a dangerous movement at this time. I appeal to you to have re-classification in the House not later than Tuesday.

When the representatives of the Western Postal Workers were here they interviewed the Civil Service Commission and the experts who were re-classifying the service, and they had exactly the same knowledge as the Government had as to when the reclassification would be brought down. They were informed, as the Government was, that it was anticipated that the re-classification would be ready in time to enable the Acting Minister of Trade and Commerce (Hon. A. K. Maclean) to present the Bill to the House during the first week in May. Last night, therefore, I replied as follows:-

Referring your night letter, you and your associates conferred with Civil Service Commission and experts while here and you know we had assurance from them that the re-classica-tion would be completed so that it could be presented to House during first week of May and it was relying on this that Government made its promise to you. Government has been urging utmost expedition and we feel sure that Civil Service Commission and experts have done everything in their power to get schedules completed but it has not been humanly possible to do so. As Postmaster General has wired you schedules are now completed and are all In printers' hands and Printing Bureau has been instructed to have them translated and printed as rapidly as possible. Am advised by Civil Service Commission that printing which has already commenced will take substantially longer than originally estimated and this is one explanation of delay but as everything relates back to first of April, Post Office employees cannot be prejudiced in any way by unavoidable though regrettable delay, and precipitate action on their part would be wholly unjustifiable.

It has been intimated that the post office employees may go out on a sympathetic strike with other parties striking in certain sections of Western Canada. The Government's view is that such a course would be .wholly unjustifiable. The Government has taken every possible step to bring the reclassification down at the earliest practicable date, and the post office employees will be in no wise prejudiced by a few days' delay, because the re-classification relates back to the first of April.

Sir SAM HUGHES (Victoria):

I desire to ask the leader of the Government whether he or any of his ministers have received a protest on behalf of the Buthenian, Ukraini-nan, and, in general, the Galician people of Canada against the annexation of their

native land of Ukrainia and Eastern Galicia to Poland, or to any other state whose authority would not be congenial to them.

Sir THOMAS WHITE:

I have not had any recent communications on the subject. Some time ago representations were made which were transmitted to the Prime Minister, attending the Peace Conference.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

This telegram came yesterday.