Mr. W. F. NICKLE (Kingston):

Mr. Speaker, my attention has been directed to a clerical error in the report I presented to this House in reference to the question, of titles some few days ago as a result of which -one of the clauses of the report may have an ambiguous meaning. I am therefore going to move, so that the intention of the Committee may be expressed:

That clause (b) of the report be amended by inserting the words "and of a '' after the word ''distinction" at the end of the second line of clause (to) and inserting the word "or" after the word "distinction" in the fifth and sixth lines of the said clause (b).

Mr. MIDDLEBRO:

How will the amended

clause read?

Mr. NICKLE:

If the amendment is carried. the clause will read as follows:

(b) "To provide that appropriate action be taken by legislation or otherwise to ensure the , extinction of an hereditary title of honour or titular distinction, and of a dignity or title as a peer of the realm, on the death of a person domiciled or ordinarily resident in Canada at present in enjoyment of an hereditary title of honour or titular distinction, or dignity or title as a peer of the realm, and that thereafter no such title of honour, titular distinction, or dignity or title as a peer of the realm, shall be accepted, enjoyed or used by any person or be recognized."

The object of the amendment is to make the clause read as the Committee desired and to remove the ambiguity from it.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

Is it not unusual to pass a motion of this kind without having a day's notice?

Mr. SPEAKER:

I believe it is customary to pass such a motion where it merely corrects what is obviously a clerical error. I understand that is all this motion purports to do.

Mr. McKENZIE:

I would like to ask the hon. Acting Prime Minister (Sir Thomas White) if he has any news as to the conditions at Winnipeg.

Hon. A. K. MACLEAN (for the Minister of Labour):

There is no material change in the situation at Winnipeg.

Sir THOMAS WHITE:

I might say further to my hon. friend (Mr. McKenzie) thc^t our advices are to the effect that the municipal, provincial, and Dominion authorities are all co-operating and that measures have been taken to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

What to do-to surrender?

Mr. MICHAEL STEELE (South Perth):

As relating to a matter of very considerable interest at the present time, 1 would like to ask if the Government has any information to give to the House and the country on the prevailing famine in India.

Hon. NEWTON W. ROWELL (President of the Privy Council): Mr. Speaker, a

committee of public spirited citizens in Toronto some time ago organized for the purpose of collecting relief for the sufferers from the famine in India and at their request the Government communicated,

through the Imperial authorities, with the Government of India tendering this relief and inquiring whether relief in grain or cash would be the more acceptable. Two communications have been received in reference to the matter. One is that the Government of India gratefully accept the offer of the 'Committee and express a wish for cash rather 'than grain. Another statement has followed. After stating that the attention of the Government of India has been drawn to certain statements which appeared in the Canadian press to the effect that millions of British subjects are starving, they point out that the statement is not . correct and they send the following statement which they ask to have made public:

" Food position in India though undoubtedly grave has no resemblance to descriptions in Toronto circular which is exaggerated and in many parts untrue. Owing to failure of autumn rains, to serious epidemic of influenza which attacked two-thirds of the population, and accounted for -six million deaths, and to absence of large number of young men on military service, area sown with winter crops very short. This, in conjunction with general rise in wages and in standard of living, with inflated currency and reflex action of world prices, has caused foodstuffs to rise to unprecedented prices causing hardship to many sections of the population. But resisting power of people is greater than ever before and although prices are double those of famine year of 1900 number of relief in April was only 337,000 against five and a quarter million in April 1900. Plague is less virulent than usual and no report ejther from private or official sources of any deaths' from starvation have been received. Though there have been food riots in some places they are not as stated in circular of daily occurrence. Thanks to excellent monsoon in 1917 walls in most parts are still holding water, mails are delivered regularly and business is brisk. Stocks of food grains are low but special measures have been taken to conserve supplies and wheat has been imported from Australia. Given normal monsoon there should be enough food until autumn crops are in sight. At the same time low stocks and excessive prices have created situation which is causing great anxiety to Government of India and serious hardship is undoubtedly being experienced by many sections of population." End.

The 'Secretary of State for India adds that season such as now being experienced in India inevitably occasions suffering and privation to poorer and more helpless classes and gives ample scope for private charity in addition to Stat^ relief.

Sir SAM HUGHES:

Who is the author of this essay?

Mr. ROWELL:

That is a cable from Lord Milner sent at the request of the Secretary of State for India to be made public here in Canada.

CONFERRING OF TITLES ON , CANADIANS.