Mr. BALLANTYNE:

It has never been the custom to pay men on the dredges in winter, and I am quite sure hon. members would not have this Government establish a precedent now.

Mr. J. H. SINCLAIR:

Is it intended to continue the bonus system during the present year? I see by the Auditor General's report that the bonus is nearly as large as the wages of the men. It is an extraordinary way of paying ordinary workmen to give them so much wages and a bonus amounting to pretty nearly the same sum.

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

It is not the intention of the department to continue the bor/us system, but simply to pay the prevailing wages.

Is it the intention of the minister to do more dredging in front of the Quarantine wharves, so that big steamers, instead of being obliged to anchor outside, will be able to come in and unload at the wharves? At present the steamers are bound to anchor in the channel, and

this involves a great deal of inconvenience, and expense in unloading in mid-stream. If dredging were done at the wharves it would save time and a good deal of money.

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

I must ask my hon. friend to take up this question when the Public Works Estimates are under consideration. It is a subject that does not appertain to the Marine Department.

I would suppose that the Minister of Marine would have a good deal to do with the matter o-f dredging. If this work were done it would mean a great saving of time and would be a great convenience. There is no doubt about the urgent necessity of this icebreaker and I would like to get the item passed in order that tenders may be called and if at all possible have the icebreaker ready for next winter.

For the maintenance and improvements of the Sorel shipyard, shops and offices as well as operating expenses, $65,000.

Mr. McKENZIE:

Are things going on at this shipyard in the same old way, and is the same work being done?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

The operations carried on at the Sorel shipyards are very much restricted in comparison with former years. We are not doing as much work; we are trying to follow a policy of economy.

Mr. J. H. SINCLAIR:

Will the minister give us an idea as to how much of this money is to be expended in rebuilding or improving shops, and how much will be spent for operating purposes?

Mr. ROBB:

I would suggest to the minister that we allow this item to stand until hon. members who desire to speak on it are present. The hon. member for Richelieu (Mr. Cardin) intimated to me a desire to say something in reference to this item.

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

Very well; I have no objection to letting the item stand.

Item stands.

To provide for the construction of an icebreaking steamer to be used on the River St. Lawrence, $2,000,000.

Should we not let this item stand?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

I have no objection to leaving this item, but the hon. members from Quebec city, who are most interested in it, have expressed their approval. There is no doubt that this icebreaker is needed.

I should like to make as much progress as

possible in view of the fact that we have already let two large items stand.

Mr. J. H. SINCLAIR:

What kind of a ship are you going to build and where are you going to build it?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

The ship will be similar to the. "J. D. Hazen" that was built some years ago. Just where she will be built, it will toe gratifying to the leader of the Opposition to know, can only be determined after public tenders have been called. The length of the ship will be 275 [DOT]feet, breadth 57 feet 6 inches, depth to mould 32 feet, draught 19 feet 3 inches, deadweight 950 tons, horse-power 8,000 and complement of officers and men about 90.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

I would like to remind the minister of his promise that he will see, in connedtion with this particular expenditure, if it is possible to have a vessel which will serve the double purpose of an icebreaker in winter and a car ferry in sumnner. If he can see his way to arrange that it will save a great amount of expense in the end in the matter of a second car ferry and it will be much appreciated by the people of Prince Edward Island.

Mr. BELAND:

Will thalt ship be much more powerful than those we have to-day?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

Many times.

Mr. BELAND:

Will it keep the channel open all winter to Montreal?

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

She could of course go up and down but I do not know whether it is feasible to attempt to keep the river open.

Progress reported.