1. How many sittings were held by the Railway Commission to fix compensation for damages caused by the passing of the Canadian Northern through North Bay?

2. Who presided over the said sittings?

3. What were the awards made?

4. To whom were they paid?

5. What was the total cost of the said sittings?

6. What was the amount paid for counsel fees?

7. What amount was paid for witnesses?

8. To whom were the amounts paid?

Hon. J. D. REID:

As the answer is rather lengthy I would ask that this question stand as an order for return. The answer will be laid on the Table now. PROPOSED DRY DOCK AT VICTORIA, B.C.

Mr. SINCLAIR (Antigonish and Guys-borough):

.

1. Has the Government reached a conclusion on the proposal to build a dry dock at or near the city of Victoria, B.C.?

2. When will the work he commenced?

3. What is the estimated cost?

4. Is it the intention of the Government to build this proposed dry dock as a Government work?

1. Yes.

2. As soon as conditions will justify

3. Between ?5,000,000 and 16,000,000.

4. Yes.

1. Has an agreement been made between the Government and Messrs. J. Coughlan & Sons to build a dry dock in Vancouver, B.C., under the provisions of the statute related to the construction of dry docks?

2. What Is the date of this agreement?

3. Has it been executed by both parties thereto?

4. If it has not been executed, what is the cause of delay?

Hon. J. D. REID:

1, 2, 3 and 4. Form of agreement was submitted to the legal representatives of Messrs. Coughlan & Sons on 10th May, but has not as yet been signed and returned to the department for completion. No information in the department as to cause of delay.

Rt. Hon. Sir ROBERT BORDEN (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue, I move thait the -House do this day resolve itself into 'Committee of the Whole to consider the resolution standing in his name to amend the Customs Act.

Mr. SPEAKER:

I am under the impression, without having had an opportunity to examine the -matter carefully, that this motion will require unanimous consent.

Unanimous consent given.

Mr. BUREAU:

When the Bill is taken up in Committee of the Whole, the chairman and the committee as well are inclined to adhere to the rule that the Bill be discussed clause by clause and that the discussion be relevanlt to the clause under considers tion-. I understand that this legislation

proposes to vest in the Governor in Council power to prevent exports iat any time. Is that the object?

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

lit provides lor the regulation of export as set forth in the resolution. I should inform my hon. friend that the Governor in Council has no desire to be burdened with responsibility in respect to these matters. That must be apparent to hon. gentlemen in view of the very great burdens and responsibilities in this regard which were imposed upon the Government under the War Measures Act. I have no doubt that some amendments will be proposed, and, doubtless, adopted by the committee to which this Bill will be referred. When the Bill is taken up in Committee of the Whole I shall be not only willing but anxious that /the fullest discussion with regard to its provisions shall take place. I assure my hon. friend that I shall raise no /technical objection so far as that is concerned.

Mr. BUREAU:

Shall we be permitted to discuss the principle of the whole legislation when the Bill is taken up in committee?

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

Certainly, if it is not discussed on the second reading.

Mr. BUREAU:

To my mind this is the most important piece of legislation that has been brought before Parliament this session. Generally, restrictions upon importation have been regarded as,-well, I might even use the word immoral; they are such a restraint of trade that people will not put up with them. Under the constitution of the United States restricted importation was forbidden. Of course, we shall have to go into the matter, but it seems to me that this proposed legislation will require a good deal of explanation on the part of the Government. For my part, I would like to know of some concrete cases in connection with which legislation of this kind becomes necessary in time of peace and under ordinary conditions. We complain that we have a large debt; that our currency is at a discount; that the balance of trade is against us. Now we are going to place in the hands of the Govern-jmenb the power to neisfadct exports of any kind of commodity. Whatever the reason may be, I do not think that there is any emergency to call for action of that kind. Unless the special committee submit a report on the matter which changes my mind, I shall be absolutely and entirely opposed to vesting any such power in the Governor in Council.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

Perhaps my

hon. friend is not alive to the situation that confronts the country at the present time. Important and very urgent representations have been made to the Government as to the necessity of some control of export in respect to important articles. For example, we are told that a large amount of coal is going out of the country while industries are suffering through lack of it. The item of sugar is also under consideration; the necessity for some action in that .regard has been strongly urged upon us. Then, there is the question of newsprint. .Urgent representations have been made from different parts of the country that because of the exportation of an amount not exceeding two per cent of the exportable surplus, the shutting down of some twenty-seven Canadian newspapers is involved.

Mr. BUREAU:

I understood that it was fifteen per cent of the production.