Mr. J. J. DENIS (Joliette):

We are informed through the press of this country that the labours of the Canada-West Indian Conference have come to a close but that the text of the agreement will not be .made public until August 4. Is it not the intention of thfe Government to make a statement to the House before the end of the present session regarding the work of this conference and the decisions that have been arrived at?

Bt. Hon. Sir GEOBGE FOSTEE (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

I may inform my hon. friend that ft is not the intention of the Government to make public before the date set, the details of the arrangements that have been made. The date which was set will enable the delegates from the West Indian colonies to arrive at their homes and present their reports to their respective governments. August 4 has been agreed upon as providing ample time for that purpose, and this is the practice that has always obtained iin sudhl cases. An official statement was made to the press, and before the House rises I shall be able to make a statement as full as that, if not more complete, to the House itself.

Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (leader of the Opposition):

May I ask the Prime Minister when we may expect an announcement regarding the arbitrators to he appointed in connection with the acquisition of the Grand Trunk Kailway? There are two arbitrators still to be appointed.

Kt .Hon. Sir BOBEET BOKDEN (Prime Minister): So far as the Grand Trunk is

concerned I am not in a position to ,.ake a statement. So far as the Government, is concerned, no appointment has been made and, of course, no announcement can be made until the matter has been considered and determined.

Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING:

I irav point out that last sesion we were told

the reason the Government was anxious to get the Bill through was that the arbitrators might be appointed at once, and that if the appointments wre not then made there might be delay.

Sir ROBERT BORDEN:

I do not think that any delay is likely to occur as my hon. friend suggests. Both the Grand Trunk Railway and the Government are making preparations to submit evidence to the arbitrators when they are appointed, and arrangements are not yet completed on either side to present the evidence. Consequently no delay is attributable to either of the parties concerned.

Mr. W. A. BOYS (South Simcoe):

Mr. Speaker, I have just seen for the first time the amendments made by the Senate to this Bill. Section 5 is amended by providing that the head office of the company shall be at the city of Winnipeg instead of London, with a branch ofiice in the latter place; and section 6 is amended to read:

The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on the second Tuesday of September and may be held at the head office, or if so Piovided by by-law of the Company, at the branch office in London, England.

I see no objection to these amendments, which I think will meet with the approval of the company.

Amendments concurred in.

, PRIVATE BILLS.

first reading:

Bill No. 193 (from the Senate), for the relief of Nora Dowle.-Mr. Douglas (Strath-cona.) .