Mr. HUME CRONYN (London) presented the second report of the Special Committee on pensions, insurance, and reestablishment of returned soldiers.
Mr. CRONYN:
Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by Mr. MacNutt, that the second report of the Special Committee appointed to consider questions relating to pensions, insurance, and re-establishment of returned soldiers, which was presented this day, be concurred in.
Mr. SPEAKER:
I must point out to the House that, in the absence of notice, this motion requires unanimous consent. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion.
Motion agreed to.
Report of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for the year ended September 30, 1920.-Hon. J. A. Calder.
Right Hon. ARTHUR MEIGHEN (Prime Minister):
I desire to lay on the Table a
copy of correspondence between the Government and the Grand Trunk Railway Company relative to the question of the extension of the time for arbitration. I thought that even though the correspondence was not complete, it had arrived at a stage when it was proper that the House should know where the parties stood. I may add that just a few moments before three o'clock there came to me a further letter in the nature of legal argument, but I received it too late to include it in what I now submit. When it is possible to put further correspondence on the Table that letter will appear.
Mr. SPEAKER:
I have the honour to inform the House that I have received the resignation of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas White, K.C.M.G., as Member for the Electoral District of Leeds.
I accordingly issued my Warrant to the Chief Electoral Officer to make out a new writ of election for the said electoral district.
Right Hon. C. J. DOHERTY (Minister of Justice) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 57 (from the Senate), to amend the Post Office Act.
Mr. LEMIEUX:
Explain.
Mr. DOHERTY:
The Bill has already been passed by the Senate, and it is not customary to explain such Bills on their first reading in this House. Unfortunately, I have not a copy of it under my hand, but there are three clauses, the principal one of which provides for a system of insurance in connection with registered parcels. The other two provisions, I am satisfied, are of minor importance.
Mr. LEMIEUX:
Have they anything to do with the payment of ferry men?
Mr. DOHERTY:
I cannot remember. I understood the Bill was here, and it should be here, having been sent from the Senate.
Mr. LEMIEUX:
I know it is not customary to delay the first reading of Senate Bills, but, Mr. Speaker, if my motion of the other day had been adopted, we should have the Postmaster General here to explain the nature of his Bill.
Mr. SPEAKER:
It is unusual for Senate Bills to be explained on their first
reading in this House. They receive a first reading as a matter of courtesy and as a matter of course.
Motion agreed to, and Bill read the first time.