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

I think it is the intention of the Government to have the Budget presented on Monday. Is it the intention of the Government to lay on the table of the House any report of the committee of the Cabinet which held an inquiry into questions of the tariff during last year? In the speech from the Throne, it is mentioned that the conclusions of that investigation will be presented in due course.. Shall we have them in a form in which the House can consider them?

Hon. J. D. REID (Minister of Railways and Canals) :

I will make inquiry of the Minister of Finance and let the hon. member know a little later in the day.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Before the Budget speech is brought down?

Hon. Mr. REID:

A little later in the day.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Will the

minister kindly explain the increase of $48,205?

Mr. CALDER:

There is an apparent

increase in the staff of the department. It will be noted in the statement of details that the number of officials employed last year was 102, whereas the Estimates this year show 126. As a matter of fact, however, there has not been any addition to the departmental staff. During the year there has been a process of readjustment. Heretofore, we have had on the regular staff at Ottawa employees who were paid out of general votes, and I am of opinion that that practice should cease. All that has been done in this case is that a number of officials who being on the staff, were paid out of general votes of the department, have been placed on the Civil Service List. I think that is the better practice. Therefore, there is no increase in the number of the staff, and any other increase there is as regards the staff is due to increases of salaries arranged for by the classification.

Mr. JACOBS:

I do not know whether

I am in order or not; but with the approval of the committee, I should like to ask if the minister would tell us something about a new Order in Council passed by the department, I think, on April 30.

Mr. CALDER:

I did not know to what

Order in Council the hon. gentleman was referring-

Mr. JACOBS:

There were so many.

Mr. CALDER:

Not so very many; there are a goodly number necessary in connection with the administration of the work of the department. If I understand what the hon. gentleman has in mind, it was an Order in Council issued recently providing for the payment of a small fee where permits are granted to people who are allowed to enter Canada temporarily. In the case of persons affected mentally, that is, insane persons or persons approaching insanity, a fee of $25 has been fixed for the granting of temporary admission of those persons to Canada. In the case of others, I think the fee is $5. As the committee

can readily understand, we have a great deal of work and a good deal of expense in connection with those cases. They must be followed up, and officials must be employed to do that work. In addition there are other incidental expenses; and it is thought that when permits are granted by the department to people to enter Canada temporarily and where we have that additional work and expense cast upon us, those who are granted that privilege should be charged a fee.

Mr. JACOBS:

Is it the policy of the department to make intending immigrants pay for the upkeep of the department? Is not this incidental to the work of the department?

Mr. CALDER:

These are not immigrants who are to remain in Canada permanently. They are simply granted permission to enter Canada for a short time, say for a period of six months, and in some cases a year. There is a good deal of expense in connection with granting these people this privilege, and I think they should contribute something towards the expenses entailed.

As regards the general question raised, I am not so sure but that the time has come when we would be justified in charging a small fee to people who enter Canada. The expenditure in connection with the department is very large, and it may be that, within a measurable distance, the policy should be adopted of requiring those who enter Canada to pay a small fee which would help defray a portion of the expenditure. The United States charges a head tax of $8, if I am not mistaken. I have not the figures before me but their expenditure on immigration runs into millions of dollars, and it is all paid out of the head taxes collected, and there is a surplus. I do not say that the time has arrived when we should do that in Canada, but I do say that the subject is worthy of consideration. The matter has been under consideration already, but no decision has been arrived at, and consequently nothing will be done in that direction this year. I think, however, that the matter might very well be considered before another session, and a conclusion arrived at.

Mr. JACOBS:

Under the Laurier Administration we paid a little in order to induce immigrants to come to this country. We are evidently reversing that policy now. This small tax which the minister proposes to impose is an inducement, I suppose, for people to come to this country.