Hon. W. S. FIELDING (Minister of Finance) :

The hon. member in whose name

this proposed resolution stands is not present. The policy laid down with regard to payment of pensions to the members of the Imperial forces with pre-war domicile in Canada has been continued with the understanding that the matter is now engaging the attention of a committee of this House; and until that committee decides otherwise, we have given direction that the pensioners shall receive the benefit of the payment with favourable exchange. So that what the resolution asks for is being done now, subject to the report later on of the Committee on Pensions.

Hon. ERNEST LAPOINTE (Minister of Marine) :

Before this motion is carried, I may say that this bill is rather of an important character and seeks to amend the Immigration Act in a very radical way. I myself last year introduced a bill to amend the legislation which was passed during what was known as the panicky session of 1919 while the strike in Winni-

peg was on. There is no doubt that provisions were enacted at the time which were of a very serious character, especially when British subjects could be deported from this country without the right to be tried before suffering such deportation, which is the right of all British subjects under British law. Two years ago the then Minister of Labour introduced a bill in the Senate to amend that legislation of 1919 and to enact that a British subject could not be deported summarily in that way without having a trial in due form. That bill was rejected by the Senate and never reached the House of Commons during that session. Last year I took that very bill and introduced it in the House. It was accepted by the Government, and a provision of the Immigration Bill which was introduced by the then Minister of Immigration embodied the amendment which I had presented. Now, I should not like to oppose the principle of this bill, because it embodies what I myself proposed last year and what was then accepted by the government, and passed 'by the ! House, although it was blocked in the Senate again. This bill, however, goes a good deal further. It contains provisions which I could not accept, although I agree with that portion of it that embodies the principles of the bill I introduced last year. In view of the very important features of this bill, I think it would be wise for the House to refer it to a special committee which could carefully study its various characteristics and amend it if necessary and report to the House. The work could more easily be done before such a committee than in the House. I suggest that it be read the second time and sent to a special committee for consideration.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

I should be glad to have a special committee consider the matter and bring in any amendments that are found to be necessary. Certain classes of labour are suffering disabilities at the present time, and I can readily understand that a discussion in committee would bring out details more clearly than could be done in this House. I shall be glad to have this procedure adopted.

Motion agreed to and bill read the second time, and the House went into Committee thereon, Mr. Gordon in the Chair.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

The bill is

now before the Committee of the whole House. At a later stage, when the Minister of Justice (Sir Lomer Gouin) is pres-

Genoa Conference

ent, we shall move to take it out of Committee of the whole House and refer it to a special committee.

Mr. FIELDING:

Without remarking

on the merits or demerits of the hill, I think it is exceedingly complicated, and for that reason objectionable. No one can readily discover what it means, and I think it would be a sounder policy to repeal the whole section and re-enact what is desired. However, I call this to the attention of the law officers of the House, and do not offer any opinion on the merits of the bill. If the House desires this legislation it could draft it in much simpler form.

Progress reported.

Mr. LAPOINTE:

May I suggest that the same procedure be adopted with regard to this bill as was followed in connection with the previous bill.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

I hardly understand this procedure-

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order; this motion is not debatable.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

Mr. Speaker, I

have not moved-

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order; this motion is not debatable.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

I am not familiar with the procedure, but I understood a moment ago that the Minister of Marine and Fisheries had suggested that this bill be referred to a special committee, to which I agreed. I want to bring this whole matter before the attention of the House.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

May I assure my hon. friend that that is exactly the procedure we are adopting now? In order to do that, it will be necessary to move to-morrow or later that the bill be taken out of Committee of the Whole and referred to a special committee, giving at the time the names of the members of that special committee. The Government would like to consult my hon. friend before those names are given.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

I thank the Prime Minister. I did not understand the procedure.

Progress reported.

On motion of Mr. Mackenzie King the House adjourned at 10.30 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11, 1922.