1. Flas a reduction been made m the wage paid to the cleaning staff of the House cf Commons since the end of the fiscal year?

2. If so, what amount, and why?

1. The wages of the temporary servants of the House of Commons have varied between $3 and $3.65 per day for men doing exactly the same work and working the same number of hours. This caused discontent. As the bonus was discontinued last year, it was decided that in order to equalize the pay it would be fair and just to all concerned to fix a uniform rate of pay at $3.50 per day. This has been done accordingly.

2. Answered by No. 1.

Mr. A. J. DOUCET (Kent, N.B.):

Mr. Speaker, may I ask a question of the hon. Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Cardin) based upon two telegrams received by me this morning? I shall read only one of these as the substance of the other is contained in it.

Have been requested by fishermen Sapin to Richi-bucto cape to ask you if you could not bring before parliament very serious charge against A. and R. Loggie, W. S. Loggie of Escuminac. Last week fishery overseer ami Barry of Newcastle notified all packers lobster season would not open before th.rd May and not to set any lines before that date. Understand request for this change made by partif*? names above on account conditions along shore. Yesterday great number fishermen were ready to set lines. The shore was free of ice. They again phoned fishery' overseer asking permission set lines which was refused and threat made heavy fine imposed for each boat who would go out and set lines and traps. Nothing could be done before fourth May. Yesterday afternoon the Loggies allowed their men to go cut, take the best ground, set their lines. Fishery overseers were notified. Barry chief overseer also notified by phone by packers and myself and again notified this afternoon. No action has been taken. The

Department Marine Fisheries has been notified the Loggies instead of taking their lines back ashore are now hauling traps outside. Fishermen do not understand why Loggies have not been asked by this time to go out and take their lines back ashore. We kindly request you to protest and force the department* to oblige packers named above take all lines back ashore so all interested in the districts between Burnt Church and Chockpish will have equal rights. Fishermen anxiously awaiting your answer. Please advise me. Am keeping in touch by phone with all of teem.

E. Paturel.

My question is: Has the department

directed the parties mentioned to take their lines and traps ashore? If not, does the

department intend taking such action?

Hon. P. J. A. CARDIN (Minister of Marine and Fisheries):

Mr. Speaker, I have no direct information in regard to what is contained in the telegram just read by my hon. friend, but I am quite ready to make any inquiry in regard to the situation and to take proper means to deal with it. In regard to the

Oil Companies

change of date, I may say that it was not made upon the recommendation of the gentlemen mentioned in the telegram.

Mr. HANSON:

On whose recommendation?

Mr. ROBERT K. SMITH (Cumberland):

I would like to ask the Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Cardin) a question in connection with the change in the lobster fishing season on the Northumberland straits. This particular zone borders on the constituency of Cumberland, and I Shave a telegram here from a reliable fisherman of that district which states the question clearly. With the permission of the House I will read the telegram :

Lobster season changed from April 26 to May 4; unsatisfactory to majority fishermen and packers. Please ascertain on what grounds and representations this change was made. Cumberland county inspector or packers not consulted.

Hon. P. J. A. CARDIN (Minister of Marine and Fisheries):

The change has been agreed upon as a result of numerous representations to the effect that on account of ice conditions it was impracticable to start the fishing season on the 26th, which is the normal date for the opening of that season in this particular district. Representations have been made to the department and to myself personally bymembers of this House, as well as by telegrams and letters from interested parties. All the representations were based upon the ice conditions in this part of the country, but in the meantime we have received word that the ice is gone and that conditions now permit the opening of the season. Accordingly we issued orders this morning that the opening of the season should not be delayed any longer, and that fishing can be commenced this morning.

Hon. R. J. MANION (Fort William):

Mr. Speaker, in view of the announcement in the press yesterday regarding expropriation proceedings by the government to acquire a couple of blocks of land in the centre of the city of Ottawa, may I ask the Minister of Public Works (Mr. King) if he has any statement to give to the House as to the cost involved and the purposes to which this land is to be put? It is a very important matter and I think hon. members would be interested to have these particulars.

Hon. J. H. KING (Minister of Public Works):

It is the intention of the government to expropriate a portion of the property

lying between Wellington, Elgin and Sparks streets. In that triangle the government already own from one-third to one-half of the property, back of the post office, and it is now proposed to take over the balance. The cost, of course, will be settled by the expropriation proceedings. The assessed value of the property is about 8450,000; the price the government will pay is unknown as yet It is hoped that eventually these buildings will be removed and that area made part of a public square.

Mr. MANION:

Is it the intention of the government to put up other buildings in the place of those now standing?

Mr. KING (Kootenay):

No, it is intended to leave an open space there.

Mr. A. U. G. BURY (East Edmonton):

May I ask the Secretary of State whether he is now able to give a further reply to my question of Friday last regarding the oil companies of the province of Alberta, the charters of which have been withheld, and as to whether the oil companies to which he promised charters have as yet received them?