1. How many clerks are engaged in grade 6 and lower grade post offices who are paid their salary by the government?

2. What are the names of grade 6 and lower grade post offices where postal clerks are paid their salary by the government?

3. How much would it cost the country if the salaries of postal clerks in grade 6 and low^er grade post offices were raised to the level of grade 7 and 8 post offices?

4. Will the government legislate this year to raise salaries of postal clerks of grade 6 and lower grade post offices?

1. 437 postal clerks.

2. Amherst, Belleville, Brandon, Brantford, Brockville, Charlottetown, Chatham, Chicoutimi, Collingwood, Cornwall, Fort William, Fredericton, Galt, Guelph, Kingston, Kitchener, Lethbridge, Lindsay, Medicine Hat, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Niagara Falls, North Bay, Oshawa, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Port Arthur, Portage la Prairie, Prince Albert, Prince Rupert, St, Catherines, St. Hyacinthe, St. Thomas, Samia, Sault Ste. Marie, Sherbrooke, Smiths Falls, Stratford, Sydney, Three Rivers, Truro, Woodstock, Yarmouth.

3. Immediate cost approximately $36,360.

Eventual cost approximately $48,480.

4. Not a matter for legislation; salaries of postal clerks are fixed by Civil Service Commission.

1. Has Thomas J. McMullen, postmaster at Canterbury Station, New Brunswick, been dismissed?

2. If so, when and for what cause?

3. Were any charges laid against him of any character? If so, what were they and by whom were they laid ?

4. Was an investigation held? If so, by w-hom and when?

5. Has John B. 1 icpow received a temporary appointment as acting postmaster at Canterbury Station?

6. Is the government aware that the said John B. Depowr is an undischarged bankrupt?

Hon. Mr. VENIOT:

[DOT]

1. Yes.

2. By order in council of March 26, 1927- on account of active political partisanship.

3. Charges were made by C. Lundau, M.D., Andrew Depow, James B. Grant and Everett

Question as Order jor Return

C. Gould that postmaster acted as a political partisan, especially during the last federal election.

4. Yes-by Commissioner H. C. Ramsey, barrister of Bathurst, on the 3rd March, 1927.

5. Yes.

6. No.

1. Why is the appointment of a postmaster to fill the vacancy at Joliette, Quebec, being delayed ?

2. In filling this vacancy will a preference be given to a veteran of the late war?

1. On instructions from the Postmaster General.

2. Permanent appointment wil be made according to provisions of the Civil Service Act.

1. Were the following postmasters and postmistresses, in the province of New Brunswick, dismissed,-*

Jos. A. Arseneau, Inkerman Ferry; Michael Murphy, Lobster Beach; Henry Aubie, Free Grant; Jos. J. Haehey, Ste. Rosette; Louis A. Doirion, Sheila; David J. Murphy, Black Rock; Etienne Landry, Waugh; Dilas Cormier, Ste. Anne du Bocage; Fred Theriault, Grande Anse; Angus J. S. Branch, Burnsville; Mrs. Annie Chalmer, Belledune; Mrs. Rose Barry, South River; Francois Landry, St. Regmond; Richard Doucet, South Bathurst; R. S. Haehey, Middle Ste. Louise; in the county of Gloucester, Maxi-milien Poirier, St. Philippe; John L. Peacock, Great Sliemogue; Neri Boudreau, Boudreau; Fidele Melanson, Upper Abougoggin; Mrs. Mabel Russell, Newton Heights; G. 0. King, Killam's Mills; in the county of Westmorland. David Vautour, St. Theodule; Thaddee LeBlanc, Petite Chockpish; Mrs. Lilia M. Steeves, Birch Siding: J. C. Daigle, Grande Aldouane; Theo-time D. Leger, Renaud's Mills; Antoine Cormier St. Lazare; Josepr H. Bourgue, Cocagne Cove; Kent County. Mrs. Rose Legere, Legere, County of Northumberland; and WIfred Savoie, Selwood, Restigouche County?

2. If so, on what respective dates were the dismissals made?

3. In what year were each of the above persons appointed? _

4. Who recommended his or her dismissal?

5. On what charge?

6. Was an investigation held?

7. If not, why?

Mr. HANSON:

May I speak to No. 14?

Mr. SPEAKER:

It is not debatable. It stands as an order for return.

Mr. HANSON:

That is just what I am objecting to, Your Honour.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Well, if the hon. gentleman wishes to make an explanation he may do so.

Mr. HANSON:

I happen to know as a

matter of fact that the department has all the information ready, and the question does not call for an order for return.

Mr. SPEAKER:

It is the privilege of a minister of the crown to answer a question by stating that it stands as an order for return

Hon. Mr. VENIOT:

May I say to my hon. friend, Mr. Speaker, that the department has not all the information ready. It was only about fifteen minutes ago that I looked' over some papers for information required from my own county. The complete information will not be ready until to-morrow.