Mr. CAHAN:

Explain.

Mr. EULER:

The object of the bill is

merely to make certain changes in connection with the better administration of the Excise Act. There are only three clauses in the bill, the chief of which is to give to the department the power to cancel licenses of brewers and distillers. That power we did not have before, and it is proposed now to take it. That is practically all there is in the bill.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Mr. DUNNING:

Explain.

Mr. PETTIT:

The object of the bill is to amend section 308 o'f the Railway Act, chapter 170 of the revised statutes of Canada, 1927, by providing that the whistle shall be sounded twice more than is provided by the section. The section now requires that the whistle shall be sounded at least eighty rods from a level railway crossing, and the amendment proposes that the whistle shall be again sounded midway, that is, 660 feet from the crossing and also 330 feet from the crossing.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

1. Who is the postmaster at St. Paul de Buton, county of Montmagny, Quebec?

2. When *was he appointed and on whose recommendation?

3. Did any returned soldier apply for the position?

4. And if so, why did he not receive the appointment ?

1. Joseph A. Talbot.

2. (a) January 16th, 1928; (b) As a result of local competition.

3. Yes, one Joseph Elzear Adam.

4. Unsatisfactory reports received regarding character and financial standing.

1. Why is the permanent appointment of a postmaster at Joliette, Quebec, still delayed?

2. What were the recommendations, if any, made by the Civil Service Commission in relation thereto?

3. Has the Postmaster General been informed that the present acting postmaster at Joliette, Quebec, is otherwise employed as a merchant and manager of a wood company, and that he is not devoting himself to the work of the said post office?

4. Have complaints been received against the said acting postmaster at Joliette, Quebec, and if so, will an enquiry be ordered in respect thereto?

1. Awaiting the report of the district superintendent on the oral examination of the applicants.

2. That all the candidates must be examined by one inspector in order that the ratings may be uniform.

3. Inspectors' reports state: September 9,

1926, Mr. Breton "actually conducts tea, crockery and wood business"; August 16, 1927, Mr. Breton "has been and is now a successful business man with interests in Joliette and other parts of the province"; February 8, 1928, "Mr. Breton reported early in April at the Joliette post office to learn duties and was sworn in as acting postmaster on the 28th of the same month. Since then, the office has been in his full1 charge and under his constant control." Also: "Mr. Breton is in charge and has been since April, 1927. He apparently is giving all round satisfaction, will hand over his business affairs to his son."

4. Yes, inquiry has already been made.

1. What is the rate of duty against nursery

stock entering Canada: (a) from the United

States; and (b) from Holland?

2. What is the rate of duty against the

following Canadian products entering the United States: (a) nursery stock; (b) fresh

fruits and vegetables ?

3. Is there at present any embargo against nursery stock or fresh fruits and vegetables entering the United States from Canada?

1.

Extract-Tariff item 79:

Seedling stock for grafting, viz.:

Plum, pear, peach and other fruit trees

Holland United

States

Free Free

The importation into the United States of currants and gooseberry plants and five-leaved pines from all portions of Canada, is prohibited on account of the white pine blister rust disease. (U.S.D.A. Quar. No. 7.)

Native grown nursery stock, other than plants indicated above, may be imported into the United States, provided the importer has secured a permit from the federal horticultural board, Washington, D.C., and the shipment is accompanied by a certificate of inspection indicating that the plants covered by the certificate are free from pests and disease, and also a certificate of origin. (UJ3.D.A. Quar. No. 37.)

Fresh fruits and vegetables.

There is no restriction on the importation into the United States of fresh fruits and vegetables of Canadian origin, but such importations may not be forwarded by mail. (U.S.D.A. Quar. No. 56.)

Other products.

The importation into ihe United States of corn, broom corn, sorghums and other related plants is prohibited from all portions of Canada on account of the European com borer. Provision is made, however, for the importation of clean shelled corn, clean seed of broom corn, and broom corn for manufacturing purposes, provided the importer secures a permit from the federal horticultural board, Washington, D.C., and the shipment is accompanied by a certificate indicating that the products covered by the certificate have been inspected and found free from infestation by the European com borer. (U.S.D.A. Quar. No. 41.)