Mr. SPEAKER:

I have the honour to inform the house that a message has been received from the senate informing this house that the senate doth unite with the House of Commons in approving the opium convention signed at Geneva on the 19th day of February, 1925, after the second opium conference, and which was signed on behalf of Canada by the Canadian representative duly authorized to that effect.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE ICING (Prime Minister):

I beg to move:

That the name of Mr. H. A. Stewart (Leeds) be substituted for that of Sir Henry Drayton on the committee on national railways and shipping.

Mr. L. J. LADNER (Vancouver South):

This bill standing in my name, Mr. Speaker, is one which had its origin in the bill of the hon. senior member for Ottawa (Mr. Chevrier), which was introduced on April 1, 1924. As a result of the introduction of that bill and of a further bill dealing with the same subject in 1925, the subject was referred to a special committee, which prepared a report, comprising some three hundred pages, which I have in my hand. The committee went exhaustively into this question, in which the Canadian Authors' Association, the radio people, the theatrical people, and a number of other people in Canada are interested. The committee's report did not seem to find universal approval, and in 1926 I became sponsor for bill No. 3, which was practically a copy of the bill originally introduced by the senior member for Ottawa. Following its introduction, conferences took place between the interested parties, the Canadian Authors' Association, publishers and printers, theatrical and radio people, and as a result a modification of the clauses which were in controversy was agreed to, so that finally the only clause re-

maining which was a matter of controversy was one relating to licenses by which printers and publishers have certain rights in regard to reproducing works in Canada against the wishes of the authors of these works.

In 1927, by Bill No. 45, the subject was again introduced into parliament, but through the exigencies of parliamentary business and procedure, that measure was never carried through to completion, and now this bill stands on the order paper in my name for presentation to parliament this year.

I wish to explain that I understand from a statement which the hon. Secretary of State (Mr. Rinfret) made to the house the other day, that it is not the intention of the government to introduce a measure relative to the Copyright Act this session. I believe also that a convention is being held in Rome at *which it is hoped by most of us, and indeed it is likely, a representative of Canada will be present. That convention has to deal with matters in connection with the Berne convention, of which Canada along with thirty-five other nations is a member, and as a result of international rearrangements regarding copyright which may be made at that convention, I am hoping that the government will see its way clear to introduce a measure providing a remedy that will satisfy the claims of the authors, as well as certain other remedies which certainly ought to ibe provided by parliament. I shall not enter into details at this stage because they are well known to the government. As I have reason to believe that the government will, following this convention in Rome, introduce a measure to remedy the situation, and perhaps considerably revise the Copyright Act, I ask leave to withdraw this bill.

Bill withdrawn.

1. Who represents Canada in the League of Nations, Geneva?

2. What is his position and duties?

3. What official staff does Canada maintain in connection with the league?

4. Who constitute the staff: (a) what are

the duties of each; (b) what salary does each receive ?

5. What is the total expenditure made by or on behalf of Canada in connection with the league, for the fiscal year 1926-27?

6. What has been the total expenditure made by Canada in connection with the league from inception up to December 31, 1927?

Questions

1. W. A. Riddell.

2. Canadian advisory officer, charged with furthering Canadian interests in connection with the League of Nations, including representation at conferences and meetings of league organizations.

3. Three members.

4. Name-Duties-Salary.

W. A. Riddell, Canadian advisory officer,

Miss M. Clark, secretary, $1,500.

Miss E. McLennan, stenographer. SI.200.

5. $181,119.54.

6. $1,610,223.36.

1. Has the government leased or rented that property known as the Indian industrial school, situate near Red Deer, in the province of Alberta?

2. If so, to what party or parties?

3. For what period?

4. What annual rental is paid?

5. For what purpose is the property to be used ?

fi. What acreage is involved?

7. Are the lessees exempt from municipal and school taxation?