1. How much money was paid to the Canada Weekly Printing Company, 325 Logan avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and the Norwegian Publishing Company of the same address, during IMr. Neill.]

the fiscal years ending March 31st, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1920, and 1927?

2. Are these payments continued for the present fiscal year to the said companies?

Mr. RINFRET:

Department of the Interior

1.

1922- 23-Nil.

1923- 24-Nil.

1924- 25-Canada Weekly Printing Co., $15.68.

1924- 25-Norwegian Publishing Co., $18.

1925- 26-Nil.

1926- 27-Canada Weekly Printing Co., $15.68.

1926- 27-Norwegian Publishing Co., $18.

1927- 28-Nil.

2. 1928-29-Yes.

Department of Immigration and Colonization

1.

Canada Weekly Printing Company Year ' Amount

1922- 23.

1923- 24

1924- 25

1925- 26

1926- 27.

Norwegian Publishing Company

1922- 23

1923- 24

$6,688 161924- 25

8,403 281925- 26

3,380 001926- 27

3,180 002. An order has been placed with these companies covering the fiscal year 1928-29, the order to amount to $3,500 in each ease.

1. Of the twenty-seven firms charged with

violations of the Customs and Excise Act recommended for prosecution by the parliamentary committee of 1926, how many have since been prosecuted? ...

2. In each case who was the prosecuting attorney representing the interests of the department?

3. How many of the cases have actually come to trial?

4. How many of the cases have been settled by mutual agreement out of court, and if any, what are the names of the firms or persons with whom settlement was so made?

5. What are the total legal fees paid by the department in each case?

Mr. EULER:

See statement attached.

1. The parliamentary committee of 1926 did not recommend for prosecution 27 firms charged with violations of the Customs and Excise Acts.

Said committee recommended that certain firms and companies, 25 in number, be pro'

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ceeded against in the proper forum to recover the sums, if any, then owing by them to the crown.

The following are the names of the said firms and companies: John Gaunt Company; Dominion Distillery Products and Associated Enterprises; B. B. Glove Co.; Jas. A. Gilmore Co.; Globe Suspender Co.; Perfecto Garment Co.; Peerless Overall Co.; R. & G. Manufacturing Co.; Reliable Garment Co.; Stanstead Manufacturing Co.; W. M. Pike & Sons. Standard Manufacturing Co., William Flint Pike; Telford Bros. Garment Co.; Telford & Chapman; Jenkins Overall Co. Ltd.; Snag Proof Ltd.; Rock Island Overall Co.; Alco Drees Co.;

0. B. Earle Co.; Royal Cloak Co.; Miracle Dress Co.; Hollinger and Packer; Klover Dress Co.; Poyaner Group of Companies; Woollens Limited. 17 of these oases are in the courts. Two of them have been settled, and for status of balance see explanation.

2. The following is a list of the cases with the name of the solicitor representing the department in each:

Dominion Distillery Products and Dominion Distillers Ltd., Jenkins Overall Co. Ltd. Departmental agent, R. L. Calder, ICC.

B. B. Glove Co., W. A. Gilmore et al (carrying on business as Jas. A. Gilmore Co.), C. J. Marois (carrying on business under firm names Globe Suspender and Eastern Apparel Co.), H. S. Pooock (Perfecto Mfg Co.), Alfred J. Bissonnetite (Peerless Overall Co.), J. H. Gauthier & H. G. Duncalfe (R. & G. Manufacturing Co.), Reliable Garments Ltd., Stanstead Manufacturing Co., W. M. Pike & Sons and Standard Manufacturing Co., (William Flint Pike), S. B. Telford (Telford Bros. Garment Co.). Telford & Chapman Ltd., Snag Proof Co. Ltd., Mrs. H. Fregeau (Rock Island Overall Co.). Departmental agent, Emile Mareotte, ICC.

Woollens Ltd. Departmental agent, Paul Ranger. Since the issue of the writ this company has made an assignment under the Bankruptcy Act. Claim has been filed with the trustee.

3. Judgment has been obtained by default against C. J. Marois for $59,836.29 with interest from 10th October, 1927, but it has not been possible to realize upon the same, the judgment debtor having left the jurisdiction and no assets being found.

4. Two cases have been settled by mutual agreement out of court on the advice of Messrs. Clarkson, Gordon and Dilworth, the solicitor for the crown, the departmental solicitor and the commissioner. The names of the firms with whom settlement was so made are as follows:

Alco Dress Co. and Royal Cloak Co. Departmental agent, James H. Spence, ICC.

The status of the remaining oases is as follows:

0. B. Earle Co. Agent reported no person could be found to serve with process. Departmental agent, James H. Spence, ICC

Miracle Dress Co. First placed m hands Arthur Geoffrion, K.C. Agent reports this firm wound up its business in 1925. Hollinger & Packer. Agent reports this firm defunct. Klover Dress Co. This firm liquidated in 1926 and all its assets disposed of. Poyaner Group of Companies. No claim established against these companies by Clarkson, Gordon and Dilworth with the exception of a possible claim of approximately $1,000 against Dominion Dress Co. Ltd., a subsidiary cf Poyaner Ltd. The Limited Company is in liquidation and the agent reports that he is awaiting result of liquidation proceedings before Instituting action. Departmental agent, Paul Ranger.

John Gaunt Company. Firm wound up and John Gaunt personally insolvent and beyond the jurisdiction. Departmental agent, R. L. Calder, K.C.

N.B.-The reports upon Miracle Dress Co., Hollinger and Packer, Klover DresS Co., Poyaner Group of Companies and Woollens Limited were originally placed in the hands of Arthur Geoffrion, K.C., of Montreal, who finally reported that he could see no prospect of establishing any claims against any of the firms concerned. The' cases were then placed in the hands of Mr. Paul Ranger.

5. Nil.

1. Is Major A. L. Normandin employed in the Printing Bureau?

2. If so, how long has he been so employed and what is his present salary?

3. How many days sick leave has he had during the last two fiscal years?

4. How many days of statutory leave has he had during the last two fiscal years?

5. Is he the owner and publisher of "The Parliamentary Guide"?

6. How many copies of such book were bought by the Government during the last two years, and what was paid for same?

7. How much was paid by the government during the last two years for advertising in the Parliamentary Guide?

8. Does the said Major A. L. Normandin come under the Civil Service Act?

1. Yes.

2. (a) Since January 2, 1917; (b) $2,520.

3. Continuous illness January 20 to June 30 1927, 120J days; casual 6 days.

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4. 36 days.

5. No knowledge.

6. (a) 2.485 copies; (b) $7,696.38.

7. No department of the government has advertised in Parliamentary Guide during the last two years.

8. Yes.

1. Did the Canadian National Railways enter into negotiations with anyone, and whom, to acquire land or to build a hotel on Queen street, south side, opposite University avenue, Toronto, as announced some time ago?

2. What were the terms and conditions and basis of said action by the Canadian National Railways, and what is the present situation?

3. Were any protests received from the Ontario government, or any member thereof, by the Canadian National Railways, protesting against the use of these lands for hotel purposes, and what w-as the nature of this protest, if any?

4. Has or had the Canadian National Railways any interest in these lands and of what nature, directly or indirectly, or through any lawfully authorized agent?

5. Did the Canadian National Railways acquire any interest in these lands from the former owner, the Sir William MacKenzie estate, and what was that interest?

6. Has the Canadian National Railways any interest now in these lands, and what is it?

7. Has the Canadian National Railways, directly or indirectly, or through any agent, an interest in the Amulet Realty Company, the present owners, and who compose the Amulet Realty Company?

1. No.

2. Answered by No. 1.

3. No.

4. No.

5. No.

6. No.

7. No.

1. What are the duties of Mr. F. G. Bronskill, accountant, Department of Public Printing and Stationery, as provided by chap. 162 of the revised statutes, 1927, Public Printing and Stationery Act?

2. On whose authority does Mr. Bird of the civil service commission deal with Mr. F. G. Bronskill in arranging for all promotions, employment and transfers in connection with the clerical staff of the printing bureau?

3. Has the king's printer made recommendation to the civil service commission to have the position of accountant changed to that of financial controller?

4. If so, has this proposed change in title received the approval of the Secretary of State?

[Mr_ Rinfret.)

1. The duties of the accountant of the Department of Public Printing and Stationery as provided by chapter 162, section 25, R.S.C. 1927, are as follows: The accountant shall, under direction of the minister and the king's printer, audit all accounts for any of the services under the control of the department, keep the accounts of the department, receive and deposit all cash paid in, and render statements of accounts to the clerks of the two houses of parliament, and the deputy heads of the several departments, as and when the same are required by this act or by regulations made by, or instructions received from the minister.

2. All departmental dealings with the civil service commission are under the control of Mr. F. A. Acland, King's Printer, with whom Mr. Bird deals direct.

3. In January, 1927, the king's printer requested the civil service commission to review the duties and compensation of all officers from the director and superintendent of printing down to foreman, with suggested changes of title in some cases, and the title of financial controller was suggested in substitution for that of accountant.

4. The usual procedure was followed-the minister being made aware of the action taken.

1. On page 99, civil government estimates,

1928-29-Department of Public Printing and Stationery-the number of officials and clerks is given as 32 and total salaries as $80,190 annually. As there are over 250 officials and clerks employed, permanently, with annual salaries aggregating $450,000, what reason exists for not placing these salaries and positions in the estimates so that they may be voted by parliament?

2. On whose authority does the stationery branch add a tax of 15 per cent and 20 per cent to the actual cost of all stationery supplied to other departments of government?

3. What amounts were the Post Office, National Defence, National Revenue and Public Works departments called upon to pay for the year ended December 31, 1927, as a result of this method of managing the stationery branch?

4. Does the Secretary of State propose to have this practice discontinued?

5. If not, why not?

6. Are moneys which are paid to the king's printer's advance account being used to increase or affect the salaries of new permanent clerks, or paid to them on any basis whatever?

1. Under the accounting system of the department as confirmed at the reorganization effected under P.C. 562, March, 1918, the

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salaries of officers and clerks in question are in effect charged back to other departments in the accounts rendered, and it has not been deemed proper to include such salaries in the civil government appropriation; the question whether or not these salaries should be placed in the estimates and voted in civil government or other appropriation has been for some time under consideration but no conclusion has been reached.

2. The regulations framed for the government of the department by the authority appointed under P.C. 562, March, 1918, contain the following instructions on this point:

(3)-stationery supplies: The price

charged departments for stationery supplies shall include the original cost of the supplies, the freight and transportation charges and an added percentage to cover the cost of operating the stationery supplies divison.

The tax is not 15 iper cent and 20 per cent, as stated, anpl is collected, not on all stationery supplies, but on certain classes, and ranges from 5 per cent upward, the principle followed being to grade the tax in proportion to thef margin secured at purchase; when supplies are purchased in large quantities an ample margin is usually obtained, and an addition may be made to the selling price for small quantities without increasing the cost above the level of the retail charge for similar quantities. i

3. The cost of maintainng a record which would show the difference between the selling prices of an infinite number and variety of articles in a turnover of between two and three million dollars and the purchase or cost price of the same in bulk would be disproportionate to its value. Such a record is not kept and the information is not available.

4. The practice is related to points raised in question No. 1 and is similarly receiving consideration,

5. Answered by reply to No. 4.

6. All moneys paid to the king's printer by the house of parliament or government departments for services performed or goods supplied, or by the public for official documents sold, are deposited to the credit of the Receiver General. The kings printer's advance account consists of advances authorized by the Minster of Finance, under Chap. 162, Sec. 38. R.S.C. 1927. All officials of the department, whether paid from civil government or king's printer's advance account or otherwise, are under the jurisdiction of the civil service commission and the pre-audit of

the Auditor General as ito increases and salaries, and the salary of any official paid out of king's printer's advance account is not increased or affected except by the civil service commission and the acceptance of such by the Auditor General.

Mr. MACDOUGALL:

How much did the government pay Mr. G. Fred Pearson for his legal services m connection with the recent fishery commission.

Mr. CARDIN:

Amount paid for legal services to Mr. G. Fred Pearson, $16,300.