Hon. J. A. ROBB (Minister of Finance) moved:
That the Auditor General's report for the year ended March 31, 1928, and the public accounts for the year ended March 31, 1928, be referred to the select standing committee on public accounts.
Motion agreed to.
Hon. FERNAND RINFRET (Secretary of State) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 7, to amend the Civil Service Act (private secretaries).
Mr. GUTHRIE:
Explain.
Mr. RINFRET:
The object of the bill is to amend the Civil Service Act in one particular, with relation to the private secretaries of ministers and of the leader of the opposition. The amendment provides that When ministers or the leader of the opposition cease to act as such, such private secretaries may enter the civil service under certain conditions.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Toronto Northwest) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 8, to amend the Penitentiary Act (view by grand jury).
Mr. MACKENZIE KING:
Explain.
Mr. CHURCH:
This bill will allow grand juries to visit and inspect these institutions twice a year.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Toronto Northwest) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 9, to amend the Post Office Act (newspaper ownership).
Mr. MACKENZIE KING:
Explain.
Mr. CHURCH:
This bill was introduced
last session and passed the house, but objection was taken to it in the senate. The object aimed at is the disclosure of newspaper ownership, and it calls for a statement [Mr. Robb.)
giving the names and addresses of editors, owners, stockholders and others enumerated. The details are set ouit in the bill. Such statements are to be made in duplicate and forwarded to the Postmaster General, and there is a penalty for failure to comply with the regulation. Newspapers that do not observe the regulation are to be denied the use of t'he mails.
_ Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Toronto Northwest) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 10, to amend the Insurance Act (lapsed policies).
Mr. MACKENZIE KING:
Explain.
Mr. CHURCH:
The object of this bill is to give some protection to policy holders. At present, if premiums are not paid for three years the policy lapses, and the money in certain circumstances is confiscated. The bill is to meet this situation.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.