Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister) moved:

That the name of Mr. McIntosh be substituted for that of Mr. Bock on the select standing committee on banking and commerce.

That the name of Mr. Bock be substituted for that of Mr. McIntosh on the select standing committee on agriculture and colonization.

That the name of Mr. Howden be struck off the list of members of the select standing committee on miscellaneous private bills.

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

Following the practice respecting the debate on the budget, whereby the debate is accorded precedence over other matters once the Minister of Finance has introduced his budget, I beg to move:

That on Monday, the 4th of March instant, and every day thereafter the motion for the Speaker to leave the chair for the house to go into committee on ways and means have precedence over all other business, except the introduction of bills, questions, and notices of motion for the production of papers.

Hon. HUGH GUTHRIE (Acting Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, personally I

have no objection to the motion, but I must say that it would suit my convenience very

Precedence of Budget Debate

much if it took effect on Tuesday instead of on Monday, and in conversation with my hon. friend who leads the Progressive party I believe it would suit his convenience also. Monday then would be private members' day, according to the order paper. I do not want to urge my objection too strongly, because it is entirely a personal matter.

Mr. JOHN MILLAR (Qu'Appelle):

I rise to support the view of the acting leader of the opposition.

Oh, oh.

Mr. MILLAR:

I think on that side of the house they often need support. On looking at the order paper it will be seen that the first resolution refers to the grading of wheat. That matter- itself could very well stand cfVer until after the budget debate with no serious result, but it is intertwined and interlocked with matters of vital importance to western Canada, one of them being the mixing of grain and I know that members on both sides of the house are anxious to have this question proceeded with and sent to committee in order that the other matters which are of pressing importance and which will possibly necessitate legislation during this session may be investigated without loss of time. If the matter stands until after the budget debate is concluded, probably two weeks of valuable time will be lost, and I think it important that this question go to the committee at once. It will not take very long, and if Monday were allowed for private members the matter would go to the committee and they would have something of importance to proceed with.

Mr. ROBERT GARDINER (Acadia):

I

desire to support the views of the hon. gentlemen who have preceded me. There are some very important questions which should go to the agriculture committee, and if the hon. member for Qu'Appelle (Mr. Millar) is given an opportunity to bring up his motion on Monday it will give the agriculture committee an opportunity to look into some questions affecting the grain act which we in western Canada feel should be dealt with this session. Therefore I would suggest to the Prime Minister and his colleagues that Monday remain private members' day and that we proceed with the budget on Tuesday.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Naturally the desire of the government is to meet the convenience of the house and particularly the wishes of hon. gentlemen leading other parties. May I say that I believe there is a desire on the part of members of the house to conclude the debate which has 'been in progress during

the last few days on the motion regarding the disposition of natural resources, moved by the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Woodsworth). I had thought there might be some expression of opinion as to the desirability of concluding that -debate before continuing with the budget debate, and if that request had been made I was prepared to grant it, more particularly since, having regard to the sequence of the order paper, I doubt if it would come up again for some time this session. The motion now appears under public bills and orders and from now on, for the remainder of the session, the notices of motion of private members will be reached before public bills and orders are taken up. I would not say that this motion will not come up again, but there is the probabilty of considerable delay. If hon. members would like to dispose of that motion and also consider the other motion to which reference has been made, I have no objection to amending my resolution in order to permit these two matters to be proceeded with prior to the continuation of the debate on the budget. I think that would suit the convenience of all.

Mr. GUTHRIE:

That would be satisfactory to this side of the house.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

It would be highly satisfactory if the motion in my name could be proceeded with; I think it would be more satisfactory to all sections of the house if it could be disposed of and not left until after the debate on the budget.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Shall the motion as

amended be agreed to?

Motion as amended agreed to.