Sir EUGENE FISET (Rimouski), presented the first report of the select standing committee on railways and shipping owned, operated and controlled by the government. Sir EUGENE FISET moved that the first report be concurred in. Motion agreed to.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. A. B. THOMPSON (East Simcoe):
Mr. Speaker, I call the attention of the Secretary of State to a question passed as an order for return on April 9. This question covered three points, while the return made on April 28 dealt with only one. I would like to have information regarding the other two points.
Hon. FERNAND RINFRET (Secretary of State):
I will look into this matter and give
my hon. friend a reply tomorrow.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. E. J. GARLAND (Bow River):
Mr. Speaker, on May 9 the Minister of Marine and Fisheries (Mr. Cardin) gave what was supposed to be an answer to a question which I had asked regarding the application of the
Canadian Pacific Railway for a broadcasting licence. In his answer the minister did not make clear the position of the government in this matter, and I would like to ask the government if it is their intention to grant this company the broadcasting licence applied for.
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):
I shall have to ask my
hon. friend to allow the minister to answer this question. I will direct his attention to it.
FREIGHT RATE APPEALS On the orders of the day:
Mr. JOHN EVANS (Rosetown):
Mr. Speaker, I received this morning a telegram from Mr. J. E. Armishaw, president of the United Farmers of British Columbia, inquiring if it is the intention of the government to give a favourable decision in the freight rate appeals made by the farmers of that province.
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):
I am unable to state
whether that decision will be favourable or unfavourable. I wish I could state definitely when the decision will be given but there is a lot of evidence to be considered and I cannot at the moment make a definite statement.
CIVIL SERVICE COUNCILS On the orders of the day:
Mr. J. S. WOODSWORTH (Winnipeg North Centre):
Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Labour (Mr. Heenan) has not been in his seat for some days, I should like to ask the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) whether the order in council recently passed with regard to the establishment of civil service councils means that these councils will be set up in the near future.
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister); I believe the order in council makes provision for the meeting together of different civil service organizations with the representatives of the government in order to draft a constitution. Until a constitution is drafted and approved it is impossible to say what will be the official form of the council.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. W. G. ERNST (Queens-Lunenburg):
Mr. Speaker, yesterday I directed a question to the government regarding relief to be granted to the sufferers in Nova Scotia, particularly in the county of Queens, from the series of forest fires which have occurred there. As I stated yesterday, in the county of Queens
The Budget-Mr. Manion
alone over 150 people have been rendered homeless. The provincial government has made a substantial grant and contributions have been solicited, and I was wondering if the government would be prepared to make a donation. The Minister of Justice (Mr. Lapointe) promised to bring this matter to the attention of the Prime Minister.
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):
Upon inquiry I find that
two day ago the Department of National Defence took steps to see that assistance would be given in the form of supplies and men. At the present time the government is making inquiries as to the nature and extent of the losses. I cannot say more than this at the present time.