Hon. IAN MACKENZIE (Vancouver Centre):

I would like to ask the Prime Minister a question. The right hon. gentleman is aware that since the signing of the armistice all parties in parliament have granted ex-service men preference in civil service appointments. Will the same preference be extended in regard to the retention of positions as has been extended in regard to employment? I ask this question in contemplation of the rumoured dismissals from the civil service.

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister):

So far as I am aware the rights of ex-service men as defined by the civil service regulations will be observed.

rMr. Howden.]

Mr. A. U. G. BURY (East Edmonton):

I would like to ask the hon. the Minister of Railways (Mr. Manion) whether he has anything further to communicate to the house in reference to the St. Walburg-Bonnyville branch of the Canadian National Railways. ,1 understand the railway company is going to continue the building of the bridge. I wish to know whether there is any money for grading or work of that character.

Hon. R. J. MANION (Minister of Railways and Canals):

I have had a number of telegrams and inquiries about this question. I stated some days ago that the government was taking the matter up with the railway authorities to see if they could not continue the work in view of the reported distress in that district. I am glad to state that the railway company has with the consent of the government from a financial standpoint- because that is necessary-agreed to carry on sufficient work on the St. Walburg-Bonnyville line to avoid unnecessary distress. Work is being done which under different circumstances would not be done.

Mr. J. L. BROWN (Lisgar):

May I ask the Minister of Railways if anything is being done by the government or the railway board to implement the promises made by supporters of the present government concerning the construction of the Mafeking cut off.

Hon. R. J. MANION (Minister of Railways and Canals):

I think the hon. gentleman will have plenty of opportunities to discuss that point upon a later occasion. So far as I know this is not the place to bring up a question of that character.

Mr. C. G. POWER (Quebec South):

In the absence of my colleague the hon. member for Quebec East (Mr. Lapointe) I wish to read a resolution passed by the council of the city of Quebec and to ask a question based thereon of the Minister of Railways and Canals. The resolution reads as follows:

(Translation) :

At a meeting of the city council, held on Friday. March 20, 1031, at the City Hall, it was resolved:

That this Council kindly request Sir Henry Thornton. President, and the members of the Board of Directors of the Canadian National

Canadian National Railways

Railways of Canada, to consider the great importance there is of making provision, without delay, for the rebuilding of the shops of said railways, at Limoilou, which were destroyed by fire and which deprived a great number of workmen of Quebec of their livelihood, most of them being heads of families. The rebuilding of said shops will, in the present unemployment crisis, be of great assistance to these people who will largely benefit by this important industry and who have lost in this disaster a precious source of revenue.

I wish to ask the minister if steps have been taken to make representations to the Canadian National Railways so that the wishes expressed in this resolution of the city council of Quebec may be carried out without further delay?

Hon. R. ,T. MANION (Minister of Railways and Canals): Mr. Speaker, I answered a question somewhat similar to this a few days ago, and at that time I stated I would draw the attention of the Canadian National Railways to the matter. The building of the shops at Limoilou is in the hands of the management of the railway. Already I have drawn it to their attention and will again do so.

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister) :

I think the last communication was

laid on the table of the house during the short session of parliament. There has been no correspondence since.