Mr. MacINNIS:

I am not taking exception to the right hon. member's saying that my statement was not quite accurate, but I do wish to point out that what I was stating was simply based on the petition-

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order, the hon. member

cannot debate the subject.

Mr. MacINNIS:

I am not debating it.

Mr. SPEAKER:

The hon. member has

asked his question, and he cannot now enter into a debate on the subject.

Mr. MacINNIS:

I am not debating it.

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

I promised that when I received the

information I would communicate to the house the report of the High Commissioner on the recent conference held in London with respect to wheat. His report, which was received yesterday and decoded this morning, reads as follows:

The final act of the -wheat conference drafted and accepted by all delegates reads:

Final act of the conference of wheat exporting countries held in London at the offices of the High Commissioner for Canada from the 18th day to the 23rd day of May, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one.

The official delegations of the following countries: America, the United States of; Argentine; Australia; Bulgaria; Canada; Hungary; India; Poland; Roumania; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; Yugoslavia; have met on the invitation of the Canadian government and at the offices of the High Commissioner for Canada from the 18th May, to the 23rd May, for conference of wheat exporting countries.

The conference invited the Hon. G. Howard Ferguson, K.C., etc., High Commissioner for Canada, to act as its chairman. At fourth plenary session on May the 23rd, 1931, the report of the committee was presented to the conference and was finally adopted in the following form:

The conference of wheat exporting coun-tiies, consisting of delegations appointed by the governments of America, the United States of: Argentine: Australia; Bulgaria; Canada:_ Hungary; India; Poland; Roumania; Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; Jugoslavia; having studied existing world wheat situation is con-

World Wheat Conference

vinced that among underlying causes for present depressed prices for wheat, the following points should be specially mentioned:

(i) 'lhe effect of economic depression throughout the world.

(ii) The fact that there is more wheat produced than can be sold at a profit.

(iii) The absence of sufficiently adequate information regarding movements of wheat, the requirements of certain countries, and quantities which are liable to be placed upon the market.

(iv) The present uncertain state of wheat markets.

The conference, recognizing the serious nature of world economic depression, believes nevertheless that a substantial contribution to an improvement of present situation may be made through a clearer understanding of underlying facts regarding so important a commodity as wheat.

The conference considers that, where possible. a reduction in areas devoted to wheat should be undertaken in whatever way each country considers to be most effective and practical.

It was also felt to be especially desirable that there should be careful exploration of all avenues for greater utilization of wheat, both for food and also for other purposes.

The conference further considered current information respecting supply, the demands and the movement of wheat should be brought together in such a way as to assist wheat exporting countries towards orderly marketing of their surpluses.

The conference of wheat exporting countries has. therefore, decided to establish a committee of the conference consisting of one representative from each state participating in the conference to:

(a) Submit to the governments of the countries participating in this conference a definite proposal for establishing, under supervision of committee of tile conference, a clearing house of information to serve wheat exporting countries. For this purpose, the committee shall be empowered to secure from states represented on committee full information as to unloadings and stock of wheat at all importing points, the areas sown to wheat, and crop prospects, thereby assisting orderly distribution of wheat in world markets. This information should be as far as possible in the form prescribed and at times fixed by committee.

(b) To explore carefully all possible avenues for greater utilization of this important cereal.

The conference, convinced that existence of this standing committee will develop contacts already established here between wheat exporting countries, proposes that committee may prepare and recommend a draft agenda for a further meeting of conference at which countries here represented may enter upon consideration of subjects as may then be deemed appropriate.

Executed at London, the twenty-third day of May, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one.

Hon. ERNEST LAPOINTE (Quebec East):

May I ask the right hon. gentleman in what way this new method of gathering information will differ from the methods already existing, the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome; the League of Nations; the Inter-

[Mr. Bennett.)

national Chamber of Commerce and various other agencies?

Mr. BENNETT:

I anticipated that possibly the hon. gentleman might suggest some such question, and in communicating with the High Commissioner during the progress of the conference it was pointed out that our Department of Trade and Commerce had verv complete figures with respect to Canada and that the League of Nations gathered certain statistics at Geneva and the International Institute of Agriculture at Rome. The High Commissioner uses these words in answer to my inquiry :

The setting up of a special bureau for wheat lending special importance to wheat problems. It does not interfere with good work of office at Geneva or International Institute of Agriculture at Rome, both of which will be of great value to wheat bureau. The former deals with all trade statistics and latter with whole range of agricultural products. The clearing house proposed by conference will cover not only statistics but all other information that may be deemed of value upon the subject of wheat. Discussions throughout conference were vigorous but at all times harmonious and gave undoubted evidence that all exporting countries are seized with gravity of the present situation and seriously desire, by cooperation, to bring about improvement.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Leader of the Opposition):

Will the Prime Minister indicate whether, as Minister of Finance, he will be in a position to bring down the budget this week?

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

With respect to the introduction of the budget, I hope to make a definite announcement, but it is my present intention to endeavour to bring it down this week.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Leader of the Opposition):

Will the Prime Minister indicate whether, in addition to the legislation foreshadowed in the budget, there will 'be legislation introduced other than that which already appears on the order paper?