Explain.

Mr. GAGNON:

I think the object of the bill is very clear, and that it needs no explanation. In my own province, if not in all, sometimes we find that mail contractors become mere agents of the party in power. It is true that a public servant is entitled to his political opinions and to his vote, but he must not take an active part in politics, but in some provinces I venture to say that the mail contractors are sometimes agents of the party in power. The object of this bill therefore is to warn mail contractors that if they take an active part in politics their contract may be set aside.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

1. Did the government give to the Norwegian steamer Haugherland a permit for carrying coal between the ports of Sydney, Montreal, and Quebec?

2. What is the nationality of the crew of said ship?

3. Why was the ss. Rose Cassell of the Canadian Merchant Marine not used for the transportation of this coal?

4. For how long yet is the Rose Cassell supposed to retain her crew?

5. Are all the ships of the Canadian Merchant Marine presently used?

1. By order in council (P.C. 230/1374), dated 12th June, 1931, the regulations respecting the

coasting trade, established by order in council dated 10th November, 1886, were dispensed with in the case of the British built, Norwegian registered steamship "Haugerland," to enable that vessel to engage in the carriage of coal coastwise from Sydney, NS., to points on the St. Lawrence river, up to the 16th November, 1931.

2. The last arrival of the Haugerland (not Haugherland as in the question), was at Sydney, N.S., on May 15, 1931. Her crew at that time consisted of 39 persons, of which 37 were of Norwegian and 2 of Swedish nationality.

3. The SS. Rose Cassell is not a Canadian Government Merchant Marine vessel.

4. Answered by No. 3.

5. No. Fifteen are laid up at present due to adverse trade conditions.

1. At what date was the first Canadian National Railways' station built at Saint John, New Brunswick?

2. Was it destroyed by fire?

3. Prior October 1, 1930, was there an

arrangement between the Canadian National Railways and the Canadian Pacific Railway in virtue of which the former company could use the latter company's station?

4. If so, when did the agreement take place?

5. How long did it last?

1. In 1858. This was replaced by a new station in 18S4.

2. No.

3. 4 and 5. In 1886 the New Brunswick Railway Company was permitted the joint use of the Intercolonial railway station at St. John. There was no formal agreement though proportionate station charges were always paid. The Canadian Pacific Railway succeeded to that arrangement and a formal agreement between the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways in respect to user of this station was not reached until January 1, 1927. That agreement is still in effect.

1. Is any permanent civil servant permitted to obtain statutory leave of absence from his department at the beginning of any fiscal year provided the granting of such leave will not interfere with the work of the department?

2. If not, at what date in any fiscal year does the government consider that the statutory leave for that year is earned?

Questions

Mr. CABAN:

1 and 2. Leave of absence to civil servants is governed by section 40 of Civil Service Act (chapter 22 of R.S.C., 1927), which reads as follows: "The deputy head may grant to each officer, clerk or other employee a yearly leave of absence for a period not exceeding eighteen days in any one fiscal year, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, after they have been at least one year in the service.

2. Every such officer, clerk or employee shall take the leave so granted at such time each year as the deputy head determines."

1. What subsidies are paid to the H, M. McMillan Company for steamship service between British Columbia ports?

2. Between what ports is service maintained?

3. How many of the boats of this company engaged in the subsidized service are: (a) of Canadian registry; (b) of foreign registry?

Mr. STEVENS:

.

1. Nil.

2 and 3. Answered by No. 1.

CENSUS ENUMERATORS-KEN ORA-RAIN Y RIVER

Mr. HEENAN:

.

1. Who were the census enumerators for the electoral district of Kenora-Rainy River?

2. What salary and fees did each receive?

3. What is the name of the person who instructed the census enumerators?

4. What salary and fees did he receive?

5. How many enumerators were employed?

6. How many were returned soldiers?

1. Mr. A. M. Rose and Mr. Pat Kerr.

2. An allowance of $450 to cover organization expenses. For viseing of the returns made by the enumerators; checking them and forwarding to Ottawa; verification of enumerators' accounts and the general supervision of the census within the district over which they are appointed as commissioner, the following rates are provided:

1 cent for each name on the "population" 'schedule; 3 cents for each "agricultural" schedule; 1 cent for each entry on the "animal and animal products, not on farm" schedule; 1 cent for each record of blind and deaf persons; 1 cent for each record of merchandising and service establishments.

3. Mr. Rose and Mr. Kerr instructed the enumerators in the districts assigned to them.

4. See answer to question 2.

5. Fifty.

6. Eighteen.