1. Has the government entered into negotiations with the representatives of Poland in Canada with regard to concluding a trade treaty with that country?

2. If so, how far have the negotiations progressed ?

3. Why has said treaty not been concluded?

Mr. BENNETT:

Mr. Speaker, I do not

think this is a proper question. Negotiations have been proceeding between the two governments and from the last conversation I had with the representative of Poland I understand they have been proceeding for the last five years. I cannot answer this question other than by making this statement.

[Mr. Cahan.l

1. What is the present total amount of dominion notes advanced under the authority of the Finance Act to the banks in Canada by the Minister of Finance?

2. What is the rate of interest at present being charged such borrowing banks on said advance ?

3. What is the lowest rate of interest charged the banks for such advances during the year 1931?

1. $20,000,000.

2. Three per cent.

3. Three per cent.

1. (a) Was the Coppermine reserve withdrawn from prospecting and mining operations in 1918; (b) was it thrown open to prospecting on July 1, 1930?

2. If so: (a) what were the reasons for such withdrawal; and (b) what were the reasons for such throwing open?

3. Does the Coppermine reserve include the Great Bear lake area or any part of it?

4. Have any pitchblende or radium claims been entered in the Coppermine reserve?

5. In case of any mining claim in the northwest territories proving very valuable, what means are provided to make certain that the Dominion of Canada shall benefit fittingly as owner of the land?

Mr. MURPHY:

1 and 2. Order in council, dated January 14, 1930, reads as follows:-Whereas under the authority of an order in council, dated December 21, 1918 (P.C. 3154) certain areas on the shores of the Arctic ocean, adjacent to the Coppermine river and Bathurst inlet, reported to contain deposits of native copper, were withdrawn from the provisions of the mining regulations in order that the deposit reported to exist in that region might be thoroughly examined; and whereas the Min-

Questions

ister of the Interior reports that due to the remoteness and extent of the territory affected, the thorough examination contemplated when the withdrawal was made has not yet been completed, and that the improvement which has recently taken place in facilities for transportation to and communication with that remote region, has now rendered it possible for such an investigation to be conducted by private enterprise; therefore the deputy of His Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered that the order in council dated December 21, 1918 (P.C. 3154),

authorizing the withdrawal from disposal under the provisions of the quartz mining and placer mining regulations that portion of the northwest territories lying north of the 65th parallel of north latitude, and between the 105th and 116th degrees of west longitude, comprising the islands in and the territory adjacent to Coronation gulf and Bathurst inlet, be rescinded, and that on the first day of July, 1930, such area be again made available for disposal under the provisions of the mining regulations which are in force in the northwest territories of Canada.

3. No.

4. No.

5. The collection of royalty and rental prescribed in section 91 and following sections of the quartz mining regulations, dated April 1, 1929.

1. Was a customs house constructed on the road leading from Grand Palls, New Brunswick, to Grindstone, Maine?

2. If so, when was it constructed, who was in charge of the work, was it done by day's work?

* 3. If done by contract, were public tenders called, and to whom was the contract awarded, under such call ?

4. If no public tenders were called, how was the contract awarded?

1. A customs highway office was constructed on the road leading from Grand Falls, N.B., to Limestone, Maine.

2. The work was commented in the month of November, 1931, and the building was occupied in January, 1932. The work was done by contract and supervised by our local customs officer.

3 and 4. Competitive tenders were obtained and the contract was awarded to Mr. G. P. Smith, East Floreneeville, N.B., his being the lowest figure submitted.

1. Was a customs house constructed on the boundary line between Andover, New Brunswick, and Fort Fairfield, Maine?

2. If so, when was it constructed, who was in charge of the work, and was it done by day's work?

3. If done by contract, were public tenders called, and to whom was the contract awarded under such call?

4. If no public tenders were called, how was the contract awarded?

1. No, but contract has 'been awarded.

2. Answered by No. 1.

3 and 4. Competitive tenders were obtained and the contract was awarded to Mr. Percy Britton, his being the lowest 'tender.

1. What is the name of the postmaster at Pointe Lebel, county of Saguenay?

2. Is he a British subject by birth or by naturalization ?

3. If by birth, where was he born and on what date?

4. If by naturalization, on what date was he naturalized?

1. Henri Granier.

2. By naturalization, according to postmaster's statement.

3. See answer to question 2.

4. No information.

1. Wihat was the total amount of tobacco produced in Canada in the year, (a) 1930, (b) 1931?

2. What was the total amount of tobacco, (a) stemmed, (b) unstemmed imported into Canada in (1) 1930, (2) 1931, and the origin of such importations?

3. What was the total amount of revenue collected from imported tobacco?

4. Is any refund allowed on tobacco imported into Canada and manufactured there?

5. If so, what was the total refund allowed?

6. What was the total amount collected by way of excise tax or duty on tobacco manufactured in Canada in 1930 and 1931?

7. What were the average prices received by the tobacco growers in. (a) Canada, (b) United States in 1930 and 1931?

8. Was any of the imported raw leaf tobacco afterwards exported, if so, how much?

Mr. POULIOT:

For a copy of all correspondence, the evidence of the investigation and report of the investi-

Unopposed Motions for Papers

gator, in the case of Jos. Berube, Indian agent, Cacouna, Quebec, and the appointment of his successor.