Explain.

Mr. DURANLEAU:

Mr. Speaker, the object of this proposed legislation is to bring the Canadian law with regard to coastal shipping on the great lakes on a par with the American law. Under the American law it is illegal to carry grain in a British ship, say, from Chicago to Port Colborne, unload it and carry it to another American port in a British ship. Under the Canadian law as it now stands such a procedure is possible in connection with Canadian grain. It actually happens that a very considerable amount of Canadian grain is carried in American ships, from Fort William and Port Arthur to Buffalo unloaded there into other American ships of canal size and shipped to Montreal, Sorel and Quebec for export.

The proposed bill will also contain a provision that in the case of a British shipping corporation, seventy-five per cent of the stock must be owned by British subjects in order to entitle such a corporation to engage in the coastal trade. Some fear has been expressed that this legislation will increase the rates from the great lakes to Montreal, but I desire to say that the shipping companies have given assurance that no increase will be made. I can assure the house that this government

will apply section 938 of the Canada Shipping Act, which gives the power to suspend the coasting laws, should the rates be raised unduly.

Mr. GARDINER:

What does the minister mean by raised unduly?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

If, because of this

legislation, the rates are made too high, we will remedy them.

Mr. BROWN:

Is any assurance being given to the farmers that they will receive the benefit of the competition which might be properly expected?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

At the present time there are 575,000 tons of Canadian shipping, and we believe that will provide sufficient competition to protect all shippers.

Mr. BROWN:

Will the assurance be any better than that given by the manufacturers that prices would not be raised?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

The government intends to protect the shippers should there be any undue elevation of rates.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Mr. MAURICE BRASSET (Gaspe):

Mr. Speaker, I have been informed that the sailors, firemen and other men employed on the ships of the Department of National Revenue located at Gaspe are not to be reemployed this summer. I should like to inquire of the Minister of National Revenue (Mr. Ryckman) as to what provision is being made to take care of these men. After a workless winter, many of these men now find themselves at the point of starvation, and I should like to know if it is the intention of the department to provide them with work.

Hon. E. B. RYCKMAN (Minister of National Revenue):

Mr. Speaker, I am not

acquainted with the particulars of the subject to which the hon. member refers, but if he has reference to the boats of the preventive service I must tell him that this matter is now under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. However, I can say that the greatest consideration is being given to the matter of taking care of those who have been in the service, and I'have no doubt that it is

Deportation Cases

the intention of the police to employ those men who can be employed. However, there may be cases where no work can be given and it may happen that many men who have given good service to the crown will have to pass out of the service.

Mr. BRASSET:

Will any provision be

made for those who are not working?

Mr. RYCKMAN:

I am sure that every

consideration will be given to each particular

case.