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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to a question of privilege. In the course of the discussion last evening with respect to the redistribution of 1924 a difference of opinion or rather a difference with respect to certain facts developed between the hon. member at present representing North York (Mr. Lennox) and myself as respects the effect of the addition of the townships of Markham and Vaughan upon the results of the election in 1925. I had made the statement that the addition of the townships of Markham and Vaughan in the redistribution of 1924 gave a distinct advantage to the Conservative candidate. I said later that I was under the impression that the addition of those townships had been subsequently responsible for my defeat in North York. From his seat in this House of Commons last night the hon. member for North York spoke, and his words are reported at page 5288 of Hansard as follows:

If it had not been for the assistance he received-

That is that I received.

from the new municipalities which were added, instead of having a majority of 494 I-

That is, Mr. Lennox.

[DOT]-would have had a majority in the old constituency of 681.

Then later the Prime Minister emphasized what had been said by the hon. member for North York. He is reported at page 5290 of Hansard as follows:

It turns out as a matter of fact that had it not been for the two townships that were added by the redistribution of 1924 he-

That is, myself-

-would have been beaten by a much larger majority than he was.

The facts will be found in the report of the chief electoral officer for the fifteenth general election, 1925, at pages 179 and 180. The figures there given are-

Mr. SPEAKER:

Does the right hon. leader of the opposition consider this a question of privilege?

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Yes, I wish to

make the necessary correction.

53719-335i

Mr. SPEAKER:

The right hon. gentleman is merely contradicting another member's statement.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

No, I am stating the correct position-

Mr. SPEAKER:

That is a matter of debate.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

-in a matter with respect to which I have been misrepresented. Surely your honour does not take exception to my placing on Hansard the facts with regard to misrepresentations which have been made on. the part of the Prime Minister and the hon. member for North York.

Mr. SPEAKER:

I do not take objection to the hon. member raising a question of privilege, but as yet I fail to see that he has raised one.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

The question of privilege is that it has been stated by the hon. member for North York and by the Prime Minister that the statement I made was not correct. I am giving evidence from records to show that what I did say was correct.

Mr. SPEAKER:

That same state of affairs existed probably a hundred times yesterday. Members accused each other of making incorrect statements.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Mr. Speaker, I hope your honour is not going to prevent me from placing the official figures on record, and allow Hansard to retain statements made by the Prime Minister and the hon. member for North York which are not correct. I am asking only to be permitted to put on Hansard the figures as they appear in the chief electoral officer's report.

Mr. BENNETT:

The house is still in committee on the bill. It seems to me that that is the proper place to speak.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

If the Prime Minister wishes me to make the statement at another time, I shall be happy to do so.

Mr. BENNETT:

I think so.

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

I shall now move the motion of which I gave notice yesterday when the house adjourned. I move, seconded by Mr. Rhodes:

That this house shall meet at three o'clock p.m. Wednesday, May 24, and Thursday, May 25, notwithstanding the resolution passed on May 8, 1933.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Orders of the day.