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

My memory is that the Department

of External Affairs tabled a copy of the report some days ago.

Mr. VENIOT:

Could the minister tell me

under what heading that report was tabled?

Mr. BENNETT:

I was about to say to

the hon. gentleman that the report is .being printed. I recall now that it was not in printed form. The French translation has not been completed, but as soon as that has been done the report will be printed and laid on the table.

Mr. VINCENT DUPUIS (Laprairie-Napier-ville) (Translation):

Mr. Speaker, a few

days ago, a delegation comprising farmers and other citizens from the surroundings of Montreal, interviewed the hon. Minister of Marine (Mr. Duranleau) in order to request him to reduce the tolls on the Victoria and Montreal Harbour bridges. I was invited to join this

Commuters Canada-United States

delegation but owing to illness, I was prevented doing so. I wish to inquire of the hon. minister, who no doubt has taken the matter into consideration, whether a favourable reply can be expected soon in connection with this request and the resolutions adopted by the various counties interested.

Hon. ALFRED DURANLEAU (Minister of Marine) (Translation):

Mr. Speaker, on

Saturday last, I think, quite a representative delegation comprising citizens of the south shore, mayors and councillors of the various municipalities, met at the government's offices, in Montreal. I had the pleasure of receiving this delegation and listening to their request. I wish to state to the hon. member that this question does not only concern my department but also the Department of Railways and Canals. I promised that their request would be considered by the government. I have already communicated with the other department interested and I trust that a reply will soon be forthcoming.

Mr. J. E. MICHAUD (Restigouche-Mada-waska):

I would like to ask the government to inform us with regard to the attitude they have taken or the representations they have made in view of the legislation being promoted in the United States congress to prevent Canadians seeking employment across the border, and whether, if the United States government persists in its attitude, retaliatory measures will be taken by Canada.

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

The matter to which the hon. member for Restigouche-Madawaska refers is one which has been brought to the attention of the government from many sources. For instance, the hon. member for York-Sunbury (Mr. Hanson) at present beside me has been pressing the matter upon our attention and members for the Essex constituencies as well as those concerned who live in western constituencies bordering on the United States have also been bringing the matter to our notice. The legislation that has been introduced into congress is similar in terms to legislation that has frequently been introduced there. It has not, however, been enacted heretofore. Whether the present legislation will or will not be enacted is something about which it is impossible for the government to make a statement. There are large numbers of people living in Canada who work in the United States and likewise there are large numbers of people who live in the United

States who work in Canada. Heretofore the spirit of good neighbourliness that has characterized the relations between the two countries and to which the president made reference a few days ago has enabled those who live in Canada to cross the border from day to day to work in the United States and those who live in the United States to cross the border from day to day to work in Canada. The government has, of course, taken notice of the legislation and through the appropriate channels made to the United States authorities such representations as were thought desirable. It will be time enough to determine what action should be taken by Canada should the legislation to which the hon. member refers become law. I can make no further statement than I have just made with respect to the matter except to assure the hon. member and all those who are concerned, that the government is fully seized of the seriousness of the situation and has made to the United States government as strong representations as are possible under the circumstances.

Hon. P. J. VENIOT (Gloucester):

With

reference to the matter of Canadians employed on the American side of the international boundary and Americans employed on the Canadian side, might I ask the Prime Minister if it is not a fact that under the Ashburton treaty there is a special arrangement relating to residents of the St. John river district?

Mr. BENNETT:

Whether it was under

that treaty I am not prepared to say at the moment, but the matter was a subject of special discussion. I shall ascertain in which document it is and make a statement to the hon. gentleman.

Mr. VENIOT:

I think it is 1814. UNEMPLOYMENT AND FARM RELIEF

Mr. POULIOT:

Mr. Chairman, in to-day's papers there is a dispatch from Washington dated April 11, entitled:

Arthur Cutten Facing Charge of Conspiracy

Alleged by United States Secretary of Agriculture to Have Made False Reports to Manipulate Grain Prices

That dispatch is very interesting. It refers to wheat business in the United States. It

Relief Act, 1934

says that according to the American authorities the said Cutten:

"conspired and colluded" with firms and persons on the Chicago board of trade "to conceal his trading and position in the market" and to so "make inaccurate, incorrect and false reports of his position in the market."

I shall ask the government first, if that Arthur Cutten is the same Arthur Cutten whose name appears in Hansard of February 26, 1934, at page 933 in the debate on the bill of the Small Loan Company of Canada and is the man referred to by the hon. Minister of Justice as head of the well known Cutten family of Guelph. My second question is, did the said Cutten do anything in Canada of the kind complained of by the American government according to the dispatch I have just quoted?

Mr. BENNETT:

I am sure it must be

within the sense of this committee that these questions have no relevance to this relief act. I desire to place myself entirely in the hands of the committee in endeavouring to assist in the passing of this legislation, but if one is to be confronted with questions of this kind is it possible to conduct legislation at all? The matter mentioned by the hon. gentleman is one which can easily be considered when the house is in committee on the private bill to which reference has been made, but I cannot see its relevance to this bill, and I ask you so to rule.

Mr. POULIOT:

Mr. Chairman, I shall not insist any more about it except to say that the man was given a certificate of virtue-

The CHAIRMAN:

Order. A point of order has been taken by the Prime Minister that the hon. gentleman should not discuss this question at this time.