Mr. A. M. CARMICHAEL (Kindersley):

I would like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. I have received several communications from cooperative associations in my constituency and also one from a municipal council, all having to do with an alleged monopoly in the oil refining industry. Is it the intention of the price spread and mass buying committee to inquire into this alleged monopoly with the undue profits and prices arising therefrom?

Hon. H. H. STEVENS (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

I believe it is impossible for me to give a complete answer to my hon. friend. I can merely say that the committee at the moment is simply overwhelmed with matters already in hand and the anticipated early ending of the session may make it impossible for us to complete our studies of several subjects which are of considerable importance and in which great public interest has been taken. All I can say is that I have received a number of communications similar to that indicated and the whole matter is under consideration, but there are physical limitations to what the committee can do.

Mr. F. G. SANDERSON (South Perth):

I have a question I desire to ask of the Minister of Trade and Commerce in connection with the importation of Australian wheat and flour. I understand some shipments of Australian flour have already arrived in eastern Canada and further orders have been placed for future shipments. I am not so sure that any wheat hascome in yet but my question takes in both wheat and flour. I have had several communications from certain people in my constituency in regard to the flour and I am told that if the Ontario millers have to meet the competition of the Australian flour, something rather disastrous will happen to the farmers of Ontario. The millers are now paying from ninety-five cents to one dollar a

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bushel. My information is that if the millers have to meet the competition of the Australian flour they will not be able to pay-

Question.

Mr. SANDERSON:

I want to say that I gave notice to the minister of my question and I am putting it so that he can answer it.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Having given notice, the hon. member can make his question a little more brief. He is making a speech.

Mr. SANDERSON:

I do not think the minister has any objection to the way in which I am putting my question.

Question.

Mr. SANDERSON:

With all due deference to Your Honour, it appears to me that you should keep order on the other side of the house when I am asking a question.

Mr.'SPEAKER: The hon. member is out of order now, and I would ask him to confine himself to the rules.

Mr. SANDERSON:

I have always complied with the rules. My question to the minister is this: In regard to Australian flour coming in at its present price and the competition it will give to the Ontario millers, is he conversant with what is taking place, what action will he take and has he the matter under consideration?

Hon. H. H. STEVENS (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

The whole subject to which the hon. member has referred is quite familiar to me, the department, and I may say, the government. Quite adequate and I think satisfactory steps are being taken to meet the situation. I feel it would be inadvisable at the moment to enter into any detailed reply.