Mr. BOULANGER:

Has the Canada Shipping Act of 1934, chapter 44, been put into force?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

I think an oral answer to this question will better serve the purpose.

As the house knows, the Canada Shipping Act, 1934, covers international, inter-empire and domestic matters. As to the domestic matters, such as part V, sick mariners and marine hospitals; part VI, pilotage; part IX, lighthouses, buoys and beacons on Sable island; part X, public harbours and harbour masters; part XI, port wardens, and so forth; it can be proclaimed at any time, and the question of doing so is now under consideration.

Mr. MACKENZIE (Vancouver):

Why all the hurry last year?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

As to international and inter-empire matters, as this was the first enactment dealing with merchant shipping to be undertaken by any dominion since the passing of the statute of Westminster, it will be utilized as a guide by other dominions when legislating in regard to merchant shipping, so that the desired measure of uniformity recommended by the conference on the operation of dominion legislation and Merchant Shipping Legislation of 1929, and the terms of the British commonwealth merchant shipping agreement of 1931 may be secured. The act I understand is now being examined from this point of view. No other dominions have yet enacted similar legislation. I may also point out that the conclusions of the international conference regarding safety of life at sea and load lines, which formed a large part of the act of 1934, have already been given effect to by this parliament, in August 1931, by chapter 49 of that year, and are in operation now.

I think this statement will serve as an answer to the query of the hon. member for New Westminster on January 21.

Mr. BROWN:

Would the minister at the same time answer as to that part of the act dealing with navigation on the great lakes, and the coastal laws?

Mr. DURANLEAU:

As I stated, the subject is now under consideration, as to all parts of the act that concern domestic matters.

Mr. DUFF:

In other words, in the doldrums. It has been on the statute books two years.

1. Did anyone saw logs for the Department of Public Works at St. Juste du Lac in 1934?

2. If so, what quantity of logs was sawn, what amount was paid for same, and to whom?

1. Yes.

2. (a) 2,000 feet B.M.

(b) $4.00 per M feet.

(c) Paul Begin.

1. Did the government purchase lumber for work: (a) at St. Juste d'u Lac, and (b) at Notre-Dame du Lac in 1934?

2. If so, from whom at each place?

3. Who was the foreman at each place?

1. (a) and (b)-Yes.

2. (a) Paul Begin

Joseph T. Levesque

Hermel Michaud

(b) Philias Roy

3. (a) Joseph Dube, village wharf

Phillipe Nadeau, wharf Route Cen-trale

(b) Johnny Ouellet.

Mr. POULIOT:

What price was paid by the Department of Public Works for lumber: (a) at Notre-Dame du Lac, and (b) at St. Juste du Lac in 1934?

Mr. STEWART (Leeds):

(a) 3-inch plank-$16.00 per M.

(b) Square timber-$25.00 per M.

Logs-$9.00 per M.

1. Has the gold formerly in possession of the chartered banks been transferred to the Bank of Canada?

2. If so, how much has been transferred?

3. At what valuation?

4. How much gold, if any, has been left with the chartered banks for foreign exchange purposes ?

Questions

1. No. Transfer does not take place until the Bank of Canada is authorized to commence business.

2, 3 & 4. Answered by No. 1.

1. Has the Minister of Pensions received representations from former members of the Inland' Water Transport Royal Engineers with regard to pension rates?

2. If so, has the government decided what action should be taken on such representations?