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

Mr. Speaker, a year ago to-day, at the first of our morning sittings, I had the pleasure of extending to the right hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. Bennett) my best wishes and those of all hon. members of the house on the celebration of another birthday anniversary. This morning I should like to renew those good wishes and, if I may be permitted to do so, to renew them not only on my own behalf biut on behalf of all hon. members of the House of Commons.

During the last year my right hon. friend has had I think, his full share of trials and joys. Perhaps the greatest of the former has been the serious impairment of his health in that period of time. I wish him nothing more sincerely and nothing better to-day than that in the year on which he has just entered his health may be fully restored and that he may have before him many years of service to his country and great public causes.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have so many matters to think of in these days that I have very little opportunity to think of the coming and going of birthdays. I realize that I am passing another milestone to-day and I am very grateful to the right hon. gentleman for the terms in which he has referred to my having reached another birthday. I think I can say with some frankness what most of the members of this house must realize, that the last five birthdays have not brought .me any very great joy an'd that if the high expectations of those who sit opposite are realized my next birthday will be much happier. On the other hand, however, it well might be that the birthdays of some others may not be as joyful if that event should happen.

The greatest joy that I have had, coloured as recent days have been by sadness and sorrow, has arisen from the thought that in my older age I have been able to render what some may not regard as useful service but at least some service to a country that has done so very much for me. I am conscious also-

Questions

yesterday perhaps more than I ever have been-of my impairment of health and strength, not in the general physical sense but because of the condition of my heart, which does not permit me to participate to the extent I should like in what may foe called the rough and tumble of parliamentary life.

I am grateful to my colleagues and those who sit on this side of the house for this beautiful basket of flowers, which contains all too many roses, and to the right hon. gentleman and those who sit around him for the kind terms in which he has referred to my having reached another milestone in life's journey. Whether or not we are privileged to meet together on another occasion to celebrate an event so auspicious remains for time to disclose.

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

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with the promise made yesterday I now table the telegrams sent to and answers received from the premier of Saskatchewan with regard to the Regina situation, as well as those received from the attorney general of that province, including those addressed by him to the Minister of Justice (Mr. Guthrie). It may be, the minister tells me, that one telegram is not included in this return ; he is checking it up, and if it is not here it will be produced.

1. What rates of interest are now being given by the commercial banks to (a) deposits of individuals; (b) deposits of corporations?

2. What rate of interest is the government allowing the banks on the amount left in the note circulation redemption fund?

3. In view of .the fact that the banks have reduced the amount of interest allowed to their customers, is it the intention of the government to reduce interest allowed to the banks on the above funds?

Mr. RHODES;

1. Announcement of changes in interest rates on deposits, effective June 1st, was made by the chartered banks in a statement which appeared in the press a short time ago. The personal savings rate continues at 2 per cent. Variations are made in the rates allowed on current accounts and on savings accounts of

firms, institutions, corporations and organizations.

2 and 3. Three per cent, fixed by the Bank Act.

Mr. RHODES:

1 and 2. The Canadian Farm Loan Board advise that at date of last report from the Quebec office, June 25, seven of these applications had been rejected and the remainder are either awaiting receipt of additional information from applicants or are in process of appraisal.

1. How many tenders were received for the construction of the new federal building at London, Ontario; was the lowest tender accepted, if not, how many tenders were lower than the one accepted?

2. Was any additional amount of money awarded to the contractor as a result of finding quick-sand or spring pockets in the soil where the foundation was to go; if so, how much additional money did the contractor receive?

3. Do the specifications allow for any extras, or was the contractor to be responsible and abide by his tender?

1. (a) Eight

(b) and (c) Contract awarded to the third lowest tenderer at the price of the lowest tender.

2. (a) Yes.

(b) $32,183.20 authorized.

3. Contract provides for the payment of unforeseen additional work at unit prices.

1. What is the date of reemployment of each member of the staff of the provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board at Quebec, mentioned in answer No. 1 of sessional paper 377?

2. In addition to the above-mentioned persons, were other persons employed since April 19, 1935, at the provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board at Quebec?

Questions as Orders for Returns

3. What are the names, occupations and salaries of such new members of the staff of the provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board at Quebec?

4. From April 19, to May 20, 1935, what persons worked at the provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board at Quebec, and how many days did each such person work and what duties did each such person perform?

5. When were letters, received' at the

provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board, from April 19, to May 20, 1935,

answered ?

6. When were loan applications, received at the provincial bureau of the Canadian Farm Loan Board at Quebec, from April 19, to May 20, 1935, considered?

Mr. RHODES:

'Return tabled -herewith.