Mr. WILFRID GARIEPY (Three Rivers) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 2, to amend the Interpretation Act.
Explain.
Criminal Code-Trade Unions
Mr. GARIEPY:
Mr. Speaker, the object of this bill is to amend the Interpretation Act so as to make the eleventh day of December in each year a statutory holiday. On December 11, 1931, what is commonly called the statute of Westminster was assented to, confirming the present status of the Dominion of Canada. It is fit and proper to celebrate this s niversary so as to impress upon the people of this country its extraordinary consequence to Canada.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
Mr. WILFRID LACROIX (Quebec-Mont-morency) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 3, to amend the Railway Act.
Explain.
Mr. LACROIX (Quebec-Montmorency):
Mr. Speaker, the effect of this amendment would be to allow the Board of Transport Commissioners to make orders and regulations to provide that all employees of railway and tel :graph companies coming within its jurisdiction shall have the requisite knowledge of the French language in the province of Quebec to enable them properly to perform their duties and to be understood by and understand the majority of the persons with whom they are required to do business.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
Mr. WILFRID LACROIX (Quebec-Montmorency) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 4, to amend the Post Office Act.
Explain.
Mr. LACROIX (Quebec-Montmorency):
The purpose of the amendment is to enlarge the powers of the Postmaster General as to the making of regulations. At present the Postmaster General may prohibit the sending of obscene or immoral publications. It is intended in this bill that he should also have the power to prohibit and prevent sending of communistic literature.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time. 71492-2J
Mr. J. S. WOODSWORTH (Winnipeg North Centre) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 5, to amend the criminal code.
Explain.
Mr. WOODSWORTH:
This is the same as Bill No. 4 of last year. The purpose of the bill is to prevent employers from refusing to employ, or from dismissing employees, or conspiring with others therefor, for the reason that they are members of a trade union.
As it is lawful for workmen or employees to form themselves into trade unions and to bargain collectively, it should, as a matter of public policy, be unlawful for employers to seek by overt acts or intimidation, threats or conspiracy to prevent them from belonging to such trade unions.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.