Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Munitions and Supply):

I am not in a position to make a statement to-day. Rationing for the coming year of course is closely involved with the supply situation, which at the moment is rather desperate on the Atlantic seaboard. But when the situation clarifies itself I will make a statement in this house. I shall do so as soon as I can.

Mr. C. E. JOHNSTON (Bow River):

In view of the allegedly serious shortage of gasoline I would ask the Minister of Muni-

War Labour Board

tions and Supply what progress is being made with the development of the tar sands of northern Alberta.

Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Munitions and Supply):

I shall be glad to make a statement on that matter at an appropriate time, but I think this is hardly the proper moment. It will take some minutes to explain the situation.

Hon. HUMPHREY MITCHELL:

(Minister of Labour): The question of old age pensions does not come under my jurisdiction. The inquiry might perhaps be directed to the Minister of Finance.

Mr. MacNICOL:

Will the Minister of Finance tell us?

Hon. J. L. ILSLEY (Minister of Finance):

There has been no decision to pay a cost of living bonus to old age pensioners.

Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Broadview):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Finance in connection with the new ration books, and I am asking it to-day because there is not time to place it on the order paper. A new regulation has been issued requiring individuals to call in person for their new ration books. I have had complaints to the effect that the man of a house may be working and the woman doing war work. The children are not permitted to obtain the books. Will the government make a statement on this matter, and see if it is not possible to return to the old practice of mailing the books? Here we have an organization costing us 34,000,000 a year, and surely the old practice of using the post office would be better. Will the government consider reverting to the former practice?

Hon. J. L. ILSLEY (Minister of Finance):

I shall bring the hon. gentleman's question to the attention of the rationing authority, which is the wartime prices and trade board!

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

As the house is aware, the government has been seeking to secure the right person to fill the position of chairman of the national war labour board, from which the Minister of Labour (Mr. Mitchell) has resigned. I am happy to be able to say that the government has secured the services of Mr. Justice McTague of Toronto as chairman of that board. I need not tell the house that Mr. Justice McTague has had long and exceptional experience in dealing with industrial problems. He has been on many conciliation boards, and I believe is the best person that could be found to fill this very important position.

In connection with Mr. Justice McTague's acceptance of the position there will have to be some reorganization of the board in fundamental particulars. Later the house will be given the further information on that point.

As hon. members doubtless know, for the last year or two Mr. Justice McTague has been acting as chairman of the war contracts depreciation board, and there are matters connected with that board which make it inadvisable for Mr. Justice McTague to resign as chairman for the present.