Mr. ILSLEY:

That has to do with their showing in the province. That is a different matter.

Mr. MacNICOL:

The federal government might let a film in, but a provincial government might keep it out?

Mr. ILSLEY:

Might not let it be shown in that province.

Mr. ILSLEY:

There is another atnendment. The motion is:

That schedule A to the customs tariff, as amended by resolution No. 1 of March 2, 1943, be further amended by striking thereout tariff item 704 and by inserting in lieu thereof the following item, enumerations and rates of duty.

This is a long item, but it covers a very small matter.

Mr. GRAYDON:

May I interrupt the minister? This item may or may not be of great importance. It is very difficult to assess the importance to be attached to any of these items. But the minister in a previous resolution in connection with the budget was good enough at an earlier date to bring down the amendment in the matter affecting the one-cent postage. I should have liked if the minister had given us a little more opportunity at least to read over the amendment before we are asked to pass it. I cannot at the moment see anything that would be specially

Customs Tariff

difficult in this instance; on the other hand I think we ought to have an opportunity of going over it and seeing what it is about.

Mr. ILSLEY:

I agree. If these were not very small matters we would not try to do it this way. But unless I am making some mistake about these it is very important.

Mr. MacNICOL:

I will not support any amendment that I have no chance to read.

Mr. ILSLEY:

Then we better move that the committee rise. I will move this amendment and put it on the record and let the hon. member for Davenport read it. It has to do with letting some bequests from abroad in free of duty. It will not upset the economy very much. It reads:

704. Apparel, wearing and other personal and household effects, not merchandise, of British subjects dying abroad, but domiciled in Canada; books, pictures, family plate or furniture, personal effects and heirlooms left by bequest to any resident of Canada, or acquired by any resident of Canada as a result of the death of any person resident abroad, or as a gift in anticipation of the death of any such person; all such goods or articles when given as a free gift by anyone resident abroad to a resident of Canada; the minister to be the sole judge as to whether any goods or any article imported is to be classified as entitled to the benefit of this item or not: British preferential tariff, free; intermediate tariff, free; general tariff, free.

The former item has been widened in scope by the addition of all the words after the word "bequest" in the fifth line thereof. During the past few years several cases have occurred in which gifts of personal effects, including pictures, books and furniture, have been given by a member of a family residing abroad to relatives in Canada. This has become more frequent of late, owing to people moving into smaller quarters or giving up winter homes in the southern states. While free entry can be permitted in the case of bequests, this does not apply to gifts made in contemplation of death or under the circumstances outlined above.

During the calendar year 1942 imports under item 704 were valued at S123,085, of which $110,000 worth came from the United States, and $11,000 worth from the United Kingdom. There were a few imports from Jamaica, Newfoundland, Australia and New Zealand. It is estimated that the widening of the scope of this item will result in about ten per cent increase in imports.

Progress reported.