Mr. GRAYDON:

Will the minister give us a detailed explanation of this measure?

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

Not detailed.

Mr. CRERAR:

I must ask to be

excused from giving a detailed explanation at the present time. The purpose of the bill is to overcome a difficulty in regard to mineral resources on Indian reserves in the province of British Columbia. The precious metals belong to the province even though located on Indian reserves; the base metals belong to *the Indians, and are administered by the federal government in trust for the Indians. Frequently, as hon. members are aware, base and precious metals are found in association in ores, and that presents a real practical difficulty in administration. That is sought to be overcome by this measure to ratify an agreement with the province of British Columbia-which agreement has been ratified by the British Columbia legislature-providing that the province shall generally have charge of the administration of the minerals and -that the proceeds from such minerals shall be equitably distributed between the province on the one hand and the federal government as trustee for the Indians on the other. When the measure is up for second reading I shall give the more detailed information which the leader of the opposition (Mr. Graydon) has asked for.

Mr. GRAYDON:

Has the agreement between the province and the dominion been tabled?

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

It should be tabled in advance of the bill.

Mr. CRERAR:

I do not know that it has been tabled. It will be in the bill as a schedule.

Mr. GRAYDON:

I think we should have the agreement between the province and the dominion tabled as soon as possible, certainly before the bill is dealt with.

Mr. CRERAR:

Very well. I will look into that matter. There is no reason why the agreement should not be tabled.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time. QUESTIONS

(Questions answered orally are indicated by an asterisk.)

1. Who are the members of the wartime prices and trade board?

2. What salary, honorarium, living or other allowance, and travelling expenses, have been paid to each member of the board since appointment?

3. What are the names of all persons employed by or in connection with the work of the board?

4. What salary, honorarium, living or other allowance, and travelling expenses, have been paid to each such person?

5. What has been the total expenditure by, of, or in connection with, the wartime prices and trade board since its establishment for,

(a) salaries, honoraria and living allowances;

(b) travelling expenses; (c) printing; (d) advertising; (e) radio programmes; (f) rentals; (g) all other expenditures?

Mr. DIEFENBAKER:

I ask leave to withdraw this question.

Question dropped.

Mr. WINKLER:

On what basis is allotment made by the wheat board for railway cars for shipping out wheat from country elevators?

Mr. MacKINNON (Edmonton West):

For the shipment of damp and low grade and durum wheat cars are. allotted as requested by the elevator company; consequently there is free shipment of whatever stocks -the elevator wishes to ship. For the shipment of high grade wheat to the lakehead, cars are allotted in the proportions of the permanent storage capacity of the elevators at the point. For

Questions

the shipment of wheat to mills, cars are allotted between the elevator companies in accordance with the number of elevators operated.

1. How many troopers, gunners, sappers,

privates, etc., in the Canadian army, with more than four months' but less than six months' service, are receiving $1.40 per diem?

2. How many troopers, gunners, sappers,

privates, etc., in the Canadian army, with more than four months' but less than six months' service, are still receiving only $1.30 per diem?

3. How many troopers, gunners, sappers,

privates, etc., in the Canadian army, with more than six months' service, are receiving $1.50 per diem?

4. How many troopers, gunners, sappers,

privates, etc., in the Canadian army, with more than six months' service, are still receiving only $1.30 per diem?

Mr. RALSTON:

I would ask my hon.

friend to drop this question. I will state why. I suggest to him in the first place that it will require literally months to get the information he asks for, because we shall have to inquire overseas as well. I suggest in the second place that the information really will not do him any good when he gets it because the question whether or not a man gets $1.30 or $1.50 a day after he has served from four to six months does not indicate at all the conditions under which that increase of pay is granted: The increase is granted not only on account of length of service but on account of efficiency and good conduct, and all three conditions will have to be present before increased pay will be granted'. Therefore it would be useless to answer the question as to how many men received increase of pay who had served more than four months and less than six months, without knowing whether or not the men had achieved the proper degree of efficiency and also had the proper record of good conduct. The same applies to No. 2, which is the reverse, and which asks how many men who have served more than four months and less than six months are still being paid $1.30. The fact that they have served from four to six months and are still paid' $1.30 would not give my hon. friend any information, because the other two questions would still arise as to their efficiency and their good conduct as well. Exactly the same situation applies to Nos. 3 and 4. Perhaps my hon. friend will let me know what information he desires, if there is any individual case he wants taken

up, or if he wishes a general percentage of those who have received increased pay. If so, I shall be glad to try to get it.

Mr. KNOWLES:

I will discuss the matter with the minister. I should like to get the percentages.

Mr. RALSTON:

I think I can give the

percentage for England almost immediately, and for Canada very soon.