Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):

May I direct a question to the Minister of Fisheries, notice of which I sent him this morning? Have requests been made on behalf of the inland fisheries, particularly by the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, for the proclamation of the Fisheries Prices Support Act, 1944, with a view to the exercise of power under sections 9 and 12 thereof, because of the serious decline in demand and prices of fresh fish from the Manitoba, Saskatchewan and other inland fresh water fisheries? If so, what is the decision of the government? If no decision has been made, will the government give the matter immediate consideration in order to prevent heavy loss of essential food supplies?

Hon. H. F. G. BRIDGES (Minister of Fisheries):

In reply to the hon. member's first question I would advise him that representations have been made within the past few days by the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the proclamation of the Fisheries Prices Support Act, 1944. In reply to his second question, I would further say that the

matter of establishing the fisheries prices support board is at present under active considera tion by the government.

Mr. J. A. CHARLTON (Brant):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and1 Commerce with reference to the statement he made when he announced an increase of 30 cents per bushel basis Fort William for western domestic wheat. Will the minister give consideration to the necessity of removing the present discrimination by a corresponding increase in the price of eastern domestic wheat?

Hon. J. A. MacKINNON (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

I do not admit at all that there is any discrimination between the price paid in the east and in the west. The eastern wheat grower is paid basis Montreal, $1.40 per bushel. The western grower receives an initial payment of $1.35 a bushel basis Fort William, Port Arthur or Vancouver. That is an advance. During the crop year 1946-47 the Ontario wheat producers received the following payments: ceiling price basis Montreal S1.26; treasury payment, S0.09; wheat flour equalization payment $0.05, making a total of $1.40 a bushel. This basis became effective on July 1, 1946 and will expire on June 30, 1947. There is very little Ontario wheat still remaining in the hands of the producers.

Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Broadview):

I should like to ask a question which arises out of a statement made yesterday to the Australian parliamentary labour party by Hon. Dr. Coombs, director general of reconstruction of all Australia. He said that, the "empire preference is doomed, no matter how much Australia* or other food-producing countries want to keep it". I should like to ask the government if they, are prepared to make a statement, between now and Monday, on empire preference, because if it is not made and empire preference is lost, Canada is going to lose a great many industries, and great unemployment will thereby be created.

Right Hon. L. "S. ST. LAURENT (Secretary of State for External Affairs): The government is not prepared to make a statement on empire preference today or tomorrow. The

Inquiries oj the Ministry

matter of empire preference is a subject that is to be discussed by the representatives of the commonwealth countries at a meeting, in London which is to open on March 11, at which the position to be taken by the commonwealth countries at the international trade meeting in Geneva on April 8 will be discussed. I do not think it would be proper to make any statement in advance of the discussions which are to take place next month.