Mr. DANIEL McIVOR (Fort William):

Mr. Speaker, on a question of privilege I would ask the former minister for air or the Minister of Veterans Affairs if he does not think that the present R.C.A.F. hockey team is living up to the traditions of the air force. The air force started out with the criticism "too little and too late." Our hockey team was criticized as too little and too weak, but they have covered Canada with glory, and I should like to know what the minister thinks about it.

Mr. T. L. CHURCH (Broadview):

Mr. Speaker, in fairness the hon. member might have mentioned that the R.C.A.F. Olympic hockey team only won over there because they borrowed three of the finest young Toronto players, Lieutenant-Commander Wally Haider, graduate of the university of Toronto, George Mara, and Murray Dowey, three fine young Toronto native sons. As goalkeeper the latter had five shut-outs and only five goals scored against him over there in eight games. Toronto also won the Olympic hockey championship at St. Moritz with Toronto Granites, and also Varsity grads in 1927.

As a past president of the Argonauts I would also point out to hon. members who saw the pictures here last Saturday night of the Rugby final between Argonauts and Winnipeg Bombers, at the fine Rugby evening, for which we are indebted to St. Patrick's college, also sent here by President Thomas H. C. Alison of the Argonauts and shown by our great player, Joe Krol, that we were the only senior rugby club that did not play any imports last fall.

Hon. COLIN GIBSON (Secretary of State):

Mr. Speaker, in the absence of the Minister of National Defence I should like to say that all Canadians are proud of the achievement of the Royal Canadian Air Force hockey team in winning the Olympic championship. Messages of congratulations have been sent from all parts of Canada. I had the pleasure of sending one yesterday congratulating the team on living up to the famous motto of the air force,

per ardua ad astra, the meaning of which I am sure is known to all members of the house. I do feel that the air force are to be congratulated on the splendid success of their team and in overcoming the difficulties that they encountered in bringing this honour to Canada.

Hon. J. A. GLEN (Minister of Mines and Resources) moved:

That a joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons be appointed to continue and complete the examination and consideration begun by a joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons, pursuant to a resolution of the house on May 13, 1946, and continued by a commission under the Inquiries Act, appointed by order in council P.C. 3797, dated the 11th day of October, 1946, and further continued by a joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons, pursuant to a resolution of the house on February 13, 1947, of the Indian Act, Chapter 98, R.S.C. 1927, and amendments thereto, and to suggest such amendments as they may deem advisable, with authority to investigate and report upon Indian administration in general and, in particular, the following matters:

1. Treaty rights and obligations.

2. Band membership.

3. Liability of Indians to pay taxes.

4. Enfranchisement of Indians both voluntary and involuntary.

5. Eligibility of Indians to vote at dominion elections.

6. The encroachment of white persons on Indian reserves.

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Inquiries of the Ministry

7. The operation of Indian day and residential schools.

8. And any other matter or thing pertaining to the social and economic status of Indians and their advancement which, in the opinion of such committee, should be incorporated in the revised act.

That the following members be appointed to act on behalf of the House of Commons on the said joint committee, namely:

Messrs. Arsenault, Brown, Brunelle, Bryce, Blackmore, Case, Castleden, Charlton, Church, Farquhar, Gariepy, Gibson (Comox-Alberni), Glen, Harkness. Little, Matthews (Brandon), MacLean, MaeNicol, Raymond (Wright), Reid, Richard (Gloucester), Stanfield.

That a message be sent to the Senate requesting their honours to appoint senators to act as members of the Senate on the said special joint committee.

That the records, exhibits and evidence received and taken by the joint committee during the two last sessions of parliament and by the commission aforesaid, be made available to the said joint committee and made part of the records thereof.

That the said committee have power to appoint from its members such subcommittees as may be deemed advisable or necessary to deal with specific phases of the problem aforesaid with power to call for persons, papers and records, to examine witnesses under oath and to print such materials from day to day as may be ordered by the committee for the use of the committee and members of the House of Commons and the Senate.

That the said committee shall report from time to time and that the provisions of standing order 65 limiting the. number of members on special committees be suspended in relation thereto, and that a message be sent to the Senate to acquaint their honours therewith.

Mr. JOHN BRACKEN (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Mines and Resources. It arises out of the administration of seed grain liens made under the authority of a dominion statute passed in April, 1915. At that time the act was administered by the Department of the Interior. I understand that the responsibility in that connection has now been taken over by the Minister of Mines and Resources. By the agreement authorized by this act the dominion government maintains liens which have priority over municipal claims. My question is this: In view of the fact that the dominion government does not appear to regard these liens as live assets, will the minister consider taking steps to have them wiped out?

Hon. J. A. GLEN (Minister of Mines and Resources):

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman gave me this question just before I came into

the house. The government did not consider the suggestion made by the question that these are not live assets. As a matter of fact in 1927 powers were set up to deal with all cases where complaints are made with regard to these assets, and adjustments are made from time to time. The matter is the subject of government policy, and the Minister of Finance may have something to say about it.