Hon. R. W. Mayhew (Minister of Fisheries):

Mr. Speaker, as members of the house are aware, the department and the fisheries prices support board have been studying the current market situation for salted cod, particularly that produced in Newfoundland. The fisheries prices support board dealt with the problem at its meetings on June 16 and 17 and have made their report to me. As soon as certain additional information is available, I shall be able to make a complete report to the house. However, since there has been considerable interest aroused, and since some of the stories which I have seen in the press have been written without access to all the facts, perhaps I should make a preliminary statement at this time. In the first place, I want to make it clear that the total quantities of salted fish in store in Newfoundland, including stocks in fishermen's hands, are substantially less than some have been led to believe. Many statements have been based on the stock figures as at April 20. Considerable quantities of those stocks have since been sold and are moving regularly to the markets. Sales are continuing to be made and the fish is going forward from Newfoundland ports in volume. Contracts are currently being negotiated by the exporters which may well result in further substantial commercial sales.

In some areas of Newfoundland the fishermen were unable to cure the fish caught late in 1949 until this spring, and this fish remains in the fishermen's hands. The quantities are not great, and we have them in mind in our considerations.

Other important negotiations now being carried out by the Department of Trade and Commerce could ease some of the restrictions now affecting our markets. While these negotiations are pending, any statement of policy would be premature. Meanwhile I see good reasons for being more optimistic about the outlook for disposal of the remaining stocks and for the marketing of the new production in 1950. I will make a more complete statement to the house shortly.

[Later: ]

On the orders of the day:

Mr. G. F. Higgins (St. John's East):

Mr. Speaker, before the orders of the day are called I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Fisheries arising out of his recent statement. I would thank him for the statement he has made, which we appreciate, and I would impress upon him the urgency of making a further statement. I understand .there is a possibility that the session may close next week. Will the statement be made before that time?

Hon. R. W. Mayhew (Minister of Fisheries):

I am hoping it will be made before that time. I shall do my best.

Hon. Stuart S. Garson (Minister of Justice):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to announce that proclamation has now been issued to bring the Bankruptcy Act, 1949, into force on July 1, 1950. At the same time I should like to table a copy of the general rules made by the governor in council under the Bankruptcy Act, 1949, which will come into force on July 1, when the act comes into force.

Mr. G. J. Mcllrailh (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Trade and Commerce):

I beg leave to table the annual report of the Department of Trade and Commerce for the calendar year 1949. The French version of the report is not yet available. As soon as it is available it will be tabled. I would also like to table the fourth annual report of the Canadian Commercial Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1950;

Indian Act

also the annual report of Crown Assets Disposal Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1950; also the fourth annual report of the atomic energy control board for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1950.

Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration):

Mr. Speaker, when I took over the administration of Indian affairs early in this year I found there were three important matters to be dealt with. The first was whether the Indians might be entitled to vote in federal elections; the second was whether there might be further assistance, particularly to aged Indians; and the third was the implementation of promises which had been made that the Indian Act would be revised.

I am happy to state that the government has announced the solution of the first two problems, namely that in certain circumstances the Indian is now entitled to vote at federal elections, and that aged Indians will receive allowances of $25 instead of $8.

I had hoped that we might carry out the promise made with respect to the revision of the Indian Act. When the bill was introduced two weeks ago I had already set up elaborate machinery whereby the bill would be placed in the hands of the Indians at the earliest possible moment, and I think that in a great many of the reserves in Canada it was in their hands ten days ago.

In the meantime I have received representation by telegram and letter from quite a few bands and individual Indian organizations showing that they have made a serious study of the bill. They have criticized it in some respects and praised it in others. However, it has been represented that in other areas the bill had not reached the Indians in time for consideration. In view of all that it has been suggested that we might not proceed with the bill at this session.

A great many Indians have come to Ottawa in person to discuss the bill with me, and some favour action at this session. I would hope that those among them who would like to have the bill passed at this session might agree with me that perhaps it would be better to delay it in order to give the greatest opportunity to all concerned to make representations to me. I would not like any Indian, or, for that matter, any other Canadian citizen, to think that I am not as conscious of the needs of the Indian and his wishes as any others who in the past have held the high office of superintendent-general

of Indian affairs. For that reason, as I said,

I would hope that those who would have liked the bill to go through at this session, because it contains provisions which give many advantages to Indian bands and individual Indians, would join with me in allowing it to stand for further consideration.

Mr. Green:

Will the minister give the house the assurance that a bill will be brought in early in the next session?

Mr. Harris (Grey-Bruce):

I think it must be obvious that I have allowed this bill to stand only with reluctance, and that I will certainly bring one in as early as I can at the next session.