May 10, 1933 (17th Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. RYCKMAN:

Yes. I say, as frankly as I can, that I believe the government had the authority. I believe that in the emergency the government should have had the power; I think all the chances are that it did. There is the view that improper or unwarranted action may be asserted. No one has done so thus far, but if such a contention should be advanced naturally the interests of the government and the revenue should be fortified. My answer to the hon. member would be that if this legislation is made retroactive from the month of September, when Great Britain went off the gold standard, we would be prepared for any threat on the part of any body in connection with the correctness of the action taken by the government.