May 4, 1914 (12th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Mr. MACDONELL:

I desire to rise to a question of privilege. The hon. member for Brant (Mr. Fisher) and the hon. member for North York (Mr. J. A. M. Armstrong) yesterday brought to the attention of the House an article in the Toronto Globe of Wednesday, the 29th April, asserting that certain members of the Government were outspoken in their opposition to the Canadian Northern railway deal as announced by the Government. I was not in the House when the matter was brought up by the hon. member for Brant, otherwise I would have joined him in denying the accuracy of that statement. My own name was mentioned among others, and I take this first opportunity of denying that there is any reason or foundation for such a statement. On the contrary, I think the transaction has been handled in a most businesslike and thorough manner by the Government, and in the only manner in which it could be properly handled. The agreement will have my most cordial support.