Mr. KELLNER:

I have a long letter concerning the dismissal without notice of Mr. W. Edwards. Is the minister in a position to make a statement as to why this man was dismissed?

Mr. D. F. KELLNER (Athabaska):

Mr. Speaker, my recollection is that there were amendments moved to that section last year in committee but that the amendments were struck out. I do not think there is any doubt in the world that the committee, after careful consideration, thought this section should be removed from the act This session, unfortunately, we never reached the amendment. If it is going to materially affect the time when the election shall be held or anything like that it might be all right to leave it, but if it can be struck out and if there is no objection from the other members-and I doubt very much if there is-we might very well indeed strike out this section.

Mr. KELLNER:

That may be so.

Mr. KELLNER:

Last year the committee reported that section 9 of the act should be struck out. The labour organizations are very much apposed to this particular section, and I think the hon. member for North Winnipeg intended to move that it be struck out. I do not know whether or not it appears in the present bill.

Mr. KELLNER:

Did the farmers ask for this change?