Mr. LUCAS:

What accounts for the increase of $15,000 in lighting?

Mr. LUCAS:

Will the minister kindly give us some explanation of this item?

Mr. W. T. LUCAS (Victoria, Alta.):

As the seconder of this resolution I would like to say that while it was introduced by the hon. member for New Westminster (Mr. McQuarrie), and while perhaps the oriental question is more acute in the province of British Columbia at the present time than in any other province of the Dominion, yet I submit the question is one that vitally affects the Dominion as a whole. The hon. member for Prince Rupert (Mr. Stork) who has just taken his seat made the statement that this question did not affect the prairie provinces to the same extent as it did British Columbia. While that is true at present, yet the time is fast approaching when we on the prairies are going to be confronted with the keen competition of the oriental. Permit me to say at the outset that I do not wish to say anything detrimental to the members of the oriental races. But their standard of living is a lower standard than ours, and, therefore, we are not able to compete with them. I am speaking more from the point of view of the prairies and other parts of Canada, because I believe the hon. gentlemen from British Columbia will deal fully with the question as it affects their province. One of the reasons the orientals are not engaged jn agriculture on the prairies to-day is that they are too wise to engage in an industry that is being conducted at a loss. I will give the House a few facts regarding the question in Alberta, in the constituency which I have the honour to represent. An oriental living in the town near my farm two years ago purchased a quarter section which contained as fine land as it is possible to obtain in the province. He engaged in mixed farming, that branch of the business which we were told would be a panacea for all our ills. After putting in two years he allowed his farm to go, accepted a loss of $2,000, and, in his own words, stated "It did me no good, no money in farming." If agriculture comes back to the stage where it belongs, to a condition of prosperity, they might take it up. The oriental came into British Columbia in the early days and engaged in the laundry business. We always connected an oriental with the laundry. He worked in the laundry business until to-day, in that province, we find that he has control of that business and of the fishing business; he is fast getting into the lumber business, and fruit farming. As he succeeds in one business he pushes on to other fields, and I do not think the climate will prevent him from coming to the prairies and other parts of Canada, as soon as he sees that he can make a success of it. Coming to Ontario, we find that in Toronto last year $1,820,000 was paid by the public to Chinese laundries. We come to the capital of the Dominion and we find 65 Chinese laundries, 4 grocery stores and 21 restaurants. Out of 21 restaurants 12 are not being conducted in such a way that they would be recognized as Chinese restaurants; they are being conducted under other names. They are called the Metropolitan, Hamilton, Kingston,

Oriental Aliens

Chicago, British, Elgin, New York, Boston and other names. These are the restaurants. Of course the public do not know whom they are patronizing. Coming to Montreal, I find an item in the press of Friday last which reads:

Found dying in her room at 367 St. Dominique street at ten o'clock last night, a girl, who is known as Anita, passed away before medical attention could be given. It is suspected that the girl died as the result of drug poisoning, and the police are looking for a Chinaman, who is an alleged drug peddler, and who was with the girl some time before she died.

This is a very vital question, Mr. Speaker. We find the Chinese engaged in this drug traffic which is demoralizing the standards of our people. One of the greatest problems before our government to-day is the immigration policy. The Government are trying to decide whom they will admit to this country, and I think we have a perfect right to decide that question. We should give very close consideration to the oriental, with his lower standard of living, and we should consider also the fact that he cannot assimilate with our people. We do not want any class of people in this country who cannot be assimilated and who will not in time make good Canadians. I should like to hear expressions from both sides of the House, because this is not a party question or a sectional or provincial question. We should deal with it in a truly national way. I have much pleasure in seconding the motion.

1. What was the total amount of overages received by the Government from terminal elevators during the year 1921?

2. What was the total value of the same and what became of the proceeds?

Questions

1. How many buildings or parts of buildings are rented by the Government in the city of Ottawa for office purposes?

2. What rental is paid in each case?