Mr. KING (Kootenay):

No, but they know of the fund.

Mr. KING (Kootenay):

I do not want to complain, but I think it is rather unfair to bring up these matters now. If hon. members had this knowledge previously surely it should have been submitted to the department. I cannot believe that men are held up at Christie Street hospital while the doctors are out playing golf. My information is that these men go on duty certain hours of the day and are continuously on duty during that period. I shall be very glad to look into the case suggested, but surely information of that kind should be transmitted to the department so that these things can be remedied. I am glad my hon. friend has brought the matter to my attention; I shall be able to advise him in regard to .the case of which he speaks.

Mr. KING (Kootenay):

None of them is

due to be retired, but of their own will some of them will retire. The attraction by way of salary is not very great, and we have had a number of retirements since they went over there. As I have said, instructions have been issued not to fill vacancies.

Mr. KING (Kootenay):

I have not the

information at hand but it could be ascertained in the department. .

Mr. KING (Kootenay):

I might say to my hon. friend that certainly it is my desire to have no officials of that kind around the department. Since I have been there, and I think since the department has been established, the desire of the minister and of the officials generally has been to keep the matter out of politics. I know that has been my desire at all times. I shall be glad to have the information to which my hon. friend has referred.

In regard to the children now under the care of the pension board, I shall be glad to bring the remarks of my hon. friend to the attention of the board. There is a provision in the act whereby the pension may be extended beyond the age of sixteen, and in many cases I know that action has been taken. In fact, in some cases the pension has been extended I think beyond the age of twenty, where the child showed exceptional capabilities at school and had a certificate from the superintendent. I shall be glad to bring this matter to the attention of the board. I quite agree with my hon. friend that there is no reason why the commissioners should not make inquiry as to the condition of the children.