Mr. PELLETIER:

I have received the same telegram that my right hon. friend the leader of the Opposition has just communicated to the House from the leading merchants in Quebec. I at once communicated it to my hon. friend the Minister of Finance, and he gave me the same answer that he has given the House, that these people will be fairly treated. Moreover, I wish to draw the attention of the committee to the fact that the extra duties have not been paid which might facilitate dealing with them.

Mr. PELLETIER:

I wish to give the following answer to a question asked the other day by the hon. member for Montcalm (Mr. Lafortune):

Re discussion in Parliament in regard to establishing of rural routes at St. Esprit (daily, 151 miles) and St. Alexis de Montcalm (daily, 121 miles).

Tenders were invited for these services, which were due at the department on 6th March last. The tenders received were considered excessive. The lowest price for the St Esprit route was $600, or $39.34 per mile. For the St. Alexis de Montcalm service the lowest tender was $450, or $36.73 per mile. As a result of negotiations, these prices were reduced as follows: for the St. Esprit service, $480, or $31.47 per mile, and for the St. Alexis service, $375, or $30.61 per mile. These reduced offers were not received at the department until the

8th instant. They have been accepted and the inspector has been instructed to proceed with the contract arrangements.

Mr. PELLETIER:

The hon. member for Sherbrooke (Mr. MeCrea) made inquiry not long ago as to how many cars are in use throughout the Dominion in connection with the post office service, what the make of each car is, and the price. I may say that there are eleven motor vehicles in use by the Post Office Department, as follows:

No of Cars. Make. Cost.Montreal 1.. . . Packard $5,472Toronto, 7 .. . . 2 Dominion Automo- bile Co., each.. . -5 Russell Motor Co., 3,0004 at 2,5001 at 3,500Quebec, l .. .. Mitchell Garage and Automobile Co. . . 2,475Ottawa, 1 .. .. Packard 5,330Sherbrooke,! . . Packard 4,500

Purchased from Mr. Caron, Montreal; transferred from Ottawa to Sherbrooke in February, 1914.

I may say that there are other cars employed by the Post Office Department, but not in a direct way. In several cities we have motor cars in use by contractors.

Mr. PELLETIER:

You must not forget to add also that both parties are agreed.

Mr. PELLETIER:

Some of the remarks that have heen made are certainly very appropriate, and, ae a member of the Commission on Internal Economy, I think it my duty to bring to the attention of the Speaker and the members of the commission representations which have been made and which certainly deserve consideration.