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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1925-6-3, Page 4ON PARLIAMENT HILL Mernber of the Rm:+iamentary P. oestiG,11err Fay a Ottawa— An outstanding feature of this week's events in the Palle - Merit of Canada was the announce - Ment on Friday afternoon by the Primo Minister of the resignation of Hon. Edward J. McMurray from the Cabinet position of Solicitor General. It came suddenly, the only warning - being a rumour 'circulated in the newspapers the day previous that such a step was possible but there was no expectation that the situation would develop so rapidly. Premier King read to the House the brief let- ter of Mr. McMurray who statedthat, he was resigning for "professional and private" reasons, and then Ieatl his own letter to Mr. McMurray ex- pressing the deefr'regret of the Cab- inet at Mr, McMurray's action. Thereis general sympathy will, Mr. McMurray in the present situa•. tion, for the circumstances which he has deemed as a necessity for his course reveal nothing dishonorable or irregular in any way, and the prompt ness with which he has taken ^ the courageous course of relinquishing his position in the Federal Ministry, will win for him wide respect. Mr. McMurray's legal firm in Winnipeg, it is understood, through unfortunate real estate investments became in- debted to the defunct Home Bank for an amount which is said to be in ex- cess of $100,000. When the Home Bank collapsed • Mr. McMurray then volunteered to quit the Cabinet if it was deemed that retention of his post would be an embarrassment to the Government, especially in view of the inquiry into the bank's failure institu• ted by the Federal Government. Then when a short time ago it was decided that the Federal Government would introduce legislation providing for reimbursement of the Home Banks depositors, Mr. McMurray rc newed his offer to get out. ; When he insisted upon such a course and he addressed a letter of resignation to the Prime Minister the matter was carefully considered by the Cabbie and it was finally and regretfully de- cided that the Prime Minister should accept his resignation. The Power Export Issue Another flurry during the week was caused by the discussion of the question of the export of pourer from Canada and the application of the Carillon power interests in Montreal for a lease to develop 500,000 horse power at Carillon, about midwat- be- tween Ottawa and Montreal. It is known that the promoters of the scheme would export 400,000 of the 500,000 horse power developed, the balance to be retained for consemp tion in Canada. In view of the pow- er export duty shortly to be imposed by the Federal Government, strong exception is being taken by the Op- position to the possibility of the Fed - era) Government granting a lease to a company, which lease would involve a largo export. Especially, do- the Conservatives abject anter the 're• peated declaration of. Premier Fe.- guson of Ontario and Premier Ta.ah- erean of Quebec, that those provinces are unalterably opposed to the export of power. While the Opposition have sought to make much capital out of the efforts of the Carillon promoters to get their lease, it is clear that the Federal Government has in no way committed itself on the mutter and that all the developments in the case so far have been quite in accordance with the policy pursued by the prev- ious Government tin such matters. Expenditures Are Cut Much of the remainder of the week in the House has been devoted to con- sideration of Estimates of the various Departments, those Estimates with- out exception disclosing an eaxuest desire on the part of the Government to cut expenditures down to bare necessities. What criticism is. be+ng made by the Opposition has been cm - fined to some small and personae is- sues, -sues, after their inability to disco er any evidence of the much talked of extravagance with which they have accused this Government. For in- stance, in the Estimates of the De- partment of Finance they have asked for a time to be set apart for a dis- cussion of the new Auditor General, George Gonthier; whose activities since he came into office haste shown a desire to ;faithfully discharge hie duties. . The Ocean Rates Inquiry Outside the House the big feature of the past few weeks has been the iilyestigation into the question of rice san freight rates by the Special Com- mittee appointed for that purpose and the chairman of which is Andrew R. McMaster (Brome), It le expect- ed that the work of taking evidence wall probably be ,completed at the end of next week after which the Committee will have to go through a mass of evidence, much of it of a documentary nature. Then they will have to draft a report on the question of the proposed contract between the Federal Government and Sir Wil'iarx Petersen by which the former pro- poses to get control of ocean freight rates. Sir William himself will be the witness next week and on what he testifies will in large part rest the nature of the report to be made by the Committee. There has been al abundance of evidence substantiatinir the Government's charge that there is a combine on the North Atlantic controlling ocean rates and keeping them so high as to injuriously affect Canadian trade and industry. The question now is to determine whether or not the proposed subsidy scheme will adequately meet the situation. Bi liberal Convention Held in Wingham Big 9 Ontario Leader Condemns Redistri- bution Plan`h Province—Cover up Debts—Gasoline and Beverage Taxes Will Net Five Millions For Ferguson. The convention of the North Hur- on Liberal Association was held in Wingham town hall last Tuesday afternoon. Delegates to the number of nearly 300 assembled, and it was an enthusiastic meeting from a Lib- ' eral point of view. The speakers who addressed the meeting at the close of the election of officers were W. E. N. Sinclair, M. L. A., leader of the Lib- eral Opposition in Ontario, Duncan Marshall, Liberal organizer, A. P. Mewhinney, M. P.: Liberal whip for Ontario, Archie Hislop, ex-M.P., and Mrs. A. H. Beaton, President of the Ontario Liberal women. President Morgan Dalton was in the chair. The election of officers for Federal purposes resulted as follows: Honor- ary president, W. H. Robertson, Goderich; president, Gordon Young, Colborne township; first vice -prase dent, J. McNabb, Grey township; second vice-president, Miss Powell, Wingham; third vice-president, Mrs. S. Poplestone, Blyth; secretary, A. Porterfield, Belgrave; treasurer, A. 13. Carr, Blyth; auditor, W. Isbister, Wingham. Mr. W. 11. Robertson., Goderich, acted as chairman during the election of officers. Mrs. T3eaton was the first speaker. She made a splendid impression and her address was pithy. She warned her hearers if they did not treat the women right there was a chance of organizer', a women s party being orM She was not in favor of this; she be- lieved in the two-party system, but if the above would be avoided the women must have a part and say in the choice of the men or women whi are to represent the people in par- liament. Flays Gas Tax Mr. W. E. N. Sinclair, K.C., M.L. A., Ieader of the Ontario Liberal par- ty, dealt with several of the provin- cial questions. Ile emphasized the attitude of the present government in legislation by order -in -council rather than by acts of legislature, and stated that the most Important bills passed during the last session had reserved to the government the power to make regulations without the consent or knowledge of the members of the legislature. Refer- ence was made to the new taxes which had been imposed by the gov- ernment, particularly the gasoline and beverage taxes, from which the treasury hoped to obtain $5,000,000 increased revenue. Both of these taxes were indirect taxes and not collected from the Consumer, and were therefore illegal anduncon- stitutional. The necessity for these taxes were brought about by the ex- travagance of the government, and the gas ttax had been levied present- ably for road maintenance, but it was to ge into consolidated revenue, and so would increase the general provincial revenues. Condemns Redistribution Mr. Sinclair severely condemned the redistribution bill passed at the last session. The bill was announced by the speech from the throne, but the committee was not named until near the close of the session, and the committee had not reported to the House until about 6 o'clock at night, the last day of the session, and the bill was forced through the House un the last night of the session without an opportunity of full discussion, and without an opportunity of the mem- bers knowing what was being done. The effect of the bill is to take ten seats from rural Ontario. and to give them to the cities, indicating that the government has thought more of the cities than it has of the rural cam- munities. Northern Ontario wa3 neglected entirely. Reference was made of the at- titude of certain members of the Con- servative party having contracts with the government under the gulen of members of joint stock companies. The minister of lands and forests had sold over 314,000,000 worth of goods to hie own department through his company, in which he was the majority shareholder. Prepare for Federal Vote. The Hon. Duncan Marshall intim- ated that it would be well to be pre- pared for a Dominion election. Just when it would happen no one could te I but it would be well to cum i . say, I te the Liberal organizations. He eul- ogized the leadership of Premier Icing, showing that he had not failed the public on every occasion. Mr. Marshall stirred the large gathering to great enthusiasm. His dealing with agriculture as the basic industry in his own special manner was most convincing. In dealing with a Eve issue, the marketing of Canadian cattle, he said: "Having succeeded in securing the removal of the cattle embargo the dominion government now had under- taken to secure a reduction in ocean rates." He pointed out how these rates had been controlled by the shipping con- ference, and how frequently space was unobtainable, with the result that the price of cattle was at least $1 per hundredweight lower than it should be. Ile made comparisons, showing that in shipments he had made- him- self, the rate across the ocean was about double what it was by rail over approximately the same distance. lie pointed out that rates by water were usually much' lower than by rail, but i cattle was not the case in shipping and this was a matter that the gov- ernment was determined to straight- en out on behalf of the farmer and cattle breeders, Canada's Best Piano • Prices from $370,,00 1111)--7---7— TERMS p.- r,_r-r-- .L ER1.1 � 7 TO SUIT l T ' ALL Do not waste time solving puzzles but get. in touch with the old established and 'reliable firm and get full value for your money. • Mason & Risch 97 Qntar"io St. Phone 171 Stratford Chairmen. Ashfield "-- Chas. Stewart, Mrs - gar* Dalton, Colborne—Hugh' Hill, Mrs. -Isaac Hetherington. West Waw- anosh—Wm. Watson, Miss McAllis- ter. East Wawanosh—C. Campbell, Mrs, A. Porterfield; Morris -- Wet. Elston, Mrs. R. Richmond; Turnbcrry —P. S. McEwen, Mrs. Joseph Love; Howick Thos. McClement, Mrs. Robt. Black; Goderich—C. A. Nairn, Miss Bailey; Wingham---A. Cosens, Mrs, J. J. Elliott; Brussels—Wm Gillespie, Mrs, Peter Scott; Blyrh-- S, Popiestone, Mrs, Telfer;' Wroxeter —John Douglas, Miss Telfer; Grey—Wm. Cameron, Mrs. Andrew Lalnont. The following officers were elected for the Provincial purposes; Pres., Morgan Dalton, Ashfield; let Vice Pres., Nelson Hill, Auburn; 2nd Vice . Pres., Wm. Elston, Morris; Srd Vice Pres., Thos. McClement, Gorto; 4th Vice Pres., Mrs. (Dr.) Hunter, Goderich; Secy-Treas., J. L. Killoran, Goderich. College e Gastral Business C g Changes Bands MR, R. F. LUMSDENI B. A., of Moncton, N. B., has purchased the Central Business College frpm the Fidelity Trust Co., of London, Ont., to whom the former proprietor, Mr. D. A. N7cLachlan recently assigned under the Bank- ruptcy Act. Mr. Lumsden is an experienced Business College man and an accountant of standing. A progressive policy will be put in force by the new management and prospective students may look forward to receiv- ing a course second to none. For further information with regard to' courses, etc., write R F. LUMSDEN, B. A., Principal of Central Business College, Stratford. 1 Or. Shaw Heads South Huron Liberals Elected President At Meeting of Association At Hensall Hartsell, May 28.—Election of offic- ers for the South Huron Liberal As- sociation took place in Hensel) town hall yesterday. preliminary to the commencement of the South Huron Liberal convention its which Thomas McMillan was chosen to contest this riding in the corning dominion elec- tion. It was decided to recommend to the provincial organization that one set of OMeets be used for both provin- cial and dominion purposes. Dr. J. W. Shaw, of Clinton, was elected president with Owen Geiger, of Hensel', first vice.president ; Miss Jeckell, of Exeter, second vice-presi- dent ; Major W, J. Heauran, of Exet- er, third vice-president ; T. N. Fm- syth. secretary, and 0. Fritz, of Zur- ich, treasurer. Chairman of municipalities : Step- hen T. Collins ; Usborne, Arch. Mor- gan ;