Mr. W. S. CALVERT (West Middlesex) moved :

That the petition of C. A. Masten, .^^.fore

r CseP t^edti^ S^rt*0-1 ^mack

2* for'their^eU^hi Respect ^ for improvements in centrifugal liquid separatorsNotwithstanding the expiration of the time fnr presenting petitions for private Bills, be read5 now a^d received, and referred to the Select Committee on Standing Orders.

Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

Explain.

Mr. CALVERT.

I understand that this is a firm of Americans whose patents were issued in 1902, and who wish to manufac-

tui'e cream separators in Canada. They *were not until recently aware of the fact that a law was passed in 1903 amending the Patent Act. Their patents have not expired, but I believe they wish to come under the Patent Act of 1903. This has been submitted to my hon. friend the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Fisher), and I believe he has no objection. The only objection there can be is that the time has expired for presenting petitions, but X think it would be no injury to the House or to the country to allow this petition to be presented.

Mr. W. J. ROCHE.

Mr. CALVERT.

I have no objection to withdraw the motion.

Mr. D. HENDERSON.

I was under the impression that two or three years ago a Bill was put through the House by which the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Fisher) took power to deal with all these matters. Am I mistaken in that ? Has the hon. Minister of Agriculture any power to deal with these matters exclusively of an Act of par liament ?

Hon. SYDNEY FISHER (Minister of Agriculture).

The Act in question gave me power up to a certain date. These people did not make their application before that date, and consequently I cannot deal with their patents. That is the law in regard to old patents already issued. In regard to new patents being issued, there is a certain delay within which this section of the law could be applied, but in regard to old patents issued before the passing of the Act I had only up to a certain date in which to deal with them. That date was allowed to pass without these people making any application. I would say in regard to this particular Bill that I do not In any way commit mjself to its passage. I reserve my opinion in regard to it until I see the provisions of me

Mr. INGRAM.

Do we understand that the patents have lapsed ?

Mr. CALVERT.

Dear Sir, Can you inform me if there is any legal reason for the delay of payment to deputy returning officers of their claims in respect to last general election, in November, now six months past ? Not only my own fees as deputy returning officer, but those of poll clerk, school rent and travelling expenses out of pocket, are still unpaid for this polling district of Millwood and I presume of other districts also.

Your obedient servant, .

(Sgd.) EDWARD WALKER,

D. R. O. and P. M.

I think this is an unwarrantable delay. Iliese officials are out of pocket personally and have been for six months, although this is au old settled portion of the country. I would like to ask the right hon. Prime Minister if there have been many cases of that kind, and if so, what is the reason ?

*Sir WILFRID LAURIER.

If my hon. friend (Mr. W. J. Roche) will send me that letter, I will try to give him the information on Monday. I will make inquiry. If the facts are as stated, I agree with him that the delay seems to be an unwarranted oue, and it is one for which I do not know what reason can exist.

Hon. GEO. E. FOSTER (North Toronto).

Mr. Speaker, before going into supply, I want to say just a word in continuation of the subject which we had up yesterday concerning land scrip. Since that I have been looking into the papers somewhat, and have received other communications and information, and if I had to go over the matter again to-day that I went over yesterday, I am certain that my language would not be any milder than that which I used yesterday ; and in my view of the case, it seems to be much more grave than it did under my pievious information. I find I will require some more information, and particularly what I want to ask the minister is this : Have the certificates for scrip of these halfbreeds, which we have had under discussion, been already issued, or are they now in process of issuing, and is land being located and patents being granted, or are they under

process, as a result of Mr. Cote's investigation ?

Mr. OLIVER.

I am not able to answer off-liand, but I shall be able to give the information to-morrow.