Charles Joseph Doherty
Conservative (1867-1942)
Mr. DOHERTY.
Nor do I] and I trust that the hon. member for North Toronto will accept the suggestion already made to him by more authoritative voices than my own, and that he will see fit to withdraw the statement he has made with regard to his intention of not accepting the invitation. I have no desire whatever to make any objection to this vote. I would like, however, to offer a suggestion in regard to the terms in which it is set forth. I make the suggestion, in view of the statement of the hon. member for Argenteuil (Mr. Perley) with regard to the misunderstand-Sir WILFRID LAURIER.
ing that seems to have occurred concerning the nature of this invitation, and which misunderstanding may possibly have had something to do with the method of determining who should be the gentlemen to accept the invitation of the committee of members of parliament on the other side. I notice that the vote is provided for the expenses of the ' parliamentary delegation.' I think, under the circumstances, that it is not absolutely correct to speak of these gentlemen as a ' parliamentary delegation.' I understood the First Minister to say a moment ago that these gentlemen will not be there in any more official capacity than any other member of the House who might be in England, and desire to attend the coronation. They are going, as I understand it, .as accepting an invitation from certain members of parliament on the other side, not, properly speaking, as an official delegation from this parliament, I do not understand that this parliament, as a parliament, took any official step to delegate them. I would suggest that there might be found a modification of the wording of the vote which would make it clear that there is not sought to make any official distinction between gentlemen who may go, other than that these gentlemen who accept the invitation given. I am not prepared, perhaps to express it exactly as it ought to be expressed, but my idea would be met if, instead of saying we were voting money to pay the expenses of a parliamentary delegation, we should say that we were voting money to pay the expenses of members of the Senate and House of Commons attending the coronation, and accepting the invitation of the committee of members of parliament on the other side. I suggest that simply to make it quite clear what I think everybody understands, that there is no intention to make these gentlemen any more official representatives than any other member of parliament who may attend. I think that is no offence to the gentlemen-if I thought it was, I would not make the suggestion. I suggest this as putting on record exactly the facts and leaving no room for misunderstanding as to the relative positions of the members who have been fixed upon to accept this official invitation, and other hon. members who mav attend the coronation.
Subtopic: *'8883 COMMONS