Mr. LAKE.

Then the person recommended is asked to acknowledge within ten days the receipt of the letter notifying him of his appointment. Why was he asked to do so if Mr. Perry was not in some way connected with the official recommendation? The minister repudiated the idea that the enumerators were to go to the Liberal organizer for instructions. He may say that they were not _ to go to the Liberal organizer for instructions with regard to their work as enumerators, but the postcript attached to the letter shows clearly that they were to go to the Liberal organizer foT instructions as to the side work and the canvassing they were to do in the interests of the Liberal party. I have no wish to detain the House any longer. Mr. Moberly was appointed on the recommendation of some one. On whose recommendation the minister cannot remember. Probably it was on the recommendation of Perry himself. The minister made the appointment and then subsequently had to put the public to considerable expense in order to send for this man .and get him toack from the wilds of the far north. Mr. Moberly had been convicted and fined and the time had come foT the Department or the Liberal executive to Teward him. and they apparently recommended him for this appointment in the census. This man, Perry, is convicted, according to his own letters, of endeavouring to keep fugitives from justice out of the reach of the strong arm of the law. Does the minister consider that such a person is a proper man from whom to accept any recommendations? Is he prepared to say that he did accept the recommendations of Mr. Perry for appointments as census eumerators? I pause for a reply-

Mr. FISHER.

I am not ready to say that I have not accepted any of his recommendations.

Mr. LAKE.

Then I hope the minister will now take steps to see that the persons

who were recommended by this man are promptly cancelled. It seems to me that these recommendations were improperly made, and I sincerely hope that this House will not endorse the action of the Minister of Agriculture.

Mr. G. H. BRADBURY (Selkirk).

I do not intend to take up much time, but as this is a question which affects the whole province of Manitoba, I consider it my duty to give my views with regard to it. It is a question that deserves most serious consideration. Charges have been made against a gentleman ocupying the prominent position of Liberal organizer for the province of Manitoba. This gentleman is practically repudiated by the Minister of Agriculture, yet he assumes power and authority to -write the letter that has been read by the hon. member for Qu'Appelle. (Mr. Lake) addressed to the enumerators throughout the province advising them of their appointment and asking them to call at his office for instructions, and I hold that this calls for some action by the minister who is responsible for the census. The minister says this man has no authority; he repudiates him, as I understand it. I ask him what action he is going to take. Is he going to remain silent in the face of this circular letter sent out by the Liberal OTganizer in Manitoba to the enumerators, asking them to call at this man's office. In view of the record of the Liberal organizers in Manitoba, and the experience of the Conservative party with these men, it becomes imperative for the Conservative members

man Mr. Perry. There is no question that this gentleman, in that Prince Albert elec-tion_ case, stood between these men and justice, that he shielded them, and that he was a party to the crimes they committed in relation to these ballot boxes. I do not suppose for a minute that the minister knew who this man was when he accepted his recommendation to appoint enumerators, but now that he does know, I ask him, is he going to confirm his appointment?

Mr. FISHER.

I certainly will not change *appointments until I find that the appointees are not worthy of their offices.

Mr. BRADBURY.

I would ask the minister this question: What is he going to do in regard to this circular letter which this gentleman sent out?

Mr. FISHER.

Nothing whatever. The gentleman has a right to write a letter, just as the hon. gentleman himself (Mr. [DOT]Bradbury) has.

Mr. BRADBURY.

I take a very different view of this question. The minister (Mr. Fisher) is Responsible to this country for the proper taking of the census.

Mr. FISHER.

Hear, hear.

Mr. BRADBURY.

He is bound to safeguard the men who take that census. Put aside the fact that this man is a Liberal organizer. It might be any other man who would write a letter of that kind addressed to the enumerators, asking them to come in for instructions-

Mr. FISHER.

May I see that letter?

Mr. BRADBURY.

Certainly. I will read it to the House, and .send it oveT to the 'Hansard.'

Mr. FISHER.

It has just been read by the hon. member for Qu'Appelle (Mr. Lake).

Mr. BRADBURY.

It is so good I want to impress it upon the minister.

MANITOBA LIBERAL EXECUTIVE. Confidential circular.

Organizer's Office, P.O. Drawer 2076, Winnipeg, Canada, April 17, 1911. Jno. Colnin,

Dickens' P.O.

Dear Sir,-Re census in federal constituency of Macdonald. I beg to advise you that you have been recommended as enumerator for the following official census enumeration division of the above constituency:-

No. 54. That part of the parish of St. Charles, north of the Assiniboine river.

Mr. FISHER.

I understood the hon. member for Qu'Appelle to say that this gentleman was telling these people that they were ' nominated.' The letter as read by the hon. member for Selkirk (Mr. COMMONS

Bradbury) is that they had been recommended.'

Mr. BRADBURY.

I think the letter was read very clearly:

-of the above constituency No. 51, that part of the parish of St. Charles, north of the Assiniboine river.

The minister has repudiated this man, but I would ask him: How is this man in *a position to give these minute facts in regard to what each enumerator was recommended for? It was not from the minister-

Mr. FISHER.

No.

Mr. BRADBURY- it must have been from some of his officials. This was not manufactured.

I inclose copy of rates as officially announced in the ' Canada Gazette ' of April 15, 1911, and would be pleased if within ten (10) days of date hereof, you would acknowledge receipt of this letter.

Yours in the good cause,

Mr. FISHER.

May I interrupt my hon. friend (Mr. Bradbury)? I understood him to say a few minutes ago that Mr. Perry had asked these men t-o come in for instructions. There is absolutely nothing in the letter to indicate that.