Robert Laird Borden (Prime Minister; Secretary of State for External Affairs)
Unionist
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
Would hon. gentlemen like it to stand?
Subtopic: WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
Would hon. gentlemen like it to stand?
Mr. MURPHY:
Until the right hon. leader of the Opposition is here.
Sir SAM HUGHES:
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting Estimates for the year ending March 31, 1919, was read by (Mr. Speaker to the House and referred to the Committee of Supply.
On the Orders of the Day:
Sir WILFRID LAURJIER:
May I ask if it is the Government's intention to have the usual Easter recess next week, which is Holy week, from Wednesday to the following Tuesday?
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
It is the intention to have the usual recess from six o'clock next Wednesday afternoon to three o'clock on the Tuesday following.
On the Orders of the Day:
Sir SAM HUGHES:
In view of the reports concerning a very severe engagement on the western front I desire to ask if the Prime Minister has received any word as to the progress being made by our troops?
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
Nothing has
come in since the offensive commenced, except the report in the press. I have asked the Minister of the Overseas Forces to keep
us informed from time to time, so far as may be possible, especially with regard to the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Sir SAM HUGHES:
I should like further to suggest that before any figures are given out as to the casualties, they should first be verified. There should he no solemn faces amongst the people of the Dominion; we are prepared to face the worst
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
I do not know of any announcement having been given out this year without it first being verified.
Sir SAM HUGHES:
Perhaps not this year, but certainly last year.
On the Orders of the Day:
Sir WILFRID LAURIER:
May I ask for information from the Government with regard to a report I have seen from the city of Quebec that the military authorities have terminated the lease of a certain property in Quebec which has been under lease for at least forty years to the ladies called the Sisters of Charity, which has been occupied by them as an orphanage, and in which there are now not less than two hundred orphans. Has the lease been terminated? Personally, I think the Citadel property would be better adapted to the Government's military requirements.
MAJOR-GENERAL MEWBURN: The
property has been occupied as my right hon. friend states, but it was considered valuable for military purposes, and an officer has been sent to Quebec to investigate the matter. The lease has not yet been cancelled, and nothing has been done in the way of removing the occupants from the building. I hope an amicable arrangement will be come to before action is taken.
Sir ROBERT BORDEN:
The matter came up last autumn. Certain representations were made, in view of which it was arranged that those in occupation of the premises should not be disturbed during the inclement season, but I think it was pointed out then that the property might be required for military purposes this spring.