Mr. BENNETT:

We have not done it

under the present act.

Mr. ILSLEY:

The same clause is in the present legislation?

Mr. BENNETT:

Yes, there is no change in that. The power is there, but as the present act expires on March 31 and this is the 23rd, eight days from now the act would expire and it is hardly desirable to pass an order in council in respect to stabilization fund for that short time.

Mr. SPEAKMAN:

Would the order in council expire the moment the act did?

Mr. ILSLEY:

If there arise in other industries conditions that make it advisable in the opinion of the government to extend to them similar relief, would other orders in council be passed from time to time covering other commodities than the thirteen mentioned by the Minister of Finance on Tuesday last?

Mr. BENNETT:

I was trying to say to the committee that the government did reserve to itself the power to deal with a situation as it might arise, but that as regards a relief measure it was thought desirable that the house should be made acquainted with the view of the government with respect to those commodities mentioned as being the ones which the government felt, with the best information at its disposal, were entitled to the benefit of such relief.

Mr. ILSLEY:

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

There was one question asked the Prime Minister and I do not know whether he heard it, but it seems important: it was Whether the government had provided any means or guarantee whereby the 'benefit of the proceeds of this agricultural stabilization fund will go to the producers and not to the exporters?

Mr. BENNETT:

It is obvious that the

benefits will first of all accrue normally to the importer, whose invoices will be the determining factor with respect to the matter, but unless the benefits are reflected in better prices for the producer, we realize we shall not have accomplished the object we desire to attain. Under the legislation now under consideration there will be ample power in the government to deal with that situation; but I think it is clear we did succeed in seeing that the benefits in connection with the bonus on wheat went directly to the producer.

Mr. MALCOLM:

Not on canned fruit.

Mr. MACKENZIE (Vancouver):

Or canned fish.

Mr. BENNETT:

The hon. gentleman may be able to speak with authority on the subject, but we believe the benefits can be made appreciable to the producer, and that is the object of this legislation. When we have endeavoured with all our power, such as it is, to bring the benefit to the producer, we have usually managed to succeed.

Progress reported.