Mr. H. R. FLEMING (Humboldt):

Would the Minister of Transport (Mr. Howe) explain why President Eamon de Valera's message to the North American continent was not carried over the hook-up of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on March 17 last?

Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Transport):

The hon. member was good enough to give me notice of the question. I took the matter up with the general manager of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and was advised by him that the speech of Mr. de Valera was an exclusive feature of the Columbia Broadcasting Corporation and was not available to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The hon. member will recall that on Wednesday, December 29, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast over their network President de Valera's inaugural address [DOT] on the institution of the new constitution of Ireland.

Interim Supply Bilk

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

It is not the intention of the government to take up supply to-day, but the Minister of Finance (Mr. Dunning) has an interim supply bill, to make provision for two months of the present fiscal year, and also a bill relating to extra supplementary estimates for the last fiscal year. I would ask that the house give its consent to going into supply, for the purpose of getting these bills through, before proceeding with the next order of business.

Motion agreed to and the house went into committee of supply, Mr. Sanderson in the chair.

Mr. DUNNING moved:

Resolved, that a sum not exceeding $36,717,668.24, being the amount of each of the several items as set forth in the further supplementary estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1938, laid before the House of Commons at the present session of parliament, be granted to His Majesty for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1938.

Mr. DUNNING moved:

Resolved, that a sum not exceeding $39,057,624.49, being one-sixth of the amount of each of the several items to be voted as set forth in the main estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1939, laid before the House of Commons at the present session of parliament, be granted to His Majesty, on account, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1939.

Mr. DUNNING:

It is understood that the passing of this interim supply in no sense impairs the privilege of discussion of any of the items covered by it.

Mr. BENNETT:

That is the only observation I wish to make about it.

Mr. DUNNING moved:

Resolved, that towards making good the

supply granted to His Majesty on account of certain expenses of the public service for the fiscal year ending 31st March, 1938, the sum of $36,717,668.24 be granted out of the consolidated revenue fund of Canada.

Mr. DUNNING moved:

Resolved, that towards making good the

supply granted to His Majesty on account of certain expenses of the public service for the fiscal year ending 31st March, 1939, the sum of $39,057,624.49 be granted out of the consolidated revenue fund of Canada.

Mr. BENNETT:

There is a provision in this bill of an extraordinary character. The estimates purport to grant to one of the provinces a sum of money for ordinary operating expenses. I cannot recall that in the history of confederation any province has found it necessary to secure money for that purpose.

Mr. DUNNING:

There was a similar vote last session.