Mr. WIGMORE:

The item of salaries and contingent expenses of the several ports in the Dominion, including pay for overtime of officers notwithstanding anything in the Civil Service Act, for the year 1920-21, was: Customs, $4,250,000; Excise, $734,433.25. This latter amount was made up of the following items: salaries of officers of excise and to provide for increases pending the result of excise examinations, $465,033.25; extra duty paid at large distilleries and other factories, $15,000; duty paid officers serving longer hours at other than special survey, $2,000; Excise travelling expenses, etc., $112,400; amount to provide for salaries in connection with war taxes, $140,000. The Estimate for the fiscal year, 1921-22 shows an increase of $505,381.75, of which amount $165,533.75 represents the salary arrears from 1920-21, due to reclassification, leaving $339,848, covering increases for the fiscal year 1921-22. This latter amount is made up of the following items: statutory increases, $144,635; amount to provide for 33 auditors and accountants in each of the districts to audit the books in connection with the collection of excise taxes; for temporary employees relieving regular officers on sick leave with pay, and for promotions, transfers, etc., $114,113; amount due to transfer of officers from preventive service, salaries under reclassification, $75,000; amount required due to increased cost of contingencies, $6,100; total,-$339,848.

Mr. WIGMORE:

I think that after this year there will be a saving. All that we have done so far is to make retirements involved in the amalgamation of the two departments. The positions of Collector of Customs and Collector of Inland Revenue have been amalgamated and certain of these officers have been retired. As I have said, they will be paid retiring or superannuation allowance so that the immediate saving will not be very great. The salaries

and expenses of auditors, provided for under this item, will not be affected by reduction of staff.

Mr. WIGMORE:

There is no distinction in the matter of bonuses. Some of these men are receiving $250 or $300 and others as low as $50 in salaries unless the bonuses

Mr. WIGMORE:

Under the classification these men receive certain statutory increases. That classification, of course, is prepared by the Civil Service Commission.

I am surprised to hear the hon. member say that members on this side have received or do receive more consideration at the hands of the department than members on the other side. I want to say right here that it has been my great pleasure to take up hundreds of cases having to do with matters pertaining to my department and in which hon. gentlemen opposite were interested. The latch-string is always out so far as the obtaining of information is concerned, whether it is desired by hon. gentlemen on this side or hon. gentlemen on the other side. It is a real pleasure for me to give any information I can, irrespective of where the hon. gentleman sits who desires the information.

Mr. WIGMORE:

If these men were

entitled to a bonus, the bonus would be larger than their salaries. The bonus for married men receiving certain salaries is $420 a year. The mere fact that these men receive only $250 and $350 a year is positive proof that they do not give their whole time to the service, and are otherwise employed. The Civil Service Commission, therefore, has decided that such men are only part-time officers, and should not be given the bonus.