Mr. LAKE.

It was because they did not open them at all.

Mr. LAKE.

The trivial offence you mentioned just now.

Mr. LAKE.

Allow me to read the letter which he -wrote, which will show that he acted as if the appointments came from him and from him only. This circular letter, which I am about to read, is headed:

Liberal Executive Organization Committee, Winnipeg, April 17, 1911.

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

Then follows a typewritten slip with these words:-

61. That part of the parish of St. Charles, north of the Assinihoine river.

Mr. Perry goes on to say:

I inclose copy of rates as officially announced in the ' Canada Gazette ' of April 15, 1911, and would he pleased if within ten days you would please acknowledge reception of this letter.

Yours in the good cause,

Mr. LAKE.

While the Civil Service Act was under discussion, the members of the government expressed the hope that in the near future it would be possible to bring the officials in the Customs and Post Office outside service under the Act. Has the minister gone into this question, and when does he think he will be able to submit a proposal of this kind to the House.

Mr. LAKE.

I did not even know who composed the delegation.