Mr. McMASTER:

Has -any association

of farmers told the -minister they were in favour of this legislation?

Mr. McMASTER:

It is not necessary for me to make any lengthy remarks on this motion at this advanced hour of the evening. The Government has very properly been making an appeal to 'the Canadian people for thrift and economy. With the price of bacon .and other meats as high as it is 'in Toronto, is it necessary to encourage the Toronto folk to eat more fish by supplying them with these dinners?

Mr. McMASTER:

Might I suggest that

that might operate against the poorer tenderers, and perhaps result in the department's not getting as high a price as might otherwise be obtained.

Mr. McMASTER:

I do not want to make a nuisance of myself about the matter of speaking louder, but really if it is desired that the private members, or back benchers, should take an intelligent interest in what is going on, we must ask the gentlemen who are leading on both sides of the House

to speak in an audible voice- They should follow the example of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, who enunciate clearly and distinctly.

Mr. McMASTER :

Is the $500 increase to the assistant to the minister a statutory one?

[Mr. J. D. Reid.l

.Mr. REID: No.