Mr. FRASER (Cariboo):

My point is that if the department would do away with the collection of those fees and the reporting of them to the department it would give its officers an opportunity to cover their territories in less time and to do more work. I do not think the department would be

Patents oj Invention

endangering anything. I admit I have not as much information on the subject as I probably should have, but I should like the minister to assure me that during the next year he will review the situation, thoroughly.

Mr. FRASER (Cariboo):

I would like the minister to consider a question which has worried me from time to time in regard to the imposition of these charges. This act is framed for the protection of the public, but

Patents oj Invention

you make the individual who owns the scales pay for the inspection. I do not think that is fair, and I suggest that under this section and at this time consideration should be given to the removal of the charges for inspection of scales. I do not refer only to the actual amount collected, which is not very large; I want to point out to the minister that in collecting this money and making the returns more than half the time of the inspector is taken up, which limits the work he is able to do in connection with the inspection of scales. The fees collected are not large but they occasion a great deal of clerical work on the part of the inspector, who has to make out reports from time to time. In view of that and the further fact that the fees are imposed on the owner of the scales for the protection of the general public I think these fees should be removed entirely.

Mr. FRASER (Cariboo):

May I ask the minister if it is under these regulations that fees are imposed for the inspection of scales?

Mr. J. A. FRASER (Cariboo):

Mr. Speaker, I desire to present a petition signed by Mr. Frank S. Scott and approximately

30,000 retail merchants throughout Canada praying for the creation of a fair trade board to work in conjunction with the provincial governments but to funotion under continuous federal government supervision and control, to adopt and maintain fair trade practices throughout Canada.

PRIVILEGE-MR. STEWART (Leeds)

On the order for motions:

Mr. FRASER (Cariboo):

Order, Mr. Speaker, please. Listen to this. An investment of $100 in the Pioneer mine in 1925 is now worth $265,500.