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: RDAY, APRIL 1, '0' . * Old as _ Parliamentary a »» t . Practice," Retorts Hon. G. H. Ferguson--Gov-- ernment Again Attacked for Failure to Explain Legislation Before House The question as to what stand the Government should take on a bill in-- troduced by a private member was the subject of another spirited con-- troversy yosterday in the Legisla-- ture. * Hon. G. Howard Ferguson, Con-- servative Leader, argued that the Government should explain to the House a bill introduced by a private member Hon. W. E. Raney held that it was not the duty of the Gov-- arnment to explain it on presenta--| tion, but the duty of the man who% introduced the bill. The argument| advanced by Mr. Ferguson was a new doctrine, he said. Mr. Ferguson retorted that it might be a new doc-- trine to the Attorney--General, but| it was a doctrine as old as Parlia-- | mentary practice. ' Appoint Official "Explainer." W . I". Nickle, Kingston said that, if the CGovernment was not willing to explain these bills, he thought that some member of the law branch of the House should be appointed to whom any member would have a right to go, and who would give full explanation of the import of legis-- | lation. The bill, which was one to amend the Assessment Act, was introduced by Alex. C. Lewis, Northeast Toronto. Mr. Lewis explained that the bill had | been drawn up by the City Solicitor | for Toronto, and contained changes rzcommended by the -- Assessment Commissioner -- for Toronto. The amendments affected different parts of the act, and he thought it would he best, perhaps, if the bill went to committee, where Mr. Forman would have a chance to be heard. "The bill is one of the kind so reprehended by certain speakers, some g§6od in it and some bad," said Mr. Raney. '"'That is a fair descrip-- tion of it," said Mr. Lewis. Messrs. R. R. Hall, Parry Sound ; Karl Homuth, South Waterloo, and W. F. Nickle thought more should be heard of the bill in second read--° ing. Mr. Nickle asked for some explanation of the bill Let Mr. Forman Explain. Mr. Lewis said he did not pretend to have the ability to explain each section. Toronto's Assessment Com-- missioner prepared the sections, and he thought Mr. Forman should have a chance to be heard, which would be in committee. J. C. Tolmie, Windsor, asked if it ---- was not the duty of the Government to explain these bills and say Vyhether they should go on to committee or not. "Do you ask me?"' ingquired Mr. Speaker. $7. Aud "I am asking through you," said Mr. To)mie. 10 Mr. Raney, in reply, said he adid not conceive that to be his duty. Mr. Ferguson asked if a layman ' brought in a bill involving legal diffA-- culties, how was he to explain it. __| _ Mr. Raney wanted to know if the | Opposition was putting forward the argument that it was the duty of the Government to explain bills in -- troduced by private mempers. This was a new doctrine. he said.