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Peter Keenan said that ht: had learned that tho people in his part of the country wern opposed bo tho appointment. Deputatlons came to 'rnmnto only on large questions 'Phe people in the North country had confidence in the present Northern Ministers. He believed the position was not necessary, and was made for nothing else but political pur- poses. Unnecessary. Says Keenan. Premier Ferguson then read sev- eral telegrams he had received from the Mayor and ex-Mayor of Kenora. from the Mayor ot Keewatln and Fort Frances aprovlng the appoint- ment. Mr. Heenan maintained. how- iever. that the appointment was not (neoesaa'ry, and declared that he lwould oppose the measure. To Do Some Exploring. ' During his sneveoh the Premier said the Government expected to 1u'uery' on actively .and vigorously an exploration program in that pare of the country, and that qutuified technical men were exploring the iron deposits all over the north-' western part of the Province. The Promier spoke highly of Mr. Keofecr's nualit1catdons. Mr Elli-Ina Idea. . The Premier, in moving for 'reeond reading, said the neceuity for such an appointment had grown out of the development and expan- sion in Northern Ontario, and out of the rapt of there beirng such "matrniftci.smt distances" in the Prov- ince. For a long series of years it had been thought that one of the parts of tho Province suffering un.. der a. handicap because of its re- moteness from the 'Capltml of the Province was that region of Ontario west of the White River. The die- mmce from Toronto to Port Arthur was as far as from Toronto to St. John. N.B., and from Fort Frances to Toronto was further than from Toronto to Halifax. V Some time ago. he proceeded, the suggestion had been made to have a Minister located in that part of the Province. To the Premier's mind that would not serve as well as the present a.rmngmmm rm"- Mr. Lang said that most people in Northern Ontario expected to see the member for Port Arthur (F.' H. Keefer, Conservative, who is tht Legislative Secretary) chosen for the Cabinet. When the Letpialativd Secretary appointment was an. nounced it appeared to all of their in the North that there must hart' boon some reason in the mind Ot' thes Premier for not taking him int, the Cabinet. It would hare beet justified if there had been another3 Minister to take cam or the vast in. "artists of the North Country, ht said. Just What. authority 1he ap pointeo would have he was not abl. to find out. Mr. Lang continued. ' Suggests Dlvlsinn. - nulu'e ume ago, he proceeded, the suggestion had been made to have a Minister located in that part. of the Province. To the Premier's mind that would not serve as well as the present arrangement. The need of the district was somebody on the ground. Things of importance to be studied were the. creatiotrand development of school sections, and Vtr'atton and advice on the construc- tion of roadways. A variety of mat- ters of this kind, small in them.. selves. but important, rendered ft advisable to have someone on the ground to see the people personally. discuss matters with them, give them advice, and to confer on these matters with the Government. These things, he said, would not tsonth'ct with or abridge the activities of members. Mr. Lang suggested dividing Ihtl Department of Lands and Forest. into two separatn drhparrntenttr---orvl of Forestry and one of Lands ant] Colonization. 1f 1his a.ppointmen a'llaypd the fwling in that part ol, Ontario. he felt It woudd do Rom: good at least. Mr. Lang said he al "ans. dimmed that the land regu'la, Iationtt in the North were, lyeyhint' the times, and should be changed He would have no objection to haw ing the Jurisdiction of the new of. fioe enlarged to take in his riding and said he would be willing to keel, in touch with him and assist him in every way he cowld if he came' into his ridinz. .4 - 7 _ A mier Ferguson then read sev- elegrams he had received from iayor and ex-Mayor of Kenora. the Mayor ot Keewatin and Frances aproving the appoint- , Mr. Keenan maintained. how- that the appointment was not "my and declared that he at'rda'll i The situation must have been ;pretty urgent in Northern Ontario, and the work not must be pretty well advanced. He said it was a 'vicious principle to have incorporat- ed in a. bill, and it/showed the length to which the Government would go 1 Mr. Sinclair declared that he had :no ill feeling toward the North,and that any opposition that might be igiven to the bill could not he con- gstrued as an opinion adverse to the North country. The bill had been tin effect since July 16 last. lust Be "Urgent." Premier Ferguson introduced a, mu into the House which extends tho present act respecting the pro- tection an'd Iborin-g of wells to gas and oi! wens. He also inm'oduced a hi1! involving miner changes in the Highways Traffic Act, 1trrNipety dealing with the weight of traffic and the regulation of tonnage. A. C. Garden (Conservative. West HamiL ton) introduced a bill giving mu- nicipalities authority to govern the housing and storage of explosives, an'd K. G. McBrien (Conservative. Southwest TomntO) introduced a "bin permitting the reduction of business assessment from 25 per cent. to 10 per cent. on lands in Toronto rented thy returned soldiers for the-busi- ness of parking oars in downtown d istriuts. in the matter of administration and legislation. The bill simply was placed on the desks. and the Govern- ment said to pass it. It would act to the detriment of the North coun- try if the Secretary did not devote his whole time to the development of that country. Other bills of Mr. MeBrien govern- ing adjustments of hycal improve- ment tax-es paid by school boards Wenc- sent on to the Municipal Com... i mittee, and second reading was given (to the biM of F. H. Spence (Con- lservaliv'e. Fort William) validating Itho sale of certain lands in the Township of Neebing tbr tax ar- rears. Second reading was given to imhe bill of C. E. Wright (OOnserva- t'r.i.ve, Centre f9imcoe) 'to empower stownsh-irps to enlist aid in fighting forest fires. Second Penning was given to the hill. amending the Public service Superannuntign Act. It provides that l "You can always rely that when the Prime Minister dilates on the needs of the North country he is l'always trying subtly to put some- .thing over." ho said. Before the ielections. he said. the member for .Port Arthur advertised himself quite iwidely as a would-be Cabinet Min- glster. He had not any doubt but irhat at bottom the Prime Minister's idesire was to be faithful to his {friends and to see that they were [taken care of, and that was the ex- ;planation of the bill. He warned IMr. Lang that if Mr. Keefer ever came into his riding to stick pretty [close to him "or else you can't come {back here." If anv opponents of lthe Government came back after tho elections tho appointment would not, be an entire success, but if they did not come back the appointment would be looked upon as a success. 2 Hon. Manning Doherty said he wished to express his admiration for ,the Prime Minister for the artistic 'manner in which he had brought that matter before the House. It ,suroly was artistic, he continued. to put the dire needs of the Conserva- "ive party as the needs of the great (North country. :"Putting Something Over." lands. Seconxi readings were given to the bills licensing sawmills, and to the bill prohibiting the export from Canada. of hardwood from Crown tuna- Superannuation Act, It provides that a man retired after 25 years' serv- ice com-es under the terms of the met, and adjusts payments as be- tween various types of enrpIOyees manta by families after an employee's death. Persons panning into the Teachem' Superannuation Fund who join the Government service will not lose the ibenefi-t ot their former contributions. Hon. Benlwh Bowman salad he felt, as a member, that they wanted to go to the departments and to the, Minister, as was done In times past. He tho-light the appointment was somewhat in the nature of a, fifth wheel}. and would .not work out as satisfactorily as the Prime Minister anticipated. "