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"I think it's a very_good move," said D. J. Taylor. Progressive M.P.P. for North Grey, in support of the Minister's bill. "The abuses of the act to political ends have not been confined only to municipalities." He declared that "in almost 100 per cent. of the banks. outside the large towns, there were deposits from old-age pen- sioners." After stating that the pen- sions roll was "not supposed to create a nest egg for dependents," Mr. Taylor stated that he knew of cases where such a procedure would seem the case. "There is no limit today for do.. mantis for paternalistic logislatiom" he went on, saying that the critics of the Government are "those who Join deputations to Queen's Park to urge that larger sums of public money be 'peAt." ___ - Mr. Martin-as-there any objection to their puking away, perhaps $4 a month, in the bank? Asked by Mr. Martin for names. Mr. Taylor said that it was not the busi- ness ot banking institutions to tell thttupoynt ot deposits. "Many sons and daughters, chil- dren of pensioners, have been shirk- in: their responsibilities, have been allowing their parents to become charges on the State." Mr. Martin had earlier said. He cited an in- stance of a pensioner who had three sons, each a Canadian Pacific Rail- way conductor, and of another with a daughter owning a. $2,000 house. Another pensioner, Mr. Martin elabo- rated the theme, transferred his farm and property three months before fil- inc his application. and yet a fourth applied to have his name inscribed on the pensions rolls only four months 'gtg, transferring property worth - Mr.. Nixon queried whether this was meant to Inter that he had joined such a deputation. Demand Repayment. "In many cases we demand repay- ment in full," Mr. Martin answered the question ot George Shields. Con- servative M.P.P. for Toronto Wood- bine as to what steps were taken in the case ot pensions found to be Mlentlv obtained. "When the inspectors go up," Mr. Martin explained the principle of his bill, "they will examine the bank accounts. Henceforward every appli- cant must sign a statement giving ac- cess to his bank accounts and other securities." The Minister stated that this regulation would be made retro- active, "in order that we may see what has happened in former months, to a reasonable degree." W": in Favor. Stating " his reason for urging that local boards should be deprived ot their power, and that power given to the Commission. Mr. Martin de- elated that the responsibility "tor the references to abuses in old-age pen- sions in the press" should be laid on the shoulders of the local boards. Many names not entitled to have a place there were, he said. placed on the rolls by the local boards. Shirking Responsibilities. A hint that if the Government ultimately took over the whole pay- ment of old-age pensions it would abolish the local boards and handle the applications itself was oifercd m the Provincial Legislature yesterday by Hon. William G. Martin, Minister of Public Welfare. who spoke to tho second reading of his bill to amend thcrOld Age Pensions Act. MIR tiiifi"ii'i'j."ii' IN MN NAMES 0N PENSION ROLLS WOULD BE RETROACTIVE Minister Argues Ontario Control of Old-Age Applications . No suggestion of abuse had ever Been made in the case of the Mothers' Allowances Act, Mr. Martin said, and it was expected that there would be no complaints after the Old Age Pen- sions Act had been put on the same "It seems," opined Mr. Nixon slightly later, "pretty like as though the Minister can't get on his feet without giving a back slam to the member from Brant." (Mr. Nixon himself.) ' Lb-s-rs-s.. '_.-.-.--..-. i.--.-' "Is it the intention of the Govern- ment," W. E. N. Sinclair, the Liberal Leader, asked, "that the municipalities shall pay the costs of administration done by the Central Commission and not by local boards?" Mr. Sinclair-a am very glad to know he thinks he is getting outside what is termed patronage. It seems to me that it, will take a. little more watehtulness to eliminate that factor from the picture. "Except for their mileage in going to board meetings, that mts with the municipalities," Mr. Martin replied. _ Team Play Always Helps The important-the vital-thint; about the investi- gation which Mr. Justice Middleton has undertaken into two Hydro transactions is that its conduct and its conclu- sions shall carry public confidence. It is true that tor some unexplained reason-some fear of its finding out and furnishing the tacts-Premier Henry and his Government have curtailed and cut down the inquiry. Queen's Park manifestly is terrified over something-something that may be discovered and dis- closed if the Beauharnois payment ot $125,000 to John Aird Jr. is subjected to a Judicial inquisition. So it defies public opinion on this transaction, and sits stolidly on the lid. The Globe is receiving many communications pro- testing against the course of limiting the counsel at the investigation to the one man who has been nominated for that duty. Attention is called to the fact that the official House of Commons records of the opening session, on June 23, 1931, ot the Parliamentary Committee on the Beauharnois project chronicle the statement that Mr. Tilley was the senior ot three counsel appearing for the Beauharnois Company. It is pointed out also that, accord- ing to statements published on the front page of the Toronto Conservative organ in its issue of July 21, 1931, a member of Mr. Tilley's law firm "had been specially retained by the Ontario Hydro in connection with the matter" of the Beauharnois-Hydro contract. But public opinion has scored a partial victory. It has forced Queen's Park reluctantly to grant a Royal Commission on the two other transactions upon which people and press demanded light. It is essential now that the investigation be such as to ensure complete con- fidence. It is accordingly important that there shall be no shadow of suspicion as to the impartiality and freedom from entangling alliances on the part of those who are to be entrusted with bringing out the facts before the Commissioner. At the same time, in view of all the surrounding circumstances, it would seem imperative, if the fullest public confidence is to be assured, to further strengthen the counsel staff of the Commission. It Mr. Tilley repre- sented the Beauharnois Company, and a partner of Mr. Tilley represented the Ontario Hydro-as has been stated publicly-it would seem to be a wise and prudent act on the part of the Government to ask the Commissioner to authorize the appointment of some other outstanding counsel to co-operate in representing the people ot On- tario at the inquiry. While Mr. Tilley, under all conditions, would seem to be a strange choice, he is an eminent counsel of recog- nized ability and integrity, and no protest against his par- ticipation in the inquiry would be justified. Ce b. 20. Sees No Connection. Mr. Martin-a cannot see the con-i nection between the argument and1 the member from Brant, A - l "Is the amount received by the pen- sioner a. mortgage against his estate?" Mr. Nixon queried. "If so. should it not be signed up as a 1lab11ity?','. .. " most certainly and emphatically condemn the department for its? action or non-action in this matter,'" he concluded. "And has not the Do- minion Government also a. right to its proper share of proceeds from the late old-age pensioners estate?" Wilfrid Heighington tt)ttnservatiye, St. David) noticed with regret "thei growing tendency to move and pass', more legislation giving authority toi, the committees to pass rt1Pltthrn,1i'.l He stated that it was embarrassing) for private members that rules, of which they knew nothing had been'