Parliamentary Notes.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 61, 6 July 1908, Page 5

Parliamentary Notes.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.

The usual complaint was made on Friday about the Government's keeping the Leader of the Opposition off the Public Accounts Committee. Mr James Alien said the Leader of the Opposition should most decidedly bo otL.such an importantcommitteo. Mr Massey further sucgested to tho Prime Minis! er that such an important committee should have power to call fot persons and. papers. Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said this would be a dangerous practice, because in delicate financial transactions it was important often that certain matters should not be made public. As to putting the Leader of tbe Opposition on the committee, he would be very glad to put him on it if Mr James Allen would resign in his favor. Mr Massey said he would not accept a positionon the committee on that condition. " The Prime Minister: " No, I know you won't," He added that at present the committee was a wellbalanced one. Mr James Allen said he would willingly resign in favor of Mr Massey. Mr Massey refused to agree to this, ard the committee was appointed as proposed by the Prime Minister as follows: Messrs E. G. Allen, J. Allen, Colvin, Flatman, W. Frasur, Graham, Laureuson, M'Nab, Mills, and Sir Joseph Ward.