The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

— RANEY RAISES FEAR OF SHAM MINISTERS UNDER MARRIAGE ACT Premier, Arguing Amendment, Thinks “Carpet-Bagging” Clergymen Unlikely TEN QUESTIONS ANSWERED Hon. W. E. Raney, Progressive Leader in the Legislature, clashed with Premier Ferguson at yester- day’s session of the House when the measure to amend the Marriage Act came up for second reading. This amendment grants permission to clergymen Who are British sub- jects and resident in the Empire to ‘“solemnize a marriage in Ontario, even though they are not resident in Canada. The thought of the meas- ure is to prevent the recurrence of the situation in the Province _ last fall, when the Bishop of London was barred by statute from solemnizing his niece's marriage. “Remember,” Mr. Raney warned the House when the amendment was broached, “this situation might not occur again for a generation. There are hundreds and hundreds of clergymen in Ontario who are com- petent to conduct the marriage ceremony. Mentions Scalawags. “Now we are asked to include not only Great Britain, but South Africa, New Zealand, all the Empire, to eredit all visitors who say they are clergymen. All the scalawags aren't in this country or the United States. There may be some in South Africa or other portions of the Empire.” “Since this country is part of the British Empire,” retorted Mr. Fer- zuson, “J don’t know why we should diseriminate. I don’t think many people will be married by ‘carpet- bagging’ clergymen whom nobody knows. I think it is a most extreme and unlikely case.” Given Second Reading. Mr. taney persisted that the measure was not only unnecessary, but gave opportunities for men de- claring themselves to be of the clergy to conduct marriage services. Mr. Ferguson reiterated his objec- tion to this argument, and the bill was given its second reading. Yesterday’s session was taken up with the consideration of bills and in the answering by the Government of Opposition questions. Just before the House adjourned Mr. Ferguson asked Mr. Raney if Monday would be a good day for the consideration of the Progressive Leader’s “purification bill” to pro- hibit political contributions by brew- ers, distillers and other corporations. “That would be a good day,” said the Premier. “Right after Sunday. We'll all be in the mood.” “Purifieation Bill’ Wednesday. J. A. Pinard (Liberal, Ottawa Hast), a former professed “wet” Liberal, asked that it might be laid over until Wednesday. “Kor,” said he, “I might not be here Monday.” “We might get on better if you weren’t here,” replied Mr. Ferguson, laughing, and consenting to his re- quest. \ nurse re bo. 1 Th ’ * + ” ai ok —~— -- - . Considerable discussion by the ly to Beckett Query>~— —~ armer members was evoked when’ [In reply to elm the House in committee considered | Beckett's "ecusaticnst’ Gal to Mr. the bill amending the Noxious Weeds as to whether or not ne ae Act. The measure provides that graduate of the Ontario Collen a every at i of land, ahr ig own- Educatiornwor the U; Be of” er, in the case of unoccupied land, ronto, Mr. Fer 4 shall cut down or destroy all noxious partment of a aualea” oan Deed weeds as often in every year as iS yecords in the matter ac Oy Sufficient to prevent the ripening The Government also told the Op. es . * a an osition that de ‘been Under the bill, every municipality, made ‘* open for settiddecas te } must appoint an inspector to enforce Townships of Ledger, Purdo 7 the act. If the weeds are not cut in Booth, near Nipigon J ee and accordance with the act, the inspec- {Tp reply to a question 68:46. to ’ tor is to lay information against the possibilities on the St Lawtenes Ye occupant or owner, who will be liable Ferguson read at length from “ to a fine of from $20 to $50. Finally, ports of the Joint Enginee ioe with slight amendment, the bill was poara on deep waterways — passed. The House adjourned after sit- Two private bills—an act respect- ing the Township of East York, and ling for an hour and three-quarters, an act respecting the Village of Win- Raney Seeks Court Decision. dermere—were given second reading. Hon. Premier Ferguson reintroduced his further Townsh’p School Board Bill. Other question by means of a notice of Government measures given first motion which he placed on the reading were a Health Act and an order paper yesterday, and w amendment to the Assessment Act, reads: 7 ¥ dd - this latter having to do with refor- ‘That it is the opinion of this estation ‘problems in the North, House that, in view of the uncer- Country. ‘tainty that at present exists as to! Replying to ten questions from the whether the jurisdiction over the. es. W,. E. Raney may invoke “i discussion on the liquer ; Opposition, members of the Cabinet manufacture of liquor is in the dispensed a variety of information, parliament of Canada or in the ‘ as follows: various Provincial Legislatures, es early steps ought to be taken to New Block to Cost $2,486,989. have that question settled by the The new Government block, on the east side of Queen's Park, will cost $2,486,989 when completed. The original estimated cost was $2,000,- 000, plus a series of small estimates. In excavation work there Was no courts.” Liberal members are asking for returns showing amounts collected by the Government under the luxury tax and the gasoline tax, general contract, day laborers being: employed to relieve the unemploy- ment situation. { During the past four years. the Province has paid $49,818 in fire insurance premiums, and collected $994 for fire losses. Since Dec. 1, 1926, the Govern- ment made the following Civil Serv- ice changes: Twenty-one appoint- ments to fill vacancies on the per- manent staff, four promotions, six transfers from the temporary to the) permanent staff, and appointments to two new positions. There were six appolntments of ex- members of the House after disso- lution. These, and the salary or re- muneration. were as follows: G. A. Elliot, Director of the Colonizatién Branch of the Department of Agri- culture, $3,250; Cc. R. McKeown, member and Chairman of the On- tario Railway and Municipal Board, $7,000; A.C. Garden, local Regis- trar of the Surrogate Court of On- tario, County Court Clerk, and Sur- rogate Registrar, County of Went- worth, paid by fees; A. W. Gray, Registrar of Deeds, County of Leeds, paid by fees; R. J. Patterson, Sher- \ iff, County of Victoria, paid by fees; Major A. C. Lewis, Cierk of the Legislature, $3,500. , ¥. H. Keefer, K.C., ceased to oc- cupy the position of Legislative Sec- retary for Northern Ontario on Dec. 1, 1926. No successor has _ been named, Mr. Keefer has been re- tained by the Government as coun- sel in the Chicago drainage case, and he will receive “expenses and reasonable counsel fees.” Wine Tax and Purchases, From the adoption of the Luxury Tax Act in 1925 until the end of 1926 the Government received $228,-. 029 as a tax on native wines. The tax was not collected on wine pur-| chased for sale in Government dis- pensaries. In 1925 the Government purchased 1,455 gallons of wine, and in 1926 1,050 gallons for sale in, dispensaries. : Premier Ferguson answered a. series of questions regarding A. H. Beckett, appointed Public School In- spector for the County of York, not by the Government, so he said, but by the County Council. The Govern- ment has not ratified the appoint- ment, Mr. Beckett was in 1926 employed temporarily in the Gov- ernment's Legal Department.