i ' APRIL 16 Scores Failure to N New Mines Minist The Ontario Legislature, at 11:300C last night, concluded its considsra-- of the estimates for 194243 and ap-- K proved funds totalling $120,024,468, | broken into two categories, $60,-- 309,636, which was voted, and $59,-- 714,831, statutory. Fina!l speaker in the estimat»>s debate was Frank Spence (Cons., Fort William)}, who pleaded for "real managoment and drive at the head of the Dopartment of Mines in the interests of the war effort." Mr. Spence criticized Premier + Hepburn for not having made a per-- manent appointment following the resignation of Robert Laurier (Lib . Ottawa East). Mr. Laurier dis-- agreed with the Premier when Mr. Hepburn supported Right Hon. Ar-- thur Meighen, Dominion Conserva-- tive Leader, in the South York by-- election. The resignation has not vet been accepted. "If he is ill and cannot return to his business, the Premier should give a statement as to what he in-- tends to do to revive the mining industry in the face of the apparent and very urgent need." Labor Minister Peter Heenan is Acting Minister of Mines. In further reference to Mr. Laurier, the Fort ; William member said: "The depart-- ment hasn't functioned and cannot function under a newly creatod % Minister who is in the unfortunate $P position of being neither in nor out of the Cabinet."