APPENDIX 195 



several methods of punishment hitherto unknown to Canadian 

 civilization. Surely such a departure should not have been attempt- 

 ed in such a manner. Punishments created without the assent of 

 Parliament naturally tend to provoke hostility. We feel we are 

 performing a national duty in respectfully calling attention to such 

 conditions. 



"The Order-in-Council, endorsed by both Houses on April 

 18th, virtually sweeps away the Military Service Act. The 

 resentment it has created is known to this House, members of 

 which are known to regret that the elements of the Constitution 

 were ignored in this proceeding; and that the method of presenting a 

 practically executed decree, while withholding disclosure of the facts 

 on which it was based, cannot easily be justified to the constituents of 

 a newly-elected Parliament. 



"The curtailment of the liberty of written and spoken speech, 

 contained in the Order-in-Council, given to the public on April 

 16th, has caused especial concern to all who are aware of the history 

 of free discussion in Canada and other parts of the British Empire. 

 We are sure we need not beg the House to examine its provisions, 

 in order to appreciate how a doctrine of the essential infallibility of 

 the Government may be forced upon a free people, on pain of a fine 

 of five thousand dollars and five years' imprisonment. 



"The House, to our extreme regret, has been faced with a 

 notification of the intended curtailment of the privilege of a member 

 of Parliament to declare his mind, and the right of his constituents to 

 know what he has uttered. That this unique warning to a freely- 

 elected British assembly was halted for several weeks on the order 

 paper, we venture respectfully to attribute to you, Mr. Speaker, as 

 the appointed guardian of the liberties of the House, and also of the 

 people. It has been noted that the Prime Minister, in withdrawing 

 the measure, viewed with so much apprehension from outside the 

 House, announced that it is likely to be re-introduced next session. 



"Perhaps the House may not be offended to learn that cog- 

 nizance has also been taken of a notice issued to it, within the last 

 week, to the effect that it must curtail its discussion of vital national 

 affairs, and withdraw from its precincts within a few days, or be 

 summoned hither during the hottest and most inconvenient month 

 of the year. That such a direction should be issued without re- 

 course to the judgment of the House causes reflective citizens to 

 wonder what has happened to the freedom Canadian institutions 

 have hitherto enjoyed. 



"Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Commons, 

 The disquiet of the country, of which we are the humble and 

 inadequate exponents, and which demonstrates sadly the increasing 

 dangers to our national unity, which, if we lose it, we shall have 

 lost all indeed, cannot be allayed by a persistence in the courses we 

 have so imperfectly sketched. 



"Will the House permit us, with much deference, but much 

 earnestness, also, to repeat the reminder of one of its members, 

 that the Government is a Committee of the House vested with the 



