1943-01-27

Mr. SPEAKER:: I have the honour to inform the house that I have received the following communications:
Government House, Ottawa,
17th August, 1942.
Sir:
With reference to your letter of the 9th June last, I am desired by His Excellency the Governor General to forward herewith a letter from Buckingham Palace containing the King's reply to the resolution adopted by the House of Commons on the occasion of the official celebration of His Majesty's birthday.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
F. L. C. Pereira, Assistant Secretary to the Governor General.
Buckingham Palace,
14th July, 1942.
The Speaker,
House of Commons of Canada.
Dear Mr. Speaker,
The King has received from the Governor General a copy of the resolution adopted by the House of Commons of Canada on the occasion of the official celebration of his birthday. 415*1-327
His Majesty deeply appreciates the terms of this resolution and the kindly sentiments towards himself to which it gives expression. I am to ask you to be good enough to convey to the members of the house the King's sincere thanks for their message, which is to him a source of real encouragement.
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Hardinge.



PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT


Thomas Vien: I have the honour to
inform the house that I have received the following communication:
Ottawa, January 15, 1943.
Sir:
I have the honour to inform you that the Honourable Thibaudeau Riafret, acting as Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General, will proceed to the Senate chamber on Wednesday, the 27th day of January, at four p.m., for the purpose of proroguing the present session of parliament.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
F. L. C. Pereira, Assistant Secretary to the Governor General.



VACANCIES

Thomas Vien: I have the honour to inform the house that during the adjournment I received communications from several members, notifying me that the following vacancies have occurred in the representation, viz:
Of Thomas Vien, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Outremont, by resignation;
Of Honourable Joseph Thorarinn Thorson, member for the electoral district of Selkirk, consequent upon the acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown;
Of Harry Raymond Fleming, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Humboldt, by decease;
Of Peter Bercovitch, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Cartier, by decease.
I accordingly issued my several warrants to the chief electoral officer to make out new writs of election for the said electoral districts, respectively.



NEW MEMBERS

Thomas Vien: I have the honour to inform the house that the clerk of the house has received from the chief electoral officer certificates of the election and return of the following members, viz:

<5190
Casablanca Conference

Of Honourable Leo Richer LaFleche, for the electoral district of Outremont;
Of Stanley Howard Knowles, Esquire, for the electoral district of Winnipeg North Centre;
Of Frederic Dorion, Esquire, for the electoral district of Charlevoix-Saguenay.



NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCED

[Stage Direction]
Hon. Leo Richer LaFleche, member for the electoral district of Outremont, introduced by Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King and Hon. L. S. St. Laurent.
Stanley Howard Knowles, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Winnipeg North Centre, introduced by Mr. M. J. Coldwell and Mr. Angus Maclnnis.
M. Frederic Dorion, depute de la circon-scription electorate de Charlevoix-Saguenay, est presente par M. J.-Sasseville Roy et M. Jean-Franrois Pouliot.


Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):: It is always a pleasure at the beginning of a new session of parliament, Mr. Speaker, or following the prolonged adjournment of an existing session, to have the opportunity of greeting members once more and renewing the associations of parliament. I feel that this pleasure is greatly enhanced to-day in virtue of the announcement made over the radio last night of the conference which took place at Casablanca, in North Africa, between the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the President of the United States. Although the business of this session is virtually concluded, and what remains is largely formal procedure, I feel that hon. members would wish to have some mention made of the conference, that in the proceedings of the house it may be on record as having taken place within the period of this particular session.
When the session was adjourned almost six months ago the fortunes of the united nations had reached a place where it seemed that they were almost at the darkest hour since the beginning of the war. In the interval, since adjournment, the scene has changed in nearly all parts of the world. With the achievements of the British forces in Egypt and Libya; with the landing of British and American forces in North Africa, and the successes there; with the unrelaxing, heroic resistance of the Chinese, and the magnificent successes of the

Russians, and the gains in the Southwest Pacific, we now have come to a time when we may justly feel that the fortunes of war have greatly changed, that the allied and the axis powers are more evenly balanced, and that the outlook gives every reason for hope and encouragement as far as the future is concerned.
Nothing could have afforded more in the way of fresh light on the horizon than the news of the meeting which has taken place during ten recent days at Casablanca, and particularly the announcement that, as a result of the conference of the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the President of the United States and the experts who accompanied them, the British and American leaders, both civil and military, have arrived at an agreement with respect to the plan of war which has been so worked out, it is hoped, as to enable the allied forces to maintain throughout this present year the initiative which they have now gained.
I shall not attempt to go into matters pertaining to the conference. During the new session there will be opportunity to discuss all matters relating to the war, and also, if it is desired, to give such information as it may be possible to make public with respect to the conference at Casablanca.
I should add, however, that one of the gratifying features of the conference, in addition to those I have mentioned already, is the further announcement that there has been a meeting between General de Gaulle and General Giraud which we hope will lay the foundations of an enduring union between the forces of the fighting French and those under General Giraud. I am sure, too, that there will be great satisfaction in the announcement that both China and Russia have received from the conference assurances of the additional aid which it is going to be possible for them to receive from the other united nations during the continuance of the war.
In a word, I am sure this House of Commons would wish it to be known that it views with the greatest possible satisfaction the conference which has taken place, both the fact that there has been such a conference and the announcement which has been made in reference to its proceedings; and that we cherish no hope more profoundly than that the plan which has been worked out may be realized in the fullest possible measure during the course of the present year.


Hon. R. B. HANSON (Leader of the. Opposition):: Mr. Speaker, every' lover of

Casablanca Conjercnce
freedom and liberty, and of our cherished civilization, took new heart last night. The people of Canada who from the very beginning have made this fight their own will renew their strength and their confidence in the ultimate outcome of the great struggle in which we are engaged.
I must say my admiration for Mr. Roosevelt never rose higher than it did when I learned about his conference with Mr. Churchill. Whatever criticism may be levelled against the President in his own country, no one will ever be able to say that he is not a man of great courage and resolution. Nor can it be said that he is not a world leader, and a world leader of whom all of us in all allied countries may be very proud.
Of course we expect Mr. Churchill to go to any interview which might be arrangedi. His personal courage has been demonstrated not only during this war but upon many a battlefield. As the leader of the great British empire and the present leader of the free peoples of the world we applaud his share in the meeting which took place at Casablanca.
Either now or at a later time I should like the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) to amplify his statement in certain respects. Was Canada kept informed? Was the government of Canada informed of the Casablanca meeting? Was the government of Canada informed from time to time of the proceedings which took place at Casablanca? Does the government of Canada concur in the objectives reached? I believe it would be of interest to the people of Canada to know just where our country stands in this matter.


Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to comment briefly upon the statement which the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) made to the house in regard to the great conference at Casablanca. It is a matter of deep satisfaction, shared I am sure by all of us, that the Prime Minister of Great Britain and the President of the United States were able to meet and discuss vital policies and questions of high importance affecting the prosecution of the war. As the leader of the opposition (Mr. Hanson) has suggested, I hope the Prime Minister will on some future occasion, either in a public or a private session of this house, give us more information regarding this conference than we have yet received.
I am sorry that it was impossible, for reasons that we all understand, for Mr. Stalin, the great leader of Russia, to be present, and that General Chiang-Kai-Shek also was unable to be there. I have noted in writings and from certain conversations I have had during the
44561-327J
past few months that there is a growing misgiving on the part of certain of our great allies, arising from the opinion that this war is being looked upon too much as purely a partnership between the two great powers who have recently conferred. I hope that steps will be taken to ensure that representatives of the other great nations are enabled to meet in council with the President and the Prime Minister of Great Britain. I shall gcr one step further. The smaller nations have-an important contribution to make. Canada,. Australia, New Zealand, and the other nations-of the British commonwealth, as well as fighting Prance and the smaller allies, should be joined together in conference in an effort to bring this war to a successful conclusion, which can be achieved only by the complete overthrow of the nazi, fascist and Japanese aggressors. If such a conference were held in the-near future, it would do much to assist in the building up of a well-informed public opinion.


Mr. J. H. BLACKMORE (Lethbridge):: Mr. Speaker, referring to the matter which the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King), has discussed, namely, the meeting of Prime Minister Churchill and President Roosevelt, I share the sincere feeling of satisfaction of hon. members of the house and the people of this country in the manifestation by these two men of such courage and originality, such interest and industry in the prosecution of the-titanic conflict in which we find ourselves engaged. I trust that they were able to achieve what they meant to achieve in the matter of expediting the conduct of the war. I trust, too, that while they were there they were able to make much progress in laying plans for the rehabilitation and reestablishment of mankind after the war is over. I have much greater anxiety, sir, concerning what is-to follow the peace than I have concerning the outcome of this struggle. I believe that we shall win this struggle, but I fear that far too little attention is being paid to the problem of winning the peace, and we shall watch-with deep interest the. developments that follow.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: Mr. Speaker,,
may I say to my hon. friend the leader of the opposition as a reply to his question that it would be preferable, I think, to wait until the new session when there will be opportunity to discuss at length, if so desired, the conference at Casablanca, before I make any further statement with reference to it. But I should like to inform my hon. friend and the house immediately that I was duly informed of the intention of the Prime Minister and the President to meet in conference before the.

Tributes to Deceased Members
*conference itself took place, and I also received a summary of the proceedings of the conference before any announcement was made to the public. More than that I do not feel I should say at the moment.
I should like to add that when the matter comes up for discussion I hope to have at my left the Minister of National Defence (Mr. Ralston), who unfortunately met with an accident a few days ago but who I am happy to say is now rapidly recovering from its effects.



TRIBUTES TO DECEASED MEMBERS

William Lyon Mackenzie King: Mr. Speaker, I have referred to our pleasure in meeting together once more, but there is seldom a long adjournment of parliament, or a session of any length, during which one or two or more of our members are not taken from us. The adjournment of the past few months has been no exception in that particular. Since we last met here two well known members from this side of the house have been taken away, Doctor Fleming, the hon. member for Humboldt, and Mr. Peter Bercovitch, the hon. member for Cartier. Both of these gentlemen made important contributions to the work of parliament.
To one following the proceedings of this house from the galleries it might seem a little strange that at a time when the lives of large numbers of men are being sacrificed in different parts of the world in the cause of freedom, when we are suffering such losses as are being suffered in the different services, we should pause at the beginning of our proceedings to take notice of the passing of but one or two of our small number here. However, it is not merely the thought of the individual himself that is in our minds on occasions such as this; it is what he represents, in his own personality *and character, and also what he represents of the constituency whose honour he upholds in this parliament and over whose interests he watches; it is also what the constituency itself represents in the life of our country, and the experience which an hon. member must necessarily bring to parliament, as a result of which he is chosen as representative of the community from which he comes.
Doctor Fleming was one of a group of medical doctors who constitute one of the important professional groups in this parliament. Hike many of the young men of a few years ago, upon completing his course at a university in Ontario, he went to western Canada and began the practice of his profession on the *prairies. He chose a community which had been largely settled by persons who had come to Canada from different countries in Europe.

As a member of that community he took a special interest in the fortunes and burdens of those who come to a new country from other lands. He was an outspoken champion of racial equality, regardless of the origins of those whose interests he was supporting. He was strong in his advocacy of those measures which would make for fair treatment of minorities. I am sure there is no cause more deserving of support at this particular time in our country than that pertaining to the rights of minorities, and to those of different racial groups. In helping to understand their feelings and their interests, and thereby in helping to further the cause of unity among those of different racial origins in our country at a time of war, Doctor Fleming rendered a real service to parliament and to the country. He passed away at the early age of forty-six years. It is unfortunate that the course of his earthly life should have been so brief.
The late Mr. Peter Bercovitch who entered parliament in 1938, was also a representative of a constituency of special character, in that its electors in large part were of a faith different from that of the majority of their fellow citizens. Mr. Bercovitch sat in parliament as the representative of a constituency which for something like twenty-five years has been represented in parliament by a member of the Jewish faith'. After the passing of Mr. Jacobs, whom those of us who sat in parliament with him will always remember as one of the most lovable characters, the late Mr. Bercovitch was offered the nomination in that constituency. He was no stranger to politics, having been a member of the legislative assembly in Quebec for a considerable number of years. I believe he first entered that assembly in 1916, and continued as a member until he resigned to contest the federal constituency. It was a tribute, I take it, not less to the man himself than to the ideals and the cause he championed that he, a member of the Jewish faith, should have entered this parliament on the first occasion without opposition. He was returned at the last general election, but not being in robust health, in fact far from it, he was not able to take an active part in the proceedings of the house. However those who knew the late Mr. Bercovitch will be the first to recall that he held a high and honourable position in his profession and that he was recognized as one of the leading barristers in our country. Also, as hon. members are aiware, he was a leader of Jewry' in the part of Canada in which he lived. He was a constant and fearless champion of the welfare of the people he represented. I should imagine there is no member in the House of Commons who felt more deeply

Tributes to Deceased Members
for or who gave more constant attention to the burden of the oppressed peoples of the Jewish faith than did the late Mr. Bercovitch.
I am sure all hon. members will join with me when I say that we have lost from our midst two most valuable members of the House of Commons. Their memories will long be cherished by those of us who knew them well.
On behalf of the members of the House of Commons, Mr. Speaker, I would ask you to convey to Mrs. Bercovitch and to Mrs. Fleming an expression of sympathy, both for themselves and the members of their families.


Richard Burpee Hanson: Mr. Speaker, may I say that I agree with everything said by the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) about our two departed colleagues. Hon. members on this side of the house join in the tribute to the memory of these men who during the recess of parliament have passed to the great beyond. I have been looking over the record and I find that since this House of Commons was elected less than three years ago, no fewer than ten of its members have been called by death. At the opening of each session of parliament we have thus , been reminded of how fleeting is human life and how heavy is the toll among those in public life.
I am glad to be able to say that I knew the' late Peter Bercovitch and was privileged to call him my friend. He occupied a highly respected position at the bar of his province. No public man at the bar ever performed a greater service than did Peter Bercovitch on behalf of his race in connection with the school question in the province of Quebec. That will be a living monument to his memory. He was widely known in the business community of the city of Montreal, because, after all, he was a commercial lawyer by practice.
He entered this house after a long period of service in the legislative arena of his province. During his short membership of this house he was suffering from the malady which caused his death, and we seldom heard his voice. But I think he won for himself the respect of every member of this House of Commons. He won mine at an early stage. I remember with pleasure his courtesy at all times. On occasion he was a man who could exhibit great erudition and learning. To the members of his family as well as to his gallant son, who I understand is now a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, I should like to tender on behalf of myself and my colleagues our very sincere sympathy.
The late member for Humboldt, Doctor Fleming, was called in the very prime of life. I cannot say that I was intimately acquainted
with Doctor Fleming, but I do know that he was a man who had the power of expression, and the courage of his convictions. He said! what he thought, whether you agreed with him or not. He was a native of this old: province of Ontario, but early in life he went to the prairies and there built up a practice for himself, accumulated a competence, I hope, and made for himself a place in his community. As a physician he brought to the deliberations of this house an extensive knowledge and interest in all questions affecting the health and social welfare of the people of his constituency. Many of us did not share the views which he expressed on the floor of this house on various matters, but I can say that he held the interest of his listeners by the independence, aggressiveness and sincerity of his presentations. To his young widow, the daughter of an old friend of mine who was in parliament when I first came here, and to his young family, I tender my sincere sympathy. I should like to extend to the Prime Minister our expressions of sympathy upon the loss of two valued supporters.


Major James William Coldwell: Mr. Speaker, I should like to associate this party with the remarks made by the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and the leader of the opposition (Mr. Hanson) regarding the two gentlemen who have passed on. Doctor Fleming and I came from the same province. As the leader of the opposition has said, he was a man who expressed himself forcibly on the floor of this house and often spoke his mind in a manner which at times must have caused him embarrassment. It is always a sad thing to see a man pass on in the very prime of life. Doctor Fleming leaves behind him a widow and a young family, and I am sure that our hearts go out to them in their bereavement and sorrow.
I knew Mr. Bercovitch much better during the past year than I had previously. He was one of nature's gentlemen, a man whom I grew to respect and admire. Somehow or other he gave one the feeling that he too shared the sufferings of the race to which he belonged. From conversations I have had with him I know that the events of these later years depressed him. He was a man of great ability, and when I heard him speak in this house on the few occasions that he did speak I always felt that it was regrettable, perhaps because of the large number on the government side of the house, that a man of his unique qualities and fine mind and education was not able to intervene more
The Ministry

frequently in the major debates of the house. We feel that through his death the house has lost a man who was a true representative of a minority which deserves the sympathy of all of us at the present time. On behalf of those with whom I am associated I should like to convey our deepest sympathy to his widow and son. To the Prime Minister and the government we also tender our sympathy.


John Horne Blackmore: Mr. Speaker, I desire to associate the members of my group with the words of appreciation and sympathy which have been uttered by the three hon. gentlemen who have just taken their seats. I had the opportunity of being somewhat closely associated with the two men who have passed away. I have at all times admired Doctor Fleming as a champion of the rights of the west. I feel that far too little attention has been given by Canada and this house to the claims of the west for a more *equitable share of the good things in Canada. I am sorry that a strong voice and a stalwart heart are now missing from among those who are watching over the welfare of the west.
I had not the same opportunity to get to know Mr. Bercovitch. I was impressed by [DOT]the poise and sincerity of the man and the depth of his personality. He was one member whom I should have been very glad to hear speak a good many more times than he did. I desire to convey the sympathy of my group to those who have been bereaved.



EXTRADITION TREATY


Richard Burpee Hanson: I should like to ask a question
of the Prime Minister with respect to a new extradition treaty between Canada and the United States, which was signed as long ago as the 29th day of April, greatly extending the sphere of our extradition arrangements with the United States. Has this treaty been ratified by the United States senate, and will it be submitted to this parliament at the next session for ratification? Generally, what is the present position of the treaty?


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I shall endeavour to give
*my hon. friend a complete answer on an early day of the new session.



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

[Stage Direction]
Eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh reports of the special committee on war expenditures.-Mr. Fournier (Hull).

Fourth report of the special committee on reconstruction and reestablishment.-Mr. Turgeon.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: On July 7, 1942, orders in council passed under authority of the War Measures Act between April 1, 1942, and June 30, 1942, were laid on the table. I now table orders in council, in English and French, passed under authority of the same act between July 1, 1942, and December 31, 1942. I also lay on the table volume 8, in English and French, of proclamations and orders in council relating to the war.



THE MINISTRY


William Lyon Mackenzie King: Mr. Speaker, I should like to inform the house of changes which have been made in the ministry since the house adjourned on August 1st last. The changes were occasioned 1 y the appointment on October 6, 1942, of Hon. J. T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, to be President of the Exchequer Court of Canada, and by the resignation on May 11, 1942, of the Hon. P. J. A. Cardin, who at the time of his resignation was holding the portfolios of Minister of Public Works and Minister of Transport.
On October 7, 1942, Hon. J. E. Michaud was appointed Minister of Transport. On his appointment as Minister of Transport, Mr. Michaud resigned the position of Minister of Fisheries, which he was holding at the time.
On the same day, Mr. Alphonse Fournier, K.C., of Hull, Quebec, was appointed Minister of Public Works, and Mr. Ernest Bertrand, K.C., member for the electoral district of Laurier (Montreal, Que.) was appointed Minister of Fisheries. Major-General L. R. LaFleche, D.S.O., was appointed Minister of National War Services.	.
Both Mr. Fournier and Mr. Bertrand have been members of this house for several years -Mr. Fournier since 1930 and Mr. Bertrand since 1935. They are both well known to hon. members generally, all of whom will be pleased to see them occupying their present position on the treasury benches.
Major-General LaFleche has taken his seat in this house for the first time to-day, having been elected as member of parliament for

Questions
Outremont constituency in the by-election which took place on November 30 last. Though not a member of the House of Commons in any previous parliament, General LaFleche's career is well known. He has been closely identified over many years with the work of public administration in Ottawa, having filled successively the offices of: Deputy Minister of National Defence; Military Attache to the Canadian Legation in Paris; Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of National War Services, over which department he now presides.
His record of service in the last war is one of outstanding distinction.
During 1929 to 1931, he was president of the Canadian Legion, British Empire Service League.
From hon. members General LaFleche will receive, I am sure, a warm welcome to this house in his present position as a minister of the crown.



QUESTIONS

[Stage Direction]
(Questions answered orally are indicated by an asterisk.)

Mr. KIRK:: 1.	What food or food products should be used sparingly in order to conserve same for shipment overseas?
2.	In the matter of tea, coffee and milk as affecting our war economy, which in their respective order, should preferably be used?
3.	Has the government or any department of the government considered informing the people of Canada more definitely by advertisements in the press and by radio anouncements, concerning matters covered, in questions 1 and 2?


Mr. ILSLEY:: 1.	In view of general shortage of man-power, transportation facilities, materials and other resources, the elimination of all forms of waste and the maximum economy in the use of all kinds of foodstuffs is the war-time duty of all citizens. The government has particularly asked the public to make sparing use of bacon and pork products in order to conserve supplies for shipment overseas.
2.	Tea and coffee are not adequate substitutes for milk. Milk is a food with a high nutritive value for children and for many adults. Tea and coffee are beverages which have little nutritive value but are used by adults because of habit, taste and stimulation. Tea'and coffee consumption should be reduced to the lowest possible levels because of difficulties associated with importations of these
commodities. On the other hand milk should be used as a food in accordance with recommendations made by authorities on nutrition.
3.	The bacon board and the Department of Agriculture have been informing the Canadian public for more than a year of the desirability of keeping down consumption of pork products in Canada in order that overseas shipments may be maintained. Information has been broadcast by radio, by newspaper advertising, by the farm press and by public statements of the minister and officials of the Department of Agriculture and the bacon board.
With respect to the use of milk, frequent and definite statements have been made by the Department of Pensions and National Health, and the Department of Agriculture, as to the proper use of milk in the diet. With respect to tea and coffee, the wartime prices and trade board carried on an extensive public campaign in May, June and July to bring about lowered consumption. The definite objective set before the public was to reduce tea consumption by one-half and coffee by one-quarter and on August 3, 1942. coupon rationing of tea and coffee was introduced.


WARTIME FOOD CORPORATION-CATTLE
Mr. EVANS:: 1.	How many cattle have been taken over by
the Wartime Food Corporation, Limited, from June 30 to July 18, 1942, inclusive, in each of the following provinces:	British Columbia,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, and on what dates was possession of cattle taken in each case?
2.	How many export permits were issued in each of the above named provinces during the said period?
3.	How many cattle were taken over under each export permit issued?
4.	In what cases were the cattle so taken over, (a) owned by American citizens; (b) owned by Canadian exporters?
5.	(a) Were there any losses taken by the American citizens living in Canada who are feeders and exporters; (b) were there any losses taken by the Canadian exporters, on cattle that were taken over by the board, and if so, what amount in each case?


Mr. ILSLEY:: 1.
Date
June 30	
July 3	
July 4..,.,..
July 6..,

July 9	
July 15	
July 16	
July 17	
Alberta
No. head
	 59
	 118
	  138
	   57
	 30
	 41
	 153
	 31
Total
5196
Questions

Manitoba
Date
July 2	
July 3	
July 6	
July 7	
July 8	
July 9	
July 10	
July 11	
July 13	
July 14	
July 15	
July 16	
July 17	
No. head .	61
.	87
.	207
.	421
,	104
.	132
.	332
539 121 265 100 167 40
Total
2,576
Ontario
Date
June 30	
July 2	
July 6	
July 7	
July 8	
July 9	
July 13	
July 14	
July 15	
July 16	
No. head .	24
.	149
.	205
.	45
,	69
133 78 17 86 20
Total	 826
Note: No cattle were taken over in any provinces except the above.
2. Export licences issued up to and including July 18:
Quebec	 2
Ontario	 66
Manitoba	 20
Saskatchewan	 22
Alberta	 26
British Columbia	 5
Total	 141
3.	Cattle taken over under export licences issued:
Licence	No. head
1		 44
2		  140
3		 237
4		 71
5	 178
6		 96
7		 40
8		 84
9		 93
10	 27

Licence
11....
12....
13..	..
14..	..
15..	..
16..	..
17..	..
18..	..
19..	..
20..	.. 21.... 22....
23..	..
24..	..
25..	..
26..	..
27..	..
28..	..
29..	..
30..	..
31..	..
32..	..
33..	..
34..	..
35..	..
36..	..
37..	..
38..	..
39..	..
40..	..
41..	..
42..	..
43_____
44..	..
45	....
46	____
47	....
48	....
49	....
50	....
51	....
No. head .	23
.	33
. 4S . 606 . 803 . 82 .	67
.	74
. 22 .	27
.	92
. 20 ,	41
,	64
120 ,	42
29 26 22 18
25 36 94
58
22
10
17 20
23 35
7 [DOT]
17
30 20
Total
4,029
4.	(a) Owned by American citizens numbers 14 and 15 shown under answer to No. 3.
(b) Owned by Canadian exporters all others shown under No. 3.
5.	(a) All cattle purchased by the Wartime Food Corporation are appraised and paid for at export values. If any losses claimed are proven, adjustments will be made accordingly. Claims so far received have not been fully checked so that no statement could be made as to losses, if any.
(b) See (a) above.

Questions


*AIR FORCE-ACCIDENTS IN CANADA
Mr. COLDWELL:: 1.	How many accidental crashes have occurred in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada, since May 1, 1942?
2.	How many men have been lost in such crashes?
3.	How many of the above crashes and deaths have occurred in the Atlantic ferry bomber command?
4.	Have the causes of the above accidents been determined?
5.	If so, what are the causes?


Mr. POWER:: Mr. Speaker, on a number of occasions I have stated to this house that it was not in the public interest to answer questions respecting tragedies which have occurred in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada, and hitherto the house has supported this view. The question also involved personnel both in the training scheme and in the Atlantic ferry command who are members of the Royal Air Force; so, in order that I might be able to answer with some authority with respect to the Royal Air Force, and to get some authority for the answers made respecting the Royal Canadian Air Force, I cabled to Great Britain to the Right Hon. Harold Balfour, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Air, and with his permission I would quote a portion-I do not want to quote it all-of the reply which he made to me. I shall be only too glad to place in the hands of my hon. friend who asked the question, and any other hon. member who may desire, the cable in extenso; but I would quote perhaps the more relevant parts so that it may get into Hansard. It is "for Power from Balfour'':
Following is note of our practice with parliamentary questions about R.A.F. flying accidents and reports on them by courts of inquiry or by our chief inspector of accidents.
In general there are security objections in time of war to disclosure details but even when no question is involved our practice which has long been respected by both houses of parliament is to treat reports of courts of inquiry or of chief inspector of accidents as privileged documents which may not be divulged either in whole or in part.
This practice was expounded and defended in 1927 by the then prime minister in the estimates debated of the year (Hansard, 10th March, 19271.
Briefly the reason for nondisclosure of proceedings and findings of a court of inquiry is that if it were known that they might be divulged a restraint would inevitably be put both on witnesses and on court itself. It is of importance that all concerned with inquiry should speak their mind frankly and freely giving the fullest possible statement of fact and criticizing fearlessly where criticism is called for without regard to person or rank. Any other attitude could not fail to diminish the value of proceedings and findings as foundation on which remedial measures must be based.
Similar consideration bona fide of course to reports _ by chief inspector of accidents whose duty it is where necessary to criticize authorities concerned.
A further point is that the publication of reports of inquiry into accidents might cause needless pain to relatives of those who have lost their lives.
Now, with respect to the questions directly, taking them in order:
1,	2 and 5. It is not considered to be in the public interest to divulge this information.
3.	As the ferry command is a unit of the Royal Air Force, this information cannot be released by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
4.	An inquiry is held in every case. If the cause of the accident is not immediately apparent, a court of inquiry or an investigation is called. Until such time as the report of the court of inquiry or the investigator is received the cause of the accident is designated as obscure. However, it is almost invariably possible to determine the cause.


Richard Burpee Hanson: If I may
be permitted, may I ask the minister if he did not on a previous occasion give some figures with respect to accidental crashes. I quite agree with him with respect to the reports of courts of inquiry, but the number, I think, was given on at least one occasion.


Charles Gavan Power: I went further than that.
I gave the numbers and I gave comparisons with what happened in Great Britain and, I think, in the United States. I may say I was asked not to do so again.


Major James William Coldwell: May I just say that I am sorry the minister did not speak to me when I placed these questions on the order paper. I put them there because I thought there was an undue number of accidents and I was anxious to find out if a proper inquiry was made.


PRICE OF FLUID MILK IN NOVA SCOTIA
Mr. PURDY:: 1.	Are the recommendations of the dairy arbitration commission of Nova Scotia, asking for an increase in the price of fluid milk being paid by the distributors to the producers in the Halifax area, being acted upon?
2.	If not, why not?


Mr. ILSLEY:: 1.	Milk prices in Nova Scotia have been under discussion between the Nova Scotia dairy arbitration commission and the wartime prices and trade board. Price adjustments and subsidies have been authorized to maintain milk supplies.
2.	Answered by No. 1.
[DOT]5198
Questions


MONTMAGNY, QUE., MILITARY CAMP
Mr. ROY:: 1.	Has the government awarded a contract for the enlargement of the military camp at Mont-magny, Quebec?
2.	If so, to whom and at what figure?
3.	What amounts have been paid to date on this contract?
Mr. RALSTON-
1.	Yes.
2.	J. P. A. Normand, L'Islet, P.Q. The total cost to January, 1943, is $154,693.53.
3.	The total amount paid to January 6, 1943, is $151,401.78.


Mr. ROY:: 1.	How much did the government pay for the land acquired for the establishment of the military camp at Montmagny, Quebec?
2.	To whom were payments made therefor and what amount in each ease?


Mr. RALSTON:: 1 and 2. Parts of three properties were expropriated. The owner, Mr. E. de la Durantaye, of one small parcel required for a roadway accepted the price of $100 offered and deed has been received.
The other two owners were tendered the
following amounts:
Henri & Joseph Kirouac	 $1,690
Louis C. Dupuis	 1,342
An advance payment of 50 per cent of the amount tendered has 'been made, without prejudice, to each of these two owners.
Final payments to the owners must await judgment by the exchequer court.


ST. LAWRENCE ALLOYS METALS COMPANY
Mr. ROY:: 1.	Has the government knowledge of any profiteering at the works of the St. Lawrence Alloys Metals Co., Beauharnois?
2.	If so, what is the nature of it and what -action has been taken?


Mr. HOWE:: 1.	No.
The Department of Munitions and Supply has placed seven orders with this firm, amounting to $2,703. These contracts were awarded as the result of competitive tender.
The scrap disposal branch of the Department of Munitions and Supply sold scrap steel turnings to the St. Lawrence Alloys Metals Co. in the amount of $114,131.78, a total of eight sales from October 15, 1941, to July 31, 1942. This scrap was sold at the highest price obtainable as the result of competitive tenders or at ceiling prices as set by the steel controller.
2.	Answered by 1.


LEASE OF REGINA BUILDING
Mr. STOKES:: 1.	Has the building on the corner of Fourteenth avenue and Broad street in the city of Regina been leased by the dominion government?
2.	If so, from whom was it leased?
3.	What is the period of the lease?
4.	What is the annual rental payable under the lease?
5.	Is Mr. J. M. Broderick president of the lessor company?
6.	Has Mr. Broderick been appointed recently to a position with the wartime prices and trade board?
7.	If so, to what position and at what salary was he so appointed?


Mr. McLARTY:: 1.	Yes.
2.	Saskatchewan Motor Company, Limited.
3.	Three years from date of occupation, with option to crown to renew for a further period of three years on same terms.
4.	$10,000 per annum.
5.	Offer of lessor company to lease building signed by J. M. Broderick, president.
6.	Mr. Broderick has been appointed to a position with the wartime prices and trade board.
7.	Tire rationing representative in Regina, at a salary of $3,600 per annum.
"the battle of brains"


Mr. DIEFENBAKER:: 1.	How many copies of the booklet "The Battle of Brains" have been issued?
2.	To whom have they been distributed, and by what department?
3.	Who prepared the material therefor?
4.	When were the first issues distributed?
5.	Have there been any revisions made since the first issue, and if so, in what particulars?


Mr. RALSTON:: 1.	1,500 copies of the "Battle of Brains" were printed.
2.	To training centres and active and reserve units by the directorate of military training, Department of National Defence. 200 copies were delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force.
3.	Judge W. F. Lindal and his wife, assisted by educationists of Manitoba.
4.	Copies were issued to training centres on September 16, 1941, and to military districts for distribution to units on October 14, 1941.
5.	Since issue on dates mentioned above, one revision has been made by Judge Lindal. The number of lectures has been increased from twelve to fifteen, the additional lectures dealing with the United States, Russia, China and the post-war period.

Questions as Orders jor Returns
This revised text is being submitted to a committee for final approval in the near future.


CHARLES CRATE
Mr. COLD WELL:: 1.	Is Mr. Charles Crate in the employ of any department of the government?
2.	If so, what department?
3.	Has he during the past three years been employed in any capacity in the government departments?
4.	If so, in what capacity?
5.	What remuneration has he received?
6.	What was his former occupation or employment?
7.	Has the attention of the Department of Justice been drawn to his more recent expressions of fascist and nazi activities, particularly in the realm of attempts to stir racial prejudices?
8.	If so, what action is being taken?


Mr. McLARTY:: 1.	No.
2.	Answered by No. 1.
3.	Mr. Charles Brandel Crate was employed in the Toronto postal district office from April 5, 1937, to December 9, 1940.
4.	Temporary postal clerk.
5.	SI,020 per annum.
6.	No information.
7.	Yes.
8.	The matter is under investigation.
land defences


Mr. ROY:: Has the government considered the expediency of creating a separate national defence department to take care of and provide only for the defence of the land?


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I might say
to my hon. friend that in the opinion of the government the defence of Canada is bound up with the preservation of freedom throughout the world, and that the surest method of defending Canada is to see that the axis powers are defeated as speedily as possible.
MAIL SUBSIDIES-MtJSKOKA LAKES NAVIGATION COMPANY


Mr. FRASER (Peterborough West):: 1.	What amount does the Post Office Department pay to the Muskoka Lakes Navigation Company for carrying the mail throughout the whole of the Muskoka lakes?
2.	Are there any extra side services paid for? If so, how much is paid?
3.	What is the term of this contract?


Mr. MULOCK:: 1.	$8,000 per annum.
2.	Yes-(a) Glen Orchard & Port Carling (summer), $136.50; (b) Bracebridge & Port Carling (winter), $33.25.
3.	April 1, 1939, to March 31, 1943.


BEATJPORT V. QUEBEC POWER COMPANY-LEGAL SERVICES
[Stage Direction]
Mr. LaCROIX (Quebec-Montmorency):
At whose request did the Minister of Justice appoint a lawyer to act on his behalf before the supreme court in the case of the city of Beauport against the Quebec Power Company?
Mr. ST. LAURENT: No outside counsel has been nominated to act in this case. It is being attended to by the department under the direction of the deputy minister.


Mr. POULIOT:: Referring to the statement of the Honourable Minister of National Defence, at page 3105 of Hansard of June 5, 1942, in relation to the persons listed in the telephone directory of the Department of National Defence dated March 1, 1942, so far as the army is concerned:

1.	What are (a) the name, (b) the rank, (c) the age, (d) the military record, (e) the country of origin, and (f) the branch of each one of, first, the 142 persons said to be bilingual; second, the 134 or 137 persons, more or less, who have not resided in Canada during the past five years; third, the 131 persons "whose names appear in the directory and who have been moved away from headquarters since the directory was prepared"; fourth, all other persons appointed, seconded or transferred to the Department of National Defence (army) since the directory was prepared and who are not listed in the said directory, but who have one or more telephones in their names in the dominion government exchange?
2.	How many, if any, of the persons referred to in the second, third and fourth places in the previous question were (a) in the British army on September 1, 1939, and (b) stationed, for any time and at any time, at the British War Office, and (c) who were they in each case?


Charles Gavan Power: Return tabled.


COST OF GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
Mr. CHURCH:: What is the estimated cost of government boards and commissions for the fiscal year ending March 31. 1943. the expenditures of which are chargeable to the war appropriation?


Mr. McLARTY:: Return tabled.


AIR FORCE COMMISSIONS TO CIVILIANS WITHOUT TRAINING
Mr. CARDIFF:: 1.	How many civilians have been given commissions in the Royal Canadian Air Force since the beginning of the war without any actual training?
2.	What are their names, rank, location and duties?

Questions as Orders for Returns
3.	What was their occupation previous to enlisting?
4.	What is the pay of a leading aircraftman who is training for overseas service?


Charles Gavan Power: This is an order for return, now tabled. I would ask the house to permit the department to have this document tabled for a month and that at the expiration of the time it be returned to the Royal Canadian Air Force for record purposes.
The preparation of the appended tabulated list of direct entry officers has involved an expenditure of $422.40 and consumed 149 man-hours of labour.


Mr. HOMUTH:: Oh, now, that is not fair.


Charles Gavan Power: I am giving the reasons. If my hon. and learned friend will allow me to continue, I will give him the reasons why I want the copy returned.
Since the Royal Canadian Air Force record office contains only two tabulators and three sorting machines, all of which are working twenty-four hours a day, the preparation of this list materially interfered with the regular duties of this office, because it meant the diversion of machines from their regular duties for approximately ninety-six hours or twelve shifts.
Since only one copy of this list can be produced on the Hollerith machine at one time, the provision of two further copies would involve approximately 275 hours and a further expenditure of $800. The provision of these two additional lists would involve the diversion of the machines for approximately eight days or twenty-four shifts.
It is therefore requested that this house grant permission to have these particulars tabled for one month, and that at the expiration of that period the list in question be returned to the Royal Canadian Air Force for record purposes.


Thomas Vien: I might point out to the minister that if the return is now tabled it is the property of the house, and he would have to make a separate motion in order to have his proposal carried out.


Richard Burpee Hanson: When a document is tabled in the house it cannot be returned. But I suggest to my hon. friend that a photostat of this return could be made at very little expense.


Charles Gavan Power: I am giving the house the information which I received. Apparently it cannot be done.


Richard Burpee Hanson: I understand it would cost very little to have a photostat copy of this return made. The number must be very considerable.


Charles Gavan Power: Five thousand.


Thomas Vien: The minister wishes to table it now?


Charles Gavan Power: I am making the request that the document be returned as requested. If it is your ruling that I make another motion-


Thomas Vien: The minister cannot table a document with conditions. It is understood that the return is now tabled without conditions.


RECRUITING CENTRES IN THE UNITED STATES
Mr. DIEFENBAKER:: 1.	How many recruiting centres or offices has the Canadian government established in the United States of America?
2.	Where is each located and when opened?
3.	How many Canadians in the United States of America are estimated to be subject to service in the Canadian armed service?
4.	How many men have been enlisted in each of the said centres or offices to date?
5.	What is the staff of each office?
6.	What has been the cost to date of the operation of each of the said offices excluding the pay of the military staffs?


Charles Gavan Power: Return tabled.


PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT
[Stage Direction]
A message was delivered by Major A. R. Thompson, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Mr. Speaker. His Honour the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General desires the immediate attendance of this honourable house in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker with the house went up to the Senate chamber.

[Stage Direction]
The Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to close the third session of the nineteenth parliament of the Dominion of Canada with the following speech:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
The present session opened under the shadow of the rapid successes of Japanese aggression in the Far East. Germany and Italy, in making war upon the United States, had completed the circle of world-wide conflict. With German advances in North Africa and Russia, and Japanese advances in China and toward India and Australia, the shadows lengthened. In the late summer, the midnight hour seemed to have arrived.
The British successes in North Africa in October, followed by the landing of a United States and British expeditionary force in November, completely changed the course of the

Governor General's Speech
war in that area. These successes, combined with the determined resistance of China, the unparalleled achievements of the armed forces of Russia, and the United States and Australian gains in the south west Pacific, have materially improved the position of the allied powers. Opposing forces are at last more evenly matched. The united nations are beginning to wage offensive warfare.
The fighting men of Canada, in increasing numbers, have continued in service and in combat against the axis powers in Europe, in Africa, in the middle east, on all the oceans and in the farthest parts of an embattled world. They have kept vigil over our own shores, both west and east. The valour and heroism displayed in the combined operations at Dieppe have added that name to the imperishable list of the battle honours of Canada.
Our country gratefully remembers those in all the fighting forces and in all parts of the world, whose lives have been given in its service and in the cause of freedom.
There has been increased cooperation between the United States and Canada in the defence of the western hemisphere. Canadian and United States forces have shared operations in Alaska and the Aleutians, as they previously had in Newfoundland, along our eastern coast, and in the North Atlantic. The chain of military airfields constructed by Canada between the United States and Alaska has been supplemented by the military highway constructed by the United States. There has also been cooperative development of northern air routes to Europe and Asia.
A plebiscite was held in accordance with legislation forecast in my speech at the opening of the session. As a consequence of the plebiscite, the National Resources Mobilization Act was amended to remove the statutory limitation on compulsory service in the armed forces.
A balanced effort in the prosecution of the war has resulted in a steady increase in the proportion of the nation's manpower and material resources devoted to the purposes of war.
The armed forces have grown steadily in numbers, in strength and in trained efficiency. The production of the machines and munitions of war and of foodstuffs has risen to new heights. In addition to supplying our own forces, Canada has made a vast direct material contribution of weapons, munitions and foodstuffs to Britain and other of the united nations. Within the limits of available manpower and materials, our munitions programme has now reached full
capacity. The volume and quality of output compares favourably with that of any allied country.
Canada's production is being vigorously sustained by unremitting work on our farms, and in the forests, mines and fisheries, the factories, shops and offices, and in all forms of transport. In the armed forces and in industry, the women of Canada are taking an increasing part.
Measures have been enacted to provide for the reinstatement in civil employment of members of the armed forces, and to assist war veterans to settle upon the land.
Rates of pay for lower ranks in the army have been increased on a basis of recognition of service and efficiency. Increased provision has been made for allowances to dependents of those serving in the armed forces.
The control of the cost of living has been splendidly maintained. Additional measures have been taken to avoid the evils of inflation. Where required, more equitable distribution of the necessaries of life has been ensured by the rationing of supplies to consumers.
Measures have been taken to curtail the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Provision has been made for war risk insurance and for compensation for war damage.
Members of the House of Commons:
I thank you for the financial appropriations you have made for the prosecution of the war. The magnitude of these appropriations is without precedent.
As a result of the conclusion of agreements with the provinces, the structure of taxation has been simplified. By a combination of steeply progressive taxation and compulsory savings, the financial burdens of war have been spread more equitably over the whole population. The magnificent voluntary responses to the two victory loans raised during the present session were deeply gratifying.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I thank you for the close attention you have given, in these perilous times, to the discharge of your public duties.
I join with you in grateful thanks to Divine Providence for the measure of success which has thus far attended the efforts of the united nations.
This concluded the third session of the nineteenth parliament.