1945-09-06

OFFICIAL REPORT


[Stage Direction]
EDMOND CLOUTIER, C.M.G., B.A., L.Ph., PRINTER TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY CONTROLLER OF STATIONERY 1946
[Stage Direction]
House of Commons Rebates

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):: Mr. Beauchesne, the first duty of the Commons at the beginning of a 47696-1
new parliament is to ascertain the reasons why His Excellency the Governor General, the king's representative, has summoned its members to meet with him in parliament. As hon. members have just been made aware, His Excellency is not prepared to impart those reasons until the Commons have elected a Speaker. As a matter of fact the house itself will not be duly constituted until a Speaker has been elected; therefore our first duty this morning is to choose a Speaker.
In matters of parliamentary procedure our parliament largely follows the procedure at Westminster; there are certain differences, however, that, in the past, have been observed in reference to the selection of a Speaker. The first difference is that at Westminster the Speaker of one parliament, if he proves to be acceptable, is frequently reelected from parliament to parliament. I recall quite well the occasion when Mr. Speaker Lowther of the House of Commons in London visited Canada some years ago and presented to this House the Speaker's chair which is in place here. It is a replica of the one at Westminster. Mr. Speaker Lowther informed our members that for sixteen years he had occupied that seat while the Commons was in session, and that, during that period of time, he had never left the precincts of parliament while either the Commons or the Lords were in session. Since Mr. Speaker Lowther's day three or four other speakers have been appointed. The latest selection was made a few days ago when Mr. Speaker Brown, who had been the Speaker in the last parliament in the United Kingdom, was again chosen Speaker. At that time this action was commented upon as being in accord with the best tradition of recognizing that where a Speaker has shown himself to be impartial, a change of government should not necessarily mean that there would be a change in the position of Speaker. The fact that Mr. REVISED EDITION

Election of Speaker
Brown had served under a Coalition government which was largely Conservative, and was now under a Labour administration, selected
as Speaker was commented on very favourably on all sides.
For reasons of our own, however, we have for the most part found it desirable to have a Speaker chosen at the beginning of one parliament, and a new Speaker chosen at the beginning of the following parliament. That has not always been the case; there have been three exceptions. Mr. Speaker Cockburn, Mr. Speaker Rhodes, and Mr. Speaker Lemieux were, as I recall, elected for more than one parliament. However, they are the exceptions rather than the rule. We have thought that, at this time, we should follow the general practice of choosing a new Speaker at the beginning of a new parliament.
The reason why this difference prevails between the custom in our country and that in the United Kingdom, is that it is felt desirable in this as in many other respects to give recognition to the two races that laid the foundations of our country. That recognition is given, after a Speaker whose mother tongue is English has occupied the chair, by choosing at the next parliament a Speaker whose mother tongue is French. If the Commons is agreeable we propose to have that practice carried out at this time. The Commons itself is, of course, complete master of the situation.
May I point out a further difference in procedure. In the United Kingdom the Speaker is usually nominated by a private member and the nomination is seconded by a private member. That is done in order to make it perfectly clear that so far as the government is concerned, or any other authority, there is no authority greater than that of the members of the Commons themselves; and that, among the members, there is equality in the matter of their rights and privileges. In Canada it has been the custom to have the Speaker nominated by a member of the government, and, I believe, in each case the nomination has been by the Prime Minister.
I should like to make it clear that the Commons is not obliged in any way to accept the nomination of the Prime Minister. Any member is free to nominate and to support the candidature as Speaker of any other hon. member. I am hopeful, however, that the name I intend to propose to the house is one which will prove to be generally acceptable, and that the Speaker who is to occupy the chair throughout this parliament will be elected unanimously.
I have noticed from the press that there appears to be doubt in some quarters as to

the correct procedure in the selection of the Speaker both in the Commons and in the Senate. I have made it abundantly clear, that so far as the Commons is concerned the government is not in any way seeking to impose a Speaker on the house. We are simply carrying out the custom that has prevailed in the past.
In regard to the Senate, I give the following to the members of the house for purposes of information. From section 34 of the British North America Act it will be seen that the Speaker is appointed by the government. He is not chosen in the same manner as in the Commons. Section 34 reads:
The Governor General may from time to time, by instrument under the great seal of Canada, appoint a senator to be Speaker of the Senate, and may remove him and appoint another in his stead.
The section of the British North America Act which governs the selection of a Speaker in the Commons is section 44. It reads as follows:
The House of Commons, on its first assembling after a general election, shall proceed with all practicable speed to elect one of its members to be Speaker.
That then is the position in which we are at the moment, namely, we are about to elect a Speaker with all practicable speed.
Perhaps I may be permitted, before placing before the house the name of the hon. member I intend to nominate, to say just a word about the position of Speaker and the qualities expected in the occupant of that position.
The position of Speaker is the highest office in the gift of the Commons, it is also the most honourable. The Speaker is the first commoner, he is also the presiding officer of this house and is the custodian of its honour, its rights, its privileges and its prerogatives. The Speaker must possess qualities of good judgment and a judicial temperament, also many other qualities that I would not say are too rare, but, found in combination, are often rare enough. He should in his occupancy of the chair be wholly impartial in his manner and in his preferences as between members of the house. Impartiality between the two sides of the house and towards all members in the house is a first requisite in the fulfilment of the office of Speaker. Hon. members who have been in previous parliaments will agree that a great deal of patience is required, a certain sense of humour, together with as much as possible of a conciliatory attitude. I noticed in reading some remarks made recently in the British

Election of Speaker
house, it was said the Speaker must be possessed of a capacity to sit still for a long time. A Speaker, of course, should be a person of quick perceptions, firm, tactful and wholly familiar with the rules of the house and with the procedure of parliament.
As I have said, this is a remarkable combination to find in any one person, but I do believe the hon. member of this house whom I am about to nominate does possess all these qualities to an exceptional degree. The hon. gentleman whose name I wish to place in nomination is Mr. Gaspard Fauteux, the member for St. Mary, Montreal. Doctor Fauteux, I believe, has the character and ability which eminently fit him for this high position. He is a young man, which is all to the good, though he is not too young to be a veteran of the first world war, during which he served in the ranks, nor is he too young to have had considerable parliamentary experience. For some time he wras a member of the Quebec legislature and, as hon. members are aware, he has been a member also of this parliament for some time past. Doctor Fauteux comes of a family that has contributed much to our public life. He is a grandson of Hon. Honore Mercier, a former very distinguished! Premier of Quebec, and is a nephew of another premier. I refer to the Hon. Sir Lomer Gouin, who not only was also a distinguished Premier of Quebec but for some time Minister of Justice of Canada.
Those who know Doctor Fauteux will say that they recognize, in his abilities and public service an inherited strain that is all to the good both for him and for our country. And I may say that Docteur Fauteux possesses a good deal in the way of political prowess in his own right, as is evident from what we have seen on his part in political campaigns. However, now that he is being nominated for the Chair, if he is elected to that office, he will be expected to leave behind him the controversies of party and to be wholly impartial.
In nominating Doctor Fauteux, I have much in mind that he recognizes that the great problems of to-day relate themselves not merely to our own country, but to the countries of the world in general. During this period of transition from the terrors of a world war that has been unequalled in its frightfulness, unequalled in history, it is fortunate that we may have in this office of Speaker one who, for years past, has given very special study to international questions, has spoken upon many occasions in this and in other countries of the world situation, and has done much to educate others on the importance of a wide outlook in international affairs.
47696-li
I may repeat that Doctor Fauteux has, I believe, the qualities of quick perception, keen discernment, patience and impartiality; and if elected by the hon. members of this house, he will, I believe, fill the high office of Speaker with dignity, with honour and distinction to himself and to parliament and with credit to the traditions established by his predecessors.
May I be permitted to add a single word. The ability of a Speaker to preside over the house in a manner which will commend itself generally is dependent even more upon the attitude of hon. members themselves than upon the one who may occupy the Chair. This is certain to be a difficult parliament. The questions which will have to be considered here will be much more difficult of solution than those which have had to be faced by any previous parliament. For this reason, if for no other we should recognize that the Speaker may have upon occasions an exceptionally difficult time. In some parliaments there has been I think a tendency to question far too often, the decisions of the Speaker. I am not in any way trying to lecture the house; I am seeking to emphasize what has been stressed very strongly at Westminster, namely, that the more the Speaker can be supported by the house, the better it will prove in the long run for the dispatch of business and also for the reputation of parliament itself in all parts of the world. I hope hon. members will not think I am unduly anticipating possibilities of that kind. I would only say that the more hon. members strengthen the hands of the Speaker, in his decisions, and in his maintenance of order and decorum in the house, the more rapidly and effectively will it be possible to proceed with the dispatch of the business of the house.
Mr. Beauohesne, I would move, seconded by Mr. St. Laurent:
That Gaspard Fauteux, Esquire, member for the electoral district of St. Mary, do take the chair of this house as Speaker.


Mr. JOHN BRACKEN (Leader of the Opposition):: Doctor Beauohesne, speaking
for the members in this section of the house I am very glad to have the opportunity of supporting the motion made by the Prime Minister. The right hon. gentleman has outlined something of the circumstances leading up to the present situation and has given us something of the historical background of the choice of Speaker. With his motion I am in agreement. With his practice I am not fully in accord.
My remarks to-day will not be at all contentious and will be very brief. The position of Speaker in the House of Commons carries
Election 0/ Speaker

with it the highest honour in the gift of this assembly. For that high task the hon. member for St. Mary has been proposed. In expectation of his election I want, on behalf of my associates and myself, to extend our sincere congratulations and best wishes for his successful tenure of office.
In the choice of a presiding officer for the House of Commons there are three essentials we ought never to forget. One is that he is elected by us; another is that he is our officer, and the last is that in no degree is he an officer of the government. In democratic parliaments these facts ought never to be overlooked.
As the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) pointed out, in Westminster special care is taken to protect the independence of that position. As he has explained, private members make the motion appointing him and, we have found that speakers, once appointed have continued from one parliament to the next, even though in the meantime there may have been a change of government. The action of the Labour government in Great Britain within the last few days when they continued in office the Speaker of the previous administration is evidence of that fact.
I draw attention to these facts at this time, not in a spirit of censure of the procedure we are witnessing here to-day. Rather I do so for the purpose of pointing out that the government's action a few days ago-like some similar actions in the past-in designating in advance of the meeting of parliament who would be Speaker of the House of Commons, was not in accordance with the best parliamentary tradition. It was, in fact, and I say this in all deference to the Prime Minister and to such of his predecessors as followed the same procedure, an affront to that tradition; and, to that extent, was an invasion of the rights of the house.
I mention this matter to-day only because if it becomes a regular practice that the Speaker be chosen by the government, without, as in the present instance, any consultation whatsoever with the members of the house, it will tend to prejudice the independence of the office, and to that extent hamper its occupant in the sometimes delicate task of satisfying members of all parties that he is, in fact, completely impartial.
I need scarcely add that this protest is not in any sense directed against the hon. member who has been proposed as Speaker, and in no way detracts from the commendation and good wishes which I express to him personally.
It is one of the happy traditions of the House of Commons that a Speaker of one 
parliament who is of English descent shall be followed by a Speaker of French descent, and vice versa. The government's choice is in accordance with that worthy tradition. Furthermore, on grounds of personal merit, I feel it to be a wise one. I believe it will be generally accepted as fortunate that the government's choice has fallen upon the hon. member for St. Mary.
During his period of public service in the house and in the legislature of his native province, the hon. member has demonstrated that he possesses ability and tolerance of a high order. If it be true, as the Prime Minister has said, that the hon. member has in the past been a strong partisan and a doughty fighter for his party, that need not be held to his discredit in his new role.
We on this side of the house are hopeful that, in the tradition of his many distinguished predecessors, the hon. member will be able, as they did, to cast off the mantle of partisanship in the administration of the onerous duties of his new task. We are confident that he will consider himself the guardian of the rights of members wherever they may sit in the house; and we trust that he will be equally zealous in protecting the rights of those who sit in opposition as well as those who sit on the government side.
To the degree that he succeeds in doing this, his administration will be a success and he will be assured from all sides of the house of the respect and deference due his high position.
In assuming the speakership the hon. member for St. Mary will follow a long line of predecessors, whether of Anglo-Saxon or of French descent, who brought distinction to that position. It is our hope and expectation that his record will be no less distinguished than theirs.
For myself and associates I say to the hon. member so soon to be chosen Speaker that he will have our full cooperation in making his term of office a credit both to himself
and to the twentieth parliament now about to open.


Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):: Doctor Beauchesne, on behalf of one of the numerically smaller parties in the house, I wish to support the nomination of the hon. member for St. Mary (Mr. Fauteux) as Speaker.
Doctor Fauteux came to this house some three years ago in a by-election, and since that time those of us who had come to know him paid respect to him for his views, and for that sense of humour which has been

Election of Speaker
mentioned by the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King). I am rising to support the nomination of Doctor Fauteux because I believe he will bring honour to himself and, I hope, add to the dignity of this chamber in the years to come. I support him, not because he chose his ancestors carefully, but rather because I think he is eminently suitable for the office.
The high office to which he has now been nominated is one which concerns the whole membership of the house. Perhaps I have a rather strong sense of history, because I once taught it for a number of years. When we went to the senate chamber this morning my mind recalled that occasion when a Speaker of the English House of Commons, during the reign of Charles I, when the King violated the Commons chamber, informed him when he came to wreck his vengeance upon a small minority in that house that he had no knowledge of their whereabouts, and that he could not tell the King other than he was told by the House of Commons to tell.
It seems to me that the Speaker of the House is the guardian of the privileges of the house, and of those of individual members. I would hope that in this parliament, one which is quite different in its make-up from parliaments we have had since I have been here in the last ten years, Mr. Speaker will always remember that the fortunes of the government must not take precedence over the rights of individual members, or other parties in the house. I am sure that the nominee for this very high office, one who is to be the first Commoner of Canada, will remember this during his tenure of office; so that when the time comes for him to lay down his cares of office we may regard him with the same esteem and respect as we did the Speaker of the house who retired from that position at the end of the last parliament.
Mr. SOLON E. LOW (Peace River): Doctor Beauchesne, speaking for the minority group in this section of the house, I wish to associate myself with other hon. members who have spoken in supporting the nomination of the hon. member for St. Mary (Mr. Fauteux) to this high and important office.
I have not had the pleasure of knowing Doctor Fauteux prior to this morning and therefore I am not able to speak with any authority or any knowledge about his background or his ancestry, but having had ten years' experience in the provincial legislature I have had impressed upon me the importance of his office and have gained some knowledge of the onerous duties which devolve upon him.
I sympathize with him in the duties that he will have to perform, and I hope that sympathy will be carried into action by myself and all who are with me in this organization to give him full support in seeing to it that the best traditions of this house are observed. I trust, Doctor Beauchesne, that the new Speaker-I am anticipating his election-will also keep in mind the best traditions of true democracy and watch over and observe and preserve the rights of the minorities in this chamber as well as those of the majority.
I wish to assure the Speaker-elect that we will at all times give him every support in the carrying out of the heavy duties that will devolve upon him and I assure him, and the other members of this house, that we will always stand ready to observe the rules and to do that which will assist in the carrying out of the business of this house with dispatch. I take great pleasure in supporting the nomination of the hon. member for St. Mary.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I had not
anticipated that it would be either necessary or desirable to say any word in reply to the remarks that might be made by the different speakers at this time, but my hon. friend the leader of the opposition (Mr. Bracken) has taken me to task for having intimated to the public in advance of this morning's sitting the name of the person it was intended to nominate as Speaker of the house. My hon. friend has said that that was not the correct practice to follow and he has taken exception to it. May I say to my hon. friend that if he will look through the records of this parliament from the days of confederation up to the present time he will find that the practice I have adopted has been the one that has been followed by all previous prime ministers. Far from limiting or restricting in any way the privileges of the members of the house in making their own choice, the action taken, which has permitted them to know in advance the name of the individual whose name is likely to be placed in nomination, gives to all hon. members an opportunity which otherwise they would not have until the last moment, namely, to decide in their own minds some time in advance whether the choice of the government is one they wish to approve or oppose. Hon. members would have resented it very strongly if I had changed that practice and had given to them and to others no intimation in advance as to the one whom the government had in mind to nominate for the position of Speaker. I wish to make it clear that, far from being censured for departing
e
Election oj Speaker

from the practice, I should be commended by my hon. friend for following established and most desirable precedent.
There is one other point to which my hon. friend has drawn attention, namely, the desirability of not permitting the selection of a Speaker to alternate between one whose mother tongue is English and one whose mother tongue is French. May I say to him that the longer he remains a member of this house and the more he desires to command its confidence, the more ready he will be to see that so far as the English speaking and French speaking members are concerned-


John Bracken: I want to correct that.
M. MACKENZIE KING: May I say to my hon. friend that, if I misunderstood him, I am prepared to withdraw.


John Bracken: I commended that practice.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: Did my hon. friend not say that the practice he would like to see followed was to have one Speaker continue?


John Bracken: No.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I understood that such was his first comment.


John Bracken: I	commended the
practice of the house in alternating between an English speaking Speaker and a Speaker using the other language.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I must say
that I thought my hon. friend's first comment was that the British practice of having one Speaker from parliament to parliament was the practice which should be followed.


John Bracken: No.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: If I misunderstood my hon. friend, I of course am only too ready and too happy to apologize to him. I do wish to make it abundantly clear that every hon. member in this house has the same privilege as has any member of the government in the making of nominations.
The Clerk of the House declared the motion carried in the affirmative, nemine contradicente, and Hon. Gaspard Fauteux, member for the electoral district of St. Mary, duly elected to the chair of the house.
Hon. Mr. Fauteux was conducted from his seat in the house to the Speaker's chair by Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King and Hon. L. S. St. Laurent.
Mr. SPEAKER-ELECT said: Madam and gentlemen of the House of Commons, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for the testimonial of good will that you have just conferred upon me so generously.
Being conscious of my unfitness for this high office, I find great comfort in your sympathy and generosity. I hope that with your cooperation as well as your enlightened advice and counsel I shall prove myself deserving of your trust in presiding over the proceedings of the House of Commons with justice and in upholding British parliamentary traditions.
Again, madam and fellow members of the House of Commons, thanks from the bottom of my heart.


[Stage Direction]
SUSPENSION OF SITTING
William Lyon Mackenzie King: Mr. Speaker, I suggest that the sitting be suspended until three o'clock this afternoon.
At 12 noon the sitting was suspended until 3 p.m. this day.



SITTING RESUMED

[Stage Direction]
The house resumed at three o'clock.
Mr. SPEAKER read a communication from the assistant secretary to the Governor General, announcing that His Excellency the Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber at three p.m. on this day, for the purpose of formally opening the session of the dominion parliament.
A message was delivered by Charles H. Larose, Esquire, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the Governor General desires the immediate attendance of this honourable house in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly the house went up to the Senate Chamber.
Then the Hon. Gaspard Fauteux, Speaker-elect, said:
May it please Your Excellency,
The House of Commons have elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little ah .e to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If in the performance of those duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to the Commons whose servant I am.
The Honourable the Speaker of the Senate, addressing the Honourable the Speaker of the House, then said:
[Stage Direction]
Governor General's Speech
Mr. Speaker. I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor General to assure you that your words and actions will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.
Then His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to open parliament by a speech from the throne.
And: the house being returned to the Commons chamber:
Mr. SPEAKER:: I have the honour to state that the house having attended on His Excellency the Governor General in the Senate chamber, I informed His Excellency that the choice of Speaker had fallen upon me, and, in your names, and on your behalf, I made the usual claim for your privileges, which His Excellency was pleased to confirm to you.



OATHS OF OFFICE

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister) moved for leave to introduce bill No. 1, respecting the administration of oaths of office.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

James Horace King: I have the honour to inform the house that when the house did attend His Excellency the Governor General this day in the Senate chamber, His Excellency was pleased to make a speech to both houses of parliament. To prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy, which is as follows:
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
You will rejoice with me that the opening of the Twentieth Parliament of Canada comes at the moment of .the victorious conclusion of the war.
It is just six years ago that Parliament met in special session in anticipation of a declaration of war. Since that time, war has been waged continuously, first against Germany, later also against Italy and Japan. From the very beginning, the resources of Canada and the utmost efforts of our people were committed to the fight for freedom and to the winning of victory.
One by one, .the aggressor nations and their satellite states have suffered total defeat by the armed forces of the United Nations. All have been compelled to surrender unconditionally. The terms of surrender were signed by Italy on September 8, 1943; by Germany, on May 8 of the present year; and by Japan, on the eve of the present week. The month of August witnessed the devastating use of the atomic bomb against Japanese cities, and the entry of the UjS.S.R. into war against Japan. Thus the world-encircling conflict, the most terrible of wars in human history, was brought
to its close. Not only has victory been complete, it has been won over strongly organized and sinister forces working in combination in an attempt at world conquest and domination.
As you assemble at the opening of a new Parliament. I join with you in giving humble and grateful thanks to Divine Providence for the deliverance which His mercy has vouchsafed to the peoples of our own and other lands. We of this day and generation have been the witnesses of a mighty manifestation of the workings of the moral law which inexorably connects wrongdoing with retribution. It is as applicable to nations as to men.
In this titanic conflict between the forces of good and evil, it has been ours to behold the triumph of right and justice. In this victory, we find the assurance of the ultimate triumph of righteousness as we seek to bring into being a new order founded upon world security and social justice.
The victory over nazi and fascist tyranny in Europe and over Japanese militarism in Asia has been bought at a great price. As the appalling extent of the power of the forces of aggression and tyranny was revealed, the free peoples of the world slowly began to realize what they owe to the allied nations who first opposed the aggressors. To their heroic resistance and to the armed might of all the united nations, humanity owes not only its freedom, but everything which free men value and cherish most.
Our thoughts at this time are especially of the members of Canada's forces who have given their lives that victory might be ours and not our enemies'. The whole nation reverently bows its head in tribute to their sacrifice. At this hour our hearts share in special measure the hopes and expectations of those who yearn for the return of .their loved ones, now liberated after three and a half years in Japanese prison camps. The deep sympathy of Canada is with all who have been bereaved, and with those who have suffered impairment of body or mind, imprisonment, privation or want.
It will be for history to record the magnitude of Canada's contribution in this global conflict. We rejoice that our armed forces have achieved so much in helping to defend and liberate nations to whose past and present our own is so closely akin. Our country will ever remember with pride the heroic exploits of Canada's fighting men and merchant seamen.
We pay tribute as well to the men and women without whose loyal and steady work on the farms, in forests, mines and fisheries, in factories, workshops and offices, in hospitals and homes, and in transport and other services, victory could not have been achieved. Canada's great contribution to victory has been made possible by the unbroken partnership of her warriors and her workers.
To all who have contributed by service and sacrifice to victory, I would, in .the name of parliament, express our country's gratitude.
So far as the future could be foreseen, my ministers had taken steps to see that Canada was prepared to meet .the very difficult situations which would arise when victory had been won. Under the authority of Parliament, relief was provided to assist in feeding, clothing and housing destitute populations, and in rehabilitating areas devastated by enemy action in
Governor General's Speech

Europe. Additional measures to assist in meeting these and other imperative needs will be submitted for your consideration.
Preparations for the demobilization, rehabilitation and reestablishment in civil life of the men and women in the armed forces were well under way when Germany surrendered. The same is true of measures for the reconversion of the economic life of our country from a war-time to a peace-time basis, and for the maintenance of a high level of employment and national income. The plans thus developed to meet the requirements of the period of transition are now being put into full operation.
In the building of a new world order, my ministers are determined to seek above all else the promotion of peace, work and health in domestic and international relations. To further these great objectives, the government has received a definite mandate from the people of Canada.
The charter of the united nations which was signed by the representatives of the fifty nations who took part in the conference at San Francisco will be submitted for your approval. The charter expresses their determination to maintain peace in accordance with justice and respect for human Tights, and to promote the welfare of all peoples 'by international cooperation.
To the promotion of national *well-being, cooperation and goodwill between the dominion and provincial governments are as essential as *these attitudes, between nations, are to the maintenance of world peace and international prosperity. You will be pleased to know that at the dominion-provincial conference held at Ottawa during August, a successful beginning was made in the consideration of proposals designed to contribute to the maintenance of a high level of employment and national income, and to the establishment of nation-wide social security. It is the earnest hope of my ministers that, when the conference resumes its deliberations, agreement may be speedily reached which will place the dominion and all the provinces in a financial position to discharge effectively their several responsibilities. Such agreements would make possible a reorganization of the dominion tax structure on a simpler, more equitable basis, conducive to the expansion of enterprise and employment.
Every effort is being put forth to ensure the return to Canada as rapidly as military commitments and transportation facilities will permit, of our armed forces serving abroad, and to accelerate the orderly release of men and women from the forces.
Through the joint efforts of the government, industry and labour, the conversion of war industries to civilian production is taking place with a minimum of delay and inconvenience.
It is the intention of the government to abolish war restrictions in progressive steps as rapidly as that can be accomplished without occasioning inflation or other economic disturbances. Such controls as are essential to the welfare of our people will be continued for as long as they are necessary.
You will be asked to approve a measure to extend certain specified emergency powers to meet emergency conditions in the period of reconstruction.
The maintenance of long-term markets for our primary industries is receiving close attention. The continuing need for foodstuffs both at home [Mr. Speaker.l
and abroad will ensure, for some time to come, a heavy demand for the products of our farms and fisheries.
The government is continuing its efforts to stimulate the restoration and expansion of external trade. Measures to this end will he submitted for your approval.
In furtherance of stable international exchanges and adequate orovision for international credit, you will be asked to approve a measure to provide for Canadian participation in the international monetary fund and the bank for reconstruction and development.
The provision of houses is being pressed forward as rapidly as the supply of materials and labour will permit. Plans already in operation provide for the expansion of home construction to keep pace with increases in the output of building supplies. Priority is being given to houses for war veterans and their dependents.
Plans for the establishment of a national minimum of social security and human welfare are being advanced as rapidly as possible. Unemployment insurance, floors under farm and fish prices, and family allowances are now in force. The government's proposals for the promotion of health and welfare made to the dominion-provincial conference include plans for a nation-wide system of health insurance and preventive medicine, and for old age pensions on a more generous 'basis.
Other measures demanding your consideration will include a consolidation, as a veterans' charter, of the various orders in council relating to the care, rehabilitation and reestablishment of war veterans; a bill to repeal the act establishing the Department of National War Services; a bill to merge the Department of Munitions and Supply and the Department of Reconstruction into a single Department of Reconstruction and Supply. The army and the navy have already been placed under -the jurisdiction of one Minister of National Defence. A further consolidation of all defence services under one minister of the crown will be made in due course.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will ibe asked to make financial provision for all essential services, also to meet expenditures arising out of the war, and for the purposes of reconstruction. My ministers' proposals with respect to taxation measures will be disclosed in the budget.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
My ministers believe that the position attained by our country among the nations of the world, makes it desirable that Canada, like the other nations of the British commonwealth, should possess a distinctive national flag. You will be asked to appoint a select committee of members of both houses of parliament to consider a suitable design for a Canadian flag.
The government has directed that, pending approval by parliament of a particular design, the Canadian red ensign which was the flag carried into battle by the Canadian army, and which was flown from the peace .tower on V-E day and V-J day as a tribute to the valour of our armed forces and to Canada's achievements in war, may be displayed wherever place or occasion makes it desirable to fly a distinctive Canadian flag.

Internal Economy Commission
The government also considers that it is advisable to revise and clarify the definition of Canadian citizenship, and to bring the legislation respecting national status, naturalization and immigration into conformity with the definition of citizenship. You will ibe asked to approve the required measures.
The government has also been giving consideration to the most suitable manner in which to commemorate, in the capital of Canada, the service and saorifiee of Canadians in the war just ended. In the past, the sacrifice of human life in war has most frequently been commemorated in monuments of bronze and stone. Such a memorial our capital already has. My ministers are of the opinion that something more expressive of the vision of a new world order would, at this time, be most appropriate. They believe that this vision would best find expression in the planned development and beautification of the national capital and its surrounding area as a national memorial. Steps have already been taken to plan the development of the city and region of Ottawa on both sides of the Ottawa river. As plans are formulated, specific proposals will, from time to time, be submitted to parliament for consideration.
On the recommendation of the government of Canada, His Majesty the King has been pleased to select Field Marshal the Honourable Sir Harold Alexander as my successor as his representative in Canada. Field Marshal Alexander's duties will not permit of his assumption of office until early in the new year. Meanwhile Her Royal Highness Princess Alice and I will pay a short visit to the United Kingdom., returning to Canada for a brief stay before our official departure.
As you take up your heavy responsibilities in these difficult days of reconstruction, I pray that Almighty God may guide and bless your deliberations. May you be inspired by the vision of the better future for humanity which it is now within the power of the united nations to create.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration on Friday next, and that this order have precedence over all other business, except the introduction of bills, government notices of motions and government orders, until disposed of.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

William Lyon Mackenzie King: That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose standing committees of this house under standing order 63, said committee to be composed of Messrs. Mackenzie, Ohevrier, Casselman, Knowles and Weir.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
INTERNAiL ECONOMY COMMISSION
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister) presented the following message from His Excellency the Governor General:
The Governor General transmits to the House of Commons a certified copy of an approved minute of council appointing the Honourable Ian A. Mackenzie, Minister of Veterans Affairs, the Honourable J. L. Ilsley, Minister of Finance, the Honourable J. A. MacKinnon, Minister of Trade and Commerce, and the Honourable L. S. St. Laurent, Minister of Justice, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners for the purposes and under the provisions of chapter 145 of the revised statutes of Canada, 1927, intituled: An Act Respecting the House of Commons.


[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING
(Prime Minister): Members of the house who were present at the last session of the last parliament will recall that supply was voted only until the end of August. There is no supply at the present time to carry on the business of government during this month of September, and should a measure of interim supply not be voted meanwhile, if the debate on the address should continue for several days, running past the fifteenth of this month, it would not be possible for members of the civil service to receive their cheques at that time. It is customary no, to set up the committees of supply and w ys and means until after the address in reply x>
the speech of His Excellency has been agreed to. Having this in mind I conferred this morning with the leader of the opposition and with other leaders of groups opposite, and I believe I may say that, reserving all rights to members of the house with respect to such discussion as may arise on a motion for the purpose, they would be agreeable, if other hon. members are, to the house immediately setting up these two committees of the house. This procedure would enable the Minister of Finance (Mr. Ilsley) on Monday next to ask the house for interim supply, of an amount sufficient to enable us to carry on for a limited time. If that is agreeable to hon. members I would move:
That this house resolve itself at its next sitting into a committee to consider of supply to be granted to His Majesty, notwithstanding the provisions of standing order 57.
Standing order 57, the one to which I refer, reads:
The house will appoint the committees of supply and ways and means at the commencement of every session, so soon as an address has been agreed to, in answer to His Excellency's speech.
[Stage Direction]


House of Commons-Appointments
What I am now suggesting is that, notwithstanding this order, the house agree to constitute these two committees at the next sitting.
Motion agreed to.
William Lyon Mackenzie King: I also move:
That this house resolve itself at its next sitting into a committee to consider of the ways and means for raising the supply to be granted to His Majesty, notwithstanding the provisions of standing order 57.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
James Horace King: I have the honour to
inform the house that the governor in council has appointed Roy T. Graham, Esquire, K.C., as Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons, Charles W. Boyce, _ Esquire, Second Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons, and Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Franklin, M.C., V.D., Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: Mr. Speaker, I move that the house do now adjourn.


John Bracken: Before the motion is put. Mr. Speaker, might I, with the indulgence of the house, be permitted to ask the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have been made for Canadian representation, at the meeting of the council of foreign ministers which will open in London on Monday next? It is reported in the press that the Australian Minister of External Affairs has arrived in London, and I am confident that Canadians would also wish to be represented at this meeting, which may play such a large part in determining the future course of world affairs.


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I expected that my hon. friend would ask that question, and I had an answer prepared to give to him.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom did a few days ago invite the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa either to come to London themselves, or if that were impracticable and if they so desired, to designate special representatives for consultation in London with United Kingdom ministers during the proceedings of the council of foreign ministers. It was suggested IMr. Mackenzie King.]
that these representatives would also be available to participate in the proceedings of the council if the council so decided.
I understand that none of the prime ministers of the commonwealth countries have found it possible to visit London at this time themselves.
In my reply to Mr. Attlee, I welcomed his desire for full consultation between commonwealth governments on questions of common concern and said I should be glad, if opportunity offered, to talk over with him questions of mutual interest to our governments. With parliament opening to-day, however, I found it quite impossible for me or one of my colleagues to go to London to attend commonwealth discussions to be held during the course of the meeting of the council of foreign ministers. As members of the house know, our channels for swift and direct intergovernmental communication between the countries of the commonwealth are excellent. I myself believe that the most effective means of consultation within the commonwealth are provided through the continuing conference of the cabinets of the commonwealth, which use of those channels makes possible.
Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 4.40 p.m.
Friday, September 7, 1945.