1947-01-31

TRIBUTES TO DECEASED MEMBERS


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Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING . (Prime Minister) : Mr. Speaker, since the last session of parliament, this House of Commons has experienced a severe loss in its membership in the passing of two of its best known members: the Hon. P. J. A. Cardin, K.C., member for Richelieu-Vercheres, whose death at the age of sixty-seven occurred on October 20, 1946, and Mr. William Chisholm Mac-
Tributes to Deceased Members
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donald, K.C., one of the members for Halifax, whose death at the age of fifty-six occurred on November 19, 1946. The passing of these two hon. members is a loss not to the parliament of Canada only but to our country. I need not say it is a special loss to the Liberal party.
The Hon. Mr. Cardin, in years of service as a member, was at the time of his death the oldest member of the House of Commons. He was first returned to the House of Commons at the general election of 1911, and was reelected at all subsequent elections and byelections, including the election of 1945. Each of these records in itself is a real distinction. To have been a member of this house continuously from 1911 to 1946-thirty-five years in all-is a record that has seldom been equalled in the history of politics in Canada. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was a member for forty-four years. Thirty-five years is a long period for an hon. member to be in the House of Commons. To have represented the same constituency for so long a period of time is also a quite exceptional record. That was also Mr. Cardin's achievement. To have enjoyed the unbroken confidence of the electors of the constituency in which he was born, and where he had lived his entire life is evidence of the high regard and esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best.
Mr. Cardin's life was given largely, in fact, over a considerable time almost entirely, to politics. As a young man, he began practice as a lawyer in Sorel, and at an early age made a distinct mark in his profession. Had he given his time exclusively to the practice of law, he would undoubtedly have risen to a foremost position at the bar, and, had he so desired, in the judiciary. However, like not a few of the members of the legal profession who have entered political life, he found there the opportunities of public service which appealed most strongly to him, and, as I have said, most of his time was given to promoting the interests of his constituents in parliament and to public business and affairs.
I need not remind hon. members how able Mr. Cardin was as a parliamentarian, or how effective and eloquent he was as a speaker in English and French alike, both in parliament and on the platform. In his own province of Quebec, I doubt if there was any member except the Right Hon. Ernest Lapointe, who exercised a greater influence over the people of his province than Mr. Cardin exercised in the years in which he was most active in public affairs.
Mr. Cardin was a man of deep and sincere convictions, with an intense love for the people, and enjoyed nothing quite so much

as the advocacy of causes which he believed would serve to enlarge their opportunities and to improve their condition. He himself was so humble-minded and unassuming that the latent fire which displayed itself in many of his public utterances often came as a surprise even to those with whom he was associating from day to day. He had a special love for the people of his own province and was intensely jealous of its rights and interests.
For over thirteen years Mr. Cardin was a member of the government. He first entered the ministry as Minister of Marine and Fisheries. Later he held the portfolio of Public Works, with which, during the early years of the war, was combined the portfolio of Transport. In all those years Mr. Cardin and I were colleagues at the council table. We shared together years of prosperity and adversity. It was a fortunate thing for Canada and for Canadian unity that Mr. Cardin was a member of the ministry in the years immediately preceding and in the early years of the great war. I doubt if the people of Canada will ever know the extent of the service rendered our country in keeping its provinces united at that time of crisis in world affairs by those who were members of the cabinet from the province of Quebec. Had Mr. Cardin's leadership and that of the late Ernest Lapointe been less courageous, less far-sighted, or less patriotic than it was, the story of Canada's war effort and her. contribution to victor might have been very different from what it was.
It is true that in 1942 Mr. Cardin felt it necessary to resign from the ministry because of the government's policy in removing certain restrictions regarding military service from the National Resources Mobilization Act. At the time I did my best to persuade Mr. Cardin to remain in the ministry, but he felt that he owed it to pledges given some time before not to continue in the ministry so long as any measure of conscription, however slight, might be possible. I never questioned Mr. Cardin's motives or sincerity in tendering his resignation, nor did he question mine in taking the position I did, in the light of the world situation as it then existed and threatened) to become. I did my best to persuade Mr. Cardin to remain in the cabinet, and I have never ceased to believe that had he been in better health than he was at the time and had some of his friends and opponents been a. little more chivalrous toward him than they were he might have continued. Mr. Cardin like so many of his compatriots had a chivalrous nature. Had1 a measure of understanding been extended to him equal to that which

Tributes to Deceased Members
he was prepared to extend to others, and had his health been more vigorous I believe he would have remained. I think he felt, and I know I was one who felt that he deserved more in the way of understanding of his very difficult position at that very critical time. However, this is not the time to weigh these matters. War makes many situations difficult. It is only in the light of subsequent events that we are able to estimate whether or not the course that has been taken is best for all. What I am anxious the house should know is that such political differences as may have arisen at the time made no difference whatever in the personal friendship, which, born of many years of membership in parliament and years of intimate association in the cabinet, existed between us. He remained, for me, throughout his life, a close and deeply valued personal friend. The last time I saw Mr. Cardin was on an afternoon I was about to leave for England. He had asked a question of the ministry to which I had replied. When we met in the corridor he said be hoped the question he had asked had not embarrassed me. Nothing could better have revealed his kindly feelings.
In the few years following his resignation from the ministry, Mr. Cardin continued to occupy a seat on this side of the house and to give the government his support on most occasions. It is true his attitude was more or less independent. He did not hesitate to criticize the ministry on points where he felt he should differ. Had he continued in the ministry he would have had that privilege in the council. It is a common thing for those who have shared cabinet responsibility to offer suggestions and criticisms to the younger or less experienced members of their party. It was as an independent Liberal, but as a Liberal, that Mr. Cardin contested and was returned to parliament at the last general election. My one regret for members who were not present in former sessions of this parliament is that they had not the privilege of sharing Mr. Cardin's oratory as we who were with him in previous parliaments are privileged to recall it.
May I say in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, that in the third of a century, during which Mr. Cardin occupied a seat in the House of Commons, and over a third of which time he was a member of the ministry, he left upon its members the impression of a man of character and ability, of great industry and integrity. He has given to our public life the example of the high place in public esteem to which these qualities may bring those who possess
and exercise them, however circumscribed, at the outset, may be their fortunes, and however limited their opportunities. He has left to our country, and to his native province in particular, a name that will have an enduring place among those who, in the last quarter of a century, have been most prominent in promoting the development of our national life and in shaping its future.

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By Mr. Cardin's death this house lost one of its members who, because of his years and increasing infirmity was nearing the close of his long and distinguished career. In the passing of Mr. William Chisholm Macdonald the house sustained the loss of one the fullness of whose public career was just emerging and full of promise.
In his own community, the city of Halifax, and in his profession, that of law, Mr. Macdonald had won for himself a high place in the esteem of his fellows. Throughout his life he had shown great devotion to his country's interests. In the first world war he served overseas in France and in Belgium during 1917 and 1918 as a lieutenant in the Canadian artillery.
Mr. Macdonald was first elected to the House of Commons in the general election of 1940. He was reelected in 1945. Throughout the period during which he sat in the house he was one of its most respected, active, though at the same time most self-effacing members. His modesty, however, did not conceal a fine capacity for devoted service. He was at all times a faithful representative of his constituency and of his province.
As one of the representatives of the city of Halifax, Mr. Macdonald, along with his colleague Mr. Isnor, carried through the war years many of the responsibilities arising from wartime activities and dangers in their home city. Mr. Macdonald's knowledge of and interest in defence questions generally was of special value to Canada at the time of its greatest need. By his conscientious and efficient discharge of his duty as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Defence he rendered exceptionally useful service to the government.
Mr. Macdonald's passing is a great loss to our parliament and to our country. Despite the limited time of his membership in this house, he will be remembered by all who knew him as one of the most unright, disinterested, loyal, faithful and devoted representatives of the people; one whose presence
Tributes to Deceased Members
[Stage Direction]
in this House of Commons has helped to dignify its proceedings and uphold its place in public esteem.
Right Hon. L. S. ST. LAURENT (Secretary of State for External Affairs) (Translation): Mr. Speaker, it was on October 20 last that the members of the Canadian delegation gathered in New York for the reopening of the session of the general assembly of the united nations heard of the death of Hon. Mr. Cardin. At their first meeting, held on the morning of that day, the members of that delegation, including members of two other parties represented in this house, asked me to send to the family of the deceased a message which I should like to read to hon. members as our share of the tribute which has just been paid to his memory by the Right Hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King). This is the message:
Mr. Octave Cardin,
Sorel.
The members of the Canadian delegation to the assembly of the united nations, which is about to resume its session here in New York, have been deeply moved at the news of the death of Hon. Mr. Cardin. At their first meeting, this morning, they have asked me to convey their deepest sympathy to yourself, to the other members of the family as well as to the whole population of Sorel and the surrounding district.
Kindly accept this expression of sympathy as a heartfelt tribute to the memory of a great Canadian who, during his long struggles for the victory of the political ideals which he deemed best suited to the true interests of our country, never hesitated to take or to strike a blow.
Louis St. Laurent.
That was a heartfelt tribute from all members of the delegation.
May I also, in my own name and on behalf of the French speaking members of this house, join in the tribute which has just been paid by the Right Hon. the Prime Minister to our late and lamented colleague who represented the constituency of Halifax, Mr. Macdonald.
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Mr. JOHN BRACKEN (Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Speaker, on my own behalf and on behalf of all those who sit near me I am glad to express our agreement with the sentiments voiced by the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. St. Laurent). It seems that the uncertainty of the span of human life makes itself evident at the opening of almost every session; when parliament reconvenes we usually find some empty seats, and this occasion is no exception to the rule.
Six months ago we had with us two men who are not here to-day. Both these men, as the Prime Minister has said, made very material contributions to this parliament. One 
of them I knew personally for a quarter of a century. I remember how his oratory inspired us at the time _ when the explorations of another great French-speaking Canadian, La Verendrye, were being celebrated in the central part of this nation.
As the Prime Minister has said, Mr. Cardin was here for thirty-five years and during that period he was a member of three different governments. A most worthy representative of French-speaking Canada, an eloquent orator, an outstanding lawyer, an able administrator and a good parliamentarian, he devoted o,er half his life to the service of his countrv.
I associate with my memory of Mr. Cardin the doctrine of national unity which he so forcefully expressed on many occasions for the welfare not only of his associates in the province of Quebec but of all Canada. On the occasion of one of his inspiring addresses he used these words:
We must not make the mistake of breaking the branches of the Canadian family tree-we must be strong and whole.
That message, Mr. Speaker, which the late member for Richelieu-Vercheres left with us and with this nation, is a message we must never forget. I think it is worthy to be carved in stone as a eulogy over its author's grave.
As the Prime Minister has said also, the late member for Halifax had been with us since 1940. A lawyer by profession, he had been president of the bar association of his native province and vice president of the Canadian Bar Association representing that province. In this house he ably represented the best traditions not only of his profession but of the province down by the sea which has given us so many outstanding public men. He served here as parliamentary assistant in two different departments. As is well known, he seldom spoke, but what he did do was to establish a reputation for thoroughness and soundness of judgment which commended itself to the opposition, as I am sure it did to the members and supporters of the government
I desire, Mr. Speaker, to associate myself and those around me with the motion which has been moved by the Prime Minister. We extend to the brother and sisters of the late Mr. Cardin and to the wife and brothers and sisters of the late Mr. Macdonald our sincere sympathy in their sad bereavement.


Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of those associated with me I wish to join in the expressions of sympathy which have been so well presented to the house by the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and the Leader of the

Tributes to Deceased Members
Opposition (Mr. Bracken). Mr. Cardin was of course here when I came, and so I got to know him; and I respected him. He was a kindly gentleman, courteous always, who took an interest in the younger members of the house no matter where they sat, and on occasion I benefited from his advice and am very grateful for it. Mr. Cardin was an outstanding member of this house. One sat here and marvelled at his oratory in both languages-excellent English, as one who is English-speaking can but admire, and equally delightful French even if one could not follow all that he said in that beautiful tongue.
It is therefore not only a duty but a melancholy privilege to join in expressions of sympathy to Mr. Cardin's suffering relatives. He led a full life and in the fulness of time he has departed from us.
Of Mr. Macdonald one speaks also with the deepest respect. Mr. Macdonald was a gentleman in every particular. The last time I saw him was in September in the city of Halifax, when he did me some personal kindnesses. At the united nations assembly our delegation heard with sorrow of the passing of these two distinguished members of this assembly, and today once again at the beginning of a session we join with the government in mourning the loss of faithful supporters of the Prime Minister's party and join with the House of Commons in regretting the loss of two distinguished and respected members of this chamber.


Mr. J. H. BLACKMORE (Lethbridge):: Mr. Speaker, the members of the Social Credit movement desire to associate themselves with the fine and fully deserved words which have been uttered this afternoon by the leaders of the respective parties in recognition of the goodness and the service to the country of two good members of this house.
Inasmuch as Mr. Cardin was here when I came I naturally got to know him a little more than I did Mr. Macdonald, but concerning Mr. Macdonald I remember the human sympathy which in all respects he manifested for those who needed it. I noticed also the quiet efficiency of this man.
Mr. Cardin impressed me most unusually when I came to the house. In fact he was the first member of the legislature who deeply impressed his personality upon me. I was greatly affected by the sincerity which he always seemed to me to evince, the earnestness, the energy and the industry that characterized everything he said and did; and his eloquence already referred to. Another thing that greatly impressed me was
the patriotism with which his whole being seemed to glow. He was an outstanding advocate of understanding and unity between the two great races of this nation; and he recognized and understood, as I believe very few members of the house and exceedingly few members of his race recognized and understood, the greatness of the British commonwealth and the importance of Canada's association therewith.
He was always effective as a member of the cabinet, and I found it a delight to listen to him as he dealt with various aspects of his estimates and whenever it was his turn to speak. I cannot help recalling in this connection certain words of Browning, which,
I think, are appropriate:
One who never turned his back but marched breast forward,
Never doubted clouds would break,
Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph,
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, Sleep to wake.
Members of my group desire to convey to the bereaved ones of these two gentlemen our deepest sympathy. We also desire to pay final tribute and farewell to these two good men who have left our midst.
Mr. GORDON B. ISNOR (Halifax): Mr. Speaker, as you know there are only two dual constituencies in Canada. One of these is in Halifax, which I had the honour to share with my late colleague, W. C. Macdonald, and because of this close connection I felt that lion, members of this house, as well as our friends in Halifax and throughout Nova Scotia, would expect me to pay a tribute to my late co-worker. The right lion, the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and others have referred in eloquent language to Mr. Macdonald and the contribution he made to the public life of our nation. I wish only to refer to his loyalty as a colleague.
I had been associated with Mr. Macdonald in a political sense from about 1924, nearly a quarter of a century. He worked and helped to elect me to the Nova Scotia legislature in 1928 and in every election thereafter. We became colleagues in 1940 and jointly contested and won our seats in parliament in. the general elections of 1940 and 1945, and, Mr. Speaker, one could not ask for a more loyal colleague, a finer type with whom to cooperate, or a truer friend, than Bill Macdonald. From the day on which we were elected until the time of his passing to the great beyond, not once did we have the slightest sign of a disagreement on any matter pertaining to our work and the problems of our constituency. He was a man with a wonderful understanding and a
Tributes to Deceased Members

remarkably sympathetic feeling for the needs of others. To me his passing will mean a real loss.
In the book, "Postscript to Adventure" the late Doctor Charles W. Gordon, better known to our western members, particularly those from Winnipeg, as Ralph Connor, started to write a tribute to his friend, Doctor Clarence MacKinnon, of Pine Hill Theological College, Halifax, who had just passed to the great beyond. Doctor Gordon, who was ill and weak at the time, had an operation the next day and the tribute was never completed. It was the last thing Ralph Connor wrote, and I am using the thoughts there expressed to fit into my tribute to the late W. C. Macdonald. Part of the tribute read: "A common sorrow, a common loss; dearly loved and trusted, my old-time friend, comrade and fellow worker has gone from our sight. The voice which so often charmed us is still; that smile of warm illumination that so often drew our hearts to him is no more." A comrade, a faithful champion of the principles of liberalism, we remember our late colleague with gratitude and tender affection. Of his service to his country, both in war and in peace, others have spoken. I think of Bill Macdonald, as you do, Mr. Speaker, as a dearly loved intimate friend, loyal to the heart's core, true in all circumstances. We remember him and thank God for men of his type. His friendship enriched life for us and strengthened our faith in man and in God.
To the widow, Mrs. Macdonald, to the sisters and brothers of my late colleague and friend, I join with those who have already spoken in extending sincere and heartfelt sympathy.


Mr. JEAN FRANCOIS POULIOT (Temis-couata) (Translation):: Mr. Speaker, I was well acquainted with both our colleagues whose praise we have heard today. On occasions such as this, we commemorate the memory of men whom we have known and whom knowing better, we have learned to appreciate.
Mr. Macdonald, member for Halifax, has rendered outstanding services to hundreds and thousands of young soldiers who to-day would be counted among the dead were it not for the fact that he had pleaded their case and obtained for them, from the army, the treatment to which they were entitled. There was no end to his patience. I have appealed to him on several occasions and he always treated me in a manner which befitted the perfect gentleman that he was and never did he miss an opportunity to support all good causes which were brought to his attention.

I had the very great privilege, last summer, of visiting his beautiful city of Halifax and of telling him, during his lifetime, what I repeated here today. He was touched by this tribute which I owed to him, by the feelings of gratitude which I expressed not only in my own name but also on behalf of all those that he had helped in such a generous and patriotic maimer.
Mr. Speaker, the death of Mr. Cardin has been a sad blow not only for his native province of Quebec but also for the whole of Canada. Follower and student of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, he was one of those who took a leading part in the successes of the Liberal party after the difficult years of 1911 to 1921.
Mr. Cardin was always ready to do battle and he belied the proverb which says that "We are bom poets, we become orators." He possessed all the gifts of an orator:	a
magnificent voice, a cultured mind and above all that deep feeling of eloquent speakers.
Mr. Cardin was surely a stout-hearted man. He had not been spoiled by politics. Throughout his life, he was always ready to help his fellow-citizens, irrespective of racial origins, but kept fighting for the principles he upheld. Despite opinions to the contrary, failing health never affected his courage. In order to pay him a worthy tribute, I read all the speeches he made in this house following his resignation from the cabinet. It was a great sacrifice for him, because he had always been a loyal and faithful follower of the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and he admired and respected his colleagues. He was anxious to bring to a successful end the numerous undertakings he had started for the welfare of our country, more particularly the Montreal central station, the development of Montreal and Toronto harbours, and many other important public works which will perpetuate his memory. He sought to set in order the affairs of the Canadian) National and in the long run increase the material welfare of all our compatriots in all the provinces of Canada.
When he resigned, Mr. Cardin was forced to abandon his dream of carrying out himself his ambition for a greater share of happiness, of wealth and of prosperity among his fellow citizens. He made that sacrifice generously because of the deep and unshakeable convictions he had acquired through his association With the great liberal leaders at whose side he had fought during the first war.
Such was Mr. Cardin's eloquence that it subdued and thrilled any audience he addressed. I heard him speak in Quebec East,

Tributes to Deceased Members
when I was a young member. I heard him tell the workers that he had a worker's horny hands. Never was he ashamed of his birth. He was very modest and unassuming. In this house, where he attended sittings so regularly, he spoke seldom but always to the point. We knew him to be ready at all times to help and encourage his younger colleagues, as the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar (Mr. Coldwell) recalled a moment ago; even though he might not share their views, he never hesitated to send them a word of cheer.
He felt perhaps that it is the new generation which will bear the brunt of the debts which have been piled up for some time, upon the people of this country and that the new generation must be thoroughly trained to govern the country and prevent the ship of state from going down upon such reefs.
While congratulating those who have spoken on this occasion and who have eulogized the two members who are sadly missed, it seems to me that this eulogy should not be confined to the parliamentary guide and that Mr. Cardin's ideals must survive so that the new generation may know what were his plans for Canada.
He discussed contentious matters, such as controls; he spoke as a true parliamentarian, as a man who wants parliament to be the master of the country's affairs. If some hon. members wish to refresh their memory, all they have to do is to glance at the speeches which he made on February 9 and May 6 in regard to the prerogatives of parliament and controls.
I have here a few excerpts from his speeches which I would like to place on the record so that the young men of today and of tomorrow may know Mr. Cardin as a most sincere, unselfish and devoted patriot. For instance, on July 23, 1942, he said:
I have a thousand times reason to say that this House of Commons is not master of itself; it is obeying, it is working according to the wire-pulling of a small group in our country who is trying to serve their own interest.
Almost every step that has been taken up to the present in the prosecution of the war has been taken as a result of the threat of a motion or amendment being moved by the opposition, and because of the fear that such a motion or such an amendment, if proposed would destroy to a certain extent the strength of our party in the House of Commons.
And on February 9, 1943, he said:
I hope we are not going to take advantage of the situation created by the war to deprive the provinces of the privileges and exclusive rights guaranteed them by the pact of confederation, without adopting some other satisfactory method which would protect minorities and guard the provinces against a central organization in Ottawa.
For the benefit of a member who had pointed out that Canada had not been invited to the conference of Roosevelt and Churchill at Casablanca, to whom the government had given lengthy explanations, Mr. Cardin made an historical comparison, saying:
That reminded me of a little story regarding a visit which Emperor Napoleon paid to a little town in France. He was received by the mayor of the locality who explained to him that tor various reasons they could not fire a gun m his honour on his arrival. In fact the mayor said that he had fifteen reasons for not having fired a gun and he proceeded to enumerate them: "First' we have no gun." Napoleon interrupted him and said, "Well, I do not want to hear about the other reasons; that suffices me."
The fact that Canada has not been invited to Casablanca, stated Mr. Cardin, is an adequate reason to prevent it from being represented at that meeting. I do not feel mortified by this, because I realize that the war is being conducted by the great nations. Let us not forget that we play a secondary role in the decisions to be taken and we have no reason to complain of having been left out. We should not lose our bearings in a sense of exaggerated pride. His tone was prophetic, when he stated, on May 6, 1943:
Canada plays a secondary role in this war, and will play a secondary role when the treaty of peace is drafted, and we are paying more in taxes and more in general expenditures toward this war than any other country.


Mr. SPEAKER:: I am sorry to interrupt the hon. member, but I understand that the practice in this house, when the business is suspended to express sympathy and condolences for a deceased member, to limit the observations to simple expressions of regret,
I trust that the hon. member does not wish to take up too much of the time of the house and that he will comply with the established practice.


Jean-François Pouliot: Mr. Speaker, when I speak of Mr. Cardin, when I quote from his short speeches, and I will be brief-I am extremely astonished to be interrupted by Your Honour. Mr. Cardin expresses the ideals of liberalism in the province of Quebec and the whole country. Mr. Cardin was a builder of the Liberal party and if, Mr. Speaker, he had not spoken the way he so often did to the people of Montreal, you, Mr. Speaker, would not be in the chair which you now occupy and the Liberal party would have fewer representatives than now sit on this side of the house. Never has anyone moved the people as profoundly as Mr. Cardin did. His hold on them was due to his sincerity and the fact that his heart beat in unison with those of the whole population.
Tributes to Deceased Members

Mr. Speaker, one of the saddest moments in my life has been when I was interrupted while praising the last disciple trained by Laurier. From the moment he was removed from office until the inception of the great war, Mr. Cardin has been a sincere Liberal, but not a fanatic, for he always recognized merit where merit lay. Of course, he believed that the Liberal party was a body bound to * implement certain principles in the interest of our country.
What I wished to refer to, a while ago, Mr. Speaker, was the contribution of Mr. Cardin to the bringing together of the great races of our country. If you preclude me from reading the excerpts that refer to this subject, I shall recite them from memory, because his words have made such a deep impression on my mind. First, Mr. Cardin stated that he was not an isolationist. He was accused of isolationism because he was a patriot. He was not ashamed of being a patriot and he considered Canada as his only fatherland. He did not object to helping other countries, as long as service to Canada was the first consideration. I wished to quote some more excerpts, but in view of the feelings which oppress me at this time, Mr. Speaker, I shall leave it at that for the time being and quote them as soon as the occasion arises.
Before closing my remarks, let me recall to the Prime Minister a classical recollection which came to my mind while following the imposing funeral procession over that distance of a mile and a half which separates Mr. Cardin s residence from the church where the service was held. This classical recollection, which then came to my mind, consists of a few verses of Horatius. I am sure the Prime Minister, who is the most cultured of our colleagues, knows these three verses of Horatius' ode to Virgil, on the death of Quintilius:	*
Quando ullum inveniet parem?
Multis ille 'bonis flebilis oceidit Nulli flebilior quam tibi, Virgili.
If my hon. colleagues wish to have the translation of these verses, here it is: When will the Prime Minister find another Cardin, mourned by a multitude of upright men, "but who should mourn him more than you, O Virgil."	'
My last word is this, Mr. Speaker: To my mmd, it is a great honour for Mr. Cardin's successor to represent in this house the constituency which he made famous.


Mr. FERNAND VIAU (St. Boniface) (Translation):: Mr. Speaker, as the representative not only of the electoral constituency but of the city of St. Boniface, that bulwark of the French language in western Canada, 
I am pleased to share in the eulogy so ably expressed by the Right Hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) as well as by the Right Hon. Minister for External Affairs (Mr. St. Laurent), in memory of the man for whom the people of this country are now mourning, the late Mr. Cardin.
It will be remembered that our fellow citizens in western Canada have often had to struggle not only for their language but for their faith. In those struggles many Quebec voices then joined those of the French Canadians of western Canada and among those voices there was one we shall never forget, and that was the voice of the man whose loss we now mourn.
When, a few years ago, we celebrated the centenary of La Verendrye, the rich and ringing voice of Mr. Cardin was heard in St. Boniface where he addressed a very large audience. And now, his relatives mourn the loss of a distinguished Canadian, the nation mourns the loss of an illustrious citizen, the Commons, the loss of a member who was so faithful.
Thus, the French Canadians of western Canada wish to extend their deepest sympathy to all who have sorrowed and still sorrow over the loss of this unforgettable Canadian.
(Text):



VACANCY


James Horace King: I have the honour to inform the house that pursuant to the order passed yesterday I have issued my warrant to the chief electoral officer to make out a new writ of election for the electoral district of Cartier.



REPORTS AND PAPERS


Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):: Mr. Speaker, yesterday my hon. friend the leader of the opposition (Mr. Bracken) asked for any further submissions with respect to the dominion-provincial tax conference. I have before me the request made by the leader of the opposition on April 29, 1946, which was in these words:
The government is now engaged, with the provinces, in a further dominion-provincial conference, of which there have been several since last August. Will the government give consideration to putting together in one printed form, for the information of hon. members, the official statements made by this government and by the official representatives from the provinces? These would be the statements since the first conference last August, including the present one.

Heports and Papers
These documents were not ready to table when the house prorogued at the end of last session. I now table dominion and provincial submissions and plenary conference discussions of the dominion-provincial conferences for 1945 and 1946, as requested by the leader of the opposition. I am informed that on November 2, 1945, all correspondence on this subject was tabled up to October 1, 1945. There is a certain volume of correspondence between that date and the date of the budget which is largely concerned with matters of detail, and has little relevance to the situation established as a result of the failure to reach agreement at the plenary sessions of the conference from April 29 to May 3, 1946. I am not tabling that correspondence, but it can be made available to anyone who may wish to see it.
I should like to add to the correspondence I tabled yesterday a letter which was received by the Minister of Finance, dated January 27, 1947, from Mr. Duplessis, premier of Quebec. My colleague the Minister of Finance (Mr. Abbott) referred Mr. Duplessis' letter to me, and I wrote Mr. Duplessis on January 30, which was yesterday. I had written the letter before I came into the house but I had not signed it, and was therefore not in a position to table it. However I now table the two communications so that they may be added to the correspondence tabled yesterday.


John Bracken: Mr. Speaker, with respect to the matter mentioned by the Prime Minister, the tabling of documents in connection with discussions arising out of dominion-provincial matters, I wonder if he would look into the documents tabled yesterday so as to be sure that all are there. I was not aware this was coming up today, or I would have checked more carefully before speaking. However, after only a hurried glance through the documents I recall seeing only one brief letter from the premier of British Columbia. I am under the impression that there must have been considerable correspondence of one kind or another. I am not positive that there is only one letter, but that is my recollection. Will the Prime Minister have this checked to see if there is anything lacking?


William Lyon Mackenzie King: I shall be happy to do so. I must necessarily in these matters rely upon officials in the several departments. I was told, and told again today, that the documents I tabled yesterday covered all that was substantial in any way or of any real relevance. However I shall look into the matter further.	[DOT]



DIPLOMATIC INSTRUMENTS RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. ST. LAURENT (Secretary of State for External Affairs): Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to table twenty-nine diplomatic instruments relating to international agreements. I hold in my hand a list which is descriptive of those twenty-nine agreements, and I have no doubt it would meet the convenience of hon. members to have the list appear on Hansard:

[Stage Direction]
(English and French Editions)
1.	Exchange of notes with France, concerning
the release of private property from government control Signed at Ottawa, February 12, March 22, 23 and 27, and April 3, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 16.)	.
2.	Protocol to prolong the international sanitary convention 1944 modifying the international sanitary convention of 1926. Signed at Washington, April 23, 1946. (Treaty Series, >1946, No. 23.)	.	.
3.	Protocol to prolong the international sanitary convention for aerial navigation 1944 modifying the international sanitary convention for aerial navigation of April 12, 1933. Signed at Washington, April 23, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 24.)
[Stage Direction]
(English edition only; the French edition will be tabled as soon as available)
4.	Financial agreement with Belgium, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, October 25, 1945. (Treaty Series, 1945, No. 22.)
5 Financial agreement with Czechoslovakia. Signed at Ottawa, March 1, 1945. (Treaty Series 1945, No. 25.)
6.	Financial agreement with Norway, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, June 25, 1945. (Treaty Series, 1945, No. 27.)
7.	Financial agreement with the Netherlands, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, May 1, 1945. (Treaty Series. 1945, No. 28.)
8.	Agreement with Czechoslovakia, amending the financial agreement concluded between the two countries on the 1st March, 1945. Signed at Ottawa, June 26, 1945. (Treaty Series, 1945, No. 29.)
9.	Agreement between Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and India, and the Soviet Union, relating to prisoners of war and civilians liberated by allied armies. Signed in the Crimea, February 11, 1945. (Treaty Series, 1945 No. 30.)
10.	Financial agreement with the Netherlands Indies, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, October 9, 1945. (Treaty Series, 1945, No. 31.)
11.	Exchange of notes with Newfoundland constituting an agreement for the training in Canada of ex-service personnel of Newfoundland. Signed at St. John's, Newfoundland, February 14/27, 1946. (Treaty Series, .1946, No. 11.)
Reports and Papers
[Stage Direction]
12.	Financial agreement with the Netherlands, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa' February 5, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 19.)
13.	Financial agreement with China, with an exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, February 7, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 20.)
14.	Financial agreement with Belgium, with au exchange of notes. Signed at Ottawa, May 2, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1046, No. 21.)
15.	Agreement with Australia for air services between the two countries. Signed at Ottawa, June 11, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 22.)
16.	Exchange of notes with the Union of South Africa, amending for the period May 1 to December 31, 1946, the trade agreement between the two countries of August 20, 1932, as regards wool imported into Canada. Signed at Cape Town, April 16 and May 14, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 25.)
17.	Exchange of notes with Newfoundland, prolonging the agreement for commercial service to Newfoundland by Trans-Canada Air Lines entered into by an exchange of notes in February, 1942. Signed at St. John's, Newfoundland, March 18 and April 12, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946. No. 26.)
18 Exchange of notes with the Union of South Africa, amending for the period June 1 to December 31, 1946, the trade agreement between the two countries of August 20, 1932, as regards shafty wool for papermakers' felts imported into Canada. Signed at Cape Town, June 12, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 27.)
19.	Supplementary protocol to the international agreement for the regulation of whaling of June 8, '1937, extending beyond March 24, 1946, the whaling season for 1945-1946. Opened for signature in London, March 15, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 29.)
20.	Exchange of notes with the United States of America, concerning the disposal of war surpluses and related matters. Signed at Ottawa, July 11 and 15, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 31.)
21. Exchange of notes with Belgium, constituting an agreement in settlement of -war claims. Signed in Brussels, May 21 and July 13, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 33.)
22.	Exchange of notes with Venezuela, renewing the commercial modus vivendi of March 26, 1941. Signed at Caracas, April 9, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 35.)
23. Exchange of notes with the Union of South Africa amending for the period August 1 to December 31, 1946, the Trade agreement between the two countries of August 20, 1932, as regards duty on oranges imported into Canada. Signed at Pretoria, July 31, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 36.)
24.	Exchange of notes with China, constituting a commercial modus vivendi. Signed at Nanking, September 26, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 37.)
25.	Exchange of notes with the Union of South Africa, amending for the period September 1, 1946, to March 31, 1947, the trade agreement of August 20, 1932, as regards carpet wool imported into Canada. Signed at Pretoria, October 22, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 39.)
26.	Exchange <rf notes with the United States of America relating to the application and interpretation of _ the (Eusli-Bagot) agreement of 1817 concerning the naval forces on the great lakes. Signed at Washington, November 18 and December 5, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 40.)
[Mr. St. Laurent.)
27.	Exchange of notes with the United States ot America, recording an agreement for the waiver of claims arising from maritime collisions involving vessels of the two countries. Signed at Washington, September 28 and November 13/15,1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 42.)
28- Trade agreement with Nicaragua. Signed at Managua, December 19, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 43.)
29. Agreement with the United Kingdom on the chartering of ships. Signed at Ottawa, December 31, 1946. (Treaty Series, 1946, No. 44.)
(For complete list of departmental and other reports and papers tabled, see Votes and Proceedings, No. 2, of January 31, 1947.)


[Stage Direction]
Mr. STANLEY KNOWLES (Winnipeg North Centre).: Mr. Speaker, I ask leave to move, seconded by the hon. member for Mackenzie (Mr. Nicholson), the adjournment of the house under standing order 31 for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the action of the government in removing the milk subsidy, ignoring the clearly expressed will of this House of Commons as indicated by a recorded vote on August 27 last, with the result that retail milk prices have advanced sharply, endangering the position of milk producers and adversely affecting nutrition standards to such a point that this matter demands the immediate attention of this house.
James Horace King: I am sorry I cannot accept the hon. member's motion and have to declare it out of order. If he will look at the orders of the day for today he will find that yesterday the house passed a special order, which reads:
January 30-Consideration of the speech of His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
The hon. member knows that during the debate on the address in reply to the speech from the throne he will have an opportunity to discuss the milk subsidy. So I do not see the urgency and have to declare his motion out of order.



WORLD TRADE CONFERENCE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
John Bracken: Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Will he lay on the table as soon as possible the report of the Canadian delegation

Inquiries of the Ministry
to the preparatory world trade conference? At the same time will he indicate what instructions were given to the Canadian delegation, and what attitude was taken by that delegation? Also who will be the Canadian representatives to the next trade conference, and what instructions will they be given by the government?


Hon. J. A. MacKINNON (Minister of Trade and Commerce):: I received a copy of the hon. gentleman's question just as I came into the chamber and have not had an opportunity to inform him that the question should have been directed to my colleague the Secretary of State for External Affairs, to whom I have given a copy of the question.



FOOD PRODUCTS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. MARK C. SENN (Haldimand): Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Minister of Agriculture to lay on the table of the house as soon as possible copy of the latest agreement for the sale of hog products to the United Kingdom. Will he also acquaint the house with the arrangements made for the importation of New Zealand butter, particularly as to the amount to be imported, the price laid1 down in Canada, and the price which will be charged to the consumer?
Right Hon. J. G. GARDINER (Minister of Agriculture):: I shall be pleased to have a copy of the agreement with regard to hogs tabled as soon as possible. The other question is one which I think I can answer in a few words. Arrangements have been made to have an amount of butter brought into Canada from New Zealand and Australia as a result of the discussions that took place between the government of Britain, Canada. Australia and New Zealand, in order to make it possible to have the distribution of butter made in Canada which is provided for under the present rationing regulations. The amount which is brought in would only be sufficient to make that possible to May 1.


Mr. SENN:: Can the minister give any idea what the price will be?


James Garfield Gardiner: The price of the butter laid down at the port will range from 38 to 48 cents. The butter which comes direct from New Zealand or Australia will be laid down at around 38 cents a pound, and that which comes by way of Britain will probably be in the neighbourhood of 48 cents.



NITROGEN PRODUCTS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. P. E. WRIGHT (Melfort):: I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Reconstruction. In view of recent radio reports of criticisms by Canadian Federation of Agriculture officials with regard to the disposal of the Welland Chemical Works Limited and the Alberta Nitrogen Products of Calgary, can the minister inform the house of any negotiations that might have taken place between the Canadian Federation of Agriculture or others and the government with respect to the retention of either or both these plants under government orders?


Right Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Reconstruction and Supply):: I shall be pleased to table the correspondence that took place. I believe letters were exchanged and I shall be glad to table them at an early day.



INQUIRY AS TO THE READING OF SPEECHES

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. G. A. CRUICKSHANK (Fraser Valley):: Just so that this side of the house may not be left out entirely, Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask if the rule is to be enforced after today that members may not read speeches written for them by somebody else?



INQUIRY AS TO REVISION OF STANDING ORDERS

Mr. GORDON GRAYDON (Peel):: Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Prime Minister which has to do with a matter that came up in the house on the closing day of the last session concerning a revision of the rules of the house and the conduct of the business of parliament? Will the Prime Minister give consideration at an early stage of this session, because it would be useless at a late stage, either to setting up again the special committee on the rules which was set up last year and whose report seemed to get lost, or perhaps better, to having a conference between the parties in the house with a view to devising a better system for dealing with the business of parliament this session, particularly in regard to the submission of departmental estimates, or some of them at least, to committees of this house for consideration. There were 647 items in the estimates last year under thirty-one departments of government; I presume there will be about the same this year, and in view of the tremendous expansion in the business with which parliament has to deal I urge the government
Labour Conditions

and the Prime Minister in particular to give consideration to devising some method by which the business of the country may be dealt with in more orderly fashion and particularly to avoid the consideration of so many estimates for the first time at the very tail end of the session. I have some suggestions in that regard which I shall be glad to make later on to the Prime Minister and the Speaker, and which I hope will be constructive. I believe there is a way out and I think parliament ought to find the most reasonable way of dealing with this situation.


Right. Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):: I may say to my hon. friend in regard to reappointing a committee to revise the rules that, as he is aware, we have had two such committees, in the two previous sessions and, as my hon. friend has just observed, there did not seem to be that measure of agreement between hon. members that one would have wished to see. The government has considered this matter, and we have thought that for this session it might be: preferable to adopt the practice that has been followed in the United Kingdom, of passing, where it is thought necessary or advisable, what are known as sessional orders; that is to say, from time to time special resolutions which will govern procedure on the matters for one session only. In that way it will be possible to test out how a particular order may work. If it is found that it works satisfactorily, it is altogether probable that the rules would be amended in accordance with what had proven to be a wise course to follow. That is the view which the government holds at the moment. In the light of what my hon. friend has said, we would of course be happy to reconsider all aspects of it.
As to the question of arranging the business of the house in as orderly a fashion as possible,
I would say that I thought the conference which was held the other day in my office with the leader of the opposition and the leaders of the other parties was a good begin-ing in that direction-I hope that we may have meetings of that kind as the session goes on with a view to trying to arrange the business so that it will be proceeded with as rapidly and as orderly as possible.
As to the estimates, I have nothing to say at the moment beyond this, that it is a matter to which we shall also be glad to give consideration.



LABOUR CONDITIONS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. CLARENCE GILLIS (Cape Breton South):: May I be permitted to direct a question to the Minister of Labour? I did not send him notice of the question.


Mr. BRADETTE:: The hon. member is starting a little early.


Clarence Gillis: Not any earlier than others; it may be a little more embarrassing.


Mr. MITCHELL:: It is not embarrassing
to me.


Clarence Gillis: I did not send the minister notice because I had not intended to ask the question, but since the house opened I have received a telegram requesting that I get some information on the matter. Is the minister in a position to inform the house what progress his department has made in resolving the difficulties which exist in the maritime coal mining industry? If he cannot answer now, will he consider making a statement on Monday?


Humphrey Mitchell: I will answer it now. It is like a chicken that wants to lay an egg. You cannot do anything about it; she is going to lay it.


Major James William Coldwell: Some chicken! Some egg!


Humphrey Mitchell: This dispute did not come under my jurisdiction until the 24th day of this month. I understand that the miners and the operators had met twice before and did not reach a settlement. I met both parties on and off for three days. As my hon. friend knows probably as well as I do, traditionally for the last thirty years disputes in the coal mining industry have been settled through the medium of a board of conciliation.


Clarence Gillis: Except during the war.


Humphrey Mitchell: Except during the war, and my good friend did not like some of the boards we set up at that time. I told the parties to the dispute that these boards having been successful in Nova Scotia, I saw no reason why they could not be just as successful in this case. I suggested the setting up of a board in Nova Scotia where the economics, the wages of the miners and all the issues involved, might be given to the public. That is the place where it should be done, rather than in Ottawa.

The Address-Mr. MacNaught


Clarence Gillis: I do not agree.


Humphrey Mitchell: That is a matter of opinion. It is easy to argue here because it is farther away.


Clarence Gillis: It is a national problem and should be handled nationally.


Humphrey Mitchell: My hon. friend says that it is a national problem. I am not going to start a debate, but I think it is primarily a local problem because the mines are situated in Nova Scotia and the economy of that province revolves around them and other industries.
When they left here I felt that they would consider the establishment of a board. I promised that I would establish it in the shortest possible time, each party to nominate his own representative on the board and I would appoint a chairman if they could not agree. Apparently they turned down what I thought was a constructive suggestion.
By the appointment of Mr. Justice Carroll as a commissioner I set in motion a policy which was successful recently in western Canada in the dispute between the operators there and district 18 of the United Mine Workers of America. I believe that if Mr. Justice Carroll is given the same opportunity that Mr. Justice O'Connor was given in western Canada there is no need for a strike with all its bitterness and harm to the general public in Nova Scotia. I am hopeful at this late date that my good friends the miners in Nova Scotia and the operators will take sound advice so that the mines can be kept producing, particularly during this very cold season of the year.



GOVERNOR GENERAL'S SPEECH


[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
Mr. J. W. MacNAUGHT (Prince):: Mr. Speaker. I have the honour to move, seconded by the hon. member for Richelieu-Vercheres (Mr. Cournoyer):
Resolved that the following address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
May it please Your Excellency:
We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Commons of Canada, in parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both houses of parliament.
In rising to move this resolution I wish first of all to express my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and to his colleagues for the high honour they have conferred upon me in asking me to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne. I believe that the people of my constituency and, in fact, the people of Prince Edward Island, will feel in this honouring of their representative some recognition by the Prime Minister and his colleagues of the magnificent part played by the people of Prince Edward Island throughout the war years. I believe also that the Prime Minister is not unmindful of the many happy associations and friendships he formed when he represented the constituency of Prince from 1919 to 1921.
It is an honour that has come to my constituency only once before and an honour that has come to my native province only three times. In 1879 the late Mr. F. D. Brecken, one of the members for Queens, moved the address; in 1899 the late John H. Bell, member for East Prince and afterwards premier of Prince Edward Island, had the same honour, and in 1921 the address was moved by the late James Mclsaac, then member for Kings. All these gentlemen discharged their duties with much credit to themselves, and it is interesting to note a comment made by the present Prime Minister in referring to the speech of Mr. Mclsaac. I quote:
I am sure that my hon. friend, the member for Kings, P.E.I. (Mr. Mclsaac), will look upon this as a sort of field day for Prince Edward Island, inasmuch as he and I, comprising half the representation of that province, have been privileged to be the first speakers in this important debate. That his speech was very creditable to himself and to the island is, I think, the highest compliment that could be paid him. I hope he will not feel that I speak at all ironically when I say that, having listened to his poetical quotations and classical allusions, I believe he might have applied to his own speech the words which he quoted from Byron's "Cliilde Harold" in reference to the ocean- "that there was considerable music in its roar."
It is a happy omen. I think, that the hon. member for Richelieu-Vercheres comes from the city of Sorel, for it is in the giant shipyards of Marine Industries Limited that there is at present being built the car ferry Abegweit% the greatest icebreaker in the world. It is with great satisfaction that the people of Prince Edward Island will learn that the car ferry Abegweit will be ready for delivery in the early spring. Ever since the S.S. Charlottetown was sunk on her way to the dry dock in Saint John in 1941, the people of Prince Edward Island have had to rely on the services

The Address-Mr. MacNaught
of an icebreaker built over thirty years ago to transport all commodities to Prince Edward Island and move our produce to the mainland.
It has been a difficult period. It has been a period in which the farmers of Prince Edward Island have suffered much-in fact, it is difficult to estimate just how much Prince Edward Island suffered during that period. So it will be with considerable satisfaction that the people of Prince Edward Island will hail the arrival of the S.S. Abegweit in the spring.
I wish now, Mr. Speaker, to commend the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Gardiner) and his colleagues for putting into effect a floor price under potatoes. In early October the Canadian potato market was in a greatly depressed state. That was due in part to the unusually large crop, but it was also due to the dissemination of misleading information concerning the danger of glut. The committee of the privy council accordingly, on the advice of the agricultural prices support board, passed an order in council on October 17 giving authority to the board to purchase potatoes in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick during the crop year 1946-1947 at the following prices: first, for potatoes delivered to the board after April 30, 1947, or earlier at the direction of the board, $1. per 75-pound bag or 80 cents a bushel on car at shipping point, bagged, tagged and inspected. There were appropriate differentials to be determined by the board for potatoes delivered at the direction of the board in bulk or otherwise than on car at shipping point; secondly, for potatoes delivered for processing, $1.65 per barrel at factory for Canada No. 1 grade.
The passing of this order in council has had a stabilizing and salutary effect on the price of potatoes. This was particularly so in Prince Edward Island, and I am sure that, should the potato growers from New Brunswick be asked, they would give thanks to the minister and his colleagues for the passing of this order in council. Since the passing of the order the market has been firm. There has been no panic and the marketing of potatoes has gone on in an orderly fashion. This is borne out by a statement issued by the Canadian National Railways cn the number of cars of potatoes ferried across the strait this season. The statement shows that up to midnight of Wednesday, January 22, 4,261 cars of the 1946 potato crop had been carried across the Northumberland strait by car ferry, assisted for a time by the S.S. Scotia. This was an increase of 593 cars over the corresponding period for the last twelve months.
The action of the government has put confidence into the minds of the potato growers

and has shown them that the government meant what it said when it passed the agricultural prices support legislation.
Coming from a province where fishing is next in importance to agriculture, I feel that I must make a few brief remarks in connection with that industry, more particularly in regard to the effect the work of the fisheries research board has had on that industry. The board, operating under authority of Fisheries Research Board Act, has charge of all dominion fishery research stations in Canada and the conduct and control of investigations of practical and economic problems connected with marine and fresh water fisheries, flora and fauna.
At present the board operates six main stations, three of which deal with biological problems and three with technological problems of fisheries. In addition to the main stations, substations are operated where there is actual need for such in order to deal with special and long-term scientific problems. One of the most important of these substations is located at Ellerslie in my constituency. This station was established in 1929 to deal with the problem of restoring the valuable oyster fishery of Prince Edward Island, which had been declining for some years. Doctor A. W. H. Needier was placed in charge of this substation and, due largely to his work and that of his assistants, the problem was solved and the oyster fishery has now for some years been making most rapid recovery in reestablishing itself. The techniques and oyster cultural methods that were developed at the substation have been directly applied in connection with a scheme of oyster leasing and farming on a very large scale.
A major investigation of the lobster, which is the most valuable fishery to the greatest number of fishermen on the Atlantic coast, has been in progress for a number of years by the board and. as a result, such progressive steps as minimum size limits, specially designed traps to permit escapement of small lobsters, and other regulatory and conservation measures, have been successfully applied for the improvement of the fishery.
The development of the Irish moss industry is one of the recent outstanding examples of the ready application of results of biological work, which was largely centred at the Ellerslie substation. This industry grew from nothing a few years ago to reach a volume of about 2,300,000 pounds. Work on improved methods of curing this moss to satisfy the needs of the industrial users and to meet competition from other producing areas is still in progress.

The Address-Mr. MacNaught
I am particularly glad that the board under the enthusiastic guidance of the Minister of Fisheries (Mr. Bridges) has been able to accomplish so much of practical value for the fishermen of Canada.
The government is to be commended on its announcement that the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 will be repealed. This was a measure which was passed twenty-three years ago as a result of the economic and political uncertainties following the first world war. This measure has long been regarded as harsh, unnecessary and undesirable. Recently groups have been organized in Halifax, London, Toronto, Ottawa, and other large cities in Canada, representing all classes and political faiths, to urge the repeal of this act. The government, however, have had this step under advisement for some time and the Prime Minister's announcement on Monday that the act would be repealed met with universal approval.
I wish now to commend most sincerely the Right Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) for his courageous stand at the peace conference in Paris. Hon. members will recall that at the end of the first world war the peace treaties were drafted and boundaries of countries were determined largely by four men, Lloyd George, Wilson, Clemenceau and Orlando. The leaders of the little nations, although they had valiantly taken their part and made heroic sacrifices, were merely called in to sign the treaties. For Canada and the other nations of the commonwealth this was an important forward step in their constitutional development, and the leaders of the various commonwealth nations must be given their measure of praise for that important constitutional advancement. It is now apparent, however, that a more lasting, a more enduring, a more just peace settlement would have been achieved had the leaders of the smaller nations been consulted at all stages of the proceedings and not merely been called in to give authentication to something that had already been determined. I do not wish to find fault with ouir leaders of that day. They achieved much in getting the right to sign.
Toward the end of world war II and when the minds of people were turning to thoughts of peace and peace treaties, the hope arose in the hearts of many that the drafting of the peace treaties would not be left to the leaders of the large nations, but rather that the leaders of the small nations, who had proportionately poured out their blood, should have some say in the determination of the peace treaties. In no nation was this thought more apparent than in Canada.
Our sacrifices, our contributions, in both men and materials, were away beyond those of any other nation of similar size among the united nations. In all my campaign speeches I urged upon the electorate the importance of making very sure that the government was retained in office so that the leadership of the present Prime Minister should not be lost to the world at large during this critical period. I am sure that the liberty-loving people of the world rejoiced when the Prime Minister served notice in Paris that the foreign ministers of the "Big Five" should take up the suggestions as made by the leaders of the smaller nations and not wait and then expect them to sign a treaty without knowing what consideration was given to their suggestions. Already this firm stand is showing results, for we find in New York that the suggestions of the smaller nations were given much more consideration and that our leaders were listened to with greater respect.
I am sure that every hon. member in this house was glad that the Prime Minister found time from his many duties in Paris to fulfil his long-cherished dream of making a pilgrimage to Dieppe and the beaches of Normandy. The people of Normandy were delighted to greet the Prime Minister of the country whose sons fought so valiantly to liberate them from foreign aggression. The mothers of our heroic dead,-many of whom will never be able to visit the graves of their beloved sons-were, I am sure, pleased with this visit of our Prime Minister.
It was with a feeling of pride that we read that the head of our delegation at New York, the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. St. Laurent) was the first to bring up the matter of disarmament. Since assuming the position of head of the Department of External Affairs the right hon. member for Quebec East has added not only lustre to his already high reputation but also dignity and distinction to his native land. The spontaneous expressions from the other members of this house, who had the honour to be on the Canadian delegation, approving the stand taken by the Secretary of State for External Affairs, are abundant proof that his leadership was all that could be desired.
I wish also to commend the leader of the opposition (Mr. Bracken), the leader of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, (Mr. Coldwell) and the other members of the delegation for the splendid contributions that they severally have made. It is highly desirable that the foreign policy of Canada should be one which has the approval of the

The Address-Mr. MacNaught
leading political parties in Canada. I believe that had President Wilson taken some of his opposition to the peace conference at the end of the first world war the foreign policy of the United States would not have taken such an isolationist trend. For that reason our policy of permitting the leaders of the opposition parties to have a share in the framing of our foreign policy and a thorough understanding of the reasons leading up to it is one that should have the approval of all Canadians.
I wish now, Mr. Speaker, to turn to a question that has been occupying the minds of the people of Canada for some time. I refer to the negotiations that have been going on for some considerable time between the leaders of the provinces and the dominion government in the hope that an equitable settlement, fair to all parties, could be arrived at on the vexed question of the allocation of taxing powers. After the break-up of the latest dominion-provincial conference in May last it was apparent that no good would result from the reconvening of the conference. It was felt by the dominion authorities, and the view was shared by many of the provincial governments, that more satisfactory results would be achieved by individual negotiations with the several provinces. The opinions expressed by some of the provincial leaders at the conference in April and May were such as would indicate that they were prepared to enter into a settlement only on terms that would emasculate the dominion. They seemed to fear the centralization of taxing authority in Canada. They did not realize that it was only by a fair distribution of the tax revenues of Canada that provincial fiscal autonomy would be effective. In this connection I wish to quote briefly from the foreword of an excellent book on this vexed question by Wilfrid Eggleston, entitled, "The Road to Nationhood". This js a well-written and well-documented work, the study of which by every hon. member of this house I would urgently recommend. Mr. Eggleston, at page XIV in his foreword states:
But no one can view with equanimity the prospect that we are going into the difficult post-war world with the defects of the il930's still uneorrected, and with the same fatal deadlock, the same fatal disparity between constitutional authority and fiscal capacity, as contributed so materially to the incidence of the depression upon Canada, and threatened for a while to undermine the whole existence of this country as a federal state. A harmonious and concerted drive upon Canada's domestic problems, notably high national income, full employment and the provision of adequate minimum social services, is imperative; and if the dominion formula is not satisfactory, some alternative must be found which is. Only less vital 
is the need to give the national government adequate authority to enter into international agreements. In an age when the surrender of some national authority to supra-national agencies appears inevitable, it would be anachronous that the residue of rigid autonomy left to individual provinces should be so potent as to thwart and baffle steps toward effective international agreement.
The determination to enter into individual agreements with the provinces has been amply justified. Already offers have been submitted that several of the provinces have found satisfactory. I believe that the premier of my province, the Hon. J. Walter Jones, wiil eventually sign an agreement that will be hailed with entire satisfaction by all the people of my province. It is now abundantly clear that the method of negotiation with the provinces individually has been much more satisfactory in its results to those provinces that have sought agreement by individual negotiation than anything hitherto accomplished by a general conference. Nothing could be gained by the reconvening of a dominion-provincial conference to further negotiate tax agreements, I believe, therefore, that the decision of the Prime Minister not to reconvene the conference is a wise one.
(Translation):
Mr. Speaker, in deference to the 15,000 Aeadians in my province, 10,000 of whom inhabit my constituency, I believe it is my duty, before concluding my speech, to say a few words in French, their mother tongue. The Aeadians of Prince Edward Island have reason to be proud of their realization. Their loyalty, their sense of duty and their devotion can be cited as an example. It gives me pleasure to pay this tribute to them in their own fongue.
(Text):
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I wish to state that I have purposely made my remarks as brief as possible in the hope that others who will follow me may be brief also, and that we shall soon get down to the real business of the session.


Mr. GERARD COURNOYER (Richelieu-Vercheres) (Translation):: Mr. Speaker, it is with deep emotion that I rise for the first time in my country's most august assembly. This,
I wish you to believe, is no stereotyped phrase to open a speech as befits the occasion. It is an accurate description of the feelings I am now experiencing.
In this very hall, the history of my country has been written for half a century, in an atmosphere of unfailing democratic freedom. In this hall, great men have thought and

The Address-Mr. Cournoyer
spoken, and shown the full scope of their ability. I am all the more impressed by the memory of those true pillars of Canada as I find myself, for the first time, to be a part of this atmosphere of distinction and courage which they have created.
Allow me at this point, after the right hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King), the leader of the opposition (Mr. Bracken), the leader of the C.C.F. party (Mr. Cold-well), the leader of the Social Credit (Mr. Low), as well as my hon. friends the member for Temiscouata (Mr. Pouliot) and the member for St. Boniface (Mr. Viau), to pay a more special and intimate tribute to one whose great work I have been given the mission to continue. Let me repeat, once more, on this solemn occasion, all the admiration and all the friendship that have bound me, since early youth, to that great Canadian figure, the Hon. P. J. A. Cardin.
With an unfailing dignity and an unflinching courage, this humble carpenter ascended the social ladder to become one of His Majesty's ministers. During his rise achieved by dint of hard work and devotion to duty, he has spread in all spheres the generous examples of a sound mind and a noble soul.
On October 19, 1946, Providence decided that his earthly career was ended. He was the sole survivor of the three most famous public men that French Canadians have contributed to Canadian history since Laurier. His political career has always been characterized by the greatest frankness and the staunchest loyalty. He has made the greatest sacrifices in order to heed the dictates of his conscience. It is in this frame of mind that he has served his province, his country and his party. Fiery, always in earnest, this champion of the people gained political victories in 1925, 1926, 1930, 1935, 1940 and in numerous other by-elections and general elections. Distinguished speaker, enlightened patriot, his sound judgment and his political views expressed with a convincing eloquence have contributed largely to the foundation of Canadian life. They have also enabled the Liberal party to remain at the helm of our country's affairs almost continuously since 1921.
In 1942, convinced that the government's policy of recruiting members for the armed forces was jeopardizing national unity, he gave another proof of his sincerity, and relinquished his portfolio and withdrew his support from his leaders. However, he retained his attachment and esteem for the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, deploring that unavoidable circumstances
compelled him to abandon his former colleagues to tread a different path, always in the best interest of the country.
The Prime Minister fully understood the real meaning of his act and, during the banquet tendered in Quebec City in honour of the Secretary of State for External Affairs, he paused to pay a moving tribute to this great man. The electors of Richelieu-Vercheres have recognized the sincerity of a friendship which no political differences can put asunder.
My presence in this chamber, Mr. Speaker, is a guarantee of that friendship. Such is the path and example I shall endeavour to follow.
I do not delude myself. I know that the task ahead is a strenuous one; however, relying on my good faith and my strong will and, above all, Mr. Speaker, on the sympathetic friendship which you and most hon. members have always shown to me, I hope that one day I may be able to achieve that noble ideal.
I wish to thank the Right Hon. Prime Minister for having afforded me this opportunity of expressing my political opinions on such an outstanding occasion. I thank him especially for the great honour which be has bestowed upon me when he extended me the invitation to second the address in reply to the speech from the throne.
I have accepted this honour on behalf of the electors of Richelieu-Vercheres.
The speech from the throne, which the right hon. representative of His Majesty read yesterday in the Senate chamber, has no doubt been favourably received by all members of this house.
This speech forecasts the work of the session and gives us a broad outline of the measures which will come under discussion.
It is worthy of note that in the speech from the throne special emphasis is placed on the leading part played today by Canada in international affairs. It enables us also to form a quite accurate idea as to the measures which will be submitted by the government to maintain economic stability and national security in this country.
Progress has brought deep changes into this world and given to international relations an importance such as they never had before.
In removing boundaries and abolishing distances, air transport has brought nations into closer contact. We are within 60 hours of the antipodes. It has been shown in the last war that the economic and armed forces of the new world shared very largely in bringing down the nazl vulture.
The importance acquired in the last war has given this country a Department of External
The Address-Mr. Cournoyer

Affairs; and everyone will agree that since its creation that department has been managed with tact, dignity and distinction by the right hon. minister entrusted with our diplomacy.
We propose to cooperate fully and at all times with the united nations in establishing a brand of peace fully protected against selfish aims.
One of the finest roles that can be played by Canada and its citizens in the field of world reconstruction after the storm which has just abated, is that of charity. Our country has been favoured by Providence with practically unlimited wealth. It has even earned the title of "the world's granary." And it is by extending a helping hand to war sufferers that it will perhaps best succeed in achieving world solidarity-, which remains our sole guarantee of peace and is absolutely dependent on the material wealth and the democratic spirit of North America.
Due to our natural resources, Canada has become an exporting country. The government is well aware that, to ensure the economic welfare of the nation, it is highly important to protect our markets in the commercial world, by taking part in conferences on international trade. They are also aware that Canadians have no right to remain idle and adopt an impassive attitude in the face of the temporary difficulties which confront our potential customers.
It is of the utmost importance that we acknowledge the importance of international problems. But above all, we must take t'he necessary steps to develop in our country a state of economic stability and social security. Such an undertaking is essential.
The housing problem undoubtedly remains one of the most urgent. The government has practically carried out the programme they had adopted for 1946 regarding the number of houses to be erected.
The crown company, Wartime Housing Limited, has for its part built more than 25,000 houses. Without the strikes which paralyzed production and had their effects in Canada, the success of the company would have been still greater. I hope that with the help of the government, the housing problem will be solved in a satisfactory way.
Many things will be said about controls. It is extremely hard to please everybody. The fable about the miller, his son and his donkey applies at all times. A look at the opposition is enough to prove it. The Progressive Conservatives ask for and insist on the immediate scrapping of all controls, while our friends of the C.C.F. seem to demand their complete maintenance.

Surely no one can approve without selfdenial, these legislations which I consider as being accidental and which restrain our freedom. They suggest the acts of the surgeon who cruelly slashes and cuts without sentimental sympathy for the patient, but in order to cure him, which evidences a brand of sympathy founded on reason.
The government's policy remains, I think, the best prescription; it consists in eliminating controllers and rationing as fast as the return to a peacetime basis and normal standards warrant it.
Numerous are the suggestions that could be made on this question, but, doubtless, we shall have other opportunities of reverting to it in the course of the session. I have in mind, at this moment, the farmers who are in greater need than ever of encouragement on the part of public authorities.
The speech from the throne has inspired us with a comforting optimism, as it forecasts a very prosperous year. It is highly important that unemployment, with the hardships, worries, misgivings and privations that follow in its wake, should not cause a recurrence of the despair of 1930.
Private enterprise will be afforded all the attention it will have deserved, but it shall be called upon to cooperate closely with labour. Taxes on capital will have to be reduced, but sympathetic consideration will also have to be given to the matter of relieving heads of families and workers.
The government understand their responsibilities as regards social justice. Confidence should be placed in the statesmen who have established1 old age pensions and family allowances and instituted the Department of Labour, the Department of Welfare, unemployment insurance and a number of other timely innovations which better the condition of the less fortunate citizens. I am glad to note that the lot of our aged people will be improved.
For the attainment of that social security, why should we not hope for the cooperation of provinces which should not retire each one within its sphere, when the welfare of the nation is at stake. Why not avoid taxation involving double costs, why not avoid a considerable part of the cost of tax-collection? Why should we not come to an agreement in order to create conditions more favourable to the transition from war to peace? Let us not run the risk of seeing once again a period like the one which followed the war of 1914M8.
No one wishes once again to go through the crisis of 1930. But then, why should not

The Address-Mr. Coumoyer
the provinces agree with the central government to give Canada a social security and legislation even superior to that of any other country. If I thought that an agreement between the provinces and the dominion would in the slightest way interfere with the charter which guarantees the rights of the provinces or would restrict the jurisdiction specifically reserved to them under the constitution, I would not hesitate-and neither would any member conscious of his responsibilities -to denounce such a deal.
Moreover, in matters of taxation, never has the federal government asked the provinces to accept an amendment to the constitution with the object of depriving them of any legislative power granted them by the British North America Act. Never has any power been taken away from the provinces without their consent.


Mr. TREMBLAY (Dorchester):: Hear,
hear!


Gérard Cournoyer: This agreement is
temporary and limited exclusively to taxation, the levying of taxes and their distribution in such a way as to permit the contracting parties to fulfil their obligations under the constitution in the general interest of the taxpayers.
It is essentially a free contract the effects of which would allow the nation to go through the post-war period as smoothly as it is possible to expect.
The unanimity of the provinces in assisting in this task of reconstruction will ensure, not only the country's future, but their own individual prosperity.
I do not wish to insist any longer in seconding the motion moved by the hon. member for Prince. In any event we shall have an opportunity of judging on their merits the various pieces of legislation forecast in the speech from the throne. But I wish to congratulate more particularly my hon. colleague for Prince (Mr. MacNaught) on his kind words with respect to a town situated in my constituency, the town of Sorel. I take pleasure in pointing out to the house that we have the privilege of building in Sorel, at the present time a ferry-boat which will probably be the most modern and the best in the world. A tribute has thus been paid to the worthiness and efficiency of our workingmen. I am not now in a position to make a formal statement, but I may be able to say, before long, that this boat will be ready by next spring.
The government is formed by a group or party which not so long ago received from the electorate a mandate to administer this 83166-3
country through the difficult post-war period. The vote of confidence thus given by the electorate has been, more than anything else, a vote of confidence in the personality and vast experience of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister of Canada holds every record; since Mr. Cardin's death he has become the dean of the House of Commons, he has been his party's leader ever since 1919; he has led the cabinet ever since 1921, with only a brief interval from 1930 to 1935. In short no political leader has ever enjoyed or enjoys today such a fine and impressive reputation. The contribution he has made to the building of the Canadian nation has been magnificent. At the age of 72 he continues to lead his country with a sure and able hand towards security and national unity. May Providence grant him longer years still for the fulfilment of his goal and the attainment of his ideal. He needs the cooperation of all. Whatever our race, our religious beliefs, our province, we also have a duty to our country. The confederation of 1867 was based on the intelligent cooperation of all provinces in the making of a prosperous Canada under national unity.
The government does not ask for anything else.
(Text) :
Before concluding my speech I should like to address a few remarks to my Englishspeaking colleagues in the house. I am proud of being a French Canadian. Our religious and political leaders from the first days of civilized America worked constantly for an honoured and prosperous Canada.
Yrou English-speaking Canadians are also proud to belong to a great race which was the first to proclaim democratic liberty in the world. This Magna Carta of yours is one of the most glorious monuments of free humanity. You are the authors of democratic regime in Canada. We both have our traditions and our faith protected and guaranteed by our own constitution and laws.
We have built up a national conscience which is endowed with the characteristics of our two great races. Together we have taken great steps in the building of the Canadian nation. Our two communities pray for understanding and friendship. No more is there any reason for any dispute, even minor ones, between us. Lustrous British Columbia, the Rockies, the western prairies, Ontario with her great resources, our great St. Lawrence river, our Quebec, Gaspe, the region by the sea which we French call "Acadie", all Canada without any exception whatsoever

The Address-Mr. Cournoyer

shall remain for every Canadian of any origin an inspiration of unity and common patriotism.
I am glad to declare that both English and French-speaking Canadians have realized that for the Canadian community the future spells friendship and comprehension between the two great races to which Canada belongs.


John Bracken: Mr. Speaker, the speech from the throne which the government prepares and expresses through the voice of His Excellency the Governor General is supposed, among other things, to outline the government's programme for the session. In modern days all too often that programme is cloaked in a haze through which very few of us can see clearly. In any event it gives an opportunity to the house to express its approval or disapproval of the government's programme or of the government itself.
In recent days the practice has grown up of having the address in reply to the speech from the throne moved and seconded by two of the younger members of the house. I wish to compliment the two hon. members who have spoken today. I want to compliment the hon. member for Prince (Mr. MacNaught) upon two things. First, I want to compliment him upon the clear statement he made of the contribution of his province to the development of Canada. Second, I want to compliment him upon the art which he in common with others on that side of the house seems to have developed very rapidly, that is to keep both eyes open when hunting for the weaknesses of the opposition but to put the telescope to the blind eye when it comes to looking upon the countless sins of the government.
I want to compliment the seconder, the hon. member for Richelieu-Vercheres (Mr. Cournoyer). He follows in the footsteps of an able parliamentarian. I did not gather the purport of all he had to say, but I want to commend him for the manner of saying it and also for that portion which I did understand. Whether the hon. member's public life be short or long my best hope for him is that when it comes to an end he will enjoy the same high place in the- hearts of his countrymen as was enjoyed by the hon. member who previously represented his constituency.
As the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) said yesterday, and as is the custom in this house, this debate will continue, on Monday. Therefore I wish to adjourn the debate.
Motion agreed to and debate adjourned.
On motion of Mr. Mackenzie King the house adjourned1 at 5.20 p.m.

Monday, February 3, 1947