1949-01-26

[Stage Direction]
itouse of Commons! ^Debates
[Stage Direction]
Speaker: The Honourable Gaspard Fauteux
Wednesday, January 26, 1949

[Stage Direction]
The parliament which had been prorogued on the thirtieth day of June, 1948, met this day at Ottawa, for the dispatch of business.

Mr. Speaker read a communication from the Governor General's secretary, announcing that His Excellency the Governor General would proceed to the Senate chamber at three p.m. on this day, for the purpose of formally opening the session of the dominion parliament.
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Mr. Speaker, His Excellency the Governor General desires the immediate attendance of this honourable house in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly the house went up to the Senate chamber.
And the house having returned to the Commons chamber:

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess I received communications from members informing me that the following vacancies have occurred in the representation, viz:
Of Joseph Romeo Liguori Lacombe, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Laval-Two Mountains, by resignation.
Of Thomas Farquhar, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Algoma East, consequent upon his being summoned to the Senate.
Of Lucien Dubois, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Nicolet-Yamaska, by decease.
I accordingly issued my warrants to the chief electoral officer to make out new writs of election for the said electoral districts, respectively.
I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess communications have been received from members informing the chief electoral officer, in accordance with chapter 145, section 7 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927, that the following vacancies have occurred in the representation, viz:
Of Right Honourable James Lorimer Ilsley, member for the electoral district of Digby-Annapolis-Kings, by resignation.
Of G. Russell Boucher, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Carleton, by resignation.
Of Honourable James Allison Glen, member for the electoral district of Marquette, by resignation.
Accordingly new writs of election were issued for the said electoral districts, respectively.



NEW MEMBERS

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess the Clerk of the House has received from the chief electoral officer certificates of the election and return of the following members, viz:
Of Honourable Lester Bowles Pearson, for the electoral district of Algoma East.
Of Honourable Stuart Sinclair Garson, for the electoral district of Marquette.
Of William Albert Boucher, Esquire, for the electoral district of Rosthern.
Of George Clyde Nowlan, Esquire, for the electoral district of Digby-Annapolis-Kings.
Of George Alexander Drew, Esquire, for the electoral district of Carleton.
Of Leopold Demers, Esquire, for the electoral district of Laval-Two Mountains.



NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCED

[Stage Direction]
Hon. Lester Bowles Pearson, member for the electoral district of Algoma East, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Right Hon. C. D. Howe.
[Stage Direction]
Speech from the Throne
William Albert Boucher, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Rosthern, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Right Hon. J. G. Gardiner.
Hon. Stuart Sinclair Garson, member for the electoral district of Marquette, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Mr. W. G. Weir.
Leopold Demers, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Laval-Two Mountains, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Hon. Joseph Jean.
George Alexander Drew, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Carleton, introduced by Mr. John Bracken and Hon. W. Earl Rowe.
George Clyde Nowlan, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Digby-Annapolis-Kings, introduced by Mr. George A. Drew and Mr. P. C. Black (Cumberland).

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister) moved: for leave to introduce Bill No. 1, respecting the administration of oaths of office.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.



GOVERNOR GENERAL'S SPEECH

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that, when the house did attend His Excellency the Governor General this day in the Senate chamber, His Excellency was pleased to make a speech to both houses of parliament. To prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy, which is as follows:



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

[Stage Direction]
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
The first concern of government in world affairs is to ensure peace and security. To this end, Canada continues to support the principles of the united nations charter. Our foreign policy is based on the realities and dangers of the existing situation. One of these is the communist menace. Until the united nations are able to provide an adequate guarantee of peace and security, peace-loving nations will also be obliged to seek security by combining their strength. The North Atlantic nations, including Canada, are negotiating a security pact. The treaty when concluded will be laid before you for approval. The North Atlantic treaty will supplement the treaty of mutual guarantee signed by the western European nations at Brussels last year. Such regional arrangements are provided for in the united nations charter.
Despite unsettled conditions and the disruptive activities of international communism, the nations of western Europe are making progress toward recovery. Aid from North America is contributing

substantially to the restoration of economic activity, thereby increasing their ability to resist internal and external aggression.
At home we have been blessed with good crops. Industrial expansion is taking place at an unprecedented rate. There have been few differences between employers and employees leading to stoppages in work. Inflationary pressures are less pronounced. Employment is at higher levels than ever before. In striking contrast with communist countries, the free economy of our country is demonstrating its ability to provide for all a high standard of living, social justice and individual freedom. It is the view of my ministers that a steady advance toward the goal of social justice for all is an effective safeguard against the influence of subversive doctrines.
The people of Newfoundland, by a majority vote in a referendum, expressed their desire to enter confederation. The precise terms of union were subsequently negotiated with an authorized delegation from Newfoundland. You will be asked without delay to approve the agreement, signed on December 11, and to make provision for the entry of Newfoundland as a province of Canada on March 31. I am confident the union will be of mutual advantage to Newfoundland and Canada.
Amendments to the Supreme Court Act to make the Supreme Court of Canada the court of last resort for Canada will be submitted for your consideration.	i
You will be asked to approve, subject to the approval of the United States authorities, the agreement concluded in 1941 for the development of navigation and power in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin.
You will be asked to make the further legislative provision necessary to implement the agreements for the sale of agricultural products to the United Kingdom.
With a view to assisting in the restoration of world trade, so vital to general security and our own prosperity, Canada participated in formulating the charter for the international trade organization and the general agreement on tariffs and trade, which will be submitted for your approval. Within the next few months Canada will engage in further negotiations with thirteen other countries to broaden the scope of the tariff concessions which we obtained at Geneva in 1947. The government will continue to press vigorously for the lowering of tariff and other barriers and, as quickly as possible, the expansion of trade on a multilateral basis.
Meanwhile the government is seeking to remove specific obstacles to the continued sales of Canadian products in our traditional export markets, and to that end is co-operating closely with the nations concerned in the implementation of the European recovery program.
The continuing committee established by the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom to review the progress of trade between the two countries is presently meeting in London.
In the interests of both domestic and foreign trade, legislation will be introduced with the object of promoting extensive and adequately safeguarded use of the national trade mark "Canada Standard" associated with goods which conform to prescribed standards, and of requiring proper labelling of goods to prevent deception of the public.
Improvement in our United States dollar position has resulted in the removal of certain restrictions imposed in November, 1947. Further restrictions will be removed as the position improves. So long as trading and financial conditions remain unstable, a degree of control over foreign exchange will be

required. You will, accordingly, be asked to extend the Foreign Exchange Control Act for a further period.
The report of the royal commission on prices will be laid before you as soon as it has been submitted to the government.
Your approval will also be sought for legislation to continue in force steel control and a limited number of price controls, including control over the rental of housing accommodation.
You will be asked to make legislative provision for governmental assistance by loan to the producers of basic steel for the purpose of increasing production.
The governments of the provinces have been advised that the federal government is prepared to discontinue rent control in any province in which the government expresses the desire to assume the jurisdiction.
The provision of housing has received and continues to receive close attention. More new housing units were provided during the last calendar year than ever before.
Your approval will be sought for the establishment of a department of reconstruction and development to continue the functions now vested in the Department of Reconstruction and Supply, including the ministerial responsibility for the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
A measure for assistance in the provision of a transcontinental highway will also be laid before you.
A royal commission has been appointed to inquire into and report upon all questions of economic policy within the jurisdiction of parliament arising out of the operation and maintenance of national transportation. Together with the findings of the investigation by the board of transport commissioners, the report of the royal commission should furnish parliament and the government with the basis for a sound transportation policy.
The national health program, inaugurated by the government last year, is receiving co-operation from all the provinces. In supplementing provincial health measures, the program has already made a contribution to the health facilities of Canada and will thereby bring increasing benefit to our people.
A bill will be introduced to broaden the scope of the Family Allowances Act, as a further instalment of the policy of the government to provide a national standard of social security and human welfare designed to assure the greatest possible measure of social justice for all Canadians.
The organization of the armed forces to provide for unification and co-ordination has been pressed forward. Steady progress has been made in the recruitment and training of officers and men of the active and reserve forces, so that the navy, army and air force may be in a position to meet the defence needs of Canada as these may change from time to time.
Conditions of service in the armed forces are being further improved, and as rapidly as the results of research can be adequately tested, additional equipment is being made available. Amendments to existing legislation with respect to the armed forces will be recommended for your consideration.
Other measures to which your attention will be directed include bills respecting forest conservation, overseas telecommunications, the control and regulation of interprovincial and international pipe lines, and assistance for the Canadian shipbuilding industry. Your approval will be sought for measures to amend the Industrial Development Bank Act, the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act and the Prairie Farm Assistance Act.
Speech from the Throne
It is the view of my ministers that there should be an examination of the activities of agencies of the federal government relating to radio, films, television, the encouragement of arts and sciences, research, the preservation of our national records, a national library, museums, exhibitions, relations in these fields with international organizations, and activities generally which are designed to enrich our national life, and to increase our own consciousness of our national heritage and knowledge of Canada abroad. For this purpose, the government intends at an early date to establish a royai commission.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to make the customary provision for essential services.
Prosperous conditions now prevailing are being, reflected in the buoyant level of national revenues; a condition to which due consideration is being given by my ministers in the preparation of forthcoming budgetary proposals.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
The birth of a son to Their Royal Highnesses Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh has been the occasion of widespread rejoicing. Happiness over the birth of the Royal Prince has been tempered by regret over the indisposition of His Majesty the King. The people of Canada hope and pray for the complete recovery of the King's health.
Since the close of your last session, Mr. Mackenzie King has retired as Prime Minister. I feel it is the hope of all Canadians that Mr. King will be spared, over a long period and with less exacting responsibilities, to continue his distinguished and devoted service to Canada and the free world.
May Divine Providence bless your deliberations.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, this opening day of the fifth session of the twentieth parliament is one of rather more than usual significance. Since the last session of parliament, the right hon. the member for Glengarry (Mr. Mackenzie King) has retired as Prime Minister of Canada. For over twenty-one years he was the king's first minister in Ottawa. For a longer period than any other man he has been the elected head of a free people. For twenty-nine years he was the leader of one of our great national political parties, a party which, under his leadership, constantly remained national both in its policies and in its membership. Before that, Mr. King was successively a distinguished member of the Canadian civil service, a member of parliament, and, in the ministry of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's first minister of labour.
The record of his public service to Canada, to the British commonwealth and to the free world is indeed an enviable one. He has played an unrivalled part in the forward
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The Ministry
march of Canada since the very beginning of this century. I think all will agree that his services make him one of the great Canadians of all time. The right hon. gentleman has been closely associated with so many matters of consequence to our country and to the *world that it would take a good long book to set out his record of achievements. Nevertheless for just a moment I should like to mention three or four highlights of this remarkable career.
When we in Canada think of labour relations or the settlement of industrial disputes, we are reminded of the large part played by Mr. King in the drafting of the first labour legislation in Canada. In the field of social security his efforts will not be forgotten. Virtually every measure of social legislation on the federal statute books was put there under his leadership. During the grim years of war Mr. King was at the head of the government of a country whose war effort was magnificent. In war and peace he strove to bring the Canadian people to work together in unity; and while he was Prime Minister, Canada can be said to have reached full nationhood. Mr. King's life has been devoted to public affairs. He has spent his days and years in the promotion of peace and good will in domestic and in international relations. I think all hon. members will agree that there is no higher calling, no calling more worthy of the encomiums of a man's fellow citizens.
Now because of the hon. gentleman's many years of service and because of the stresses and strains brought about by the war he has felt it necessary to retire from the leadership of his party and the office of Prime Minister. We know it cannot but be distressing to Mr. King to give up so active a life. On the other hand I am sure his new freedom and relaxation will give him considerable enjoyment. While we regret that Mr. King will be taking a less active part in public affairs, I think all hon. members of the house will be glad that he is still with us in this company of the elected representatives of the Canadian people. I feel I am expressing the feelings not only of the members of this party but of members on all sides of the house and of Canadians everywhere when I say to the right hon. gentleman that we wish him health and happiness. We hope he will be spared to continue, under less arduous conditions, his many years of distinguished and devoted service to Canada and to the free world.
(Translation):
Mr. Speaker, I do not propose to repeat in French what I have just said in English about the hon. member for Glengarry (Mr. Mackenzie King); however, I do wish to state that in speaking those words in English I am none the less expressing the sincere feelings of hon. members whose mother tongue is French.

(Text):
Mr. Speaker, since the end of last session there have been the following changes in the ministry:
On September 10 I resigned the portfolio of Secretary of State for External Affairs, and on the same date Hon. L. B. Pearson was appointed to that department. On November 15 Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King resigned as Prime Minister and President of the Privy Council of Canada. I resigned as Minister of Justice and was appointed to the office of President of the Privy Council of Canada. Right Hon. C. D. Howe resigned as Minister of Reconstruction and Supply on November 15, 1948, and on the same date Hon. Robert H. Winters was appointed to that portfolio. On the same date Hon. Stuart S. Garson was appointed to the Department of Justice.
I now table the relevant orders in council passed in connection with those appointments.
There have been some changes also in the posts of parliamentary assistants. On November 15 Mr. W. E. Harris resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Secretary of State for External Affairs and on the same date was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Prime Minister and President of the Privy Council. Mr. Mcllraith, member for Ottawa West, resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply, retaining the post of parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Mr. Robert H. Winters, as he then was, resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transport. On January 19 Mr. Hugues Lapointe, the hon. member for Lotbiniere, resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Defence, and on the same date was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. On January 19 Mr. J. A. Blanchette was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Defence, as was also Mr. L. E. Baker, the hon. member for Shel-burne-Yarmouth-Clare. On the same date Mr. James Sinclair, the member for Vancouver North, was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance. On January 25 Mr. Ralph Maybank, the member for Winnipeg South Centre, resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Health and Welfare and was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Mines and Resources. Mr. Thomas Reid, member for New Westminster, resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Revenue and was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Health and Welfare.

I now table the orders in council relevant to the appointments I have just mentioned.



CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Since the last session of parliament there have been changes not only on this side of the house but some rather important changes on the other side as well. We were all chagrined to learn some months ago that the health of the hon. member for Neepawa (Mr. Bracken) had become impaired and that he had decided it was necessary to relinquish the arduous duties of leader of the opposition, and what were perhaps for him the still more arduous duties of leader of his party. The hon. member has had a long and distinguished career in public life. Unless I am mistaken as to the exact details, he was for twenty years premier of Manitoba before being selected as leader of the party which under his leadership chose to call itself the Progressive Conservative party. Already he had made great contributions to the agricultural life of western Canada, and thereby to the welfare of the whole of Canada.
I am sure it will not surprise him if I say here today that when he accepted the leadership of the Conservative party many of us who knew of and admired his previous career had some misgivings about the company in which he was going to find himself.


Mr. Graydon:: Page Mike Pearson.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Well, of course, the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson) is still young, but I think he believes he finds himself in pretty good company; and it so happens that a great many people in this country share the same belief.
Obviously the hon. member for Neepawa had some slight misgivings himself, because at that time we understood he had insisted upon the members of that party calling themselves Progressive Conservatives; but in spite of their willingness to call themselves anything he chose, we felt he would be tackling a hopeless task if he were to attempt to make them over into the kind of broad-visioned, common-man Progressive he had shown himself to be during the years of his administration in the province of Manitoba. The fact that he has found it could not be done does not detract in the slightest degree from our admiration of his venturesome courage.
Tributes to Members
During the time the hon. gentleman has been in this house he has discharged his task faithfully and in the best traditions of parliament. Naturally those on this side have differed with him on a good many things, but there has been no acrimony. Our relations with him have always been most cordial. We admire him for what he has done; we regret that his health has become impaired, and we sincerely hope that it will be rapidly restored. We cannot be expected to wish him success at the polls at the next election, but we do wish him good health and happiness in the future.
Now may I extend most cordial greetings to the hon. member for Carleton (Mr. Drew) upon having entered this chamber. I think it fair to say that most members of the house welcome him here today, and we congratulate him upon the confidence his party has placed in him.
The position of leader of the opposition is a very high and honourable one. It requires a rare combination of qualities, a knowledge of public affairs and the ability to criticize firmly and boldly on proper occasions, but also the ability to discriminate between proper occasions and times when mere wordy outpourings would be anything but constructive. It also requires an acquaintance with parliamentary procedure and the desire to co-operate in the conduct of public affairs.
The hon. member for Carleton has great natural endowments, and he has had the training and experience necessary to provide one with a proper grasp of public affairs. I am sure that he and I will, on many occasions, disagree. We shall probably, however, be able to co-operate in maintaining and upholding the constitutional traditions and customs of parliament which experience has shown to be the best safeguards of truly democratic institutions.
I also wish to say a word of welcome to the other hon. members who have been presented this day to the Speaker. I am sure they will find that in joining this company they have entered into a field in which there is an opportunity to be of real service to Canada and Canadians, perhaps not only to the Canada and Canadians of our generation but also to the Canada and Canadians of generations to come.
(Translation):	[DOT]
I take pleasure in welcoming two new French-speaking Liberal members, Mr. W. A. Boucher, representing Rosthern, and Mr. Leopold Demers, member for Laval-Two Mountains.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!

Tributes to Members
(Text):


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: It is a pleasure to welcome the new member lor Digby-Annapolis-Kings (Mr. Nowlan). He was not the choice ol our party, but as we are a democratic people, we are pleased to congratulate him on his recent victory. As a lawyer and a public-spirited citizen, he will make a contribution that will be ol value to all Canadians.
(Translation):


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear!
Mr. Boucher's long experience in public affairs as well as in business marks him out as the logical successor to Mr. Tucker, now the Liberal leader in Saskatchewan.
As for the member for Laval-Two Mountains, we are all proud and happy to see him here among us as a colleague in this house. Mr. Demers is a prominent business man and agronomist whose knowledge will mean further help to us in solving the many problems that face parliament at every session. Now at the opening of each session, while rejoicing over happy events, we must also recall some occasions of bereavement. Since the last session of parliament we lost a fellow member in Mr. Lucien Dubois, member for Nicolet-Yamaska, who, you will recall, had been in poor health for some years. Mr. Dubois was born at Gentilly in the province of Quebec fifty-five years ago. Though a farmer, he took an interest in municipal matters and was for several years secretary of the municipality of Gentilly. He was also secretary of the school board in the same community. He was particularly concerned with social problems. In fact he was a bachelor and followed, I believe, the example of the hon. member for Glengarry (Mr. Mackenzie King). He took as active an interest in social matters as those of us who have large families. Mr. Dubois was associated with the Historical Society of Montreal and the French-Canadian Genealogical Society. He sat in this house for eighteen years, having first been elected in 1930. The services which he rendered to his country during all those years, by his contribution to the debates of the house, are well known to all.
Lastly, he was a modest man, but as a member he attended the sittings of the house as regularly as his ailing health permitted. I know that in expressing our deepest sympathy to Mr. Dubois' father, brothers and sisters, I give voice to the feelings of every hon. member.
(Text):


Mr. George A. Drew (Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Speaker, in rising for the first time as a member of this house, may I pick up the
[Mr. St.Laurent.l
remarks of the right hon. the Prime Minister where he left off and join in the expression of regret at the untimely death of Mr. Dubois. One of the members of our party, the hon. member for Stanstead (Mr. Hackett), who knew him personally, will make some remarks in regard to him. I can only say, from the conversations I have had with those who knew him well, that he was highly regarded by all the members of the house, and that we share in the deep feeling of regret at his untimely loss.
I wish sincerely to congratulate the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) on his assumption of the high and responsible office to which he has been called. In the conduct of the affairs of government during the time that he has that responsibility I extend to him my best v/ishes for his good health and for the strength to carry on the arduous duties which fall to his lot. I wish also to thank him for the remarks he made about my own entry into this house. This is, of course, a different arena to that in which I have been for some time past. I thank the Prime Minister for his advice as to the duties of a leader of the opposition. There is one thing, however, that perhaps might be borne in mind, namely, that the rules of the provincial legislature and those of the House of Commons are quite similar, and that I had some years' experience as leader of the opposition in the Ontario legislature. Perhaps because of that fact, together with the fact that I saw changes take place, I have not the same feeling of permanence that may occupy the minds of some people. However, I know that the general summary of the responsibilities of the leader of the opposition was well put forward, in spite of the fact that the Prime Minister had not had the opportunity of sharing my experience. I hope that I shall be able to conduct myself in this office along the lines that have been suggested.
I wish to join in the felicitations which have been extended to the new members who have entered this house today, as I have. I wish to join in the remarks that have been made about the right hon. member for Glengarry (Mr. King) in regard to his return to good health. I know that I share with everyone here the feeling of satisfaction at seeing him present and in good health today, and I hope that condition continues. To each of the new members who have assumed their responsibilities, some of them almost as recently as I myself, I can only say that 1 wish them well in the tasks they have undertaken. In the conduct of the affairs of parliament under our system, it will be my duty to co-operate on such occasions as co-operation is indicated, and, on those occasions on which it is not

indicated, to put forward before the house the point of view which would seem to me to advance the best interests of the country.
Naturally I wish to express particular pleasure at the entry into the house today of the hon. member for Digby-Annapolis-Kings (Mr. Nowlan). He is a great addition to the House of Commons. The marked confidence displayed by those who know him well in his constituency where the vote was taken was a great personal tribute, a recognition of his abilities, and I think it sufficiently indicates what may be expected of him here in the House of Commons.
Before I close these brief remarks may I say that I wish to pay great tribute to my friend the hon. member for Neepawa (Mr. Bracken) and to express the satisfaction I feel in the knowledge that he will be sitting here beside me in the house so that I may have the advantage not only of his friendship and advice but of his long years of training which have been referred to by the Prime Minister in his opening remarks. Mr. Bracken served his province extremely well for the longest period that any premier has occupied that office in any province of Canada.


Some hon. Members:: No.


George Alexander Drew: If I am wrong, I shall be happy to be corrected.


An hon. Member:: Murray of Nova Scotia.


George Alexander Drew: I am informed that there was
an exception in earlier years in Nova Scotia, where there are great traditions of good government. I am happy to be informed of that fact, but it in no way lessens the great period of responsibility and good service which stands to the credit of the hon. member for Neepawa (Mr. Bracken) before he entered this house.
From my understanding of the procedure in the assembly in which I have sat, which procedure I believe is similar to that here, it is not appropriate to make a political speech on the opening day and I do not intend to do so in any way. I simply wish to say that, in assuming the high office he occupied, his whole record in everything he has done indicates that he filled it with a sense of dignity, and with eminence.
I wish again to express to the Prime Minister my appreciation of his welcome to me here, and to express the hope that in the high office for which I have been chosen I may advance the interests of this house and of the country.


Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roselown-Biggar):: Like the hon. leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew), Mr. Speaker, I should like to begin by expressing on behalf of the party with which I am
Tributes to Members
associated a tribute to the late Mr. Dubois. We found him to be a kindly gentleman whom we liked and admired. The house is poorer because he has left us. I would also join with the Prime Minister in the tribute which he paid to the former Prime Minister of Canada and to say that we too rejoice to see him here today. We hope that he may be spared many years in which to enjoy health, strength and vigour and in which, if I may suggest it once again, to write those memoirs of his long experience as leader of the government of Canada.
I also want to congratulate the Prime Minister upon his accession to office. Those of us who have been associated with him in various activities over the last few years admire his ability. We trust Iris integrity. As one who was associated with him at two international conferences I wish to say that while I disagree with some policies and principles of the party that he now leads, and shall disagree on occasion with the measures proposed by the government, I believe that the Liberal party of Canada, in choosing the right hon. gentleman as its leader and in elevating him to the office of Prime Minister, not only did something for the country but honoured itself.
I want also to welcome the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew). I believe that in the twelve years that I have been here the hon. gentleman is the seventh leader of the party and the sixth leader of the opposition. All of them with whom we have been associated in this house have won our esteem and respect for their courtesy, their ability and their integrity, and I hope and I trust that the hon. gentleman who has taken his place here today will have the same kindly feeling from us that his predecessors had.
I also wish to join with those who have paid a tribute to the hon. member for Neepawa (Mr. Bracken). The hon. gentleman served western Canada for many years. We knew him there as one of the leaders of the old Progressive movement, a movement which was organized by the farmers in a time of stress. He held high office in his province before he came to this house. I can assure him of this, that as far as this party with which I am associated is concerned, we have the most kindly feeling for him, and we hope that he will be spared a good many years in health and strength.
To all the other hon. gentlemen who have been promoted to various positions, to those who have come among us today and who occupy positions of trust and of responsibility, both in the cabinet and as assistants to the ministers, we say welcome and we wish them well.

Tributes to Members
I hope, Mr. Speaker, that this fifth session of the twentieth parliament will be productive of beneficial legislation and great good for our own country and that we may indeed make a contribution to world peace and concord.


Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):: It is not
my intention nor desire to multiply words, but I do want to associate myself and the group which I represent with the expressions of congratulations to all of those hon. members who have been promoted to the high offices that they now occupy on the other side. To the new members who have come into the house we express our welcome and our sincere desire that they have the finest possible experience here. May they feel when their work is finished in this house that they have been able to make a contribution to the welfare of this great dominion.
I wish to associate myself with the tribute by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) to the hon. member for Glengarry (Mr. Mackenzie King). I too wish him long life, happiness and health. I could not help noting, Mr. Speaker, that on this first day of this new session the hon. member has chosen to come down into this section of the house, a good section. The next step up from little Chicago would be over here, and on the basis of the hon. member for Glengarry's speech in Prince Albert in 1935 I would expect that the next move would be right into the Social Credit ranks.
I compliment the Prime Minister on his elevation to the high office that he now occupies, and I assure him that our best wishes go out to him in his efforts to conduct the business of this house and of this country.
We also wish to join in expressing to the leader of the opposition welcome to this house. We hope that our relationships with him, and with all new members who have come into the house, will be as pleasant as our relationships were with his predecessor. I have always had the pleasantest personal relationships, and also relationships in this house, with the former leader, and I want to join with the other speakers in expressing my hope that the hon. member for Neepawa (Mr. Bracken) will continue in his improved good health and will enjoy long life and happiness.
In conclusion may I join with all those who have expressed their regret at the passing of Mr. Dubois. It is always a matter of regret when any one of our members passes away suddenly. We miss them. Our sympathy goes out to the bereaved ones and to all the members of the Liberal party who have lost a faithful colleague.
(Translation):


Mr. John T. Hackeit (Sianslead):: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Progressive Con-
[Mr. Coldwell.l
servative party I would like to say a few words of regret on the occasion of the death of a friend and a colleague in the person of Mr. Dubois. Mr. Dubois represented a very prominent constituency, an almost historical constituency, a constituency which sent here men like Gaudet Methot, and even one of your most illustrious predecessors, the Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux, for years a Speaker of this house. He too represented the Nicolet-Yamaska constituency. That constituency also numbered among its representatives a man of the highest abilities, the lamented and brilliant Paul-Emile Lamarche, who also died young, and one of the most eminent magistrates, one whose fame has spread abroad, Mr. Justice Trahan.
Mr. Dubois was first elected to the House of Commons nearly twenty years ago, at the same time I was. We did not belong to the same party but we shared the same interests. He represented an agricultural population and was particularly interested in the dairy industry. We thus became friends, as the electoral district which I represent has similar interests. He had a quite remarkable personality; he was meek and had qualities which enabled him to get elected in spite of the efforts of the two old recognized parties in this country. Unless I am mistaken, in the last general election he ran as an Independent candidate, as he did in the general election of 1940, and the loyalty of his friends and the services he had rendered to his electors assured his victory on several occasions. May I therefore lay a wreath on his recently-closed grave, a wreath scented with remembrances of loyalty, friendship, sincerity and modesty. Mr. Dubois was a farmer and, as was said, more than a farmer; he was an author, a historian and he dedicated himself to the relief of social distress.
I, therefore, wish to extend to his family, his friends and his electors whom he has served so generously, the tribute of his Conservative colleagues in this house.
(Text):
I will just add this one word in English before taking my seat. The late Mr. Dubois is deeply mourned by his Conservative colleagues. In his fidelity to all the charities of life, great and small, there was in this house no more complete, no more cultivated, no more Christian gentleman than the hon. member for Nicolet-Yamaska, whose passing we regret.



STANDING COMMITTEES

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report with all convenient speed, lists of mem-

bers to compose the standing committees of this house under standing order 63, said committee to be composed of Messrs. Fournier (Hull), Claxton, Casselman, Knowles and Weir.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister) presented the following message from His Excellency the Governor General:
The Governor General transmits to the House of Commons a certified copy of an approved minute of council, appointing the Hon. J. A. MacKinnon, Minister of Mines and Resources, the Hon. Colin Gibson, Secretary of State, the Hon. Alphonse Fournier, Minister of Public Works, the Hon. D. C. Abbott, Minister of Finance, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners for the purposes and under the provisions of chapter 145 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927, intituled: An act respecting the House of Commons.

[Stage Direction]
Report of the joint librarians of parliament. -Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess the resignation has been received of Roy T. Graham, Esquire, K.C., as clerk assistant, and that John T. Dun, Esquire, Chief of Committees and Private Legislation Branch, has been appointed as deputy clerk assistant.



BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE


[Stage Direction]
-DEBATE ON ADMISSION OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to move,
seconded by the Minister of Trade and Commerce (Mr. Howe):
That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration on Thursday next, and that this order have precedence over all business except the introduction of bills and government notices of motions on Thursday and Friday, January 27 and 28, 1949.
I had intended at the same time to move for an order of the house on the subject of business of the house next week, but I have been informed by some hon. members that that arrangement had not yet appealed to them as being the best that could be made, that there might have to be a debate on a motion of that kind, and that it would better suit their convenience if the debate did not take place until Friday. So, instead of combining that with the motion I now put before the house, I would simply give notice of a 29087-2
Business of the House
motion to be made on Friday with respect to procedure for next week and following days.


George Alexander Drew: Mr. Speaker, as this motion is not in
the usual form, I think it would be very helpful to hon. members if the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) would explain the effect of the motion, and what he suggests should be done tomorrow under that motion.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: The motion is not in the
usual form, inasmuch as it does not extend to the whole of the time during which the address of His Excellency the Governor General and addresses in reply may be under debate in the house. But it does provide, in the usual form, that tomorrow and Friday the speech from the throne be considered. The procedure on adoption of the motion would be that the address would be moved and seconded tomorrow. Then I would assume that, in accordance with traditional practice, Your Honour would recognize first the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew), that I should follow him, that he would then recognize the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar (Mr. Cold-well), and following the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar, the hon. member for-


Gordon Graydon: No; you did not do that
before.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: -the hon. member for Peace River (Mr. Low). After those hon. members have been heard, then the debate would continue in such order as might be arranged by the Whips, in the usual manner.
I had intended at this time to move that afterwards, from Monday, January 31, until and including Friday, February 11, matters having to do with the entry of Newfoundland into confederation should have precedence over other matters. But I was told by some hon. members that that did not appeal to them as being the proper procedure, that there would be debate on a motion of that kind, and that it would be preferable not to have the debate which would be expected this afternoon in view of the fact that other engagements had been made. I am therefore giving notice that I will make that motion on Friday. The purpose of the motion will be that on and from January 31 until Friday, February 11, the matters dealing with the entry of Newfoundland shall have precedence. However I am not making that motion at the present time; I am putting a notice on the order paper.


George Alexander Drew: Mr. Speaker, I do think that hon. members should recognize the effect of the motion in the form in which it is presented. In the form in which it is presented the debate on the speech from the throne will

Business of the House
have precedence only for Thursday and Friday, and to carry forward the debate under the usual terms or following the usual procedure would require another motion, were it not for the fact that the Prime Minister has indicated that he intends to introduce a motion which would have the effect of postponing the debate on the speech from the throne.
I do not think it would be appropriate for me to make any comments on this motion in relation to the motion of which notice has been given. Nevertheless the effect of this motion is such that it would be unwise to ignore the position in which the debate on the speech from the throne is left unless the second motion is carried by the house.
While the Prime Minister may assume that he will be able to persuade a sufficient number of hon. members to produce that result by their votes, such assumption should not blind hon. members to the fact that if this motion as it now stands is carried nothing will have been done to provide for the continued debate on the speech from the throne after Friday.
I suggest that not only is this motion contrary to any motion that has been introduced in this house since confederation; it is a motion which if carried in its present form presupposes the ability of the government to carry a subsequent motion by the acceptance by members of one party of the decision of the Prime Minister without any regard to another motion. The continuance of this debate rests entirely upon that assumption, which, it seems to me, is not consistent with our parliamentary practice.
I urge the Prime Minister seriously to consider the withdrawal at this point of the motion and the substitution, which he can easily make, of the ordinary motion to the effect that the debate continue to have precedence. Then if the subsequent motion gains the support of this house the effect will be the carrying forward of the debate anyway. Such a motion would not in any way be subject to the disabilities that this motion contains.
I should like to point out that I as well as other hon. members of the house are under some handicap in debating a motion such as this because it deals with the address of His Majesty's representative. It is customary, and I believe the record will show that it has always been the practice, that the motion provide that the debate have precedence over all other government business. On those rare occasions when a subsequent motion was moved which had the effect of postponing the debate it related to the debate in the customary form and provided for the carrying forward of that debate without any such limitations as are now laid down. I again ask the Prime Minister to take this into consideration.


Major James William Coldwell: Mr. Speaker, I should like to support the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew). This motion, being worded as it is, does exactly what he says it does: it limits the debate to two days. It seems to me that if we pass this motion we shall be limiting ourselves to Thursday and Friday. Without notice of another motion we might find ourselves in a difficult position if the proposal of the government should not carry on Friday. In a democratic institution we have always the right to presuppose that hon. members may not always vote in accordance with the wishes of the government.
I join the leader of the opposition in suggesting that the wording of the motion be changed. We can deal with the situation as it arises on Friday, when the other motion which the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) has foreshadowed can be discussed and, if the house sees fit, passed.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: I cannot accede to the request made by the leader of the opposition and by the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar (Mr. Coldwell) because that would be asking the house to make an order and expecting the house to reverse that order on Friday. I moved my motion in this form because I had been told by hon. members that there would be a debate upon any motion made in an attempt to postpone the debate on the address. If that were so I thought it would be preferable to have it made on Friday. I am quite prepared to agree to that.
I am prepared to state here that I am making no other assumption than the assumption that this motion provides for the order of business for two days and that a motion will have to be made on Friday for the order of business subsequent to that. If the order on Friday is not made in the terms of the motion of which I have given notice, I can move another motion for that order of business. This is merely to determine that we can go on tomorrow and Friday with the debate on the address.


Mr. Rowe:: By unanimous consent.


Mr. SI. Laurent:: No, not by unanimous consent but by virtue of the motion I am now putting before the house. If hon. members wish to have a debate this afternoon I am quite prepared to have it. I even suggested that we should have it. However, I was told that that would not meet their convenience because other arrangements had been made for the rest of the day. It was necessary to make some provision for tomorrow and Friday.
On Friday I will move that the debate on the address be not given precedence during those days, but that precedence be given to
fMr. Drew.]

the measure with respect to Newfoundland. We do not mean to adopt any dictatorial attitude.


Some hon„ Members:: Oh, oh.


Charles Eugène Parent: Hon. members can say "Oh, oh" all they like, but that is the fact. I know the intent of our desires just as well as hon. members who are saying "Oh, oh". I wish to meet in the greatest degree possible the convenience of all hon. members in the house. I do not want to start a debate today on the reasons for proceeding immediately with the Newfoundland measure; that will come on Friday. If we cannot arrange something that appears to be satisfactory to the majority of the members of the house, we will arrange something else. There is no intention of getting a snap decision of the house, but I do not think it would be appropriate for me to ask the house to make one order today and then come back on Friday and ask it to vary that order.


George Alexander Drew: I have asked the Prime Minister to reconsider this, but since he has not done so I would point out that this motion does not produce the effect which he has indicated to the house. He says that this would have the effect of carrying on the debate; that unless there was another motion we would go on with the debate.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Oh, no, I did not say that.


George Alexander Drew: That was the impression I gained.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: I am sorry I did not express myself sufficiently clearly. I said that if we could not arrange to go on with the Newfoundland matter we would make some other arrangement for using the time of the house from Monday onward. I quite realize that some provision will have to be made on Friday for the business of the house during the days of next week and following.


George Alexander Drew: I should like to continue what I was pointing out. The practice I have suggested is the accepted practice and Hansard will show clearly that the right hon. member for Glengarry (Mr. Mackenzie King) on the last occasion, when he as Prime Minister presented a motion of a similar character, presented the motion that has always been presented to deal with the speech from the throne and give it precedence. On the very occasion when he did that he indicated that he would be introducing another motion which would have the effect of postponing the debate on a certain day. Therefore there is no inconsistency in presenting the usual
Business of the House
motion to give precedence to the debate, and to give on Friday, as the Prime Minister now has, notice of a motion, to be debated then, which, if carried by the house, would have the effect of postponing the debate.
This motion is not in the form in which a motion for debate on the speech from the throne has been put forward traditionally in this house. My understanding of the rule is that such a motion requires unanimous consent, or forty-eight hours' notice. I indicate to you, Mr. Speaker, that I do not consent to proceeding with this motion in its present form. I want to make quite sure that no suggestion can be made that we are blocking the debate on the speech from the throne. Therefore, if the Prime Minister will now introduce the motion that has been used regularly since confederation, we will support it and give unanimous consent.


Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):: The Prime Minister indicated that one of his aims was to avoid a debate on procedure today, but it must be apparent to him that he has made the very move which is likely to produce a prolonged debate. Yet I suggest it is still possible to avoid a procedural debate today if he will accept the suggestion made by the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) and the leader of this group. All he has to do is to withdraw the motion he has made and make the motion that has been made on almost every occasion, namely, that the debate on the address begin tomorrow and have precedence until it is concluded. As the leader of the opposition has said, he can then give notice that on Friday it is his intention to move a motion to the effect that notwithstanding the order of January 26 such and such shall be the case. I would point out that not only was this done in that manner last year, but in many sessions the debate on the address has proceeded for a considerable period of time and has then been interrupted by a subsequent motion. I would suggest that the Prime Minister should make the usual motion. If he will accept that suggestion he will avoid a debate today.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: I think the hon. member is making a mistake. The motion that was made was that the debate on the address have precedence for one day and that on the following Monday measures arising out of the emergency legislation-[DOT]


Stanley Howard Knowles: On a point of order, that was interpreted to go on and on, indefinitely.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Yes, but the motion that was made was not that the debate on the address have precedence until concluded. It was that it have precedence only over the Monday following the opening of parliament,
29087-2;

Business of the House
and that thereafter legislation having to do with the restrictions announced by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Abbott) be dealt with. They were dealt with until adjournment and we did not resume the debate until the 28th of January. The motion that was made was as follows:
That the debate on the address in reply to the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be the first order of business on Monday, December 8th instant, and that this order be followed by government notices of motion and government orders notwithstanding anything in standing order 15.
I had a motion in that form, and I was asked not to bring it forward today because it would give rise to a debate which it was not desirable to have at this time. It is precisely those who asked me to avoid precipitating a debate about it who now say that they cannot accept this motion because it does not provide that the debate on the address will have precedence until it is concluded. I am not in a position to make that kind of motion. If that kind of motion were made it would be an order of the house, and I could not properly ask to have it reconsidered.


George Alexander Drew: I do not want to labour the matter, but I do wish to point out again to the Prime Minister that his predecessor in office, who was very careful about procedure, followed precisely this course. He introduced a motion which gave precedence to the debate on the address and indicated that he was going to introduce the other motion. That has been the practice. I repeat that there is a suggestion before the Prime Minister which would solve any problem of procedure and leave it open to him to deal with the other motion. X should like to refer to standing order 45, which seems clear enough:
Forty-eight hours' notice shall be given of a motion for leave to present a bill, resolution or address . . .
And so on.
Unless that is done I submit that the house cannot proceed with the debate. We wish the motion to be put in the usual form to place the debate on the speech from the throne before this house. We will support that motion if it is prepared in the usual way but in the present form it places a definite limitation upon the debate. I cannot give consent to it and I ask you to rule that this motion cannot be debated today.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: In order to avoid debate I am quite prepared to withdraw the motion and to trust that it will be the desire of hon. members tomorrow that we proceed with the debate on the address. There will not have been any order of the house made, but I trust it will be the wish of the house tomorrow
under the standing orders that we proceed to consider the speech from the throne. I do not want to ask the house to make any order that any hon. member might feel went beyond what I said was intended. If there is any feeling that an order on this motion will have any other effect than to provide that we deal with the address tomorrow and Friday, and that we decide on Friday what we will do next, I do not wish to press it against opposition. I do not think it is the kind of motion which requires notice, but perhaps tomorrow we shall be able to consider the speech from the throne without having had any order made.


William Earl Rowe: Following the government's desires rather than parliamentary rules.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: I do not think the hon. member is justified in making that remark. Does he really consider that he is?


William Earl Rowe: I think he is.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: I do not think he is. If there is objection to this motion being made today I am quite prepared to withdraw it and to abide by the standing orders of the house.


George Alexander Drew: So that there may be no misunderstanding, I was dealing with a motion in a certain form. The Prime Minister has indicated his willingness to withdraw that motion. We come now to another point. There can be no objection to proceeding with the debate in the usual way in so far as the mover and seconder are concerned, but I am unaware of any precedent for the leader of the opposition and the Prime Minister following immediately afterwards under such circumstances as we have here. I do not think that should be suggested. The speech from the throne has only been presented today. The debate is on that speech, and it is customary to afford the leader of the opposition an opportunity to examine it so that his remarks will deal with it. I want to make that observation now that the Prime Minister has withdrawn the motion. I make the observation as to my views of the procedure on the debate merely for the purpose of avoiding any misunderstanding tomorrow.
Motion withdrawn.



BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: the adjournment of the house.
He said:	Tomorrow the first order of business, I hope, will be a motion for an address in reply to the speech from the throne.
Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 5.43 p.m.

Thursday, January 27, 1949