1949-09-15

OFFICIAL REPORT


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f|ousie of Commons! ©eiratesi
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Speaker: The Honourable W. Ross Macdonald

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The twentieth parliament having been prorogued and dissolved by proclamation on Saturday, April 30, 1949, and writs having been issued and returned, a new parliament was summoned to meet for the dispatch of business on Thursday, September 15, 1949, and did accordingly meet on that day.
Thursday, September 15, 1949	ELECTION OF SPEAKER
This being the day on which parliament is convoked by proclamation of His Excellency the Governor General for the dispatch of business, and the members of the house being assembled:
Leon J. Raymond, Esquire, O.B.E., the Clerk of the House, read to the house a letter from the Assistant Secretary to the Governor General informing him that the Honourable Patrick Kerwin, in his capacity as Deputy Governor General, would proceed to the Senate chamber to open the first session of the twenty-first parliament of Canada on Thursday, the 15th of September, at twelve o'clock noon.
A message was delivered by Major C. R. Lamoureux, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Commons:
His Honour, the Deputy of His Excellency the Governor General, desires the immediate attendance of this honourable house in the chamber of the honourable the Senate.
Accordingly the house went up to the Senate chamber, when the Speaker of the Senate said:
Honourable Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Commons:
I have it in command to let you know that His Excellency the Governor General does not see fit to declare the causes of his summoning the present parliament of Canada until the Speaker of the House of Commons shall have been chosen according to law, but this afternoon, at the hour of three o'clock, His Excellency will declare the causes of calling this parliament.
And the house being returned to the Commons chamber:

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):: Mr. Raymond, now that we who have been elected to this house to form a part of the twenty-first parliament of Canada have made our first formal bow to His Majesty's representative, and have been duly reminded of our obligations under the British North America Act, the moment has arrived for us to comply with the section of the act which requires the members elected to form a parliament after a general election, and, at the first opportune moment, to choose one of their number to be their Speaker.
Four years ago my predecessor, Right Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, as prime minister, gave an interesting resume of the provisions of the law and the requirements of practice and tradition in the selection of a Speaker, together with a precise enumeration of the qualifications it was fitting to find in the member chosen for that high office. I shall not take time today to repeat what was said on that occasion, but any hon. member who wishes to have his memory refreshed will find that interesting review in the first issue of Hansard of the twentieth parliament.
I hope and believe that the nomination it will be my privilege to make for this high office will meet with the approval of all members of the house. I am quite sure it will meet with the hearty approval of all hon. members who in previous years had the privilege of sitting with the hon. member who

Election of Speaker
is to be nominated, especially those of us who were here during the last parliament and were able to observe with what ability and distinction he fulfilled the office of Deputy Speaker and chairman of committees.
Hon. members will have understood from my last remark that it is my intention to move that Mr. W. Ross Macdonald, member-elect for the constituency of Brantford, be chosen to preside over our deliberations during this parliament.
Mr. Macdonald is still a young man. He was born not earlier than 1891, and for several years has been a distinguished member of the House of Commons. As we all know, Mr. Macdonald has had a distinguished career at the bar; his legal attainments and objective view of questions of order and procedure that might arise in the course of our deliberations cannot but commend themselves to those who know him. I am sure it is also an added pleasure to his colleagues in this house, in choosing him for this high office, to honour one who had such a distinguished career in the service of our country during the first world war.
The position of Speaker is of course a difficult one, but I am sure the qualifications of our colleague will enable him to discharge the responsibilities of that office not only with fairness and impartiality, but in such a manner as to add to the dignity of the proceedings of this parliament.
It is with a feeling of great satisfaction, Mr. Raymond, that I move, seconded by the Minister of Trade and Commerce (Mr. Howe): That William Ross Macdonald, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Brantford, do take the chair of this house as Speaker.


Mr. George A. Drew (Leader of ihe Opposition):: Mr. Raymond, there will be
wholehearted approval in all parts of this house of the name that has been mentioned in connection with this motion, which I am sure will be supported unanimously. I have not had the extended experience others have had of sitting in this house with Mr. Macdonald, but it happens that I had the privilege of knowing him for many years before I came here. It is a fortunate thing for this house, and for the people of Canada whom this house serves, that a man of his distinction and ability should have occupied already the position of Deputy Speaker with satisfaction to all hon. members.
As has been pointed out by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent), Mr. Macdonald has had long years of public service in the legal profession, in the military forces and in local public service. He has been a member of this house for many years, and I feel sure there will be no more distinguished part of his service than that which he will 
give as Speaker of this house, where, as the one in whose hands lies the authority of the house itself, his judicial qualities and wide experience will guide the discussions in the Commons, which have so much to do with the welfare of everyone in Canada. I wish simply to add my words of hearty approval of this motion, and to express my confidence that Mr. Macdonald will be a worthy successor to the distinguished men who have preceded him. I feel sure I speak for all those sitting with me when I wish him health and happiness in the occupancy of the office to which he will be chosen.


Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roseiown-Biggar):: Mr. Raymond, it gives me personally a great deal of pleasure to support the motion of the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent), as well as to do so on behalf of the party we represent in this house.
As the Prime Minister has said, Mr. Ross Macdonald was elected to parliament in 1935, and some of us have been associated with him ever since. We respect him, and we have grown to have an affection for him, not only because of his unfailing courtesy in all matters having to do with the business of the house, but because in many respects he is a man -of modesty. I am quite sure the high honour and dignity attached to the office of Speaker of the house will be maintained by him, and that his occupancy of the office will be worthy of the best among those who have presided over the business of the house in the past.
In this house, constituted as it is following the election, it is essential that the Speaker show impartiality and fairness to all hon. members, regardless of the party to which they belong and regardless of where they sit in this chamber. I am reminded of statements made by Speakers of the British house from time to time, that it is the duty of the Speaker to protect individuals or groups who find themselves in a minority position. I have no doubt that Mr. Macdonald will do that.
It is therefore with the greatest pleasure that, on behalf of those who sit with me, as well as on my own behalf, I support the motion presented by the Prime Minister.


Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):: Mr. Raymond, I should like to indicate, on behalf of the group for which I speak, approval of the motion moved by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent). We believe that Mr. Macdonald is well fitted for the very high office for which he has been nominated. We shall support the Prime Minister's motion.
The Clerk of the House declared the motion carried in the affirmative, nemine contradi-cente, and the Hon. W. Ross Macdonald,

member for the electoral district of Brantford, duly elected to the chair of the house.
Hon. Mr. Macdonald was conducted from his seat in the house to the Speaker's chair by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Right Hon. C. D. Howe.


Mr. Speaker:: Gentlemen of the House of Commons, may I express to the house my humble acknowledgment of the great honour which you have conferred upon me by choosing me to be your Speaker.
Messieurs de la Chambre des communes, je desire remercier tous les membres de la Chambre du grand honneur qu'il leur a plu de me conferer. Je suis vraiment honore d'avoir ete choisi comme votre Orateur.
The unanimity of approval with which my name was received by the members on both sides of the house, and the all too flattering references made to me, are deeply appreciated and will ever be cherished in my memory. But above all, they will serve to remind me of my great obligations to you who have entrusted so much to me.
It is true, as some hon. members have mentioned, that the experience which I gained as Deputy Speaker in the last parliament will be of assistance to me in solving the problems which will arise in this parliament. May I, however, remind hon. members that any little success I had in carrying out the duties of Deputy Speaker was due entirely to the assistance, advice and cooperation which I received at all times from all hon. members.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons, Messieurs de la Chambre des communes: You have entrusted to me the honour, the rights, the privileges and the prerogatives of the Commons. I assure you I shall endeavour to be worthy of this great trust and at all times to be fair and impartial as between parties and as between members, and with your co-operation I shall strive to maintain order and decorum in this house, whose servant I am.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to be the first to have the privilege of addressing you in that capacity. On this occasion I do so merely to suggest to you that you declare the sitting of this house suspended until three o'clock this afternoon.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
At 12.37 p.m. the sitting was suspended -intil 3 p.m. this day.
The house resumed at three o'clock. OPENING OF THE SESSION
Mr. Speaker read a communication from the Governor General's secretary, announc-45781-1J
Opening of the Session ing 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. Then the Hon. W. Ross Macdonald, Speaker of the House of Commons, said:
May it please Your Excellency,
The House of Commons have elected me their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me.
If in the performance of those duties I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me, and not to the Commons, whose servant I am, and who through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to their King and country, humbly claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to Your Excellency's person at all reasonable times, and that their proceedings may receive from Your Excellency the most favourable consideration.
The Honourable the Speaker of the Senate, addressing the Honourable the Speaker of the House of Commons, then said:
Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by His Excellency the Governor General to assure you that your words and actions will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.
Then His Excellency the Governor General was pleased to open parliament by a speech from the throne.
And the house being returned to the Commons chamber:
Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to report that, the house having attended on His Excellency the Governor General in the Senate chamber, I informed His Excellency that the choice of Speaker had fallen upon me, and, in your names, and on your behalf, I made the usual claim for your privileges, which His Excellency was pleased to confirm to you.



VACANCIES

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to
inform the house that since the general election held on June 27, 1949, communications have been received from several members notifying the chief electoral officer, in accordance with chapter 145, section 2, of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927, that the following vacancies have occurred in the representation, viz.:
Of Hon. Ernest Bertrand, member for the electoral district of Laurier, conse-

Speech from the Throne quent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Hon. Joseph Jean, member for the electoral district of Mercier, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Eugene Marquis, member for the electoral district of Kamouraska, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Elphege Marier, member for the electoral district of Jacques Cartier, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Leon J. Raymond, member for the electoral district of Gatineau, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Thomas Reid, member for the electoral district of New Westminster, consequent upon his being summoned to the Senate.
Of Benoit Michaud, member for the electoral district of Restigouche-Madawaska, by decease.
Of J. E. McMillin, member for the electoral district of Greenwood, by decease.
Accordingly new writs of election were issued for the said electoral districts respectively.



OATHS OF OFFICE

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: for leave to introduce Bill No. 1, respecting the administration of oaths of office.
Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

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: Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
There has been deep satisfaction in all parts of the country that the steady improvement in the health of the King has enabled His Majesty to resume most of his customary activities.
The opening of the twenty-first parliament is marked by the presence for the first time of the representatives of the new province of Newfoundland. It is a pleasure for me to welcome their participation in the national affairs of a greater Canada.
With the admission of the new province of Newfoundland the Canadian nation attained the geographical limits planned by the fathers of confederation. You will be asked at the present

session to approve measures designed to facilitate the attainment of the constitutional limits of our nationhood. To this end, a bill will be introduced to amend the Supreme Court Act so that the Supreme Court of Canada will become the final court of appeal for Canada.
You will also be asked to approve addresses praying the parliament of the United Kingdom to vest in the parliament of Canada the right to amend the constitution of Canada in relation to matters not coming within the jurisdiction of the legislatures of the provinces nor affecting the constitutional rights and privileges of the provinces or existing rights and privileges with respect to education or the use of the English and French languages.
My ministers will seek to arrange for early consultation with the provincial governments with a view to agreeing upon an appropriate procedure for making within Canada such other amendments to the constitution as may from time to time be required.
The hopes held four years ago for world peace and security under the aegis of the united nations have not yet been realized. The menace of communist totalitarianism continues to threaten the aspirations of men of good will. It is, however, gratifying that the North Atlantic treaty has been brought into effect and is already proving its worth in lessening the risks of armed aggression.
The defence needs of Canada both as a separate nation and as a signatory of this treaty are being kept constantly under review. Good progress has been made in the co-ordination and unification of our armed forces and conditions of service are being improved. Special attention is being given to research and development intended to provide the forces with the most modern equipment suitable for present requirements.
A measure will be introduced to consolidate the legislation respecting the defence forces and the Department of National Defence.
It is the view of my ministers that the economic health and stability of the nations of the north Atlantic community must be the real foundation of their ability to resist and, therefore, to deter aggression.
Although the nations of western Europe have made substantial progress towards recovery from the ravages of war, they have not been able to restore completely their economic strength. Their shortage of dollars continues, and international trade remains in a state of unbalance. The government is seeking by all appropriate means to cooperate in measures to restore economic equilibrium. The achievement of a pattern of world trade in which the trading nations can operate together within one single multilateral system continues to be the ultimate aim of my government.
Since parliament last met the international wheat agreement has come into operation. The agreement together with the other arrangements made to dispose of our surplus agricultural products will provide additional economic security for many of our farmers.
At home we continue to enjoy prosperity. Agricultural production generally continues to be high. Private capital investment and employment have remained at high levels. Relations between employers and employees have, with few exceptions, been satisfactory.
As a result of legislation passed at the last session of parliament, new agreements with respect to old age pensions have been completed with nine of the provinces, and increased pensions have now been made available to the aged and the blind in those provinces. The completion of a similar agreement with the province of Newfoundland awaits the enactment of the required provincial legislation.
The continued co-operation of the provinces in the implementation of the national health pro-

gram has resulted in further progress being made towards the desired objective of improved health facilities and services for the people in all parts of Canada.
While more housing units are being built this year than ever before, the demand for housing continues. Following discussions with the governments of the provinces your approval will be sought for legislation to broaden the scope of the National Housing Act.
A bill to provide for the continuance of functions now vested in the Department of Reconstruction and Supply, including the ministerial responsibility for the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will be placed before you for your approval.
You will also be asked to approve a measure to enable the government to assist in the provision of a transcontinental highway.
The government has concluded new air agreements with the United Kingdom and the United States. The agreements provide new routes for our international air services to the United States and to the Orient, and additional traffic stops in United States and United Kingdom territory for our present international services on the north Atlantic, to the Caribbean and to the south Pacific.
Measures demanding your consideration will include a bill respecting a national trade mark and true labelling; a bill respecting forest conservation; a bill to incorporate the Canadian Overseas Telecommunication Corporation; a bill respecting assistance to the shipbuilding industry and merchant shipping; a bill to extend the life of the Export and Import Permits Act; and bills to amend the Exchequer Court Act, the Industrial Development Bank Act, the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act, the Prairie Farm Assistance Act, the Customs Act and the Veterans Land Act of 1942.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to make provision for the public service for the current fiscal year. The budget resolutions introduced at the last session of parliament will be submitted for your approval and the enactment of the appropriate legislation.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I pray that Divine Providence may bless your deliberations.



BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: That the speech ol His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration on Friday next, and that this order have precedence over all other business except the introduction of bills and government notices of motions, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until disposed of.
This will enable us, on Tuesdays and Fridays, which under the standing orders of the house are government days, to proceed at once with government business without waiting until the completion of the address in reply to the speech from the throne.
I hope this motion will meet with the approval of the house, and that it may not require too many Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to complete the consideration of His Excellency's address.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
Tributes to Deceased Members


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, it has just been Your Honour's unfortunate obligation to inform the members of this house that since the last general election two of the members elected to sit in this parliament have died. I refer, of course, to the members elect for Restigou-che-Madawaska and Toronto Greenwood.
Mr. Benoit Michaud, the member for Res-tigouche-Madawaska, had been ill for some time before the conclusion of the last parliament. I am sure that those who sat with him during the last parliament sincerely deplore the fact that a young man, practically in the prime of life, who had shown such great promise in this house, is not with us today.
(Translation):
Mr. Michaud was born near Grand Falls, New Brunswick, in 1902. A brilliant student who distinguished himself at Saint Anne's college and at the university of New Brunswick, he first turned to the teaching profession. His admittance to the bar marked the beginning of an outstanding career during which he was associated with a man who is now a member of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick, Mr. Justice Arthur Anglin. The latter was associated with our lamented colleague, the late Hon. Francis Bridges.
Mr. Michaud took a keen interest in all the social activities of his community. He was for some time clerk of the county court of his district. Then, for a few years, he acted as protonotary of the supreme court of his province. The manner in which he acquitted himself in the discharge of his various duties brought him into public esteem.
He belonged to every social organization formed by our Acadian brethren. In 1944, he entered the political field, being elected to the New Brunswick legislature, where he represented his home constituency. The following year, he was a candidate in the general election and became the member for the constituency of Restigouche-Madawaska.
We, who were here at the time, remember that Mr. Michaud seldom spoke during the first two sessions of the twentieth parliament, but in the third session, he took an active part in the debates. Our friends on the opposite side of the house considered him a redoubtable opponent while we, on this side, hailed the talents which the new member was revealing.

Tributes to Deceased Members
He had always been a member of the Liberal party, but he had his own ideas on many subjects and also as to the conclusions to be drawn from the great principles of the Liberal party. He had no hesitation in voicing his views quite frankly and openly in this house.
He was, of course, very fluent in his mother tongue, but he spoke English with equal ease, and was thus able to express himself objectively in both languages.
As I said a moment ago, we deeply regret that so promising a career was interrupted so soon. I am sure that all the members of this house wish to be personally associated in the expression of our most sincere condolences to Mrs. Michaud and the four children of our lamented colleague.
(Text):
I had not the privilege of personal acquaintanceship with the member-elect for the constituency of Greenwood, but I am sure all members of this house wish to extend to his family, to his friends and to the leader of the opposition and his colleagues sincere condolences on the untimely death of a colleague so shortly after his successfully contesting the election in that constituency.
Mr. Speaker, though it may not be the usual practice, I am sure the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) and all other hon. members will not find it surprising that on this occasion I should depart from the,usual custom and say just a word about a former member and distinguished colleague who was long associated with this house. I refer to Senator Mackenzie, who died at the beginning of this month.
The late Senator Mackenzie was born in Scotland of humble parentage, on July 27, 1890. He put himself through the famous highland school of Kingussie and the university of Edinburgh, almost entirely on scholarships won by his own achievements. He had always been a brilliant scholar, and had specialized in Celtic languages and literature. That fact did not prevent him, however, from bringing close and careful attention to the study of law; in two years he qualified for the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1914 he came to this country as an immigrant, but we remember that before the end of that year the institutions of this country-indeed, those of the free world-were under a serious threat. He immediately joined the Canadian forces and went overseas as a member of Canada's Seaforth Highlanders. I shall not at this time say anything about his career in the army. We know that it was distinguished, and we know that his physical prowess was 
such that it must have made a considerabl* impact upon any enemy who came withir reach of him.
On returning to British Columbia after the war he took up the practice of law, anc immediately evinced keen interest in th( affairs of the veterans. He became presiden of the Vancouver command of the Great Wai Veterans' Association, and soon became its dominion vice-president. His interest in the welfare of the veterans never lagged frorr that moment up to the day of his untimelj passing to a better world.
Ian Mackenzie was elected to the Britisl Columbia legislature in 1920 and re-electec in 1924. He was again elected in 1928, ir which year he became a member of tht British Columbia cabinet. In 1930, after ter years in the British Columbia legislature, he began his eighteen-year representation of the constituency of Vancouver Centre in the federal house. He was successful in the federal election of that year, but though shortly before the election he had become minister of immigration and colonization after the election the administration was in the hands of one other than my distinguished predecessor, and Ian Mackenzie sat in the ranks of the opposition until 1935.
On the return of the Liberal party to power in 1935, Mr. Mackenzie never ceased to urge the importance of military preparation. He was appointed minister of national defence, and in that position had much to do with the reorganization of the Canadian militia and with the obtaining of some increases in the military budget. I say "some increases", because, in the light of what is now regarded as necessary for the defence forces of this country, those increases would appear to be relatively quite small.
I am sure that our late lamented colleague will be best remembered for his administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs when that department was created under him in October, 1944, and for the beneficial schemes which he worked out for the rehabilitation of the men who served their country so effectively during the last terrible war. In 1947 he was honoured by His Majesty the King, who made him a member of his imperial privy council. In January of last year he was appointed to another place, where he continued to advocate, with the vigour we knew him to possess, the causes which appeared to him to be in the interests of the Canadian public.
I am tempted to make just one reference to the fact that Ian Mackenzie was one of the most colourful speakers it has been my

privilege to listen to in the almost eight years I have had a seat in this house. It was always a joy to listen to him and to hear the musical resonance of his striking phrases.
I am sure hon. members agree that it was not improper that I should depart from the usual custom and, for them as well as for myself, offer our sincere condolences to his young widow, who had enjoyed only two years of marital bliss with our late lamented friend.


George Alexander Drew: Mr. Speaker, I wish to join in the appropriate expressions of sympathy which the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) has voiced on behalf of the members of this house in regard to the death of two of the members-elect and of one other colleague who had sat here for so long.
I should like to say something about the member-elect for Toronto Greenwood, Mr. McMillin, because naturally we on this side of the house were personally associated with him. I know that his widow and his daughter will appreciate what has been said here of the regret felt by the whole house at his decease.
It was particularly tragic that a man who had just been honoured by election to this house, and was looking forward very much to taking his place here-as his family were -should have died so short a time and so unexpectedly before this house met. Like other hon. members who sat in this house and whose names have been mentioned, he had a long record of public service in his own community. In his family, service to the public was a tradition. He had been brought up in a home where the idea of public service was natural. His father was mayor of the town of East Toronto before East Toronto was amalgamated with the city. From the time he was a very young man Mr. Ernest McMillin had taken an extremely active part in everything that was in the interest of the community in which he lived. He was particularly interested in the young people with whom his work was always associated. In his business career he followed in the footsteps of his father. He was engaged in the extremely important occupation of building houses and other structures of that kind, and at the time of his death was extensively engaged in that work. He was for many years a member of the Toronto board of education, and was regarded as its financial adviser.
I mention these things because they are the qualifications which he would have brought
Tributes to Deceased Members to this house. He also took a very great part in the activities of the Toronto East General hospital. The special interests that he had in the nurses' training school there resulted in the training of a large number of young women at a time when they were so greatly needed. I believe an hon. member who was most closely associated with him will have something to say in that regard. But I know that his work was very important, and that he had arranged scholarships for these young nurses, which has encouraged greatly the entry of young women into this useful work.
I join with the Prime Minister, as I know all hon. members do, in expressing our sincere sympathy to his widow and to his daughter, and the regret we all share that he should have been deprived of the opportunity of carrying forward that public service.
The Prime Minister has spoken of the career of Mr. Benoit Michaud, and the tragedy that a young man of such great brilliance and such wide attainments should have been lost to this house by death. All hon. members who were here earlier in the year know that he had been ill at that time. He displayed considerable courage in continuing his service in the house, and equal courage in contesting the election, knowing that his health was not good. In mentioning Mr. Michaud's wide field of attainments the Prime Minister indicated the basis of the type of public service which he was capable of giving. Not only is it a great loss to his associates, to his family, and to those who had chosen him in their own community to serve in their behalf; it is a tragedy to Canada as well that the services of this man have been lost.
I join with the Prime Minister in expressions of sympathy and regret in the death of Senator Ian Mackenzie. The Prime Minister has fully covered the wide and varied career of a very colourful man who so long sat in this House of Commons. He never at any time permitted anyone to forget where he had been born, and he at all times showed his pride in the place of his birth; but having gone to live in British Columbia he was no less insistent that everyone he met should appreciate the outstanding qualities of that part of Canada in which he had chosen to live. That characteristic is in itself one of the things that enrich the whole life of our country. Therefore on behalf of those with whom I am associated in this house I join in expressing our regret that these men should have been lost to the public service of Canada by death. I also join in the message of sympathy to their families who mourn their loss.

Tributes to Deceased Members


Mr. J. H. Harris (Danforih):: Mr. Speaker, I ask the indulgence of the house for a moment or two while I pay a word of tribute to those who have gone on before us. Naturally, sir, I think of my colleague, an ex-officer of my organization, who came from the half of my own original riding which I had the privilege of representing for close to twenty years, and of how he, John Ernest McMillin, more commonly known as Ernie McMillin, looked forward to being of some service to his community.
I look around this chamber, Mr. Speaker, and I see before me no one who has been here continuously since I first came here. That shows how quickly the scene changes. I pay tribute to the hon. member for Quebec South (Mr. Power), who happens to be absent at the moment. But for the first time in three decades, after listening each year to tributes paid to men of high qualifications, and men of honour who have passed on in the intervening period, I ask your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, and I do not think I am asking too much, for a moment or two while I say a word about those with whom I have been associated.
John Ernest McMillin, a younger man than myself, was well known to me. A constituent of mine, he left behind a very able Christian widow and a most charming daughter eighteen years of age. He left behind him an estate and a reputation for fair dealing. As my leader said a moment ago he was more than a builder of houses; he built upwards of a hundred, of which today seventeen are under construction and have to be finished. He was a builder of character and citizenship within the community, and by example as well as precept he showed the rest of us the way we ought to go. He was chairman of the board of stewards of his church, and served in a similar capacity in community enterprises of one kind or another. He was instrumental in raising many thousands of dollars for charitable purposes. The late Mr. McMillin was a member of the board of education in Toronto, in which endeavour he took a keen interest, and always showed himself to be anxious to give service to his fellow men. All of us learned to love, respect and admire him.
My leader has been good enough to mention a hospital employing a personnel of not only 250 nurses but an additional 350 persons. The late member on his own motion, through the board of that institution, instituted scholarships with a view to encouraging the nurses in their great work. But he went further than that, Mr. Speaker. He believed that within the confines of their plant, valued at about $5 million, they might find some

little space to be used as a chapel where those in distress might come to meditate. As I have said, in the new plans for the $2 million addition to that building, with which the minister of health is now helping us, he made sure that there would be a chapel. He went further, and undertook to see that the $10,000 which would be required for the building of that chapel for those in distress would be available in due time.
The late Mr. McMillin was cut off in middle life. Speaking to his widow this morning I asked her to be of good cheer. I assured her that we had all loved her husband, and that we cherish his memory. I am sure she will be cheered by the words emanating from this chamber this afternoon from the Right Hon. Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the leader of the party to which I belong (Mr. Drew), and I shall consider it my duty to see that those words are conveyed to her.
I shall not attempt to discuss the many ramifications of the works undertaken by the hon. member whose loss we have suffered within less than two months of his being elected. His connections with businessmen's associations, the Y.M.C.A. and community projects of other kinds are well known to his many friends. That is where they should be known. It is with a heavy heart, sir, that I offer these few words this afternoon to be placed on Hansard in order that they may be embalmed in the records of this honourable assembly. I trust that in due course they may be of some comfort to the members of his family.
I believe all observant members of the House of Commons know of the reasonably close friendship between me and the right hon. gentleman who, toward the close of his public service, sat in another place. I know that while serving as a minister of the crown the Right Hon. Ian Mackenzie helped many of us who were trying to be of service to our communities. I learned to know him as a man, and as a public-spirited servant of the people of Canada.
I have met his family. Let me at this time pay tribute to the work he did for Canada both in this chamber and in cabinet council. Perhaps I shall not be considered selfish if I pay tribute to the work he did on behalf of certain charitable institutions in which other members of this assembly were interested- and I take second place to few when I say that.
The hon. member who takes his place in this chamber as Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin) is a gentleman of high calibre who has the health of Canadians at heart. I trust that in the House of Commons he will implement the obligations taken

Tributes to Deceased Members
on by his predecessor to make a happier Canada by promoting the health of his fellow men.
It was not my good fortune to meet the young man from the maritimes whom the party opposite has lost. However, I extend my sympathies and those of my constituents to the Prime Minister in the loss that Canada has sustained through the passing of all three members since we last met.


Major James William Coldwell: Mr. Speaker, I believe it is an unusual experience when, on the first day of a parliament, we must record the passing of two of its elected members. I had never met Mr. McMillin, but I am sure his loss will be felt by the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) and the party with which he was associated. We extend to his widow and family in their loss our deepest sympathy, and we express sympathy, too, with the loss sustained by the Progressive Conservative party.
Most of us knew Mr. Michaud well. He sat about opposite where I now stand, and was at all times one of the bright spirits in the house. Often he livened speeches with appropriate interjections. We shall miss him sorely, because he gained the friendship and respect of all of us, irrespective of where we sat in the chamber. It is sad indeed that a young man should pass under these circumstances. We knew that during the last session he was ill, and that upon his return after an illness he looked far from well. It is tragic indeed that a young man with a promising career before him should pass at a time when he could have rendered great service to his constituents and his country. To the widow and young family he has left behind we extend our deepest sympathy in their loss.
May I express to the government and the members of the Liberal party our regret at the loss of another of their colleagues. I believe the Prime Minister was justified this afternoon in referring to the passing of Senator Ian Mackenzie, who for so long was a member of the House of Commons. However, it has been customary on such occasions to refer only to members of the house, and at this time I propose only to express on behalf of my colleagues and myself our sympathy with his widow in her loss.
I trust there will not be many such occasions during the term of this parliament, which has assembled today for the first time.


Solon Earl Low: Mr. Speaker, I should like to associate myself with the tributes which have been paid this afternoon to the three hon. members who, through decease, have been lost to the public service of Canada.
I did not know Mr. McMillin, but from what has been said I am sure the Progressive Conservative party and the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) will miss him sorely. Our sympathies go out to them and to the family of the deceased.
Let me say, concerning my late friend who represented Restigouche - Madawaska, that this good man had my greatest respect and highest regard.
I sat opposite him for four years and learned to appreciate his many fine qualities. It was because of his high sense of public duty, so characteristic of him, that he attended the spring session of parliament and gave of his best. That is a matter for admiration, no matter on which side of the house a man so actuated may sit.
My sympathies go out to the Prime Minister and the Liberal party on the loss of this promising young man. To the family of Mr. Michaud go our deepest sympathies, and the hope that God will soon heal the wounds they have suffered. His memory will always be held in high regard.
Just a word about the late Senator Mackenzie. I think it proper that the Prime Minister should mention his passing, and that we should pay a tribute to one who was a member of this house for so long and whose colourful career has not passed unnoticed by any Canadian who is informed. We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow and to all who are grieved by this passing.



STANDING COMMITTEES

[Stage Direction]
Right	Hon.	L.	S.	St.	Laurent	(Prime
Minister) moved:
That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose standing committees of this house under standing order 63, said committee to be composed of Messrs. Fournier (Hull), Claxton, Casselman, Johnston and Weir.
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 Honourable Alphonse Fournier, Minister of Public Works, the Honourable D. C. Abbott, Minister of Finance, the Honourable J. J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue, and the Honourable F. G. Bradley, Secretary of State, 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]
Supply

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


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, you and hon. members will have noticed a paragraph in the speech of His Excellency which states:
My ministers will seek to arrange for early consultation with the provincial governments with a view to agreeing upon an appropriate procedure for making within Canada such other amendments to the constitution as may from time to time be required.
This is a matter of concern to both the federal and the provincial authorities. Yesterday I dispatched letters to the premiers of the ten provinces. I am tabling a copy of the letter written in French to Premier Duplessis, and a copy of the letter written in English to Hon. Leslie M. Frost, Premier of Ontario. I may say that the letters to the other premiers were in terms identical with those to be found in the copy of the letter to Premier Frost.

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That this house resolve itself at its next sitting into a committee to consider of a supply to be granted to His Majesty, notwithstanding the provisions of standing order 57.
Standing order 57 does not prevent this from being done at this time, but provides that as soon as the address in reply to the speech from the throne is adopted, there shall be set up a committee of ways and means and a committee of supply. Hon. members who were here during the last parliament will recall that we voted interim supply for a period which will expire at the end of this month. While it is hoped to deal with the estimates as early and as expeditiously as possible, it may be necessary, in order to prevent any disturbance in the public service, to ask for additional supply, because it is hardly likely that the supply bill can be adopted in its final form before September 30.
I think it would be desirable to have these committees set up at the earliest possible moment so that the Minister of Finance (Mr. Abbott) may table his estimates. Naturally the estimates will be the same as those which were tabled at the last session, and on which the interim supply passed at the last session

was based. I hope I shall have the agreement of the house to the adoption of this motion.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

['I have the honour to inform the house that the governor in council has appointed Leon J. Raymond, Esquire, O.B.E., as Clerk of the House of Commons, and Edward Russell Hopkins, Esquire, as Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons.']
Louis Stephen St-Laurent: That this house do at the next sitting resolve itself into a committee to consider of the ways and means for raising the supply to be granted to His Majesty, notwithstanding the provisions of standing order 57.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: 
[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, it is provided in rule 56 of the rules of the house that a deputy chairman of committees may be appointed. I think our experience in the performance of the duties of that office by a gentleman who is now in another place has shown us the value and desirability of having a deputy chairman of committees.
I should like to move:
That Louis Rene Beaudoin, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house, notwithstanding the provisions of standing order 56.
I am sure that those who were here last year were impressed, as I was, by his constant attendance and attention to the business

of the house. I believe that his qualifications -those which he acquired when he qualified for the practice of law in the province of Quebec, and has demonstrated during the years in which he has been engaged in that profession, as well as those he has displayed since entering the house-fit him admirably to replace our former colleague, who won the affection of us all.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, on the 20th of September, 1917, Sir Robert Borden, then prime minister, rose and from his place made the following statement:
An intimation has been already conveyed to the house that the Clerk of the House purposes retiring from the duties of his office, which he has discharged for some fifteen years. Previous to his acceptance of the office which he now holds, Dr. Flint had a distinguished career in parliament and in the public life of the country, and since he undertook the responsibilities of the important office of Clerk of the House, all of the members who have come in contact with him have appreciated the ability, zeal, and industry which he has uniformly displayed in the discharge of his duties.
I desire to express my own personal recognition of his uniform courtesy and his unfailing attention to all matters which I have had to bring to his notice in the ten years which I served as leader of the opposition, and in the six years which I have had imposed upon me the responsibilities of First Minister.
I feel perfectly confident that my right hon. friend, the leader of the opposition, will join with me in proposing a resolution which I am sure will meet with universal acceptance by all the members of this house. It is my privilege to move, seconded by Sir Wilfrid Laurier:
"That in view of the long and faithful services of Doctor Thomas B. Flint, Clerk of the House of Commons, he be continued after his retirement an honorary officer of this house, and that he be allowed the entree of the House of Commons and a seat at the table on occasions of ceremony."
I think it is fortunate that, as the years go by, we can find occasion to repeat such gesture to men who have faithfully and long served the House of Commons at the table. Hon. members have noted that, after many years of efficient, courteous and devoted service to the members of this house, Dr. Arthur Beauchesne has reached the age of retirement, and has retired.
I have had the opportunity of discussing with the leader of the opposition, and the leaders of the other groups, the precedent established in this house over thirty years ago. It is my privilege to move at this time, seconded by the leader of the opposition:
That in view of the long and faithful services of Dr. Arthur Beauchesne, the recently retired Clerk of the House of Commons, he be appointed an hon-
House of Commons
orary officer of the house, and that he be allowed the entree of the House of Commons and a seat at the table on occasions of ceremony.


George Alexander Drew: In seconding this motion, Mr. Speaker,
I feel sure that all hon. members will be happy to have the privilege of giving this evidence of their appreciation of the great contribution Dr. Beauchesne has made to the clarification of procedure in the House of Commons. To settle most arguments on procedure it is necessary only to mention a reference in Beauchesne. In a great many ways we have adopted the practices of Westminster, but here in this House of Commons we have also developed practices of our own; and to a very considerable extent those practices have taken form and have been clarified and interpreted under the guidance of this great student, who will long be remembered as the man whose views were regarded as so decisive in most cases in which they were cited. Along with that of Dr. Bourinot, I feel that the name of Dr. Beauchesne will be remembered as among those who have done much to design the general practice and procedure that has grown up in this house.
While we are paying this extremely well deserved tribute to Dr. Beauchesne, may I add that I am sure it will be a very real source of satisfaction to the new clerk of the house, who sits in his place, to know that from time to time he will have the benefit of the guidance and experience of Dr. Beauchesne, which I am sure will be of value to him in that way as it has been to this house for so many years.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that the governor in council has appointed Leon J. Raymond, Esquire, O.B.E., as Clerk of the House of Commons, and Edward Russell Hopkins, Esquire, as Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons.


MAIN ESTIMATES, 1949-50
[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1950, was presented by Hon. Douglas Abbott (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting supplementary estimates for the financial year ending
[Stage Direction]
Business of the House
March 31, 1950, was presented by Hon. Douglas Abbott (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: the adjournment of the house.
He said: As determined by a motion adopted earlier today, the business tomorrow will be the consideration of the speech from the throne. I imagine it might suit the convenience of hon. members to learn now whether we are to go beyond the speeches
of the mover and seconder. The usual practice has been to have the mover and seconder speak on Friday and then have the debate adjourned until the following Monday. If it were desired to follow that practice in this instance I think hon. members would be glad to be so advised, so they might make their plans accordingly. If that is agreeable to the leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) I think hon. members might like to know.


George Alexander Drew: Yes, Mr. Speaker; that procedure will be agreeable.
Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 5.07 p.m.

Friday, September 16, 1949