1952-02-29

THE MINISTRY


Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):: Mr. Speaker, before you take up the orders of the day there are three or four matters which according to the rules and practice are required to be dealt with at this time.
First of all, I should like to announce officially for the record that the Hon. G. Edouard Rinfret resigned as Postmaster General on February 13, 1952, and that Mr. Alcide Cote, member for St. Jean-Iberville-Napierville, was appointed Postmaster General on the same day. I should like to table the order in council making the appointment.
I should like to announce for the record that Mr. G. J. Mcllraith resigned as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Defence Production on February 5, 1952, and that Mr. John Horace Dickey, senior member for Halifax, was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Defence Production on February 12, 1952. I now table the appropriate orders in council.



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 the standing committees of this house under standing order 63, said committee to be composed of Messrs. Fournier (Hull), Harris (Grey-Bruce), Casselman, Shaw 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 Hon. Alphonse Fournier, Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Douglas Abbott, Minister of Finance, the Hon. J. J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue and the Hon. F. G. Bradley, Secretary of State of Canada, 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.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, I should like to move, seconded by the Minister of Defence Production (Mr. Howe):
That Louis Rene Beaudoin, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Quebec, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, since the last session of parliament two of the members of this house have passed away. I refer of course to the former members for Victoria-Carleton and Brome-Missisquoi.
It was with deep regret, shared by all of us, that we learned of the death of Mr. Heber H. Hatfield following a lengthy period of ill health. Born in 1885 at Middle Simonds, New Brunswick, and educated there, it was not long before Mr. Hatfield moved to Hart-land where he was to become prominent as a large scale producer of and dealer in potatoes and potato products. Following several years of service in the municipal field, Mr. Hatfield was elected to parliament for the electoral district of Victoria-Carleton in. the general election of 1940, and re-elected in 1945 and 1949.
Though giving close attention always to all the work of parliament, he was constant and firm in his efforts to interest Canada and, indeed, other parts of the world in the products of his native province. As a result he did much to increase the prosperity of many New Brunswickers and to enhance the name of Canada as a source of choice seed potatoes. Mr. Hatfield will be missed by his constituents, by his business associates, by the potato growers of all the maritime region, and by those, not only of his own party, with whom he was so closely associated as a member of parliament. He will be remembered
10	HOUSE OF
Tributes to Deceased Members both in the business world and in parliament not only for his successful career but also for his unquestioned integrity and his fairness.
To Mrs. Hatfield and her family the sincere sympathy of all of the members of this house goes out in full measure.
(Translation):
Mr. Speaker, the death of Mr. Henri A. Gosselin has been a shock to his numerous friends who had believed him to be in fairly good health.
Mr. Gosselin was bom in Lee, Massachusetts, in 1887. His parents were French-Canadian. A few years later, his family returned to Canada and he was educated in Sherbrooke.
In 1914 he joined the Canadian Pacific Railway. While working as a train dispatcher, in Farnham, he spent a great deal of time in agricultural pursuits.
For a great many years, Mr. Gosselin was an active participant in the political life of his community, of his province and of his country. From 1928 to 1938, he was mayor of Farnham; from 1939 to 1948, he sat for Missisquoi in the Quebec legislature; and in 1949, he was elected federal member for the constituency of Brome-Missisquoi.
On the floor of this house he spoke calmly and easily, with sobriety and sureness of judgment, in either of our two official languages.
During the relatively short time he sat here, Mr. Gosselin acquired our respect and friendship. I am therefore confident that you will join me in extending to his widow and to his family our most sincere sympathy.
(Text):


Mr. George A. Drew (Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Speaker, I wish to join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) in expressing the regret which we all feel in the loss of two of the members of this house, Mr. Heber Hatfield and Mr. Henri Gosselin.
Mr. Hatfield, as every member will so well recall, was an example of the well-informed specialist in a subject close to Ills heart. He contributed greatly to the work of the house by being able to speak not only about the development of the potato industry and potato products but also about his own county and province in a way that helped that province and advanced the general interests of the country, as the Prime Minister has already said.
Mr. Hatfield was associated with many activities in addition to those about which we heard frequently in the house. In fact it seemed that he was associated with most of the worth-while activities in the town of


Hantland, and he had a privilege that most of us do not share. In addition to being in public life, he was also interested in a newspaper, and thus was able to express many of his thoughts through channels not available to most other members- He was an indefatigable worker on behalf of the constituents whom he served. I am sure the ministers of the crown can certify best of all that, regardless of the political views of those who came to him, he was a persistent representative in their departments and served his constituents well in seeking to have those things done which they believed could be done by the departments of the government.
As happens in so many cases, Mr. Hatfield had extended municipal experience, as warden of his county, as mayor of Hartland and through his association with the many voluntary organizations upon which our social life so largely depends. He showed great courage, more than the courage called for by the ordinary daily responsibilities. I think most hon. members are aware that for some considerable time it took courage of a very high order to appear in this chamber and carry on his work in the cheerful and friendly way that he did.
In extending to Mrs. Hatfield and the members of the family the sympathy which has been expressed by the Prime Minister on behalf of all members of the house, may I say that Mrs. Hatfield herself deserves that recognition to which so many of the wives of the members of parliament are entitled. She deserves our respect particularly for the way in which she sustained and cheered him during a considerable period when she knew much better than he that his days were numbered.
I therefore join with the Prime Minister, as I am sure every other member does, in extending sympathy to the members of the family and expressing the earnest hope that the knowledge that his associates in the House of Commons are thinking of them at this time may bring some measure of comfort at a time when doubtless their thoughts will be here in Ottawa and they will be recalling the occasions on which he and his family attended the opening of parliament.
I also wish to join with the Prime Minister in his words of sympathy to the family of Mr. Gosselin. He was a man who had won many friends here, and he will be greatly missed. He had served his community well, as Mr. Hatfield did, and this indicates the extent to which municipal experience frequently paves the way to representation of the wider field. He had served his own community well, not only as a councillor and as mayor, but also in the

legislature of Quebec. As a result of that combined experience he was able to bring good judgment to his consideration of the subjects that came before .him in the House of Commons. All the members of this house will join in expressing regret that this faithful servant of his own community should have been taken from us.


Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roseiown-Biggar):: Mr. Speaker, we too join in extending sympathy to the families of the two members who have left us and passed to the great beyond. We are reminded of the transitory nature of life when invariably at the opening of a session we have to mourn the loss of some of our colleagues. The tributes that have been paid in this instance I think have expressed what we all feel in regard to the deceased members and their work in this parliament.
Mr. Hatfield was a member for some years, and sat very near the place from which I am speaking this afternoon. I came to know him rather well and to appreciate the interest he took in the work of the house, especially in the field in which he was particularly qualified. I knew of his assiduous efforts on behalf of the people he represented.
Mr. Gosselin was a newer member, but he had also made some impression upon the house. We appreciated the fact that he took a great interest in the ordinary workers of his constituency, at one time having been, as the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) has said, an employee of one of our great railway systems.
We join in expressing our sympathy to the bereaved families; and may I also express our sympathy to the Prime Minister and the leader of the official opposition (Mr. Drew) on each having lost one of his colleagues in this house.


Mr. J. H. Blackmore (Lethbridge):: Mr. Speaker, the members of my group have asked me to say a few words on this sad occasion in appreciation of these two fine men. I had the opportunity of rather close association with Mr. Hatfield, as he and I had offices in the same corridor, and once in a while exchanged views.
In a conspicuous place on the front page of the Hartland Observer of New Bruns-.wick, under date of January 10, 1952, an article appeared entitled "Impressive final tribute paid H. H. Hatfield, M.P., Sunday." In it I find these words:
A man who loved his community and its people, and who served them well, rests today in the quiet country graveyard nestled in the windswept hills of the little Saint John river valley town of Hartland.
55704-2J
Tributes to Deceased Members As the shadows of a wintry day swept silently over the hillside, all that was mortal of Heber Harold Hatfield, the town's first citizen, was tenderly laid to rest while relatives and friends stood with bowed heads.
An hour before the service the United Baptist church was filled to capacity, and hundreds were unable to gain admittance.
I thought those comments, coming from the people who knew Mr. Hatfield best, might appropriately be mentioned here.
The provincial leader of the opposition in New Brunswick used some words concerning Mr. Hatfield with which I am sure the members of this house will agree. He referred to "his great capacity for action" and "his ability to create confidence"; to his "honesty", "kindness" and "tolerance". I believe generally speaking all the members of this house were impressed by Mr. Hatfield in just that way.
I shall not repeat what has already been said about our departed member by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Drew). We desire to join in extending heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Hatfield and all others bereaved by the loss of this fine man, as we also extend sympathy to the leader of the opposition on the loss of a valuable supporter.
With respect to Mr. Gosselin, we did not have much opportunity to get to know him. When men come and sit with us for a short time we do not really get to know them very well; but I did gain the impression that this man was courageous, conscientious and high-minded. We desire to extend sympathy to all those bereaved by his passing, and we sympathize with the Prime Minister in the loss of this good supporter.



LIVESTOCK


Right Hon. J. G. Gardiner (Minister of Agriculture):: Mr. Speaker, I thought that at the very beginning of the session I should make a statement to the house about the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle in the Regina district.
This is the first outbreak of this disease in Canada within the memory of living men. While nearly every other country in the world, including the United States, has had some cases, and in several countries the disease is endemic, until now Canada has managed, by reason of careful precautionary measures, to maintain a clean bill of health. I think this remarkable record is a tribute to the zeal and care of those charged with the responsibility of administering the regulations.

Foot-and-mouth disease
At an appropriate time I will deal at length with the discovery and detection of the disease in the Regina district. At the moment I only wish to say that as soon as there was any suspicion that the vesicular malady discovered in that area might be foot-and-mouth disease, an area sufficiently large to take in all known cases was quarantined by the veterinary director general under the authority of the Animal Contagious Diseases Act, and every recent movement of cattle out of the area has been traced.
At this point I would like to emphasize the fact that this area is very small, only fifty miles square, constituting about one-fiftieth of the settled portion of the province of Saskatchewan. I wanted to emphasize that because while this disease requires that sufficient publicity be given to it, I am afraid the publicity in this instance has been such as to give the impression that the disease is much more widespread in Canada than the facts known up to the moment would indicate. There are about twenty-three cases of the disease which have been established. They are all within an area fifty miles square surrounding the city of Regina, which is at about the centre of the area. It has been rumoured that the disease has been found in other parts of the country. We have checked all those rumours, and up to the present have found no cases outside that area. I am very glad to be able to say that so far the disease does not seem to have spread outside the quarantine area, and that within the area itself there have been no new cases for several days. Every rumour of an outbreak outside the area is at once checked and a quarantine imposed if there is suspicion.
As soon as the existence of foot-and-mouth disease was suspected, the government also notified the United States authorities and a United States veterinarian was on location immediately. Not only did we wish to have the advantage of the skilled assistance of the United States bureau of animal industry, which has had long experience in Mexico where there have been serious outbreaks in recent years, but we also wished to assure the United States government that everything possible was being done to stamp out the disease, if indeed it proved to be the foot-and-mouth variety.
On Sunday last our laboratories at Hull notified us that the vesicular malady was definitely foot-and-mouth disease, and on the following day a public announcement was made to that effect.	It was also
announced that the infected animals and those which might have been in contact with

the disease were being destroyed, the farmers compensated, and the affected farms disinfected. These operations are now under way.	.
Meanwhile, as we knew would happen, the United States government imposed an embargo on the shipment from Canada of live cattle, sheep and swine, and fresh killed or frozen meat from these animals. The shipment of hay and straw, and of certain animal products, is also made subject to certain restrictions. The details of these regulations are available, and I shall not attempt to elaborate them at this time. The United States government made it clear, however, that the embargo does not apply to grains.
This embargo and these other restrictions have been imposed under mandatory United States legislation, which has been in effect for many years.
As far as the United States administration is concerned, there is no discretion to restrict the embargo to areas or regions, that is the act does not provide them with discretion to pick out certain areas. The embargo must apply to the whole country. Under the United States law the embargo cannot be lifted until the Secretary of Agriculture gives notice that the disease no longer exists in the foreign country. We have also been advised that, under the order issued by the United States bureau of animal industry applying to Canada, the embargo cannot be lifted for a period of sixty days after Canada has been declared free of foot-and-mouth disease.
I think I should say that ever since the outbreak of the disease was suspected the United States authorities have been most sympathetic and helpful, and I am convinced that they are as anxious as we are to bring this scourge under control and to see normal trade resumed with a minimum of delay.
While I am hopeful that the action taken will be fully successful, there is no doubt that some losses will be incurred before the disease is eliminated and the embargo on movement to the United States removed. Farmers whose livestock have to be destroyed will, as I have already said, be compensated. In addition, the government is not unmindful of the serious losses that may result from the interference in the sale of livestock and animal products to the United States.
The situation is being watched carefully and as further measures to protect the interests of producers are required these will be brought into effect. What form these measures should take, if they prove to be required, has been inquired into.

At this point I should like to tell the house that the government will find it most difficult to be regulated in their actions by the usual practice of bringing every action which we may contemplate before this house before action is taken. I believe that can be quite well understood. For example, we are meeting today and will not meet again until Monday. Matters which are most important may come up in the meantime, and we may find it necessary to proceed without waiting to make an announcement on the floor of the house. All these matters have been considered as fully as possible under the circumstances, and we are prepared to take action when the necessity arises. We do not think it wise to be making announcements of action which it may not be necessary to take.
Farmers would be well advised to refrain from panic selling of their stock at this time, as the government does not intend to let this important part of the Canadian livestock industry bear the whole brunt of this unfortunate development. We fare actively investigating alternative outlets for our livestock and animal products. Until the picture becomes clearer, farmers should limit deliveries of livestock, in so far as this is practicable. It should be apparent, and I consider this important, that stock delivered before ready for slaughter cannot be returned for further feeding. In other words, the farmers would be well advised to keep on their farms livestock which is not prepared for slaughter until further notice, as I believe it will be absolutely necessary to slaughter all animals which do come to plants in certain areas whether or not they are ready for slaughter. This can only result in lower returns to those who deliver animals in that condition.
Perhaps I should also add a word about internal measures to prevent the spread of the disease within Canada. It is the view of the government that quarantine arrangements can best be established by the federal authorities. We have legislation now which provides for that, and we have always acted under it. Every action which can be taken to take care of our responsibility in that regard has been taken, and we feel that it would be best if the matter of quarantine were dealt with by the federal authorities.


Mr. Diefenbaker:: Mr. Speaker, may I be allowed to ask a question at this time? The minister stated that the farmers whose cattle were destroyed, that is those actively infected or those in association with cattle that were found to be suffering from the disease, would be compensated. I have received a number of telegrams from farmers in the infected area, and they want to know what the nature of the compensation will be. They particularly want
Foot-and-mouth disease to know whether the government will give consideration to allowing special compensation in addition to commercial value in respect of purebred dairy cattle or purebred show cattle. Unless some compensation along that line is granted by the department, the loss in the area will be very large because the herds are, in the main, purebred.
When the minister is replying, there is one other point I believe he should clarify. The press in Saskatchewan has stated that it was in November that the existence of this disease was first suspected and the question submitted to veterinarians with a view to ascertaining whether it was in fact hoof-and-mouth disease. Will the minister state whether or not that is correct, and what took place between November and February, or give reasons for the delay in not acting sooner to preserve the country as a whole from the catastrophe that now faces it in so far as the livestock industry is concerned?


Major James William Coldwell: Before the minister rises may I ask a supplementary question which bears directly on this matter. I have also been approached with regard to compensation. In the newspapers we were told that the packing house or houses affected would be compensated. Is that so? If it is, will the workers in the packing houses that are affected receive some consideration, since the loss of employment is as grave to them as is the loss of business to the packing houses? I am asking these questions because they have been put to me.


James Garfield Gardiner: In reply to the first question, Mr. Speaker, I would only say that it is the intention of the government to introduce legislation. We realize that the present legislation was not drafted with the intention of dealing with a situation of this kind. At the moment I am not in a position to say any more than that it is the intention of the government to introduce legislation. The fact that we are intending to introduce legislation should, I think, deal with the matter for the moment. That is one of the things I had in mind at the time that I said that we did not wish to be bound by the usual practice of giving notice here in the house before we take any action in the matter. We may have to make some pronouncements which have not yet been dealt with definitely by the house. Because of the remarks that have just now been made-and similar remarks would be made by others if there was the opportunity-we have reason to believe that it is the opinion of the house that certain things ought to be done. That in itself indicates that we are not satisfied with the provision that is now made and that something different will have to be done.

Foot-and-mouth disease


John George Diefenbaker: It is certainly inadequate.


James Garfield Gardiner: Then as to the other question about the time, this is one of those diseases which, as has been indicated in the statement, we have never had in Canada before. But on previous occasions we have had the other malady which is not so serious; that is, on different occasions we have had the disease known as stomatitis and it has been dealt with without any difficult results arising. The first diagnosis of the disease in Saskatchewan was that it was stomatitis. It takes some time to deal with a situation of that kind. Right up until last week the chief authority in the province of Saskatchewan was maintaining that that is what the disease really was. That was the situation even a week ago. I think that gives some reason for believing that the veterinarians, whether they were government veterinarians or practitioners in the area, could not be expected to have arrived at a different conclusion.


John George Diefenbaker: Who made the final decision?


James Garfield Gardiner: The final decision was made at our plant in Hull.


Major James William Coldwell: Who is the chief authority in Saskatchewan?


James Garfield Gardiner: It is the veterinarian who is at Saskatoon in connection with the university. I am not just certain as to which one it was who made the pronouncement. I think it was Dr. Fulton, but I would have to check that. I received the announcement when I was in Vancouver, and it made me feel a little bit better to read it in the newspaper.


Major James William Coldwell: That announcement was from your department?


James Garfield Gardiner: No; it was from the university authority at Saskatoon where the virus is sent to be checked by those authorities who are in a position to check it and who have the facilities to do so. Most of our checking in Saskatchewan is done at the university, I think, at the farm there. This checking was done in connection with these cases. When it comes to dealing with the matter finally in order to determine whether it is foot-and-mouth disease, there is only one way in which it can be finally determined, as I understand it. We have international regulations which provide that certain serums are developed in certain places only, because the indiscriminate utilization of them will sometimes do more harm than good. My understanding is that the serum which makes the blood test possible is provided in Great Britain. When, in the minds of those who were investigating the matter,

it was thought possible that this might be foot-and-mouth disease, they at once went to the area and obtained samples of the virus, brought it back here and at the same time sent to Great Britain for the serum.


John George Diefenbaker: When was that?


James Garfield Gardiner: That was last week. As I understand the process, the virus is injected into the animals, then the serum is also injected, and it is the bringing together of the two in the same animal which proves definitely whether or not the malady is foot-and-mouth disease. That process all had to be gone through before a definite statement could be made, and it was made last Sunday as a result of what took place on Saturday. That is the reason for any delay that took place.


Major James William Coldwell: When was the first suspicion entertained that something untoward had occurred?


James Garfield Gardiner: The first time that the disease known as stomatitis was discovered was, I think, on November 26; and it was constantly dealt with from that time right on.


Mr. Argue:: Might I be permitted to ask the Minister of Agriculture a rather different supplementary question? I believe that one of the things about which cattle producers are most concerned now is the fluctuating market as a result of the disease and the banning of exports of cattle to the United States. Are the minister and the government watching the situation so that, under the emergency powers legislation, steps might be taken to stabilize both cattle and meat prices if this situation continues?


James Garfield Gardiner: The government is checking every possible development in connection with the whole matter, and is considering it in relation to what is being done elsewhere which affects our markets here.


Major James William Coldwell: Will the minister tell me when the federal investigation of this disease was first made? Something was discovered on November 26. But when was the suspicion aroused and action taken to investigate whether this virus was of the foot-and-mouth type or not?


James Garfield Gardiner: I understand that when the disease developed on his place Mr. Waas reported it to his own veterinarian. His own veterinarian was sick at the time and prescribed only over the telephone. My understanding is that the animals reacted to the treatment as though it had been stomatitis and that it cleaned up very much more quickly than they thought would have been the possibility with foot-and-mouth disease. As the result of that they were rather

encouraged in the idea that that was what it was, and that it was not foot-and-mouth disease. But he went in and made a report at Regina to the authorities, which may have been the federal authorities there, and then they checked his farm and that checking has been going on since then.


Mr. Ross (Souris):: I should like to ask another supplementary question as a result of the minister's statement. He stated that the matter of quarantine should be left with the federal authorities. Many breeders of purebred stock are much concerned over the fact that exhibitions of purebred stock and public sales are billed to take place within the next few weeks at such centres as Brandon, Regina, Calgary and others in the prairies. Would the minister or his officials say that those should be cancelled now? The breeders are really in quite a quandary. Many of them made these entries months ago, but they do not want to deliver their stock under these circumstances and they think that some leadership should be given to them by the federal department as to whether these organizations should proceed with these exhibitions and sales which are billed to commence within a few weeks or whether they should be cancelled.


James Garfield Gardiner: That is one of the reasons Why we are suggesting that matters such as quarantine might be left to the federal authorities. If the disease is confined to a small area-and after all, only twenty-three head of cattle in that area were affected-I think one would find it a little bit difficult to feel otherwise than that it is looking for trouble where trouble might not exist if you start to do something 2,000 miles away from there.


James Arthur Ross: It is a few miles from Regina.


James Garfield Gardiner: Yes, but it is 2,000 miles from where one of these fairs may be held in some part of eastern Canada. I would hesitate to say that everyone who is conducting a fair should close it; but at the same time they may think in Ontario that some animals have been brought into the district that may have carried the disease, and that they would be better without the fair. Where they have that feeling I would not like to say anything that would discourage them from closing up the fair, but at the same time I do not think we should take the responsibility for saying that all these fairs ought to be closed. If you were out in Moose Jaw, say, in the middle of the area, I think my hon. friend agrees as to what he would do, and I know what I would do. We would not be at the show; and if nobody is
Foot-and-mouth disease at the show there will not be one, no matter what action they take. I think they will deal with that locally without any difficulty. I think that covers the point.


Mr. Harkness:: Has the minister looked into it or had determined the constitutionality of the action of some of the provinces in putting an embargo on all livestock and dressed meats from the three prairie provinces, and can he make any statement in regard to that phase of the situation?


James Garfield Gardiner: Yes, the government has looked into it, and we have had opinions. Unfortunately it is quite difficult to get a definite opinion on a general statement of the position. The general position is that in connection with agriculture and immigration, as is known in this house, both authorities have the right to legislate. But the general interpretation is that, where both have legislated, our legislation overrides the provincial legislation. Both have legislated with regard to this matter in some provinces. When we say ours overrides the other, we have followed in the past the practice of taking under consideration the circumstances surrounding the matter before we would interfere with what the province does. A province may do something which applies only to itself, and which affects only itself and does not affect people elsewhere. We have been inclined not to criticize them for that, or take any action which would void what they jure doing. In this case all I would say is that we have given every possible consideration to it. We think we have a way of dealing with it which will be effective and at the same time will not interfere with reasonable actions taken by provinces. I hope that we shall be in a position to make some announcement about that.


Douglas Scott Harkness: So far as the powers of embargo of the provinces are concerned, is there any distinction between livestock and dressed meats?


James Garfield Gardiner: I should not like to give a legal opinion on that, but there is a distinction between the ways in which we have dealt with it up to date. A suggestion has gone out that Ontario asked us to do certain things and we did certain things. Well, Ontario did ask us to do certain things, but all we have done was done before that request was made. What we had done was to agree to people delivering livestock into the stockyards of Winnipeg and into the packing plants of Winnipeg, but we did not agree to any livestock being shipped out of those yards. That simply means in effect that the animal must be killed and turned into beef. But we did not prevent the shipment of beef out of the
16	HOUSE OF
Foot-and-mouth disease yards so that the actual result of that is that no livestock comes from Winnipeg into Ontario at the present moment, but that beef does come from Winnipeg into Ontario.


Douglas Scott Harkness: What about the British Columbia situation?


James Garfield Gardiner: Well, the British Columbia situation is the same in effect except that British Columbia has gone a little farther. British Columbia has taken authority, although I do not know that they have acted on it, to eliminate beef as well as cattle. However, I am not so sure that they will make that active. They can do so under their legislation, if their legislation is constitutional.


Mr. Cruickshank:: May I ask a supplementary question? If British Columbia desires to take that action, will any objection be put in their way by the federal authority?


James Garfield Gardiner: No, Mr. Speaker; if we follow the plan that we have in mind at the moment it will not require that we take any action.


Mr. Charlton:: Can the minister say when actual quarantine proceedings were taken in that district first?


James Garfield Gardiner: A week ago last Wednesday.


John Alpheus Charlton: It had gone all the way from November 26 to ,a week ago Wednesday.


Mr. Speaker:: Order.


James Garfield Gardiner: It would have gone all the way until next Christmas at least if we had not had proof that warranted us in thinking it was foot-and-mouth disease.


Mr. White (Middlesex East):: In view of the loss of a herd in western Ontario through a tropical disease, will compensation be paid to that owner the same as with foot-and-mouth disease?


James Garfield Gardiner: The disease in Oxford county which I think affected the herd of one individual, whose animals were destroyed and buried yesterday, puts him in this position. It is intended to so draft legislation, which will be brought before the house, as to make it possible to take care of this case along with the others.


Douglas Scott Harkness: I have one other question on this matter. The minister said-


Mr. Speaker:: Order. I did not want to curtail the asking of questions on this matter, because it is an important one. At this time I do not think questions should be asked which are not very important. I understand the hon. member for Calgary East (Mr. 

Harkness) and the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar (Mr. Coldwell) want to ask a question. I hope the questioning will have been completed by that time.


Douglas Scott Harkness: My question is this. The minister said that the United States had not put an embargo on grain going into that country. However, I understand from the newspapers that they have stopped the shipment of grain. What I want to know is: in actual fact, are they now allowing grain to go in there, or are they actually stopping it, as has been reported?


James Garfield Gardiner: My understanding is that they are allowing it to come in; that there has not been any order put out in the United States to stop grain. There may be some people at the boundary line who have misunderstood the order, and have stopped some shipments, but outside of that I do not know of any being stopped.


Major James William Coldwell: I rise simply to remind the minister that I asked him a supplementary question: was any consideration being given to compensating the packing plants, as was suggested in the newspapers? Is any consideration being given to compensating the packing house workers for the loss of wages?


James Garfield Gardiner: Consideration is being given as to how the packing plants are to be advised to operate both inside and outside the quarantine area; but until that consideration is given I would not like to say anything further.


George Alexander Cruickshank: I have a supplementary question. I think this is as important a question as any we shall have before the house at this session, if not more important than any other legislation. If the agricultural authorities and the legal authorities in my province of British Columbia take the stand that they do not want the importation of cattle or killed beef from Alberta and Saskatchewan, will any steps be taken to prohibit an excessive rise in prices? It may be that the Minister of Agriculture is not the minister to answer this question. I should like to direct it to whoever is responsible. It has been suggested that if the province of British Columbia does what has been mentioned, namely, prohibit the importation of cattle and beef from those areas affected into British Columbia, there may be a rise in the price of beef. Will steps be taken to see that an ample supply of beef in the hands of the packing companies now is not sold at an excessive price, thereby exploiting the public, and using as an excuse the shortage of beef because of the prohibition of imports from Alberta and Saskatchewan? I am surprised that the Minister of Fisheries

(Mr. Mayhew) has not risen in his place and said that we have the finest fisheries in British Columbia.


Mr. Speaker:: Order.


George Alexander Cruickshank: I would like that question answered.


Mr. Speaker:: Order. The hon. member has asked his question, and the minister may reply if he wishes.


James Garfield Gardiner: I would just say, with regard to what has been said, that this government has not asked British Columbia to take any action whatsoever in connection with the matter. Therefore any responsibility that exists anywhere for what has been done exists with those who took the action.


George Alexander Cruickshank: No, not in price fixing.



REPORTS AND PAPERS

[Stage Direction]
Report of the proceedings of tha commissioners of internal economy of the House of Commons for the period October 9 to December 31, 1951.-Mr. Speaker.
Report of the joint librarians of parliament. -Mr. Speaker.
Report of the chief electoral officer for the year 1951.-Mr. Speaker.
(For complete list of departmental and other reports tabled, see Votes and Proceedings, No. 2, of February 29, 1952.)

Hon. Alphonse Fournier (Minister of Public Works):: Mr. Speaker, I wish to table P.C. 1084, an order in council authorizing the Minister of Public Works to enter into an agreement with Tannoy Rentals Limited, of London, England, and Cossor (Canada) Limited, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the terms and conditions embodied in the draft thereto attached, for supplying the installation and operation of a sound-reinforcement system in the House of Commons chamber.



PRINTING BUREAU


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
George Alexander Drew: Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Public Works, of which I have given notice. Is he in a position to
Inquiries of the Ministry report to the house in regard to the collapse of part of the new printing bureau building over in Hull on Wednesday night?


Alphonse Fournier: Mr. Speaker, in his usual courteous fashion the leader of the opposition gave me notice that he would ask me if I were in a position to make a statement on that event in my home town. I am pleased to see that he has brought the question up, which shows that he will join with me in the concern we have over the accident.
This accident resulted in the death of a respected citizen of my home town. I wish to extend to the members of the deceased's family my most sincere condolences, and I can assure them that the population of Hull joins me in expressing sympathy to those unfortunate people as well as to the other victims who were injured, some seriously and others slightly.
After the occurrence I instructed the officials of my department to investigate and to report as to the causes of the accident. This investigation has been proceeding ever since Wednesday evening. As a man was killed in the accident, according to law a coroner's inquest will be held and witnesses will be heard in the open to find the causes of the accident, the responsibility if any, and, especially, if such exists, the criminal responsibility. This inquiry will be held, I believe, within a few days.
I have instructed the officials of my department associated with this work to give all possible help to the provincial court in this inquiry. If criminal responsibility is established, the ordinary course provided by criminal law will be followed and the responsible parties indicted and tried. If there is no criminal responsibility, the question of establishing any responsibility for damage will still be under provincial jurisdiction in the civil courts.
At this stage I would hesitate to take action in connection with anything coming under provincial jurisdiction. This is the course followed where death is a result of an accident. It does not mean that the department will stop its investigation and not report to the minister as to the competence of those who are executing the contract. Any report received from my officials following that investigation will be brought before the house because I am as anxious as any hon. member to have all the facts brought out.
The leader of the opposition (Mr. Drew) probably has read the press and knows that the architect who undertook the designing of this building is one of the outstanding
18	HOUSE OF
Inquiries of the Ministry architects, not only in the province oi Quebec but in the whole dominion. He is known by reputation even outside our boundaries. Mr. Cormier of Montreal drew the plans for the supreme court building, and he was also the architect for the Montreal university buildings. I understand he has just completed the plans for two large buildings in Toronto. He is so well known that when the United Nations decided to put up their building in New York he was appointed one of the consultant architects.
The contractor is Concrete Construction Limited of Montreal. The first instance that I recall when that company did work in this vicinity was in 1930 when they constructed the Confederation building on Wellington street. They also erected the buildings of the Ste. Anne de Bellevue hospital. They are a well-known and reputable firm in this country, especially in connection with concrete work.
The firm that tested all the materials going into the construction of this building was the Canadian Inspection and Testing Company Limited of Montreal. I am told that the accident could not have been caused by faulty design or faulty materials. I am sure that the results of the coroner's inquiry will be to establish full responsibility and later on I may make another report to the house.


George Alexander Drew: I appreciate the information
given by the minister, who naturally is greatly concerned even outside the duties of his department. But I would point out that my question was prompted by difficulty which had been encountered in obtaining information. I can understand that now, in the light of the circumstances to which he has referred in connection with the activities of the coroner. May I urge that, quite independently of any finding by the coroner, at least a public statement be given to this house so that we may be reassured that all difficulties will be overcome before the construction of this building is proceeded with.


Alphonse Fournier: That will be a pleasure.
I will follow this up and give all the information the hon. gentleman wishes. I should like to place on the record one clause in the contract for the construction of this building. Clause 23 reads:
The contractor, his agents and all workmen and persons employed by him or under his control, shall use due care that no person nor property is injured and that no rights are infringed in the prosecution of the work, and the contractor shall be solely responsible for all damages, by whomsoever claimable, in respect of any injury to persons or to lands, buildings, structures, fences,-


The clause concludes with the following words:
-and the contractor shall indemnify and save harmless His Majesty from and against all claims and demands, loss, costs, damages, actions, suits or other proceedings by whomsoever made, brought or prosecuted in any manner based upon, occasioned by, or attributable to any such damage, injury or infringement.



HEALTH INSURANCE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):: Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare? Will the special parliamentary committee on health insurance, which the minister on June 21 last said he hoped to set up at this session, be established at an early date?


Hon. Paul Martin (Minister of National Health and Welfare):: My hon. friend did not give me the usual notice, and possibly on that account my answer will not be as complete as it otherwise would be.


Stanley Howard Knowles: The minister has had eight months to consider it.


Paul Joseph James Martin: I did say, as my hon. friend said in part, that the government would give consideration to the setting up of such a committee. The hon. member did not use those words when he put his question to me. The government has given careful consideration to this matter and has come to the conclusion not to set up such a committee at this time.
I may say in passing that the health survey reports which have been undertaken by the ten provinces at federal expense have not all been filed with the government. Four provinces have yet to file their reports. There has not been a complete assessment at all the senior levels of government of any of those reports. I might inform my hon. friend also that the sickness survey to which I made some reference on the same occasion likewise is not yet completed.



INQUIRY AS TO DRYING FACILITIES FOR DAMP AND TOUGH WHEAT

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, may I direct to the Minister of Trade and Commerce a question of which he has not had notice? What is being done to provide further drying facilities for damp and tough wheat on the prairies and to ensure

that the line elevators, which today have a great deal of damp and tough wheat in storage, will have that removed in order to make way for the harvesting which under present conditions should get under way within the next three or four weeks?


Right Hon. C. D. Howe (Minister of Trade and Commerce):: Additional drying capacity is being installed at the head of the lakes, and I believe at Vancouver. Unfortunately time will not permit much help from that source for this year. Arrangements have been made to ship ten million bushels of damp wheat from the prairies to Duluth to take advantage of drying capacity there. At the opening of navigation another quantity of damp wheat will be moved to Buffalo to take advantage of drying capacity at that port.


John George Diefenbaker: How much?


Clarence Decatur Howe: A very considerable amount. I could not say just what the drying capacity is at Buffalo, but we will move down sufficient grain to make use of all that is available. Early in the season it seemed impossible that we could salvage all the wet grain that was being delivered, but I now believe that we can do so. I am hopeful that there will be no spoilage. However, I cannot give chapter and verse as to how damp grain will be handled. It is most difficult to give exact figures, but I do think that the situation is in hand.



DAIRY INDUSTRY


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. P. E. Wright (Melfort):: I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce, of which I have given him notice. Can the Minister of Trade and Commerce say whether the report on the radio this morning emanating, I believe, from Geneva, is correct, namely, that Canada is placing an embargo on the importation of certain agricultural products from the United States because of United States restrictions on the export of certain dairy products to that country?


Clarence Decatur Howe: I wish to thank the hon. member for Melfort for giving me notice of his question. Because the question involved is a delicate one, I have read with much concern the newspaper dispatches from Geneva and have listened to radio reports based thereon to which he referred. Because of the government's concern for the welfare of our dairy industry, the United States import restrictions on certain dairy products have of course been under continuous review.
Inquiries of the Ministry Among the products affected, skimmed milk products and cheddar cheese are of particular interest to Canada. In the present circumstances, however, it has been decided not to resort to measures of commercial retaliation against the United States. As a matter of fact the government has not authorized any new statement of policy to be made on this subject. The situation has not developed to the point where retaliatory measures would be either appropriate or effective. I should like to assure hon. members therefore that the dispatch in question is erroneous and does not reflect the views of the Canadian government.
Legislation is now pending in the United States to amend the Defence Production Act by repealing section 104, commonly known as the Andresen amendment. This is the section which provides for import controls on certain fats, oils and dairy products. The banking and currency committee of the United States senate gave further consideration to the remedial legislation this week. It is understood that the committee renewed its favourable support for the bill in question. In referring the bill back to the United States senate the committee did not consider it necessary to arrange any further public hearings. This is a very encouraging development.
These import restrictions on the part of the United States government have given rise to problems for Canada. The Canadian government deplores the fact that, by introducing these new import controls, the United States government has taken action in direct contravention of her trade agreement with Canada. The trade agreement provides clearly that quantitative import restrictions of this kind shall not be imposed. Through these controls upon imports, furthermore, the United States government has seriously impaired the value of certain tariff concessions which were negotiated with Canada at Geneva in 1947 and at Torquay in 1951.
We have taken note, however, of the efforts made by the United States administration to clear up this situation. We have been greatly encouraged by the support which has evidently been given in the United States congress to the bill to repeal section 104 of the Defence Production Act. Our relations with the United States are cordial on both sides, and the Canadian government did not consider it appropriate to threaten retaliation, as reported, on a subject which is at present receiving the constructive consideration of the United States senate. For this reason the government particularly regrets the unfounded press and radio dispatches to which the hon. member has referred.

The Address-Mr. George FISHERIES



ATLANTIC SEAL FISHERY-SEASON OF 1952

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. W. J. Browne (St. John's West):: I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Fisheries. Has any date been agreed upon for the commencement of the killing of seals in the 1952 Atlantic seal fishery? I may say that I learned only this afternoon that the Nova Scotia fleet had sailed.


Hon. R. W. Mayhew (Minister of Fisheries):: I regret that I cannot give a definite answer at this time. I will answer the question on Monday.



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE


[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered; by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
Mr. E. W. George (Westmorland):: Mr. Speaker, the tributes paid in this house to our late king and sovereign represent the feelings of all Canadians. To the people of this country, who have never forgotten the visit of the king and queen in 1939 and their many associations with our armed forces during the war, the king was both a great king and a good1 man. His passing is mourned not only in Canada and elsewhere throughout the commonwealth but everywhere in the free world. His tour of duty with the senior service during the first war and the trials and tribulations which were his during the second war indeed made him a war casualty.
His sense of duty to his family and to his peoples made him deeply loved by all. To his mother, Queen Mary, to his sorrowing wife, now the queen mother, and to the Princess Margaret Rose we extend our deep and heartfelt sympathy. To her gracious majesty Queen Elizabeth II we extend our deepest sympathy, pledge her our loyalty and devotion and pray that she may be spared to reign over us for many years.
One of the outstanding events of the last year was the visit of Queen Elizabeth, then Princess Elizabeth, and her sailor husband, Prince Philip. It is unfortunate that this joyful event was so closely followed by sad* ness. Their tour of this country will long be remembered and these associations have brought the people of Canada closer to the royal family than ever before.
I wish to express to the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and his colleagues my sincere thanks for having been given the honour
of moving the address in reply to the speech from the throne. I am aware that this honour is more a tribute to my constituents than to myself. I am proud on this occasion not only for my constituents and myself but also because of the fact that the address which I will move will be for the first time in our history to a governor general who is a native-born son.
I am sure that all Canadians are exceedingly sorry that the former governor general, Lord Alexander, has ended his term of office and returned to his country. Field Marshal Alexander is what is known as a soldier's soldier. He reached the top of his profession and is held in high regard not only by the people of his own country but also by those of every state in the world. Some of us had the privilege of serving under him, and without exception he commanded the respect of all. Canadians will wish Lord and Lady Alexander and their family well, wherever they may be, never forgetting their service to Canada in war and in peace.
On the 14th of January Canada was honoured by a visit from the Right Hon. Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain. Mr. Churchill is no stranger to this country and it was a pleasure to welcome him back. In those dark days during the second world war he became far more than prime minister of Great Britain. For all of us his voice was the voice of human freedom. He had become the symbol of the unconquerable spirit of free men and women faced with terrible days. In Canada our first concern outside of our boundaries is for the closest and most friendly relations between Canada and the United States. We acknowledge with gratitude that no living man has done more than he to bring this about.
Yesterday we witnessed an historic event in our annals. For the first time our sovereign is represented in her realm of Canada by a Canadian. The Right Hon. Vincent Massey, former soldier, industrialist, professor, diplomat, patron of the arts, university chancellor, has Canadianism as his creed and has been its apostle since his youth. He was chairman of the royal commission on national development in the arts, letters and sciences, and the report of this royal commission is in itself a tribute to the man who was chairman. The government is to be congratulated on its choice for the high office of Her Majesty's personal representative in her realm of Canada.
It was with deep regret, Mr. Speaker, that I learned of the passing of the late hon. member for Victoria-Carleton. Mr. Hatfield had represented this riding since 1940 and had endeared himself to his constituents. He

was the type of man who would go out of his way to assist his neighbour; and he helped those farmers who, when the price of potatoes was low, had no means of financing. In addition to assisting in building his riding into one of the great potato-producing areas of the country, he was interested in many other businesses. He will be sorrowfully missed; and to his wife and family we extend our sincere sympathy.
In the passing of the late member for Brome-Missisquoi the house has lost a genial member, a man with wide experience in legislative matters. His term as mayor of Farnham and his membership in the Quebec legislature, together with his experience in an important position with the Canadian Pacific Railway, made Mr. Gosselin one of the better informed members of this house. To his wife and family we extend our sincere sympathy.
To the hon. member for St. Jean-Iberville-Napierville (Mr. Cote) I extend my heartiest congratulations. He had an enviable record in municipal and civic affairs before becoming a member of parliament, and his experience in administration will stand him in good stead in his new position. To my good friend and colleague the senior member for Halifax (Mr. Dickey) I extend my most sincere congratulations. All of us in the mari-times and many people elsewhere were very pleased when he was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Defence Production, and we wish him well. We know he will uphold the best traditions of those other famous Nova Scotians who have preceded him. It was with deep regret we learned that the hon. member for Ottawa West (Mr. Mcllraith) had been forced by pressure of other work to resign his position as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Defence Production, but we are pleased that he is retaining the position of parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. The hon. member has been highly honoured by being named to head the Canadian delegation to the meeting on the Colombo plan at Karachi next month.
The constituency of Westmorland is steeped in history, being the site of some of the earliest settlements in North America. The first European to visit Chignecto, which is the name of the isthmus joining New Brunswick to Nova Scotia, was Diego Homan, a Portuguese, who in 1558 sailed up the bay of Fundy and made a map showing Chignecto bay.
The next known visitors to the bay of Fundy were de Monts and Champlain, who in 1604 visited this area. The first settlement in the Chignecto area is reported to
The Address-Mr. George have been established at Baie Verte in 1619, with the second at Tongue's island about 1672, toy one LaValliere. In 1677 Frontenac named LaValliere governor of Acadia, and he governed it from his home on Tongue's island. Thus Chignecto, the exact geographical centre of the maritime provinces, became the capital of Acadia about seventy years before Cornwallis established the settlement of Halifax.
By the treaty of Utrecht in 1713 Acadia was ceded to Great Britain; and since the boundaries were not defined it was not long before the French had a fort at Beausejour and the English one at Fort Lawrence. There were continual skirmishes and friction until in 1755 the real battle for the isthmus took place at what is now Pointe de Bute. Shortly thereafter the French surrendered and Acadia became an English possession with the fall of Louisburg in 1758. The British were commanded by General Monckton, after whom the city of Moncton is named.
It is interesting to note that most of the main settlements in the riding today were in existence at that early date. The village of Upper Sackville, where I live, was known as Tantramar and was an Acadian settlement. It is recorded that on November 15, 1755, the British destroyed the settlement of Tantramar by burning ninety-seven houses and one large mass house, and at the same time most of the villages on the isthmus were destroyed. All this took place while England and France were at peace. The expulsion of the Acadians resulted in around 4,000 people, from what is known as the constituency of Westmorland, being transported out of the country.
One incident is of special interest to us. On October 1,	1755, eighty-six Acadians
escaped from Fort Beausejour and today a direct descendant of one of those who escaped, the Reverend Father Clement Cormier, is president of St. Joseph's university at St. Joseph. Today the antagonism of those days is gone and the two great races live together in complete harmony. Father Cormier, in speaking at the opening of the John Clarence Webster wing of the Fort Beausejour museum on August 2, 1949, said in this connection:
I feel that it is on occasions such as this that the descendants of the two races who have once fought for this soil can do most to promote true Canadian citizenship in a spirit of mutual understanding.
Canada owes a debt of gratitude to the late Dr. J. Clarence Webster, of Shediac, formerly chairman of the historic sites and monuments board of Canada, for his efforts in assuring that the history of this section of Canada is so well preserved. It is also
22	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. George due mainly to Dr. Webster's efforts that the Fort Beausejour museum now stands on the site of this old fort.
The population of the riding of Westmorland is 80,012, an increase of 24 per cent as compared to 1941. The main industries are agriculture, fishing, lumbering and its subsidiary industries. The headquarters of the Atlantic region of the Canadian National Railways and the regional shops are situated in Moncton. The first railway shops in this area were built at Shediac and subsequently moved to Moncton. When they were burned in the early 1900's the late Hon. H. R. Emmerson was minister of railways in Sir Wilfrid Laurier's cabinet. In spite of heavy pressure to rebuild the shops elsewhere, Mr. Emmerson was instrumental in having them rebuilt in Moncton and they have been enlarged many times. The work done by the men in these shops is excellent and I am told that their record for efficient workmanship is not exceeded by any other railway shops. My riding owes a debt of gratitude to the late Hon. Mr. Emmerson as it does to his son, my predecessor in this house, Senator H. R. Emmerson.
The C.B.C. transmitter for the maritimes is situated in Sackville, as is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shortwave transmitter which beams programs all over the world. There are also three stove manufacturers ir my riding, two of them at Sackville and one in Moncton. It is interesting to note that, in spite of the fact that they must bring most of their raw material from Ontario and Quebec, they are able to sell their products in these two provinces as well as in the rest of Canada.
We have two universities, St. Joseph's university at St. Joseph and Mount Allison university at Sackville. These are excellent universities and their graduates are found in all parts of the world. I am sure the house will be pleased to learn that, on May 13 this year, Mount Allison university is conferring the honorary degree of doctor of civil law on a very distinguished Canadian in the person of the Right Hon. Louis St. Laurent, our Prime Minister. The federal grants to these universities, as well as to the College d'Acadie, Moncton, and the College de l'Assomption, Moncton, are appreciated, and will enable them to continue to maintain their high standard of education.
At the head of the bay of Fundy are some of the best agricultural areas in the world, called marsh or dike lands. These lands have been formed by deposits swept in by the tides over a period of centuries. The original settlers were attracted to these areas by the


thousands of acres of marshlands which did not require clearing. However, they did have to be reclaimed from the sea, and the French built the first aboiteau across the Aulac river in 1753. Thousands of head of cattle were raised and exported to the United States and England. With the gradual industrialization of Canada, the farmers could not maintain these marshes with hand labour and they started to deteriorate. During the late war, because of this lack of manpower, much of the land returned to the sea. It was at this time that the federal government implemented a system whereby, with modern construction methods, these lands could be reclaimed. The work is in progress today, with the actual cost of reclaiming the land being borne by the federal government. I know that I speak for all farmers in the bay of Fundy area when I express to the government and to the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Gardiner) their sincere appreciation of what is being accomplished.
The Canada Cement Company has just completed the construction in my riding of one of the most modern cement plants in the world, and it is now in operation. This firm has realized what many others saw, that this section of the maritimes is a natural distributing point.
There are many miles of bathing beaches bordering on the Northumberland1 strait, with the Shediac area possessing one of the best natural beaches in the world. It is being widely advertised as a tourist attraction. Annually a lobster festival is conducted tc advertise the lobster industry and these tourist centres, both of which contribute greatly to the economic life of the riding.
The city of Moncton, the second largest city in the province of New Brunswick, is commonly known as the "hub" of the maritimes. It derives its name not only because it is almost in the geographical centre of the maritimes, but also because it is the transportation centre of the east. All rail traffic to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland passes through this centre. Trans-Canada Air Lines and Maritime Central Airways operate out of the airport at Lakeburn. In addition many transatlantic flights use this airfield from time to time. Formerly the port of Moncton was of great importance, but now it is used mostly by coastal vessels. Postal revenue is often a guide to the amount of business conducted in a locality, and it is interesting to note that in 1950 the postal revenue of Moncton was greater than the combined revenues of the other two cities in New Brunswick by over $293,000.

Moncton is an ambitious city, and is the fastest growing centre in the maritimes. In order that its growth and that of the surrounding area could be controlled, the town planning commission of the metropolitan area of greater Moncton was established. The commission is doing excellent work and future generations will appreciate and benefit from their efforts. There is one recommendation that they have made which I want to bring to the attention of the government and the management of the Canadian National Railways. The location of the main freight and passenger yards only a few hundred feet from the centre of the city is a constant source of noise and smoke. There appears to be more shunting at night, and while the local inhabitants seem to be immune to it, the tourists are not. Several schemes have been suggested to alleviate this situation, but the main objection to the most suitable one was the cost.
The planning commission and the board of trade have recommended that a cut-off be made from Jones siding to Buotouche junction, and that all through traffic be routed this way. In addition, new freight yards should be constructed to move the smoke and noise from the centre of the city. I sincerely hope that when this proposal is placed before the government and the Canadian National Railways, the investigation suggested by the Turgeon commission will be carried out, and that federal assistance will be made available for both the investigation and the building of the cut-off.
Last week the Canadian high school curlers conducted their bonspiel with the Moncton curling clubs as hosts. The Sifton trophy, which is emblematic of the country's top oracket in their class, was won by a rink from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I extend to Skip Garry Thode and his rink our sincere congratulations.
I would not be doing justice to the province of New Brunswick if I did not pay tribute to our representative in the federal cabinet, the hon. member for York-Sunbury (Mr. Gregg). He started his military career as a trooper in the 8th Princess Louise's (New Brunswick) Hussars, the regiment which I now have the honour to command. In the first world war he won the empire's highest award, the Victoria Cross, and rose in the second world war to the rank of brigadier. His tenure of command at the O.C.T.U. at Brockville and the infantry training centre at Vernon, B.C., brought him in contact with the cream of our young Canadians, and he trained them well. Following the war, he was president of
The Address-Mr. George the university of New Brunswick, and subsequently elected to parliament as minister of fisheries. His contribution as minister of veterans affairs is well known, especially to Canada's veterans. I am sure that the highest tribute to his ability was paid by the Prime Minister when he asked Mr. Gregg to become Minister of Labour on the death of the late Humphrey Mitchell, and in the face of an impending railway strike. We are proud of him, and I extend to him our sincere congratulations on his appointment as honorary colonel of his regiment of the first world war, and of the beginning of the second, the R.C.R.
Canada formerly was basically an agricultural country, and while its economy is rapidly becoming industrial, nevertheless agriculture is a very necessary and important part of our economy. I am a farmer, and the farmer's chief concern today is, What am I going to get for the produce I raise? He does not know, neither does he know if he can even sell his produce at any price. The regrettable outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Saskatchewan is very serious and to those whose stock is actually involved, I extend our sincere sympathy. What is going to be the result to the livestock industry of the embargo placed by the United States on Canadian livestock? We do not know, but this situation brings home to us, more forcibly than ever, the instability of the farmer's position. In this connection, I bring to the attention of the house a statement made by Mr. James Muir, president of the Royal Bank of Canada, speaking in Halifax on February 1, 1952:
Sometimes we hear complaints from producers that their well-being is threatened by cheap goods from abroad. Farmers, we are told, are being threatened by imports from New Zealand and the United States. But surely there must be something wrong with the price structure of a great agricultural producer such as Canada when New Zealand can send beef and butter from the other side of the world and lay it down in Canada at prices below what our own producers are charging. United States pork, pork products, beef and poultry do not have so far to come, but the volume of imports in recent weeks and months further underlines the basic fact that somehow our agricultural prices seem to be out of line. Why? I do not know the answer. I can only ask:	Has the growth of
Canadian industry stretched our agricultural forces so thin that we must become a large importer of food? Or has the farmer been placed at an undue disadvantage by the higher wages and shorter hours enjoyed by the industrial worker, resulting in higher prices for the things the farmer has to buy? Or has the edge of the farmer's incentive to produce been dulled by years of affluence in a seller's market?
I do not know the answer, but it appears to me that the problem is one which we in this house should study immediately, particularly in the light of the United States embargo.

The Address-Mr. George
All Canadians are aware of the event leading up to Canada's position in the build-up of defence against the aggressive policies of those countries who do not desire peace. The Right Hon. Winston Churchill reminded us, in his Ottawa speech, that our own Prime Minister had a major share in building the North Atlantic treaty. The meeting of the North Atlantic council which concluded in Lisbon only four days ago is a very recent indication of the ability of free nations in the west to work together, in an atmosphere of mutual co-operation and understanding, not only to preserve peace and security in the face of the threat of Russian imperialism, but also to promote the welfare and prosperity of the peoples of the North Atlantic community. We stand by the side of our allies in the British commonwealth, the United States and the other nations fighting in Korea. We are united and working in order that war may not be inevitable.
The situation in the world today can allow to Canada no relief in the program of military preparedness that we have undertaken. The free countries are just beginning to achieve the kind of strength that is needed to discourage or to curb aggression.
I should like here to pay tribute to those Canadians who are so gallantly upholding our cause in the Korean struggle. The navy is doing an excellent job and the 25th brigade is nobly living up to the traditions established by our fighting men of the past. The R.C.A.F. 426 squadron is giving a good account of itself on the Pacific airlift. The Minister of Labour paid fitting tribute to these men of the services in his New Year's message when he selected them as the men of the year.
Canada is proud too to see the 27th brigade take its place in Europe beside the armies of the other NATO nations and to see our second jet fighter squadron for NATO arrive in the United Kingdom. All this is concrete evidence that Canada is doing her part as a member of NATO in order to ensure lasting peace.
In addition to maintaining our present forces in Canada, Korea and Europe, the armed forces must continue to expand to meet the needs of NATO, especially in respect of air power, and to be ready for any emergency. This will necessitate continued spending on a very large scale. If our defence expenditures seem to involve considerable sacrifices for Canadians, we need only look, for an example of fortitude, to the United Kingdom where sacrifices are being made for the same purpose. These sacrifices are made in circumstances of personal hardship which must excite not only our sympathy but also our heartfelt admiration for the devotion and


courage with which they are borne. We, too, must be ready to make greater sacrifices, counting the cost in terms of the freedom that is at stake rather than in terms of what we must pay to preserve that freedom.
Our experience in two world wars has shown the great value of our reserve forces, for without them we would have been unable to field trained forces in time to meet the demands. Today the standard of our reserve forces is the highest it has ever been. Most of the units have sufficient trained officers, warrant officers, N.C.O.'s and men to enable them, when it becomes necessary, to mobilize and train efficiently, and this, after all, is the role of the reserve. Thanks to the policies of the present government and particularly to the thinking of the Minister of National Defence (Mr. Claxton), the reserve forces have sufficient materials and equipment, and pay has been provided, all of which, in my opinion, is ample to ensure the continued high state of efficiency of the reserve forces.
Canadians generally are gratified by the decision of the government to proceed, alone if necessary, with the construction of the St. Lawrence waterway. No one will deny that the construction of this project will benefit the economic development of the whole nation. This being true, then a continuation of the project to the maritimes would be equally beneficial. Several years ago Mr. W. A. S. Melanson, of Moncton, produced a plan called the "St. Mary's Tidal Project", the completion of which would make available upward of one million horsepower. The resultant industrialization would make a canal through the isthmus of Chignecto a necessity, but it would have to be built from Moncton to Shediac. Some preliminary study has been given to this project by the Department of Resources and Development, but it was done previously to the development of Labrador iron and the setting up of the St. Lawrence seaway authority. In order to obtain more industry for the maritimes, we must have more power, and I strongly urge this government to take the initiative and offer assistance, financial and technical, to the provincial governments of Ne'w Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in order that a complete survey may be made. We, in the maritimes, are a proud people and we are ambitious for Canada, as well as for our own part of it. We want to see the maritimes keep pace with the rest of Canada; and the development of this project, which could well be called the maritime extension of the St. Lawrence waterways development, would provide the industries which are sorely needed, besides opening up the bay of Fundy and New England ports to lake shipping.

Last session, parliament increased pensions to veterans and the government is to be congratulated on its intention to review the War Veterans Allowance Act. The veterans who benefit under the provisions of this act have no other means of livelihood, and all of us have an obligation to those who gave so much.
On the health scene, notable progress has been made in recent years because of federal grants under the national health program. It is less than four years since this program was first announced in this house, but since that time remarkable advances have been made possible in each province.
Federal grants have aided substantially in increasing hospital accommodation by 36,000 beds. Through these grants, more than 3,400 health workers have been trained, 4,300 have been added to provincial and local public health staffs and, in general, health services and facilities in every province are being greatly strengthened.
This year will be memorable in the history of social progress in Canada for what Canadians are now doing, through their governments, for their older fellow citizens. In January of this year two great measures came into effect; the universal federal pension for everyone at 70 and the joint federal-provincial plan for old age assistance for those aged 65 to 69 who require it. I am told that, since this old age pension has been implemented, many of our younger citizens have realized that the principle of old age pensions is sound and now they are taking out annuities with private companies to supplement the government pension they will be receiving at the age of 70.
This new program, which now benefits nearly 700.000 persons, will increase in its expenditures during the years until it exceeds family allowances and becomes Canada's greatest single social program. This government and parliament can well be proud of its achievement in shaping and supporting these measures. In coverage, adequacy of benefit, and absence of means test, as well as in simplicity of administration, Canada's new program for pensions at 70 stands in the forefront of all comparable programs throughout the world today.
I have the honour to move, Mr. Speaker, seconded by the hon. member for Lake St. John (Mr. Gauthier), the following resolution:
That the following address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General of Canada:
To His Excellency the Right Honourable
Vincent Massey, C.H.. Governor General and
Commander-in-Chief of Canada.
The Address-Mr. A. Gauthier May it please Your Excellency:
We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the House of Commons of Canada, in parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Excellency for the gracious speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both houses of parliament.
(Translation):


Mr. Andre Gauthier (Lake St. John):: Mr. Speaker, it is not without apprehension that I have accepted the redoubtable honour of seconding the address in reply to the speech from the throne. When I look at all my colleagues, most of whom are better qualified than I am, as far as oratorical talent, age and experience are 'concerned, I have a feeling that I am not worthy of this privilege.
It gives me one more reason for thanking, from the bottom of my heart, the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and his colleagues for having entrusted me with a task which, although it exceeds my ability, I nevertheless consider an enviable honour, especially for a young member who is comparatively a newcomer in this house.
However, although I have some doubts as to my ability to discharge adequately such a duty, I realize that in entrusting me with this task the Prime Minister and his colleagues had undoubtedly in mind the most interesting constituency I represent in the house.
(Text):
Although little time has elapsed since the end of the last session, certain important events have taken place on which I would like to say a few words in this house.
First of all, I want to refer to the regretted, unforeseen and sudden demise of King George VI. Our late lamented sovereign acceded to the throne in difficult circumstances and consented to sacrifice his own personal interests in order to devote his life to the onerous duties of his office. Throughout his life he was a living example of what the true head of a family should be, and he won for himself the admiration and friendship of all his subjects.
The crown received from His late Majesty King George VI nothing but honour. I feel it to be my duty and privilege to join the mover of the address in expressing to Her Majesty the Queen, as well as to the Queen Mother and Queen Mary, on behalf of all members of the House of Commons, our most heartfelt sympathy and deep affection. On the freshly closed grave of our late sovereign, we lay our regrets.
Grievous as it was, this loss has been such as to bring back to mind, and to strengthen, the bonds which unite us to the crown and to the other nations of the commonwealth.
26	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. A. Gauthier To our new sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, we wish a long, peaceful and fruitful reign. The people of Canada remember with emotion the royal couple's memorable visit to this country last autumn. Throughout the land, our new sovereign radiated a charm, a graciousness, a distinction which have won her the same affection our people had for her distinguished father.
Viscount Alexander, our governor general since 1946, has been recalled to assume important duties in the government of his country. Canadians will long cherish the memory of this great soldier who carried out his duties with so much tact and courtesy. Before he left, he was made a member of the Privy Council of Canada; he thus maintains some links with our country. We wish him every success in the new task he is called upon to perform.
(Translation):
On January 24, 1952, the Canadian people learned with satisfaction that the King, acting upon the recommendation of our government, had chosen, to represent him in this country, the Right Hon. Vincent Massey, first Canadian citizen to hold this office. All Canada rejoices at this well-deserved honour which befalls our illustrious compatriot. The brilliant career of the chancellor of the university of Toronto marked him out for the highest office his native country can offer. Born into a family which has left its imprint on the history of Canadian industry, the Right Hon. Vincent Massey has held two of the most important appointments in our diplomatic service.
The wisdom, the skill and the understanding he displayed while representing our country in Washington had already attracted the attention of his compatriots, and his success as Canadian High Commissioner in London from 1935 to 1945 is well known.
Throughout his life, he strove to foster the development of higher education, as well as of the arts and cultural life in Canada. It was therefore quite natural that he should have been called upon to preside over the royal commission on national development in the arts, letters and sciences. His name will ever be linked with this cultural monument and with the work of Canadian unity in its diversity of culture, both English and French.
It was with legitimate pride that Canadians looked upon the honour conferred upon one of the most eminent sons of Canada and the government deserves to be congratulated on its excellent choice, because it has thus proved .that Canada has become the adult nation she claims to be.
[Mr Gauthier (Lake St. John).]

Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay a tribute to one of our colleagues who has passed away since the last session, the hon. member for Brome-Missisquoi, Mr. Henri Gosselin. For more than twenty years, both in the provincial and federal field, he served the people of Quebec and particularly the electors of Brome-Missisquoi. I wish to convey to Mrs. Gosselin and to her family our condolences. The death of our colleague has grieved us deeply. His memory will long remain with us.
There is one familiar face missing today in the house, that of Hon. Edouard Rinfret. His constant desire to help others had won him the friendship of all members. There is no doubt that he will be an honour to the bench as he was to this house, where he sat for so many years with such distinction.
The Right Hon. the Prime Minister has chosen to replace him the member for St. Jean-Iberville-Napierville (Mr. Cote).
In addition to his remarkable culture and the excellent reputation he has earned as a member of the bar, the new minister can boast of a wide experience. He is a director of the Rural Bar Association, charter member and president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce of St. Johns and Iberville, and in 1945 the taxpayers of St. Johns elected him to the office of mayor.
Because of the experience he has acquired both as a member of and adviser to various associations in his home town, as well as in his capacity as mayor of the city of St. Johns, from 1945 to 1949, he is very well qualified to look after the affairs of a department. When we consider the soundness of his judgment, his devotion to duty and his efficiency, all of which are generally acknowledged, the Prime Minister has undoubtedly made an excellent choice. Our whole rural population particularly rejoices at the appointment of one of its representatives to the cabinet.
I wish to mention also the appointment of the hon. member for Halifax (Mr. Dickey) as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Defence Production. In the opinion of all those who know him, the hon. member is marked out for a brilliant career in parliament. His very appointment to so important a department is in itself a tribute to his merit and qualifications.
I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to say a few words about Lake St. John county, which I have the honour to represent in this house.
You have doubtless heard my predecessors speak, on many occasions, of the wonders of

the Lake St. John district. You have surely heard also about the excellent people who live there. The term excellent seems quite appropriate, for these people are courageous, industrious, and possess the best civic qualities one could hope to find within a nation. If your numerous occupations have prevented you from visiting that beautiful part of our country, a part which is particularly dear to me, several members of the government, including the Prime Minister, have done so on several occasions. All these gentlemen have been able to appraise the main qualities of those pioneering people, of whom our country has so many reasons to be proud.
Before proceeding further, it is undoubtedly appropriate that I give a brief outline of the geographical position of Lake St. John county. First of all, my constituency is located in the northern part of Quebec, some 320 miles from Montreal. I might add that my county forms a semicircle around that great body of blue water known as lake St. John; the other half of the circle is made up by the constituency of my hon. friend, the Deputy Speaker of the house, the hon. member for Roberval (Mr. Dion).
In similar circumstances, in 1947, my hon. friend from Roberval gave the house a rather extensive description of what was then his own constituency.
He told you, for instance, that Father Jean de Quen, a Recollet missionary, had been the first white man to reach the shores of lake St. John, in 1647. He mentioned also that that beautiful region however would have to wait some two hundred years before being settled for good. As a matter of fact, a good parish priest of the village of Kamouraska brought to the region its first settlers, and it was then that Notre Dame d'Hebertville was founded, the oldest of all the parishes in my county, which celebrated its centenary three years ago come July. However, historical truth compels me to add that lumbering was established in the region long before the foundation of Notre Dame d'Hebertville. Therefore we can say that if there were no real settlements at the time, our part of the country was at least inhabited.
It is, of course, a well-known fact that even then the Messrs. Price had begun to work our forests. It is obvious that the great Price Brothers Company, which operates a paper mill a few arpents from my own town of St. Joseph d'Alrna, has been with us for some time now.
The Address-Mr. A. Gauthier
Agriculture was not long in flowering- only a short time after the first attempts at settlement. Tourists are now able to admire more than fifty rich and prosperous agricultural parishes spread out all around the shores of lake St. John. Providence, moreover, has helped out the settlers' tenacity by creating these fertile and productive districts which form the lake St. John basin.
The two main sources of revenue for the farmers of my district are cattle-raising and dairying. Is not lake St. John cheese a delicacy much sought after by Canadian and British consumers? Last year, thanks to the co-operation and goodwill of the Department of Agriculture, the cheese producers were able to export directly to Great Britain without having to resort to a go-between and thus they made an additional profit of $15,000 per year.
Our farmer is not only skilful, but he is courageous and tenacious; he is endowed with uncommon initiative as may be seen solely by the monument he raised at St. Bruno when he built the magnificent abattoir bearing the name of "Chaine Cooperative du Saguenay." This $800,000 building required the efforts, the energy and the money of 1,800 members. It is expected that in 1952 more than 50,000 head of hog, steer and sheep will be slaughtered there. This achievement, it is true, was made easier at the beginning by a federal grant of $115,000, but in fairness to the farmers of my district I must say that they are mainly responsible for the success thus achieved. They gave other Canadians an example of faith in the future of their country, an example of co-operation, of initiative and of foresight.
In the past century, agriculture has been the main source of income for the inhabitants of the lake St. John district, but this region seems to be on the edge of an industrial development.	*
The Aluminum Company of Canada has done the pioneering work in this field and was the first to realize the tremendous industrial possibilities of this vast basin of 10,000 square miles.
The engineers of the Aluminum Company have explored the entire region and have found that the rivers which flow into the lake as well as the outlet to the sea are capable of producing huge quantities of electric power. First of all, there was the construction, at Isle Maligne, of a powerhouse, with a capacity of 540,000 horsepower, which made possible the building at Riverbend of a paper mill with a daily output of 700 tons of newsprint.
28	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. A. Gauthier In order to ensure a constant flow at the great power stations and to regulate the level of lake St. John the year round a huge dam has been built on Peribonka river at a point called Dangerous Pass. Indeed, the whole drainage basin of lake St. John can hold four hundred billion cubic feet of water. As far as waterpower is concerned, the latest developments are two dams being erected on the Peribonka river at Chute du Diable and at Chute Savanna. Everybody knows that the Aluminum Company is spending, for the development of those waterfalls, approximately one hundred million dollars.
It goes without saying that the company makes use of the power thus produced. In 1943, the company built a great aluminum plant at Isle Maligne. Once an extension which is being built at the present time is put into operation the production will be trebled. Besides, the new dams which will be completed in the course of 1952 and 1953 will add a further 500,000 horsepower units and, as a natural and logical result of those developments, new plants will be established in the county.
The population increases yearly and, in 1947, parliament recognized officially that prodigious development by doubling the number of representatives for the Lake St. John district, and thus gave me the occasion and the honour of sitting in this house.
I have described somewhat at length the industrial development of my constituency;
I have done so because the progress achieved in that part of the country is truly representative of the development that is taking place everywhere in Canada.
I was about to let go unnoticed the great forest reserves which enable our farmers, during the dull season, and professional lumberjacks to make good and well-deserved salaries. In 1950, the government extended the scope of unemployment insurance and agreed to apply that legislation to lumbermen. That group of workers deserved special attention from the government, owing to the seasonal and uncertain nature of their work. The government has proved itself wise and provident in adding lumbermen to those who already benefit from that legislation.
Any enumeration of the riches of the Lake St. John district would be incomplete without some mention of the blueberry. Not only do we have here a delicious, tasty fruit, but this "blue manna", as it has been called, pro-

duces an annual revenue of at least one million dollars. In fact, in 1945, this figure rose to two and one half million dollars.
I could hardly bring these remarks on my constituency to an end without mentioning its most stable element, its most important asset, that is, its people.
These are almost entirely of French origin and 60 per cent of them are engaged in agriculture. They are healthy, intelligent and resourceful. They have retained the best French traditions. The mother parish of my constituency, Notre Dame d'Hebertville, holds a record in birth rates. I am told that the average number of children per family is ten and that 50 per cent of its population is of school age. The working class is hard-working and law-abiding. The workers recognize free enterprise but defend stubbornly their right to free trade-unionism. It may be said in a general way that the present generation of my district exercise their activities in terms of the common good. They look to the future and their ambition is to develop, improve and increase the heritage bequeathed' by their ancestors. I am proud to pay a tribute to them in the parliament of my country.
Before considering the legislation announced in the speech from the throne, I wish to point out the coming into force of one of the most important measures ever enacted by a parliament since confederation. I mean the Old Age Security Act. Everywhere in my constituency I have heard tributes paid to the government which, through this measure, has given greater scope to its social security program.
The present government remains firm in its ideal of working unremittingly for the betterment of the conditions of all classes and I am glad to express the particular gratitude of all the old people of my county, to the government which is led with skill and wisdom by the Prime Minister.
All my constituents will no doubt approve the government's action in introducing a motion for the establishment of a national library. A number of Canadians suffer from intellectual malnutrition. Love of reading is an acquired taste. We must make public opinion aware of the function of well-trained and specialized librarians. The establishment of a national library will certainly stimulate science and culture. It will most assuredly make Canadians better prepared to discharge

The Address-Mr. A. Gauthier
the fresh responsibilities which they are called upon to shoulder as a result of Canada's growing importance in international affairs.
We learned recently that the St. Lawrence waterway project, which was approved in principle at the last session, has gone another step ahead in a short time through the establishment of a board of engineers whose task it will be to draft a request to be submitted to the international joint commission in connection with the hydroelectric development of the international section of the St. Lawrence river.
The speech from the throne indicates that it is the intention of the government to enact legislation concerning veterans' allowances. This leads us to believe that particular attention will soon be given to the Canadians who did their noble duty to defend our liberty and who surely deserve this testimonial of gratitude from the government.
Another measure forecast in the message read by the governor general provides for a larger contribution to the Colombo plan. In taking that step the government has two aims: to provide help for underdeveloped countries- which is also advocated by such authorities as His Holiness the Pope-and to contribute to the improvement of the material and moral situation of those nations, so that the economy of the whole world may benefit from this betterment.
All members have learned of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among certain herds in Saskatchewan. The Department of Agriculture has immediately taken the necessary steps to check the disease. Let us hope that the livestock industry will not suffer too much from it and that the cattle market will again be as prosperous as in the past.
Everyone knows, Mr. Speaker, that Canada, along with other members of the United Nations, is constantly striving to attain its aim: the maintenance of peace in the world. We still have faith in conferences and negotiations, but I am sure all Canadians believe, more than they ever did before, that military power is the best deterrent to aggression.
In my opinion, to achieve that end we must apply all our human, financial and economic resources to such preparations. The proportion of our budget earmarked for defence services in the coming year will undoubtedly remain high, owing to the acceleration of our defence production program and the increase of our military forces.
May I be allowed to add a few words to the tribute which the hon. member for Westmorland (Mr. George) has paid our troops in Korea. By virtue of their high military accomplishments in that distant and forbidding land, where the integrity of the United Nations was most openly threatened, Canadians have, once more, shown their courage and ability to fight the enemies of freedom.
Communism is ever seeking the weak points in the bulwarks of freedom. It so happens that we have been entrusted with the protection of a part of these bulwarks. I am confident that, thanks to constant vigilance and unerring determination, we will yet see the day when the rule of fear and suspicion will be overthrown and when, once more, we will be safe from the threat of aggression.
A few moments ago I described the very great progress which has taken place in my district. But what has taken place there has been reproduced in the whole of Canada which is, at this moment, in the midst of a period of widespread economic expansion of which we may well be proud. Our forebears have had enough faith and foresight to build a great country. It is a good thing that, at this particular time in its history, this country happens to be led by the present Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Louis St. Laurent. Under his wise and inspired administration, Canada continues to make giant strides in the field of constitutional and economic evolution.
(Text):
On motion of Mr. Drew the debate was adjourned.
On motion of Mr. St. Laurent the house adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Monday, March 3, 1952