1955-01-07

HOUSE OF COMMONS DEBATES


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House of Commons! Betmtes
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Speaker: The Honourable L. Rene Beaudoin
Friday, January 7, 1955

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The parliament which had been prorogued on the twenty-sixth day of June, 1954, met this day at Ottawa for the dispatch of business.

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

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess I have received communications from several members' notifying me that vacancies had occurred in the representation, as follows:
Of Hon. D. C. Abbott, member for the electoral district of St. Antoine-Westmount, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Hon. Lionel Chevrier, member for the electoral district of Stormont, consequent upon his acceptance of an office of emolument under the crown.
Of Hon. Brooke Claxton, member for the electoral district of St. Lawrence-St. George, by resignation.
Of Rodney Adamson, Esquire, member for the electoral district of York West, by decease.
Of Lionel Conacher, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Trinity, by decease.
Of Robert James Wood, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Selkirk, by decease.
Accordingly I addressed my warrants to the chief electoral officer for the issue of new writs of election for the said electoral districts.



NEW MEMBERS

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that during the recess the Clerk of the House has received from the chief electoral officer certificates of the election and return of the following members, viz.:
Of Claude S. Richardson, Esquire, for the electoral district of St. Lawrence-St. George.
Of Albert Peter Lavigne, Esquire, for the electoral district of Stormont.
Of John Borden Hamilton, Esquire, for the electoral district of York West.
Of Hon. George C. Marler, for the electoral district of St. Antoine-Westmount.
Of Donald D. Carrick, Esquire, for the electoral district of Trinity.
Of William Bryce, Esquire, for the electoral district of Selkirk.



NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCED

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Hon. George C. Marler, member for the electoral district of St. Antoine-Westmount, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Right Hon. C. D. Howe.
Donald D. Carrick, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Trinity, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Hon. L. B. Pearson.
Albert Peter Lavigne, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Stormont, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Hon. J. J. McCann.
Claude S. Richardson, Esquire, member for the electoral district of St. Lawrence-St. George, introduced by Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent and Hon. Alcide Cote.
John Borden Hamilton, Esquire, member for the electoral district of York West, introduced by Hon. W. Earl Rowe and Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker.
William Bryce, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Selkirk, introduced by Mr. M. J. Coldwell and Mr. Alistair Stewart (Winnipeg North).
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House of Commons HOUSE OF COMMONS

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):: Mr. Speaker, I am sure that hon. members in every part of this chamber would wish me to say what is in all our minds at this time, and that is how sorry we all are that the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. George A. Drew, is unable to be present with us at this opening of parliament.
We were all deeply shocked when we heard last November that he had been stricken suddenly by a serious illness. Fortunately after some days of anxiety we were relieved to hear that he had safely passed the critical phase of the malady. Subsequently from time to time we were most grateful to learn that he was making steady progress toward complete recovery although he had to remain in hospital for several weeks.
All of us, his friends in this house-and I am sure this is also true of his hosts of friends outside of this house-sincerely hope that the present rest which his medical advisers have persuaded him to take will enable him to regain completely his strength and that it will not be long before his health and his usual vigour will have been fully restored and that he will be able to be back with us in the house.
Although the request may be somewhat unusual I am sure that every one of us, wherever he sits in the house, would be grateful to you, Mr. Speaker, if you would in the meantime convey to Mr. Drew our most sincere greetings and good wishes.


Hon. W. Earl Rowe (Acting Leader of the Opposition):: Mr. Speaker, I must take advantage of this opportunity to indicate the keen appreciation of the associates of the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Drew) on this side of the house of the kind good wishes which the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) has so generously expressed today. I realize, as do many others, that it is a great tribute to the present-day efficiency of modern medical science that the Leader of the Opposition has been able to get through the very critical days of his illness. However, I am most happy to report, after having visited him yesterday, that he is making a very rapid recovery and indeed his health has been restored to a greater degree than I had expected to find. I feel most confident, and I am sure he does, as well as his doctors, that he will be returned to the health and vigour which the Prime Minister has indicated is his usual state of health.
[Mr. Speaker.!



OATHS OF OFFICE

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



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Mr. Speaker:: I have the honour to inform the house that when the house did attend His Excellency the Governor General this day in the Senate chamber, His Excellency was pleased to make a speech to both houses of parliament. To prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy, which is as follows:
Honourable members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
It affords me great pleasure to greet you as you resume your parliamentary duties at the beginning of this new year.
Since you last met, the people of Canada have been given an opportunity of extending once more an affectionate welcome to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother. They have also had the pleasure of greeting again the consort of our sovereign, the Duke of Edinburgh, who came to attend the British Empire and Commonwealth games held in Vancouver during the summer and to visit northern parts of Canada.
While there is hopeful evidence that the increasing strength of the free world has lessened the likelihood of aggression, the terrible destruction that war would bring to North America and indeed to all mankind has been magnified by the increase in the number and effectiveness of atomic and thermonuclear weapons and the means of delivering them.
My ministers are convinced that, while the resources of diplomacy must never be neglected in the search for peace, the efforts of the free nations in building their deterrent forces must be maintained. To this end, Canada was represented at the London and Paris conferences which formulated an alternative to the European defence community and provided for the entry of the Federal Republic of Germany into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. You will be asked to approve the agreements reached at those meetings.
Our country continues to give full support to the United Nations. The Canadian delegation took an important part in the deliberations of the recent meeting of the general assembly in New York. It is earnestly hoped that the adoption of the resolution on disarmament introduced in the political committee by the Canadian delegation may lead to agreement on an effective system of international safeguards.	.
While no final settlement has been reached in Korea, the lessening of the threat of renewed aggression in that area has made possible the withdrawal of a substantial portion of the Canadian forces.
At the invitation of the Geneva conference Canada has accepted the heavy responsibility of serving on the armistice commissions which have been formed to supervise the restoration of peace in the associated states of Indo-China.
Last autumn our nation was the host at the annual meeting of the consultative committee of the Colombo plan. You will be asked to approve Canada's continued participation in the plan as well as in the United Nations' technical assistance program.

A meeting of commonwealth prime ministers will be held in London at the end of this month to consider a number of problems affecting the peoples of this great association of nations. My prime minister plans to attend this conference.
During the summer arrangements were completed to permit the navigational facilities of the St. Lawrence river to be enlarged and a hydroelectric project to be undertaken in the international rapids section.
Work on these two projects has already begun and my ministers are convinced the stimulus to the national economy resulting from their construction will be shared in all parts of the country.
Since you last met, Cape Breton island has been linked with the mainland by the new causeway which will be ready for service as soon as the ship canal has been bridged.
It is expected that, in the course of the coming season, the new ferry between North Sydney and Port aux Basques will be in operation and the ferry service between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor started. Construction of a new ferry to operate between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will be undertaken early in the present year.
To improve navigation on the Pacific coast, you will be asked to make provision at this session for the removal of Ripple Rock.
Canadians learned with deep regret of the loss of life and damage to property caused by two severe storms felt heavily in the province of Ontario and the province of Nova Scotia. An agreement has been reached with the province of Ontario to assist those persons whose homes were damaged or destroyed and assistance has been given under the Agricultural Prices Support Act to the producers of apples in Nova Scotia. You will be asked to make the necessary financial provision for these arrangements.
The Disabled Persons Act which you passed at the last session was proclaimed to come into force at the beginning of the present year. The governments of all the provinces have announced their intention to participate in implementing the program to assist those who are totally unable to care for themselves; and my ministers are now in a position to conclude the necessary federal-provincial agreements to bring this humanitarian measure into operation.
Although the national economy is in a generally healthy condition, the relatively poor wheat crop is being reflected by a small decline in the total national income. Some unemployment of a regional and seasonal nature is being experienced. To help meet this situation work on public construction projects already approved is being accelerated and you will be asked to make financial provision for construction in the programs of various departments and agencies on a scale that will make possible a substantial increase in the total expenditures for this purpose.
The government proposes to introduce legislation immediately for the amendment of the Unemployment Insurance Act to provide for an increase in the duration and scale of supplementary winter benefits. It is also proposing to introduce, during the session, broader amendments designed to make unemployment insurance a more effective instrument in providing financial support to unemployed workers.
The National Housing Act, 1954, enacted early in the last session, which authorized lower downpayments and larger loans, and which enabled the chartered banks for the first time to make loans on the security of residential mortgages, has been an important factor in stimulating the construction of a record number of houses in the past year. The prospects are favourable for a high level of house building in 1955.
It is proposed to bring into general operation on the first of February the provision of the act under which loans may be made for home improvements. In accordance with an undertaking given at the last
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Speech from the Throne
session, this section was proclaimed for small holders under the Veterans' Land Act with effect from the first of this year.
You will be asked to consider amendments to the Railway Act relating to the elimination of level crossings. The government also hopes to lay before you during the present session a measure to consolidate the legislation affecting the Canadian National Railways.
Amendments to the Electricity and Fluid Exportation Act and a measure to control works which affect the normal flow of rivers which cross the international boundary will be proposed for the purpose of ensuring that natural resources are developed in the best interests of the Canadian public.
You will be asked to consider a measure to implement a convention between Canada and the United States relating to fisheries research on the great lakes.
You will also be asked to consider legislation to provide facilities for loans to fishermen similar to those provided to farmers by the Farm Improvement Loans Act.
The government will submit amendments to the War Veterans Allowance Act to raise the basic rates as well as the ceiling on permissible incomes of recipients of allowances.
You will also be asked to consider amendments to the Blind Persons Act, to lower the age of eligibility and raise the income ceilings.
A measure which will provide for amendments to the National Defence Act and the Defence Services Pension Act will be placed before you.
Legislation will be proposed to replace the Meat and Canned Foods Act by measures to provide for the inspection of meat and for the establishment of standards for all agricultural products.
You will be asked to approve a convention signed by the members of the international civil aviation organization which fixes the responsibility for damage caused to third parties by foreign aircraft.
A joint committee of both houses will be proposed to examine, in the light of the Municipal Grants Act and possible amendments thereto, the financial and other relationships of the government and the federal district commission with the city of Ottawa and neighbouring municipalities.
Among other measures you will be asked to consider amendments to the Defence Production Act, the Government Employees Compensation Act, the Financial Administration Act, the Public Service Superannuation Act, the Historic Sites and Monuments Act, the Radio Act, the Territorial Lands Act, the Library of Parliament Act, the Canada Grain Act, the Northwest Territories Act, the Yukon Act, the Canada Shipping Act, the Emergency Gold Mining Assistance Act and to the Municipal Grants Act.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to make provision for the public service for the next fiscal year.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
I pray that Divine Providence may guide you in the discharge of your responsibilities.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration later this day, and that this order have precedence over all other business, unless and until otherwise ordered, except introduction of bills and government notices of motions, until disposed of.


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Motion agreed to.
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Tributes to Deceased Members


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, since we last met we have received the sad news of the death of two of our colleagues. I refer of course to Mr. Robert J. Wood, who represented the constituency of Selkirk, and Mr. Robert Fair, the member for Battle River-Camrose.
Mr. Wood's death was an unexpected shock to his many friends both within and beyond this chamber. He appeared in excellent health and- spirits before he left the capital at the end of June and he was looking forward to the long drive home by automobile.
Mr. Wood was born and raised on his father's farm at Teulon, Manitoba, and he was a resident of that province all his life. In addition to carrying on a successful business he served as reeve in Bifrost municipality at the early age of 31.
Later he was chairman of the Teulon chamber of commerce, and a member of the executive of the Manitoba associated chambers of commerce.
He was first elected to the House of Commons in the general election of 1949, and he was given a renewed vote of confidence by his electors in 1953. Immediately after his arrival in Ottawa Mr. Wood became recognized by his colleagues as an assiduous and friendly member of this house. Although he did not participate frequently in debate, he served conscientiously on several committees and took most seriously his responsibilities to his constituents. Feeling himself very closely associated with them, he endeavoured at all times to be their true representative both in this house and outside.
I am sure I speak for all members of the house in saying that Robert Wood will be remembered with genuine affection and respect by all of us, and in extending sincere sympathy to Mrs. Wood and other members of the family in their bereavement.
Mr. Robert Fair was among the first members of his party to be elected to this house in 1935. Since he first took his seat he gave unstintingly of himself in the service of his constituents. Their appreciation of his efforts was shown by his re-election at each of the four general elections since that date.
Mr. Fair was an active debater and only ill health prevented him from taking his usual part in the deliberations of this house during the last session.
As the representative of a prosperous farming area, Mr. Robert Fair made his principal contribution in the agriculture committee and during the discussions of subjects related
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to agriculture. He also took a keen and humane interest in legislation concerning war veterans and soldier settlers.
I know, Mr. Speaker, that all members would wish to join with me in expressing sympathy to his leader in the loss of an esteemed colleague, as well as to Mrs. Fair and the other members of the family in their great loss.


William Earl Rowe: Mr. Speaker, I wish to associate myself with the remarks of the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and I am sure I speak for all my colleagues on this side of the house when I express keen sympathy at the loss this country has suffered in the death of these two gentlemen.
I did not know Mr. Wood as well as I knew Mr. Fair, but I knew of his long and creditable record in public affairs. I know he was a very kind man and a loyal friend, and I am sure his companionship will be greatly missed by all members of the house. He was elected twice to this parliament, and on several occasions served in other capacities in his native province. I am certain all members will join with me in extending to Mrs. Wood and the family, to his former associates here and in his riding, our keen sympathy and regret.
Mr. Robert Fair was a member of this house for a longer period of time. He was, I believe, elected five times. He was an aggressive member and will be greatly missed by his associates. He was a kind man and yet at the same time he was vigorous and did not hesitate to say where he stood on matters that occupied his keen interest.
I am sure veterans throughout the country will miss Robert Fair's representation in this parliament, and I know that his many friends in his riding will feel his loss very keenly. To his wife and family, on behalf of this group, I extend sincere sympathy.


Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roseiown-Biggar):: Mr. Speaker, for those of us who have been here a long time these occasions of the meeting of parliament are occasions of a happy nature, but unfortunately they are often marred by the loss of one or more members of the house with whom we have been associated over a period of time. This meeting of parliament is no exception.
In the loss of Mr. Wood the government and his friends in his constituency, together with his family, have lost a fine individual. It is true, as the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) said, that he did not take a very great part in the debates in this house, but nonetheless those of us who met him, and knew him, respected him and regret that he has passed away.

We join with the Prime Minister, and the Acting Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Rowe), in expressing to Mrs. Wood and the family our sincere sympathy in their great personal loss. We also extend to the Prime Minister and his colleagues our sympathy in the loss of one who was a faithful friend and colleague.
Robert Fair came here in 1935, the same year as I, and during that time those of us who knew Robert Fair grew not only to respect him and admire his good qualities, but to like him. We shall miss his rich Irish wit and his brogue, and the soldier settlers in Canada will miss his very warm advocacy of their particular cause.
We wish to record our appreciation of the work he did in this house. Though party lines often divide us, nonetheless we can respect those who with integrity advocate views that are not always consonant with those we hold ourselves. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, to Mrs. Fair and the family, who have watched him suffer over a period of time, and now know that suffering is ended, we wish to extend our sympathy in their loss, and to members of the Social Credit group we extend our sympathy in the loss of a good colleague and advocate of their views throughout the country.


Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):: Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and other hon. members for the kind words they had to utter about our very good friend and colleague, Robert Fair, and at the same time, on behalf of the Social Credit members of parliament, I would like to pay tribute to the sterling qualities of this good man whom we came to know and love through our long years of association with him.
Bob, as he was called by all who knew him, was born in Keelogues, county Mayo, Ireland. He came to Canada in 1914 and settled in the Paradise Valley district about 45 miles southeast of Vermilion, in the province of Alberta, where, by hard work and good management, he was able to build up a very fine farm.
He was intensely proud of his Irish blood, and lost no opportunity to pay tribute to his native land and the good qualities of Irishmen everywhere. But at the same time he had an intense love for Canada and an undivided loyalty to this his adopted land. Throughout his whole life he worked hard to make of Canada a place where every citizen could enjoy freedom, justice, and a good standard of living.
Our friend Bob was mild, but doggedly persistent in everything he undertook to do. He was careful not to hurt those who were in
Tributes to Deceased Members opposition to his ideas, and valued his friends highly. He was devoted to his work in and out of parliament, and to his constituents. He never spared himself in the 19 years that he represented his constituency in this house.
Mr. Fair enjoyed robust health throughout his whole life, never having known a sick day until he was stricken about a year ago with what finally was diagnosed at Rochester as cancer of the pancreas. To all of us who knew how healthy and robust he really was, it was a shock to see how he went down under the onslaught of this terrible affliction. Mr. Fair suffered unusually long with this particular disease, because it usually develops rapidly; but through it all he maintained high morale and a quiet determination to win in the battle for his life. To the very end he looked forward with hope and through it all exhibited unusual courage. These were characteristics of the man in everything that he undertook to do. By those who were with him in his last days I am advised that he had achieved peace of mind which, Mr Speaker, is a great blessing.
Bob had many friends and few, if any, enemies. He was beloved by all who knew him and those of us who are left will miss him sorely. We join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and with the others who have spoken so kindly, in once again expressing to Mrs. Fair, their two sons and the eight grandchildren, our deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
In the second place I should like to join with the Prime Minister and the others who have spoken in paying tribute to our late departed friend, Mr. Wood from Selkirk. I did not, of course, know him as well as I knew Bob Fair, but from what I knew of him I loved him. I had the pleasure of meeting him on many an occasion during the time he was here since 1949. I bowled with him at times on bowling teams. I found him to be a congenial companion and a good sportsman, and I enjoyed being with him. I am sure that we all join in paying our deepest respect to his memory and in paying these tributes to a loyal follower of the Prime Minister, to whom we express our deep sympathy in his loss. To his family and those who are left behind we express our sympathy in the loss of a good husband and father.


Hon. Stuart S. Garson (Minister of Justice):: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of those in this house who are fellow members from the province of Manitoba, I should like to express our deep regret on the passing of the late Bert Wood. He was our faithful and just friend and, I think, the faithful and

Tributes to Deceased Members just friend of every person with whom he was on terms of intimacy in this house; certainly he was recognized as such by hundreds of those citizens residing in the interlake area of Manitoba amongst whom he was born, lived a life of service and died. He was not much younger than his province. That means that he was born in that province in a pioneering community and lived the life of a pioneer under pioneer conditions until just recent years. I think it was probably due to that fact that he possessed the endearing qualities of a pioneer, the loyalty to which reference has already been made, and the fair-mindedness of a pioneer; and also those qualities of the pioneer which served him in such good stead as a member of this house:	courage, pertinacity and
resourcefulness in the discharge of those duties other than making speeches which are such an important part of the work which a member does for his constituency.
We in the west have a term which we apply seriously only to those for whom we have a strong and peculiar combination of love and respect. To us Bert Wood was and always will be remembered as an old-timer. I think the same thing could be said of Robert Fair. He too was an old-timer. There are not too many of them. It is a great tribute to them that we can think of them in these terms.
On behalf of my fellow members from Manitoba I should like to express to the families of both of these gentlemen the heartfelt sympathy which we feel and shall -continue to feel for them in their loss.


Mr. Daniel Mclvor (Fort William):: Mr. Speaker, I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without saying a brief word. I knew these two members as personal friends. Day in and day out we met. We were like kindred spirits. At the funeral service at Stonewall I was greatly pleased to see present so many members from both sides of the house and of the Senate. That fact told its own story.
I met Bob Fair on the first day he came into the house because I got to know that he was born not far from where I was born; and I knew that we did not have too many Christian Irishmen in the house. I found him to be kind and considerate. Like Mr. Wood, Mr. Fair played the game in the way that it ought to be played. Both men belonged to our bowling league. Both men gave of their best to win; but if they did not win, they were happy to congratulate the man who won. I cannot pay a better tribute to any human mortal than that which I am going to pay to these two fellow members when I say that I found them to be Christian gentlemen in practice.


Mr. C. E. Johnston (Bow River):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to pay a tribute to Robert Fair at this time. I knew him probably more intimately than I knew anyone else in this house. We both were elected in 1935. We came to this house together and we had been roommates every year since that time. For 19 years we roomed together. We were still more closely associated than that because, throughout that entire period, we were desk-mates here in this chamber except for part of one parliament.
I know Bob Fair to have had a very mild temperament. In our association we had to deal with problems which arose concerning all parts of the country. There was hardly an occasion on which a problem arose that we did not converse about it one with the other. There was hardly a problem that came before this house, and with which we were connected, that we did not discuss thoroughly in our office before we came down here to the chamber.
I think I can fairly say that everyone who knew him was aware of the fact that he was a confirmed supporter of the farmers of this country. Not only was he concerned about those who lived in his own constituency in his own province but he was concerned greatly about agricultural problems throughout this whole Dominion of Canada. All of us here in this house remember him as a staunch supporter of the old soldier settlers; and I think it will be agreed that had it not been for the persistence that Bob Fair showed in sponsoring the cause of the returned soldier, their condition might not be so good as it is. In fact, he was a staunch supporter of all those who found themselves in less fortunate circumstances than himself. Therefore I should like to express my sincerest sympathy at this time to his wife, Mrs. Fair, and to his two sons, Robin and Lester. I know them personally. They are going to miss him. I am going to miss him a great deal and I am sure that everyone who knew him will also miss him.
Along with the other members of the house, I should like to extend my sympathy on the passing of Bert Wood. I knew him very well. I knew him in sport, in our bowling league, where we became very well acquainted. I knew him as an intimate friend in connection with other phases of the work done by members of the House of Commons. I should like to take this opportunity to express my sympathy to his wife and family and to the government.



INTERNAL ECONOMY COMMISSION

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. Si. 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. James J. McCann, Minister of National Revenue, the Hon. S. S. Gar-son, Minister of Justice, the Hon. Hugues Lapointe, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and the Hon. W. E. Harris, Minister of Finance, to act with the Speaker of the House of Commons as commissioners for the purposes, and under the provisions of the one hundred and forty-third chapter of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1952, intituled: An act respecting the House of Commons.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: 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. Harris, Lapointe, Cassel-man, Knowles and Weir.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: That Edward T. Applewhaite, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Skeena, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.

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


[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
(Translation):
Mr. Yves Leduc (Verdun):: Mr. Speaker, at the opening of each sitting of this house you follow the pious tradition of praying the Almighty, the only Ruler of princes, to behold and favour our most gracious sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, and to replenish her with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
You also beseech Him to direct and prosper all our country's consultations as well as for the safety, honour and welfare of our sovereign so that all things may be so ordered
The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc and settled by these endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among us for all generations.
On this memorable occasion of my life, may I be permitted to make mine the text of that elevation of our soul and of our heart so that in what I have to say I may find in Him a source of inspiration worthy not only of the members of the house but also of the work to be done in the matter of good and truth.
At the outset of our deliberations, over which you are presiding ex officio, it is fitting for more than one reason that you should deign to accept my respectful and loyal tribute. Since the days of our youth, I have followed your successful achievements, and it is particularly gratifying for me today to offer you my public congratulations, and to proclaim your tact, your competence, your dignity, your devotion to duty, as well as your sense of justice in the fulfilment of your noble functions.
At the end of the year 1953, my predecessor, Mr. Paul Emile Cote, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Labour (Mr. Gregg), an active member of this house for some 14 years, was appointed to the bench as a puisne judge of the superior court at Montreal. His relatives, his friends and the citizens of Verdun applauded such an official and unequivocal recognition of the dignity of his life, of his probity, of his devotion to duty, of his competence, in a word, of the loyal services he had rendered to the citizens of Verdun and the people of this country.
This appointment proved to be the causa causans of my entry into public life after having practised law actively during more than 20 years.
On March 22 last, my Verdun constituents bestowed upon me the honour and grave responsibility of representing them in this parliament. I hope I will remain worthy of their trust and that I will, in turn, be of service to the Canadian community through devotion to work and study of national and international problems, under the competent direction of my elders and with the kindly co-operation of every member of this house. To them I extend thanks in advance while assuring them of my own willingness to co-operate.
The right hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent), no doubt desirous of honouring the constituency of Verdun and of expressing his indulgent confidence in one of his new colleagues-one who has had the pleasure and privilege of sitting here only for a few months-has asked me to move the address

The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc in reply to the speech from the throne. Tradition requiring that he should be thanked for this, it is with pleasure that I wish to discharge this pleasant duty. I should like to extend to him, at the beginning of this new year, the respectful and grateful good wishes of my constituents, for health, happiness and peace. And to these wishes I also desire to add my own. (Text):
Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity of offering to my dear French and English speaking colleagues, as well as to our assistants in this house my best wishes for a happy new year.
Upon resuming the sittings of this house we pause to deplore certain deaths and departures, and at the same time to take note of the arrival of new figures, some already known, but now covered with glory and greater responsibilities. The grim reaper has cut a swath in our ranks since the first session of this parliament. Even recently his fatal hand has torn two other public figures from the affections of their families, one the hon. member for Selkirk (Mr. Wood) and the other the Social Credit representative of the constituency of Battle River-Camrose (Mr. Fair). The former had sat in this house since 1949 and the latter since 1935, so they spent many years in the service of their fellow citizens and their country.
Time did not afford me the opportunity or the pleasure of knowing them intimately or even during the parliamentary debates, but I am aware of the warm memory which they have left in this house. To their respective families, to the leaders of their parties, to their friends and constituents, may I offer in the name of all those present our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy.
It is certainly a great satisfaction to those whose political careers are climaxed by appointments in other fields. However, those who remain find, with a mixture of joy and sadness, that their absence undoubtedly leaves a void. Three former cabinet members in this government are now exercising their talents in other fields. Undoubtedly, this is the result of official recognition of the numerous and eminent services they have rendered this nation. You have no doubt guessed by now that I am referring to the Hon. Brooke Claxton, who put aside the honours of his political activities to accept important responsibilities in the financial world, and to the Hon. D. C. Abbott, who has become a member of the highest court in the country, as well as to the Hon. Lionel Chevrier, president of the St. Lawrence seaway authority. To these three great servants of our country may I offer, in the name of all members of this 
house, additional congratulations to those expressed personally, and also our sincere wishes for their success. As we say on such occasions, ad multos et faustissimos annos.
(Translation):
On behalf of the French-Canadian population especially, I wish to call to mind the moving memories left in this house by the Hon. Lionel Chevrier. What a fine and distinguished personality! I have been in a position to appreciate his excellent formation, his moral and intellectual education, his transcendent talent, his high ability in the fields of politics, eloquence and management. How easy it was for him to state clearly and with urbanity the problems of his department, using one language and then the other as required, the way a ship goes from one port of call to another, from a near shore to a distant one! It is not surprising that the Prime Minister and his colleagues have deemed it advisable to channel his competence and his activities toward the very river along which he has exerted and will exert for a long time his beneficial influence.
But in parliament, as elsewhere, life goes on! In order to fill certain vacancies, the house has acquired new members, for instance my hon. friend and namesake, the member for Gatineau (Mr. Leduc) who is not unknown here; the member for Trinity (Mr. Carrick), who has the honour of seconding the motion for an address in reply to the speech from the throne; the member for Stormont (Mr. Lavigne); the member for St. Lawrence-St. George (Mr. Richardson) and, last but not least, the member for St. Antoine-Westmount (Mr. Marler), about whom I shall have something very special to say in a moment.
My hon, friends in the opposition will certainly appreciate my leaving them the chance to be the first to congratulate the new occupants of the seats that had become vacant through the death of some members. May I be permitted to associate myself with their respective leaders in their compliments. The opposition will not be satisfied with that however. They will very likely-it is their right-criticize the various bills and the other government measures they will be asked to consider. They will do so with more or less vehemence or assurance and always for constructive purposes if, as I hope their thoughts, their statements and their attitudes spring from courtesy, straightforwardness, integrity, and from a courage which can reach the level of pride. That is the best way to do something useful, and, according to Sir Richard Southwell, to be of good faith.
I would be angry with myself, Mr. Speaker, for not inviting the members of this house to commend the appointment to the cabinet

of my hon. colleague and friend, the member for Chambly-Rouville (Mr. Pinard) who, last summer, became a member of Her Majesty's privy council and Secretary of State. At the Montreal University law school, I had the opportunity to appreciate his good humour, his intellectual inquisitiveness, his zeal for work, his marked taste for arts and literature, his thirst for justice, and numerous other qualities. His great culture was soon to find expression in an eloquence not unworthy of Clemenceau himself. His oratorical triumphs are well known to all. Already officially recognized by Washington, they have just been acknowledged by Canada. I pray my hon. friend to accept anew our congratulations and wishes for a successful career.
Finally, the house is proud to welcome the new Minister of Transport (Mr. Marler). His long career as a notary and his concurrent participation in the administration of public affairs, as a member of the Montreal municipal council as well as of the Quebec legislative assembly, of which he was long a member and during the past few years leader of the opposition, have endowed him with the necessary experience, which augurs well for the Canadian nation. An untiring worker, whose courtesy has never defaulted, whose competence has often been hailed even by political opponents, in spite of their complex of superiority, the hon. member for St. Antoine-Westmount deserves our sincere congratulations and our warmest wishes for success on the federal scene.
In fact, I have today a unique occasion of drawing a parallel which may help foster Canadian unity. The province of Quebec has now the privilege of having in the federal parliament two political figures- and I shall not name any other-of different racial origins, well versed in law and having a wide experience in public administration, one of French origin, the right hon. the Prime Minister, and the other of English origin, the hon. Minister of Transport. Both of them speak with equal fluency the language of "fair France" and of "proud Albion". They have revealed themselves magnificent logicians, combining French dash and British coolness, both traits drawn at the very source of that duality of language and of different civilizations implanted in our country, and which constitute for the Canadian citizen a priceless asset, and, for our country, in the eyes of other international powers, an example likely to increase the power, prestige and cultural as well as economic maturity of the most beautiful country and the one which enjoys the greatest measure of freedom, our Canada.
The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc
May the example set by these two outstanding figures in this native land of ours be followed in all spheres of national activity.
The constituency of Verdun, which I have the honour to represent in this house and which I am required, by tradition, to extol, has a population of over 80,000 people, of which 47 per cent are of French origin and 47 per cent of English origin or, at least, English-speaking, the remaining six per cent belonging to various other racial groups.
The name Verdun comes from a part of France called the Ariege, and dates back to 1671, at least. Monsieur de Maisonneuve, before the arrival of the regiment of Carignan, had originally distributed lands in this district to eight freeholders, called by him Argoulets, who were, as a matter of fact, harquebusiers, musketeers, fusiliers, carbineers used as light infantry in fighting the Iroquois. In 1841 the Cote des Argoulets was called Riviere Saint-Pierre at times, and Verdun at others. With the adoption of its incorporating statutes it gradually and definitely became Verdun.
From a geographical point of view Verdun is bounded on the north and west by Montreal, on the south by Ville Lasalle and on the east by the St. Lawrence river, whose beauty is enhanced at that point by St. Paul island.
This electoral district, because of its proximity to the metropolis of Canada, is, on the whole, residential, commercial and industrial. There are, in Verdun, more than 1,200 corporations or private companies. Moreover, it has two hospitals, one Catholic, the other Protestant; it is sprinkled with beautiful churches most of which are under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, and with spacious, modern schools which are still insufficient to fill the educational needs of the school-age population.
What gives Verdun its charm, besides the moral and civic qualities of its citizens and the perfect understanding between the various language groups making up its population, are its parks, its playgrounds, its fine auditorium, its promenade of more than five miles along the river. I must not forget to mention its outdoor swimming pool, which is highly appreciated by the youth of Verdun and of the whole neighbourhood. This swimming pool is so modern that interprovincial or international swimming and diving competitions are held there annually and there is such a heavy attendance during the hot summer week ends that the courteous and civic-minded people of Verdun are satisfied with merely admiring a part of the population of Montreal.
10	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc
Verdun lacked only one important federal public service. It was a post office in line with the essential needs of its greatly increased population. Fortunately the Postmaster General (Mr. Cote) and the Minister of Public Works (Mr. Winters) have realized the urgency and the seriousness of the situation. Plans for extension of the post office are being prepared and carried out, and I would be remiss in my duty if I failed to thank them both for having lent a kind ear to my representations. May I voice the wish that this restoration of the Verdun post office may be worthy of the third French city in America, the fourteenth most important city in Canada, and that it may be extensive enough so that the people of Verdun may get a postal service beyond reproach.
Now, Mr. Speaker, if we glance at the modern history of our country, we can readily see that the right hon. the Prime Minister, the leader of the government, that efficient component of society whose duty it is to remove the obstacles which impede the progress of man towards his destiny and the pursuit of his ideal, has become famous for having held on to the course he had set for himself in the political creed which, in his first speech as a member of this house, he put in these words:
The right of men, rich and poor, to be treated as men; the right of men to make the laws by which they shall be governed; the right of men to work where they will at what they will; the right of womankind to the serenity and sanctity of the home; the right of children to play in safety under peaceful heavens; the right of old men and women to the tranquillity of their sunset; the right to speak the truth in our hearts; the right to worship, in our own way, the God in whom we believe.
Freedom and security; such is the motto of the good father in the managing of the affairs of the state, both internal and external.
The implementation of such a political program was to have considerable and beneficial effects within the nation and beyond the seas. Not only was the prime minister duly acclaimed during his world tour, but he saw with his own eyes the marked progress towards his objective: recognition by the other nations of the globe of our distinctive national identity, of the Canadian citizen's broadmindedness as well as of his wish to fraternize with his fellow men.
There is no reason, then, to be surprised that so many important personalities have visited Canada since the last parliamentary session. There have been, among others:


Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, whose perfect bilingualism delighted and moved her audience; the Duke of Edinburgh; the Duchess of Kent and her daughter Princess Alexandra; His Majesty Haile Selassie, King of Ethiopia; the venerable Sir Winston Churchill, prime minister of the United Kingdom; the dynamic prime minister of the council of the French Republic, Pierre Mendes-France; Mr. Shigeru Yoshida, prime minister of Japan; Sir John Kotelawala, premier of Ceylon; the Right Honourable and Lady Swinton; the Austrian chancellor, Julius Raab, whose justified aim it is to obtain his country's sovereignty and independence; and lastly, that eminent statesman and distinguished scholar, Dr. Radhakrishnan, vicepresident of India. Mr. Speaker, a politician's speech, be he the nation's head or a subordinate, should not be only "the adornment of his time, like a lovely lady". His words should be inspired by the social task to be achieved in the service of his people. For the natural tendency of man, in fact one of his permanent needs and ennobling aspirations, is the pursuit if not of perfect happiness, at least of comparative and lasting happiness. This vital instinct cannot be fulfilled without freedom, security, peace of mind and the minimum well-being essential to the development of his personality. Only in a state, or society, based on sound morals and on a legislation that has stood the test of actual experience will the honest citizen open his mind to truth and strengthen his will to serve the common weal. I scarcely need add that a sovereign country like ours will only keep its chances of progress and development if it can permanently enjoy the freedom, stability and national peace that are essential to the people.
That freedom, that security, that moral and economic stability, that national peace, we already have and our government is bending every effort to strengthen them. One has merely to point out the achievements, with far-reaching social and humanitarian effects, brought about during and after the last session of this parliament and about which I would like to say a few words if, by doing so, Mr. Speaker, I do not try your patience and that of our colleagues.
"Laws", said Ozanam, "are the soul of the land." The soul and action of the social legislation enacted by this government are proof of its desire that the science of government should become "the science of peace" and of the harmonious state.
Everyone remembers the amendments made last March to the National Housing Act in order to allow the chartered banks and

the savings banks of the province of Quebec to grant mortgage loans for the construction of houses. That new legislation does away, moreover, with the joint loans, replacing them by a system of insured mortgages through which the approved lender provides the whole amount instead of 75 per cent. Also, the maximum loan has been raised and the period of amortization lengthened from 20 to 25 years.
In this same field, we must applaud the conclusion of federal-provincial agreements with seven of the ten provinces, the greatest number of such agreements being with the province of Ontario where, according to a statement made in December last by the hon. Minister of Public Works, a large scale program of slum clearance and reconstruction has helped to change the face of Toronto. May Montreal follow that example and take advantage of that beneficent co-operation in order to overcome its problem of insufficient housing and overpopulated dwellings and to promote the disappearance of that social evil, the slum.
Another measure which has been comforting to many people is the act which has been adopted to help disabled persons and which came into effect on New Year's day. The governments of all provinces have announced their intention to sign an agreement with the federal government in order to improve the lot of this group of unfortunate people. That is another step toward greater cooperation between the federal government and that of my province, and I congratulate both of them. In this connection, it is a very pleasant duty for me to thank the Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin) and my excellent old friend, the member for Terrebonne (Mr. Bertrand), for the manner in which they upheld that noble and sympathetic cause.
The house has without doubt learned with marked rejoicing some time ago that during the present session the government intends to help more extensively our veterans through an amendment to the law respecting their allowances and to show a deeper understanding for one of the most unfortunate groups of our society, the blind, in lowering the age at which the allowance is granted and increasing the maximum provided by the act.
With no mental reservation and with no intention to link these last statements with the problem of federal-provincial relations in the matter of taxation, I should be remiss in my duty if I did not express the hope that light may be thrown on the way to a fair settlement that would bring satisfac-50433-2J
The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc tion to the taxpayers of the province of Quebec as well as to those of the other provinces.
The virtue of charity is not practised only within the borders of the nation. The Canadian government endeavours also to extend it to the international field. In fact, the Canadian contribution to the Colombo plan is intended mainly to help the economic and social improvement of the countries of south and southeast Asia.
To provide these countries with the means of improving and increasing their industrial and agricultural production, of extending their public and social services, of improving their administrative system by supplying them with materials, equipment, technicians, experts and administrators not only constitutes an undertaking of mutual assistance from which our country is the first to benefit in large measure but at the same time, if I am not mistaken, promotes the ideal of the free and democratic countries and increases their cohesive force.
Before concluding my remarks, I do feel compelled to mention the gigantic project undertaken recently, namely the deepening of the St. Lawrence seaway. There is no doubt that this 1,200-mile long seaway will greatly contribute to the economic development of our country. This happy undertaking, like other large public works which the government proposes to undertake, will stimulate industry, business and employment of labour. As a result of the building of canals, locks and even the development of power, our economic development will be much more rapid and unemployment will thereby come to an end. It will then be possible to ship, quickly and economically, to plants in the centre of the continent, millions of tons of ore mined in eastern Canada; it will be easier to move our wheat reserves to the various markets of the world, while decreasing the handling and shipping charges towards the east. The people of Montreal, Verdun and the surrounding communities will rejoice at the increase in business and activity in the harbour of our metropolis; it is said that this harbour will become an even more important link between ocean-going vessels and ships plying the great lakes.
The speech from the throne delivered by the governor general, which announces the introduction of certain bills, reflects the altruism of this government and its concern for its sister nations, the general economy of this country and the needs of all classes of our population. The amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act will certainly help those who might not be able to find em-
12	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. Y. Leduc ployment during the winter, and I hope that the benefits will be commensurate to the number of people in the same family, without abuse.
In this respect and, also, in respect to other measures mentioned in the speech from the throne, we may expect some lively debates, but I am confident that the members of this house will show no mercy to false principles and will devote all their efforts to the defence of the sound ones.
The philosophy of laws advises the legislator to recognize the immutable principles based on truth, justice and charity for the common good. These principles must be applied not only in the family, that basic element of our social structure, but also by the state, and even by a community of states. That is why it is wise and desirable for each and every one of us, in public or private life, to see to it that our individual or collective acts are perfected through our attitude and our conduct. The union of the members of our Canadian family will thus be made easier and more efficient. And the same holds true of the various peoples with whom these modern inventions keep us in daily and permanent contact.
Is this not, Mr. Speaker, the surest way to make this Canada of ours a mighty nation? Yes, mighty through the duality of its languages, its cultural heritage and its respect for its traditions. Ours will be a mighty nation since we shall have retained the courage of the pioneer who takes pride in sowing the grain and handling the tools. It will be a mighty nation since, in the light of the directions left for us by the makers of this confederation, we have bad the wisdom to institute a healthy and efficient parliamentary system. It will be mighty too through peacetime labour and the sacrifices of two wars, since we have ceased to be as lowly ivy grafted to the trunks of other and more powerful nations to become a noble oak in our own right, a mighty nation, then, since, in the words of my father: "Canada has grown at the call of its own summit and will climb high along the road to the great destinies envisioned by the fathers of Canadian confederation."
For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, seconded by the hon. member for Trinity (Mr. Carrick), I have the honour to move:
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:
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.
(Text):


Mr. Donald D. Carrick (Trinity):: Mr. Speaker, in seconding the address in reply to the speech from the throne I should like to congratulate the hon. member for Verdun (Mr. Leduc) upon the very excellent address he has just delivered. He has demonstrated that his reputation as an able speaker is well merited.
May I also thank the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the cabinet for the honour they have conferred upon the people of Trinity which I represent and upon myself by inviting me to second this motion.
It is a pity that the rules of the house do not permit hon. members to hear at this time the other recently elected members on this side of the house. I am sure they could discharge my pleasant task a good deal more ably than I can. However, hon. members will have the pleasure of hearing from them later on and no doubt it is a good idea to save some of the best things for the last.
My presence here as the member for Trinity will recall to the minds of some of you the late member for that constituency, Lionel Conacher. Lionel will be greatly missed in this house. He was most popular and had a strong feeling of affection for his fellow men. Many of us can recall watching Lionel when he was at the height of his athletic career distinguish himself in one of his many lines of athletic endeavour. What we admired was not so much the success he attained as the spirit and courage behind it. Lionel never quit in anything he did, and when he passed from our presence he was still giving the best that was in him.
When I think of the great men and women who have served this house in the past and their successors present at this time I am deeply conscious of the great honour it is to participate in this great work. A person not familiar with our parliamentary system and not realizing that it contemplates differences of opinion might be somewhat surprised at the sparks, not to use a stronger word, Which sometimes fly from the pages of Hansard, but anyone familiar with our system knows that no matter how hon. members may differ in the means of attaining it, the object desired by all is the welfare of Canada.
The hon. member for Verdun has dealt so ably with general economic conditions in

Canada and certain internal matters that it would be presumptuous on my part to add anything to what he has said, but there are a few matters in the external field to which I should like to refer briefly.
The speech from the throne says that parliament will be asked for its continued support of the Colombo plan. Hon. members will recall that it was a .mixture of political, humanitarian and economic considerations that prompted Canada along with the other participants to embark upon the Colombo plan in 1950. The original members of the plan, the British commonwealth countries and the federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak, were joined by the United States in 1951.
The countries benefiting by the plan occupy one-sixth of the world's land area in south and southeast Asia and comprise about one-quarter of the world's population. The essential object is to help those countries to help themselves by furnishing to them economic aid and technical assistance which they can integrate with their own national programs. To date Canada has made available under the plan $120 million, as well as $5 million in the form of a special grant of wheat at a time of emergency, for which counterpart funds have been created for agreed development purposes. From Canada the recipients to date of both capital aid and technical assistance have been India, Pakistan and Ceylon, while some other countries have received a limited amount of technical assistance.
This year it is proposed to ask parliament to appropriate $26-4 million for the plan, which is $1 million over the appropriation for the current year. The $1 million increase will be used to increase technical assistance and to explore projects worthy of future development. Where projects of this kind are involved there is no question about the support being continued. It is only a question of the maximum this country can afford to provide in view of the difficulty of raising funds and the other pressing demands for expenditure.
The speech from the throne refers to certain responsibilities that are being assumed in Indo-China. Hon. members will recall that at the Geneva conference last year a ceasefire and armistice agreement was brought about. Subsequently Canada, together with India and Poland, was asked to appoint representatives to international commissions for Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam. With a full recognition of the complexity and magnitude
The Address-Mr. Carrick of the tasks involved the Canadian government consented to do this as a contribution to peace in east Asia.
At the present time the commissions are engaged in the military phase of the armistice. Elections are called for in 1956 in Viet Nam, which will elect an all-Viet Nam government, and Canadian services cannot be fully performed until after that date. At the present time there are about 160 Canadian personnel, both military and civil, in the area. These obligations involve financial burdens which Canada is only too glad to assume in pursuance of its policy to promote peace anywhere and at any time.
Reference has also been made in the speech from the throne to the Paris pacts which will come before the house for consideration involving the restoration of sovereignty to West Germany along with limited rearmament. Hon. members will recall that it was sought to bring West Germany into the western collective security system through the medium of the European defence community. The EDC treaty failed of ratification before the French assembly in August of last year. The possibility of the French assembly refusing to ratify the EDC treaty had been foreseen and alternative plans were laid before it came up in the French house, which were consummated in the form of the Paris agreements in October.
The proposal to rearm Germany has caused great concern in the minds of many people. They have not forgotten that Germany has plunged the world into two wars within our generation, and they are asking themselves whether the rearmament of Germany forebodes the revival of the nazi mentality with its theories of racial superiority, militarism, genocide, the concentration camp, and the gas chamber. These are misgivings that any reasonable person might feel.
The problem, however, has to be faced as to what is going to be done with Germany. It must be abundantly clear, at least for the time being, that it is not possible to reach any agreement with Russia. Deadlock was reached in the two conferences of the foreign ministers held in Berlin in 1949 and 1954, and it would appear at the present time that the western powers are obliged to proceed without any agreement with Russia.
The proposal is to restore sovereignty to Germany and to authorize Germany to have a maximum armed force of 500,000 men. This force will be combined with the armed forces of the western countries. A limit is to be placed upon the war potential of western Germany and an agency is to be set up to
14	HOUSE OF
The Address-Mr. Carrick supervise the limitation placed upon the size of the armed forces and the war potential. Hon. members will await with keen interest the explanation to be given for these developments by the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson) who has done so much for the cause of peace and security in the free world.
Canada has continued its quest for peace through the United Nations. There has probably been no field in which it has been more difficult to reach agreement than in that of disarmament. Russia's intransigence is well known to all hon. members. However, a notable event took place last August when agreement was reached among Canada, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and the Soviet union to co-sponsor a disarmament resolution in the general assembly of the United Nations. No small part of the credit for this achievement is due to the Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin), in his capacity as vice-chairman of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations. He initiated the resolution and negotiated it through to its conclusion. The resolution, of course, did not solve any of the substantive problems of disarmament, but it did remove what appeared to be an immovable roadblock in the way of further negotiations and discussions on disarmament.
I would now like to make a brief reference to the riding which I represent, Toronto Trinity. There are many things I would like to tell hon. members about my riding but I will keep my remarks very brief in order to fit into the plan of abbreviating the proceedings at the opening of parliament.
The predominant feature of Trinity riding is the mixture of races and peoples living within its boundaries. Up to about 20 years ago the population was composed largely of British families, with a substantial Jewish population, but great changes have taken place in the last 20 years. The main causes for these changes were the upheavals caused by Germany and Russia. People have come from every country in Europe to escape the persecution and mass destruction of the Germans and the tyranny and enslavement of the Russians. They have also come to Trinity riding from some of the free countries of western Europe, hoping to find in Canada economic opportunities and security which they could not find in their own land.


Housing is a pressing problem for the people of Trinity riding. There are, I regret to say, slum conditions and overcrowding, and what this house does on the question of housing will be of vital importance to my constituents.
Full employment is also a matter of considerable importance. Many people in my riding have not been able to put money aside for a period of unemployment. Many of them are newcomers. Though there is a certain amount of seasonal unemployment, it appears to be aggravated to some extent by general conditions. Unemployment insurance has taken care of physical needs, but it is to be hoped that if a person is unemployed through no fault of his own and is unable to receive unemployment insurance, some means will be found to see that neither he nor his dependents are left destitute.
Immigration is also a matter of great concern to the people in my riding. Many have come from the darkness behind the iron curtain into the light in Canada. Others have come from overcrowded countries in Europe. These people are good Canadians with a profound love for Canada. They have not, however, forgotten their loved ones, relatives and friends in the countries of their origin, and their greatest hope is that some day these people may be allowed to come to Canada to breathe the air of freedom and hope.
As indicated in the speech from the throne, parliament will soon be grappling with the tangled problems of welfare benefits, old age pensions, and war pensions, all of which are of great concern to the people in my riding. In addition to the older folk in their own homes, there are three institutions in Toronto Trinity which house about 1,000 people, dependent entirely upon old age or war pensions. Every hon. member in this house is in favour of increasing these pensions if only a way can be found to do so, and the money somehow obtained.
It has been an enriching spiritual experience to represent Trinity riding. On the Sabbath one sees Roman Catholics, Jews and Protestants going to their own churches to worship God in their own way, seeking guidance to live better lives and bear the trials and burdens of the day. One sees men and women of different ethnic groups mingling on terms of tolerance and friendship. The newcomers to Canada are developing a great love

for Canada and are making their contribution to those ideals of affection, understanding, and tolerance which inspire most Canadians.
At this juncture, Mr. Speaker, I would like to formally second the resolution submitted by the hon. member for Verdun (Mr. Leduc), but before concluding I would like to make a few remarks with reference to the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent). All history testifies to the profound influence individuals exercise over human affairs. When the history of the last few years has been written, it will record with gratitude the contribution of wisdom and foresight made to Canada by the Prime Minister.
The Address-Mr. Carrie!c Whether he is at home or abroad in the countries of the world Canadians are proud that Canada has been able to produce a man like him. We value his Christian character, his courtesy, and his wisdom. We rejoice that he is with us in good health and good spirits. May the good Lord preserve him for many years to guide our deliberations.
On motion of Mr. Rowe the debate was adjourned.


Mr. Harris:: I move that the house do now adjourn until Monday at 2.30 p.m.
Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 4.41 p.m.

Monday, January 10, 1955