1957-10-15

MAIN ESTIMATES, 1957-58

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting supplementary estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting further supplementary estimates (1) for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting further supplementary estimates (2) for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance):: If the house will permit, perhaps it would be of interest if I were to make a brief statement indicating the nature of the estimates which have been tabled today.
Four sets of estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1958 have been tabled today. The first three of these are the same main, supplementary and further supplementary estimates as were tabled in the House of Commons during the last session of parliament. Except for the items for the Post 96698-24
Office Department these estimates were not finally dealt with during that session. In fact, only seven-twelfths of most of the items in these estimates, or enough to carry the services through to the end of October, were granted.
Since the programs provided for in these estimates were already well advanced when the new government took office, and to avoid the expenditure of a further $20,000 for revising and reprinting them, retabling the existing estimates is considered to be the most reasonable course of action to take under the circumstances. However, this is not to say that the present government will support all of the detailed programs contemplated when those estimates were originally prepared. Rather, such changes as this government proposes to make in the current year programs will be brought to parliament's attention when the individual items affected are being considered by the committee of supply.
The further supplementary estimates which have been tabled for the first time today provide mainly for the general revision of civil service salaries effective May 1, 1957, $31.2 million; a further grant toward the anticipated operating deficit of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, $8.1 million; and expenses in connection with the maintenance of immigrants in Canada, $8.8 million. The other items in these estimates are less sizeable and are generally of the type which it is usual to include in mid-year supplementary estimates. The total estimates, which for the reasons I have indicated I shall describe as gross estimates, for the current year 1957-58 tabled to date amount to $5,597,316,555, including old age security payments which are made from the old age security fund, and loans, investments and advances.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.


Mr. Daniel Mclvor (Fort William):: Mr. Speaker, with your permission may I rise on a question of privilege and congratulate the man who was chosen for the award of the Nobel peace prize. He has shown himself to be a man of courage, initiative, kindness and courtesy. I cannot describe him better than in the words of that great people's poet: A man's a man for a' that.

Nobel Peace Prize-Mr. Pearson


Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):: Mr. Speaker, I had intended to wait until the opportunity came, but my hon. friend has preceded me and all I can do is say that I intended to rise for the purpose of saying that the recognition of the achievements of those who are politically opposed is not incompatible with my concept of parliamentary life. It is one of the joys of our system of parliamentary government, indeed it is of the essence for its preservation, that members in our parliaments, regardless of the differences that separate them, remain Canadians first.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


John George Diefenbaker: I want to say that the announcement yesterday of the award of the Nobel prize to one who has been a political opponent but a personal friend is a tribute to him and an honour to Canada. The award of the Nobel prize for peace has come to certain people on this continent on a number of previous occasions and the naming of those who have received that award is evidence of their respective contributions to the laying of those foundations and to the doing of those things which are necessary for the preservation of the achievement of that ideal of world peace which after all is the dominating motive of all of us in the free world.
Among those who have received the award is Elihu Root, a long-time secretary of state of the United States and a great lawyer whose contribution to peace played its part in the building of a system of international law applicable to the nations of the world, in a like manner that the law binds each and every one of us equally under the British system of government and of law.
Another who received the award was a former president of the United States, Mr. Woodrow Wilson, who in his day and generation dreamed dreams and hoped hopes that, while they were not achieved in his day nor have they been since, nonetheless were landmarks of advancement in the preservation and maintenance of those things from which peace can be built.
Then another was the Hon. Frank Kellogg, also a secretary of the United States, who in 1926 advanced, along with Mr. Briand of France, a pact which in his day was believed to have achieved peace for all generations.
These three have been the predecessors in North America of my hon. friend as holders of the award for peace by the Nobel foundation. The award to the hon. member is one, as I said in the beginning, that brings honour to him and it is with the warmest of good

feelings and the most sincere of good wishes that I congratulate him on the honour that has come to him.


Some hon. Members:: Hear, hear.


Hon. L. B. Pearson (Algoma East):: Mr. Speaker, I have quite literally lost my voice from saying thank you yesterday and today, but I think I have enough left to express my grateful appreciation of the words of the hon. and venerable member for Fort William (Mr. Mclvor) and for the very kind, indeed very generous, words of the Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker). I realize, as I have already said outside this house, that the consideration which must have governed the committee in making this award to me revolved around the fact that I was the representative of Canada at the United Nations and other international meetings where so many of us were doing our best for peace and security in this troubled world.
I know that in that sense I have had very special opportunities because of my position. I know also that I would not have been able to have made the most of those opportunities had it not been for the support which I felt that in the main I was receiving from the Canadian people; the support in the main of this house in the objects we were pursuing and, perhaps I may say, without impropriety, the friendship, advice and leadership which I always received from my leader in the work I was trying to do.
In this sense the award was a Canadian award, and I am very proud indeed to have been the particular Canadian chosen through force of happy circumstances to receive it.



THE CANADIAN ECONOMY


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, by leave of the house I would like to make an announcement at this time, and to say that the governor in council today established a royal commission to inquire into and to make recommendations concerning a number of matters relating to energy and sources of energy that fall within the jurisdiction of parliament.
The commission is to be composed of Mr. Henry Borden, Q.C., of Toronto; Mr. J. Louis Levesque, Montreal; Mr. George Britnell of Saskatoon; Mr. Gordon Cushing of Ottawa; Mr. Robert Howland of Halifax, and Mr. Leon Ladner of Vancouver.
I will say no more regarding this matter than this: Mr. Borden is known in all parts of Canada; Mr. Levesque is a financier in Montreal who is well known, not only in his

own province but throughout our country; Mr. George Britnell is a professor of economics in the University of Saskatchewan and has participated in a number of royal commissions; Mr. Gordon Cushing is executive vice president of the Canadian Labour Congress; Mr. Howland of Halifax is an economist; and Mr. Leon Ladner, a former member of this house during the period 1926 to 1930, is a businessman in addition to being a lawyer.
The details of the terms of reference of the commissioners may be of some interest to the house, and with the leave of hon. members I would like to put them on record by reading them now. The commissioners are empowered to inquire into and make recommendations concerning:
(a)	the policies which will best serve the national interest in relation to the export of energy and sources of energy from Canada;
(b)	the problems involved in, and the policies which ought to be applied to, the regulation of the transmission of oil and natural gas between provinces or from Canada to another country, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the regulation of prices or rates to be charged or paid, the financial structure and control of pipe line corporations in relation to the setting of proper prices or charges, and all such other matters as it is necessary to inquire into and report upon, in order to ensure the efficient and economical operation of pipe lines in the national interest:
(c)	the extent of authority that might best be conferred on a national energy board to administer, subject to the control and authority of parliament, such aspects of energy policy coming within the jurisdiction of parliament, as it may be desirable to entrust to such a board, together with the character of administration and procedure that might best be established for such a board:
(d)	whether, in view of its special relationship to the Northern Ontario Pipe Line Crown Corporation and the nature of its financing and control, any special measures need be taken in relation to Trans-Canada Pipe Lines Limited, in order to safeguard the interests of Canadian producers or consumers of gas; and
(e)	such other related matters as the commissioners consider it necessary to include in reporting upon the powers that I have already specified.
There is a special clause in the order in council appointing a commission to ensure that the establishment of it and the conduct of its inquiries shall not in any way delay the negotiations relating to waters crossing the international boundary.
As I am sure there will be widespread interest in this matter I ask leave to table two copies of the order in council.

On the orders of the day:


Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):: Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Prime Minister and it is not for the purpose of giving him further exercise, because he
Inquiries of the Ministry has had plenty today. In my judgment a very serious omission has occurred in the naming of the members of the royal commission announced by the Prime Minister today. In view of the fact that a very large percentage of Canada's known reserves of coal, gas and oil are to be found in the province of Alberta I wonder why the Prime Minister, in naming this royal commission to investigate the whole field of energy and recommend policies, did not include a member from the province of Alberta.


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, we endeavoured to have representation on a regional basis and we felt that Mr. Britnell, with his knowledge of the subject, would represent not only Saskatchewan and Alberta but all the provinces of Canada. There is no omission that I know of that could have been rectified whereby all of the provinces with resources could have been included. I recognize the vast resources of Alberta and I feel that in the hands of Mr. Britnell all of the considerations that my hon. friend has in mind will receive the closest of attention from the commission.



EFFECT ON SALE OF URANIUM OXIDE TO WEST GERMANY

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Stanley Haidasz (Trinity):: Does the
establishment of the royal commission on energy cancel the deal of the Canadian government to sell uranium oxide to West Germany?
Right	Hon.	J.	G.	Diefenbaker	(Prime
Minister): The appointment of the royal commission cancels nothing.



APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE

[Stage Direction]
Right	Hon.	J.	G.	Diefenbaker	(Prime
Minister) moved:
That Arza Clair Casselman, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Grenville-Dundas, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.
Mr. Benidickson:: Does he know about it
now?


Mr. Gauthier (Portneuf):: Does he accept
now?


Some hon. Members:: Agreed.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
[Stage Direction]
Inquiries of the Ministry

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Colin Cameron (Nanaimo):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Defence. Can the minister tell us when he will be moving for the establishment of that special committee to examine defence estimates of which he was such an able advocate before dissolution?


Hon. G. R. Pearkes (Minister of National Defence):: The government will be very
pleased to announce its policy in that respect in due course.



TRANS-CANADA AIR LINES KAPUSKASING    INQUIRY AS TO ABANDONMENT OF SERVICE

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. J. A. Habel (Cochrane):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Has the minister approved an application by Trans-Canada Air Lines for permission to abandon the service to Kapuskasing, and does the minister approve of Canada's national air line abandoning a service of this kind merely because the service may be unprofitable?


Hon. George H. Hees (Minister of Transport):: Mr. Speaker, the application to discontinue that service has been presented to the air transport board and is under consideration at the present time.


Hon. George C. Marler (St. Antoine-West-mount):: May I direct a supplementary question .to the minister? Has the application by Trans-Canada Air Lines been made with the approval of the minister?


George Harris Hees: As the former minister knows, an application of that kind does not need to be made with the approval of the minister.



HEALTH INSURANCE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Hon. Paul Martin (Essex East):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask a question of the Prime Minister. Normally this question would be directed to the Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Monteith) but as this question is one that arises out of the speech from the throne I think the right hon. gentleman will agree it should be addressed to him.
[Mr. Gauthier (Portneuf) .1

Is the omission from the speech from the throne of the slightest reference to hospital insurance to be construed as an indication that the government has abandoned this program which has won such wide acceptance throughout Canada?


John George Diefenbaker: My answer will be somewhat shorter than the voluminous answers that we used to receive from the former minister of national health and welfare. My answer is a simple negative; no.


Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):: May I direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare with respect to this same subject. Can the minister inform the house whether agreements have been signed between any of the provinces and the federal government under the hospital insurance act and, if so, which provinces have signed agreements?


Hon. J. W. Monteith (Minister of National Health and Welfare):: Mr. Speaker, six provinces have indicated that they are going to come into the national health insurance plan. They are British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland.


Stanley Howard Knowles: Have any of them signed agreements or has the government made any effort to get them to sign agreements?


Jay Waldo Monteith: No agreements have as yet been signed.



BASE METALS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. J. A. Byrne (Kootenay East):: I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. Several weeks ago the Prime Minister received a delegation from the mine, mill and smelter workers of Canada -


Some hon. Members:: Question.


James Allen (Jim) Byrne: -requesting that the government take into consideration-


Some hon. Members:: Question.


James Allen (Jim) Byrne: -the setting of a floor price on base metals. Has the Prime Minister given consideration to this matter, and is he prepared to make an announcement soon?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, this is a rather big subject to deal with in a simple answer, but may I say that at the time the delegation met the government there was a very serious

threat that the United States intended to impose very high tariffs against the importation into the United States of the metals to which the hon. member has referred. That expected action did not culminate in any way in legislative approval by congress.
Until the matter has been considered further by congress and there is any indication that action will be taken by the United States, there is little more that can be done at this time. The whole question of these two metals was discussed on a number of occasions with representatives of the United States, and when anything of a definite nature is available it will be brought to the attention of the house immediately.


James Allen (Jim) Byrne: May I ask a supplementary question respecting base metal prices? The miners' union made their request based on the present prices of metals-


Some hon. Members:: Question, question.


James Allen (Jim) Byrne: -and is the Prime Minister considering stockpiling and putting a floor price under base metals in Canada?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, that again is a question of government policy to be made known in due course.



PENSIONS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Henry Murphy (Westmorland):: I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Has the government given consideration to increasing the pensions of retired employees of the Canadian National Railways?


John George Diefenbaker: You forgot about that for a little while.


George Harris Hees: Matters of that kind are always of great interest to this government-


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh.


George Harris Hees: -and whenever the government has any information regarding the matter to give to the house it will be done in the proper form and in the proper manner.



REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN PENSIONS OF SUPERANNUATED FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANTS

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Daniel (Dan) McIvor: I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Finance. Will he give any consideration this
Inquiries of the Ministry year to increasing the pensions of retired civil servants, inasmuch as he supported my resolution last year?


Donald Methuen Fleming: Mr. Speaker, that matter is under consideration and has been for a long time. I think my hon. friend is aware that other pension increases are indicated in the speech from the throne.


Daniel (Dan) McIvor: Thank you.



INQUIRY AS TO EFFECTIVE DATE OF FORECAST INCREASES

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Stanley Howard Knowles: Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. Can he tell the house what is to be the effective date of the old age and other pension increases forecast in the speech from the throne?


Jay Waldo Monteith: Mr. Speaker, that matter naturally will be considered at the time the bill is being presented to the house, which we trust, of course, will be soon.


Stanley Howard Knowles: May
I ask a supplementary question. In view of the fact that the provision for $46 a month runs out at the end of this month unless further interim supply is provided, can the minister say whether the new rate will be effective November 1?


Jay Waldo Monteith: Mr. Speaker, I think my previous answer covered the situation.


Stanley Howard Knowles: Oh
no.



SHIPPING


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Laurier):: May I ask
the Prime Minister a question. Can he tell us when the report of the royal commission on coastal shipping will be handed down?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, I cannot right offhand. I will make inquiries and at the next sitting of the house I will give an answer to my hon. friend.

Inquiries of the Ministry AGRICULTURE



REQUEST FOR ROYAL COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE PRICE SPREADS

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. H. R. Argue (Assiniboia):: I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. Has the government under consideration the establishment of a royal commission to inquire into the great spread between the low prices paid to producers of agricultural products and the high retail prices charged consumers?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, I could answer that question in the usual way and say it is a matter of government policy, but I may say to my hon. friend that the government has given immediate consideration to this most serious and difficult problem, one respecting which I for one have spoken on a number of occasions of the need of something being done to investigate this spread. Within a very few days an announcement will be made in this regard, the matter having been decided some two or three weeks ago.



REQUEST FOR ADVANCE PAYMENTS ON FARM-STORED GRAIN

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. William Bryce (Selkirk):: I should like to address a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. When can prairie farmers expect to receive advance payments on grain stored on farm?


Hon. Gordon Churchill (Minister of Trade and Commerce):: Mr. Speaker, I am glad to see the hon. member's interest in this subject. Just as soon as the house is prepared to consider the legislation indicated in the speech from the throne we will proceed with the matter, and I hope the legislation will meet with his approval.



WHEAT-REQUEST FOR INTERIM PAYMENT ON

[Stage Direction]
1956-57 crop
On the orders of the day:
Hazen Robert Argue: Mr. Speaker, I should like to address a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. As a further means of alleviating the extremely critical cash shortage on the prairies today to which the Prime Minister has referred, will the minister be able to announce shortly an interim payment on the 1956-57 wheat crop? Is the government considering the request of the wheat pools that an advance payment be made at this time?


Gordon Minto Churchill: Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. May I say that the matter will be taken under consideration.



HEALTH AND WELFARE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. W. L. Houck (Niagara Falls):: May I
ask the Minister of National Health and Welfare what I think is a very important question. Indeed, it is of importance to all members of the house as well as the people of the country generally. Before doing so, may I be allowed to congratulate him upon his elevation to a very important portfolio. This, Mr. Speaker, is my question. Has the government taken any further steps to prevent, if possible, the spread of the Asiatic flu germ which is causing so much inconvenience and distress to all the people of the dominion?


Jay Waldo Monteith: Mr. Speaker, first may I express my appreciation to the hon. member for his kind words concerning my elevation to the cabinet. May I also thank the hon. member for having given me notice a short time ago of his intention to ask this question.
With vaccine being produced in increasing quantities, provincial programs of vaccination are now under way. However, due to the early arrival of influenza in epidemic proportions in some provinces and the expectation that it might subside in a matter of a few weeks, most provinces have indicated their reluctance to make any commitment for vaccine beyond November 15.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the federal-provincial immunization program it has been possible, through the co-operation of the laboratories and the two senior levels of government, to provide facilities for the production of increasingly large quantities of vaccine which will be made available through the usual channels to the medical profession for protection of those not included in provincial programs.



IMMIGRATION


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. H. W. Herridge (Koolenay West):: As
a prelude to my normal sessional curiosity I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Justice. Since no person with a criminal record can legally enter Canada, does this prohibition apply to war criminals?


Hon. E. D. Fullon (Minister of Justice):: understand the hon. member to ask me whether the prohibition applies to war criminals. I should like to thank the hon. member for his courtesy in giving me notice of his intention to ask this question.
In reply, I think I must say that the words referred to in the Immigration Act are technical words and used in a technical sense, and as the words "war criminals" do not have a precise meaning it is not possible to give a categorical answer to the question. All I can say is that each case would have to be dealt with on an individual basis.



FINANCE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. E. G. Hansell (Macleod):: May I direct a question to the Prime Minister or the leader of the house. Would the government initiate a move to have a special parliamentary committee or even the banking and commerce committee meet to pursue a study of the reasons for the inflationary trend and the continued increase in the cost of living?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, this government, as always, will give consideration to anything for the benefit of the Canadian people.


Mr. Harold E. Winch (Vancouver East):: desire to direct a question to the Prime Minister. I am sorry I was not able to give him notice. I should like to ask him, what is the difference between the attitude of the majority of your members now as compared to the attitude shown by the previous government and to which your members strenuously objected?


John George Diefenbaker: It is not a question of attitude; it is a question of parliamentary rights.


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh.


Harold Edward Winch: As a supplementary question, may I ask the Prime Minister if he does not find there is a difference when the shoe is on the other foot?



INQUIRY AS TO CHANGE IN PREVIOUS MONETARY POLICY

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Colin Cameron: Can the
Minister of Finance tell us if his government is prepared or is proposing to change the so-called tight money policy of the previous Liberal government?
Inquiries of the Ministry


Donald Methuen Fleming: Mr. Speaker, if there is any statement to be made on that subject I can assure my hon. friend it will be made to the house at the proper time. However, I may recall to my hon. friend's mind the fact that some five weeks ago this government made the sum of $150 million available for loans on mortgages to stimulate the construction of houses under the National Housing Act.


Mr. Lesage:: It was provided in the estimates.


Donald Methuen Fleming: It was not provided in the estimates. I just heard a mistaken interruption from the hon. member for Mont-magny-L'Islet. This $150 million, which seems to confuse my hon. friend, was not in the estimates, but was provided under the statute. It was not in the estimates, and the government in accordance with the provisions of the act in question, which is the National Housing Act, made the money available, by means of which it is hoped to stimulate house construction in the fall and winter months.


Mr. Pickersgill:: May I ask a supplementary question?


Mr. Speaker:: The hon. member for
Nanaimo.


Colin Cameron: Does the minister consider that the $150 million provided for the construction of houses is in effect an amendment or reversal of the provisions of the government's tight money policy, and if so would he explain to the house of what that policy consisted?


Donald Methuen Fleming: Far be it from me to undertake to explain the policies of the last government.


John Whitney Pickersgill: I have a supplementary question to the question asked by the hon. member for Nanaimo. Is the Minister of Finance telling us now he is repudiating the statement he made to the Canadian Press after the election?


Donald Methuen Fleming: I have never repudiated any statement in my life, and I do not intend to start now. I commend that example to my hon. friend.



CHIGNECTO


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Henry Joseph Murphy: I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. To what persons has the government

Inquiries of the Ministry entrusted the task of investigating the feasibility of the Chignecto canal? This was promised in Saint John, New Brunswick, by the Prime Minister on May 3.


George Harris Hees: Mr. Speaker, a number of transport and allied problems are now under consideration by my department, and at such time as there are any announcements to be made to this house concerning those studies, they will be made.



HUMAN RIGHTS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Alistair Stewart (Winnipeg North):: should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. When does the Prime Minister intend to introduce legislation to provide a bill of rights for Canadians?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, the matter is receiving the earnest consideration of the Department of Justice, who are looking into it in order to bring together in proper alliance all the necessary questions which must be considered before such a bill will be introduced or could be introduced.



REQUEST FOR STATEMENT ON RECENT CONFERENCES WITH UNITED KINGDOM

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Paul Joseph James Martin: I wonder
if the Minister of Finance could tell us when we may expect to hear or receive details of the recent proposal made by Her Majesty's government in the United Kingdom under the general heading of a free trade plan between the United Kingdom and Canada?


Donald Methuen Fleming: I shall be glad to make a statement,
if it is the wish of the house, on the subject of the trade proposals and the various recent conferences on the subject of trade. I shall be glad to do that at any time it is the wish of the house.


Paul Joseph James Martin: I am sure my
hon. friend will recognize the importance of this matter. Perhaps he and the Prime Minister could make an announcement at an early date when this may be done, because I think he will agree there is very wide interest in this subject.


Donald Methuen Fleming: I will be glad, at a very
early time, to make a statement reviewing the various recent trade conferences and the matters that have emerged from them, if that is the wish of the house.



AIR TRANSPORT


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
George Carlyle Marler: I should like to direct a question
to the Prime Minister. Could he tell the house whether negotiations which were undertaken earlier this year between Canada and Italy with regard to the exchange of air traffic rights have been concluded, and whether or not those negotiations have resulted in an agreement?


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, I will take that as
notice and answer on the next occasion.


EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Harold Edward Winch: Can the Prime Minister advise the house as to whether it is the intention to have a special sitting of the house at an early date to discuss international affairs, in view of the development of the intercontinental missile and the satellite, and their relationship to defence so far as Canada is concerned?
It is of the utmost importance now in the world, in my opinion, and surely the House of Commons ought to meet to consider it.


John George Diefenbaker: Mr. Speaker, the opportunity to discuss that matter and all other matters will now be available when the speech from the throne is being discussed. Above everything else at the moment I desire to hasten at the earliest possible date the introduction of immediate and emergent legislation, such as cash advances on farm-stored wheat. For that reason at the moment I would suggest that anyone who has opinions on the subject of international affairs will have a full and complete opportunity to air them during the debate which will begin this afternoon. Then following the introduction of the emergent legislation-whenever we introduce the legislation in order to expedite it-and its being dealt with full consideration certainly will be given to setting aside a day or so for the discussion of international affairs, so important are they.



PUBLIC BUILDINGS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. D. F. Brown (Essex West):: Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Minister of Public Works. I regret that I have not given him notice of this question but probably he will take it as notice and give an answer at a later date. Having in mind the serious unemployment situation in the Windsor area, will the minister inform us as to the progress being made in the construction of the new post office in Windsor and why it is that the accommodation which has been acquired is now being offered for rent?


Hon. Howard C. Green (Minisler of Public Works):: Mr. Speaker, there is a good deal of detail to obtain in order to answer this question in full. However, I believe there is some question of a portion of the property which was acquired being under a lease which does not expire until some time next year. We are making as much progress as we can but the situation which exists at the present time is entirely the responsibility of the previous government.


Donald Ferguson Brown: Will the minister make further inquiry and give a more detailed answer at a later date?


Howard Charles Green: Yes. I will get the details for the hon. member.



DOMINION-PROVINCIAL RELATIONS NEWFOUNDLAND    REPORT OF ROYAL COMMISSION ON REVISION OF TERMS OF UNION

[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. L. T. Slick (Triniiy-Concepiion):: Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker) when he expects to receive the report of the royal commission on the revision of the terms of union between Canada and Newfoundland and whether, when he receives it, it will be tabled in the house.


Donald Methuen Fleming: Mr. Speaker, may I answer my hon. friend's question. The royal commission on the terms of union with Newfoundland concluded its sittings here in Ottawa one week ago today. The chairman of the royal commission indicated at the closing sitting that the royal commission hoped to be in a position to submit its report at an early date.


Leonard T. Stick: Will the minister table the report?
Inquiries of the Ministry


Donald Methuen Fleming: In the ordinary course that will be done when the report has been received and has been made available by printing.



COMBINES INVESTIGATION ACT


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Augusle Mallais (Charlevoix):: Mr. Speaker, may I be permitted to ask a question of the Minister of Justice. I regret that I was unable to give him notice of this question. Maybe his answer will come later on. When may we expect the report with regard to the investigation which was started about a year and a half ago under the Combines Investigation Act into the sale of pulp-wood in certain districts in the province of Quebec?


Edmund Davie Fulton: Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question. I will have inquiries made and will bring in an answer as soon as possible.



SEARCH AND RESCUE


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
Mr.  T. S. Barnell@Comox-Alberni: Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Can the minister inform the house what steps, if any, the government has taken since assuming office toward the establishment of a Canadian coast guard?


George Harris Hees: Mr. Speaker, I should like to take that question as notice and give an answer tomorrow.



LABOUR CONDITIONS


[Stage Direction]
On the orders of the day:
James Allen (Jim) Byrne: Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Can the minister give us any information as to the possible date of the report of the royal commission on the dispute between the railways and the union?


George Harris Hees: May I ask the hon. member to what dispute he is referring?


Some hon. Members:: Oh, oh.


John Whitney Pickersgill: Perhaps the Minister of Labour could answer that question.

The Address-Mr. A. R. Smith


Hon. Michael Starr (Minister of Labour):: Mr. Speaker, if I may, I will answer the hon. member's question. As is known, this royal commission has been looking into the situation here and abroad. We expect a detailed written report by that commission towards the end of November.



SPEECH FROM THE THRONE


[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by Her Majesty The Queen at the opening of the session.
Mr. A. R. Smith (Calgary South):: Mr. Speaker, it is in all humility that I rise in my place for the first time in this house to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne by Her Very Gracious Majesty. I do not suppose that anyone has, for a few years, walked into such an anticlimatical situation after such an interesting question period. I would assume, if I were so naive, that perhaps most of the questions for this coming session have now been asked.
In all humility and in all seriousness I should like to say how much I appreciate the invitation of the Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker) to move this address. I recognize, of course, that this is an honour which is not bestowed on the individual but rather on the constituency that he represents. May I therefore say to him and to hon. members of this house, on behalf of the constituency of Calgary South, that I greatly appreciate this opportunity.
I think it can be said that we should not lose sight of the fact that there is today still in this house and in this national capital a feeling of extreme jubilation as a result of the opening of parliament for the first time by a reigning monarch. I suggest to you, Mr. Speaker, that there are not enough adjectives to describe the importance of this milestone in our Canadian history. I think it is difficult to do so without understating its significance. Can any man or woman who viewed the proceedings, either personally or through the magic of television, not say that this was one of the great emotional moments in his or her life?
Unquestionably it will be told and retold for generations to come that on that day of October 14, 1957, I saw Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth open the Canadian House of Commons.
I have said to myself what is it that makes this occasion so important to us? It is not, I suggest, just that it is another first for Canada, but rather that it binds this country into the senior membership which it occupies
[Mr. Pickersgill.l
in the commonwealth. Great though the resources and reserves of this country are, I suggest that our greatest treasure is still that membership which we hold in the commonwealth of nations.
I would like if I may to pay my respects to certain members of this house. First to you. I realize that I am speaking as one Albertan to another, but no doubt the polished debonair manner which is to your credit is an earmark of your upbringing in eastern Canada. I suggest further that your compromising and friendly attitude is indeed the trademark of the fact that you were born in Red Deer, Alberta. I know that the members of this house join with me in congratulating you in your elevation to your high office.
I would like at the same time to congratulate Canada's Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker). I believe that whatever else Canadians say of this generation they will certainly record that one of the greatest lessons in personal achievement has been taught in that this man from the soil of Saskatchewan has established in this country a reputation second to none. We are indeed, regardless of where we sit in this house, proud of the Prime Minister of Canada. I should like also to congratulate the members of his cabinet on their elevation to high office, and in spite of the suggestion that they might not occupy those offices, I believe they have done so very admirably.
May I be presumptious enough to congratulate the new members of this house upon their election, like myself, for the first time. I can tell them now from some personal experience that the terror which overcomes you in contemplating your maiden speech, after you are on your feet reduces itself to straight fear. Speaking as one rookie to another I would like to say that each and every one of you may be assured that regardless of where you sit each one of us will be in your cheering section.
I would now turn to the business of this house and, in particular, to the assignment that has been given to me this afternoon. I think it is an accepted part of tradition that the mover of the throne speech compliment the government on its legislation as outlined in the throne speech. Let it be clearly understood by those who might be disappointed that I shall not do otherwise, that I intend to do exactly that.
It is a fact that the majority of these were the policies or the outline of a program which a very substantial number of Canadian people recently endorsed, as a matter of fact as recently as June 10 last. I am happy to see that Canada will play an important part in

the shaping of world affairs and will continue to work toward the objective of everlasting peace. I agree that the best way of achieving this is through the tools of the Colombo plan, and otherwise through economic preparedness or economic persuasion or military preparedness. I believe that our participation in the United Nations is essential, in spite of the severe constitutional limitations of that fine organization.
I believe that this parliament will certainly welcome the government's intention of improving the lot of our senior citizens and of course the recipients of war veterans allowances. These fixed income groups, I suggest, are the real victims of our inflated economy. The diminishing value of our dollar has affected all of us, but far more severely has it affected those whose income is now almost entirely depleted. It is therefore, I believe, essential that one of the first considerations of this or any government should, in recognition of services past rendered be directed to those who have made this present prosperity so general for us.
As an Albertan I am naturally happy to learn that the government intends to provide a stimulant for our farm economy and that measures will be taken to greatly stabilize our agricultural products.
In assessing farm income there appears to be only one real question of debate and that is the question of urgency. I would suggest that if you examine one province, as an example Alberta, you will recognize that this urgency is indeed very real. I think that this can best be reflected by the number of bankruptcies which have occurred amongst our country merchants. I do not care whether he be a bulk oil salesman or a general store merchant, the fact of the matter is that many of the individuals who are so much a part of our integrated farm economy have had their credit extended to such a point that in many instances they are no longer able to carry on business, except of course on a cash basis. I believe that this is the real barometer by which to determine the state of the shortage of cash income in Canadian farming communities.
There will be, I suggest, a great many members in this house who have served either on municipal councils or in provincial legislatures, as it has been my privilege to do, and I am certain they will join with me in welcoming the announcement of the government's intention to call together the provinces for a dominion-provincial conference. There can be no question in our minds that many of the problems which heretofore have existed can, to some extent, be resolved through such a meeting.
The Address-Mr. A. R. Smith
I would like to suggest, and I do so in all seriousness that at some future meeting consideration be given to inviting Canada's municipalities to join in such a discussion. As an example, the Canadian federation of mayors and municipalities could in my view make some contribution to a meeting of this nature because I believe that, after all, many of the definitions of inter-related responsibilities between the three levels of government were written nearly ninety years ago and in this modern economy have now to some extent become outmoded. I think it is a regrettable factor, and those who have served on municipal councils will agree, that many of our municipalities are looked upon as the poor relations in Canada's federation of governments. I believe that this group could make a useful contribution in assisting in the redefining of the division of taxation policies and municipal services and I would hope that this could be done in the not too far distant future.
There is a 13-word announcement in the speech from the throne which says little but which has broad implications. It has been referred to already in this house today; I refer to the proposed changes in the taxation structure which will be submitted for our approval. It is of course obvious that these changes cannot be announced in detail at this time, but speaking for my own constituents I hope that after provision has been made for the primary needs of individuals the taxation authorities will also give consideration to providing incentive relief or incentive encouragement to Canada's developing industries.
More specifically, I believe the Canadian independent oil producers have asked that they should be given the same encouragement for the development of our oil and gas resources as the United States government provides for United States companies which are in competition with our companies in Canada.
Finally, I congratulate the government on its proposal to initiate a national development program. If Canada is to enjoy national unity there can be no question in this house but that we should all participate equally in the national prosperity. Towards this end I believe the economic development of the Atlantic provinces, the construction of the South Saskatchewan river dam and the Columbia river project are all sound investments which will strengthen the Canadian economy immeasurably.
While on this subject may I suggest to the government that a national development policy might well at some future time include a stock-taking of Canada's natural resources. It is not purely by accident that

The Address-Mr. A. R. Smith many of Canada's provinces have been led to conduct an examination or assessment of their reserves of natural wealth. I believe that in order to assess the policies which should govern conservation it is important we should know what resources we have before we know what we can utilize or what we can preserve. I may say that in the province of Alberta-and I was a member of that legislature at one time-we assessed those resources and in consequence were able to develop conservation practices which have been in the interest not only of industry but of the people as a whole.
I believe that through the office of geological survey of this country-though I realize there may be legislative problems involved as between the federal government and the provinces-important results can be achieved. If we could do no more than provide the incentive and the encouragement for those provinces we would be doing a service of importance toward the development of our resources. The United States, if I may refer to this as an example, conducted a survey a few years ago. We in Canada are now described by foreign editorial writers as the country most likely to succeed and although time is still on our side I believe we cannot delay too long before such an undertaking as I have suggested is considered.
Having discussed the business which is to come before this house I believe it is in keeping with the traditions of the address in reply to the speech from the throne that I should say something about the constituency which I have the honour to represent. However, I do not intend at this point to take up any time in extolling the virtues of Calgary. It would indeed be a discourtesy to the city that I represent to have it suggested that those virtues were not well and widely known. I have, with your permission, taken the opportunity to provide every hon. member with a brochure on the advantages of being a Calgarian which I hope will now be in their mail boxes.
What I would prefer to do is to tell you in just a word or so, about one of the economic problems which today concerns not only my constituents and the province from which I come but which will shortly concern the whole Dominion of Canada; it may even, possibly, make the debates on natural gas of a year ago seem like a Sunday school picnic. I refer to the marketing of Canadian oil. Before I began my speech I was not aware of the setting up of a commission which the Prime Minister has announced, but no doubt the commission can also consider this problem during its deliberations.


It is perhaps well known to this house that Canada produces on an average 500,000 barrels of oil a day-I shall be very brief and shall use very few statistics-we could, in fact, produce almost double that amount. Of the amount presently produced we export approximately one-third to the United States. We could, in certain circumstances, capture the vast Montreal outlet which represents some 200,000 barrels a day, but unfortunately economic circumstances such as the low replacement costs of Venezuelan imports, the difference in tariffs and the distance over which the oil has to be transported have combined to make it economically impossible for us to do so at the present time, and we as western producers appreciate this fact.
Recently a committee under the direction of the President of the United States exempted temporarily the area in the Pacific northwest of the United States, into which Canada today exports, an exemption which involves one-third of the total exports and which represents an important part of the life and breath of this western industry. I suggest to you that these exports could be cut off tomorrow. Therefore I am urging as strongly as I can that this government give consideration to the policies I have mentioned, or to any other means it might consider desirable, such as a meeting at top level with United States government officials or their counterparts, to discuss the oil reserves which we have in common today, so that the Canadian western oil industry and the Canadian market is not kept in a continued state of suspense. I am asking no more than that we should have a top level discussion of this problem so that we may know in what general direction we are moving.
I recognize that this is a relatively new problem to confront this very fine new government but I put it on record as one which we will have to consider in the near future.
I,	like some of my friends, have experienced this Asian variety of 'flu, and I know I have rambled on long enough and that I have taken just about every privilege which a new member is entitled to take in the circumstances. I do appreciate very much the opportunity which has been given me, as a new member today. I appreciate the courtesy which hon. members have extended to me in this initial offering. I recognize, too, that a future intervention in debate might not be considered with exactly the same courtesy.
I would like to close on this note: Many hon. members will remember a gentleman of the same name as myself who sat before

me in this house not too many years ago and perhaps I may say before resuming my seat what he said to you:
If when I leave this house I can feel that I have made a friend of every one of you, I feel that these years have been worth while.
I think you will agree, that I can set no higher objective for myself.
With these rather rambling remarks, and expressing once again the pleasure that the occasion has been to me, it is my great pleasure to move, seconded by the hon. member for Bonaventure (Mr. Arsenault):
That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen in the following words:
To The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty:-
Most Gracious Sovereign:
We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Canada in parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to Your Majesty for the gracious speech which Your Majesty has addressed to both houses of parliament.
( Translation):


Mr. Neree Arsenault (Bonaventure):: On
this memorable occasion of the opening of the first session of a new federal government in our Canadian capital, Mr. Speaker, I am most appreciative of the tokens of esteem and confidence with which the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. Diefenbaker) has honoured me by asking me to second the address in reply to the speech from the throne. It is definite evidence of the right hon. Prime Minister's interest in the people of my riding, of the province of Quebec and of the whole of French Canada.
It is therefore with pride and gratitude that I second the address so ably moved by my colleague from Calgary South (Mr. Smith).
(Text):
It is a great honour for me to congratulate the hon. member for Calgary South (Mr. Smith) who gave in this House of Commons so magnificent a report on the speech from the throne. In so doing he honoured greatly his father who was formerly one of the most eminent members of the Conservative party. I understand how proud his riding of Calgary South is of him as its member.
(Translation):
The 40,000 Canadian citizens who make up the population of the constituency of Bonaventure join unanimously with me today in expressing their gratitude to the federal authorities. They are proud to be part of this Canadian people which has been so highly honoured this year by the presence among us of our gracious Queen.
In returning me as their member, in the last general election, my constituents put upon my shoulders the pleasant though neces-
The Address-Mr. Arsenault sary duty of explaining to the house their present economic situation and their urgent needs.
The constituency of Bonaventure has an area of about 4,000 square miles, and its needs are similar to those of the neighbouring constituencies of Gaspe, Matapedia, Rimouski and Temiscouata. Together these five constituencies are larger in area than the province of New Brunswick.
It means that our Gaspe peninsula takes on the character of a province, and I hope that this small country of mine within Canada will soon enjoy under a Progressive Conservative government, the necessary economic development which will enable its people to share in the economic prosperity now enjoyed by the Canadian nation in general.
Statistics show that, in my constituency of Bonaventure, the standard of living is much lower than in constituencies bordering on industrial centres. While the Gaspe peninsula, which includes the constituency of Bonaventure, is the oldest part of this area, it has not prospered at the same rate as the country as a whole.
Over the past sixty-seven years my constituency has always been represented by Liberal members, and during all those years that part of the country has reaped neglect. And yet it lies at the very gates of a highly efficient river outlet, calculated to promote economic development, owing to the proximity of European and American markets. Unfortunately, none of our natural seaports, any more than our railway services were adequately developed.
Moreover, censuses bring out the striking fact that our population is decreasing. Instead of growing at the normal rate expected of a sturdy and hardy stock, our human capital is less than it was. Year after year, the percentage of the rural population is declining. Our agricultural organizations had hoped to prevent a second dispersal of our Acadian sons; alas, the exodus of young farmers and settlers who are forced to go elsewhere to earn a living is on the increase. How many boys and girls of my constituency have scattered all across the country and even across the border! They have not definitely quit their native village for they still hope that better conditions may allow them to return home.
I greet those thousands of Gaspesians on behalf of their brothers who are still awaiting their return. However, this evil which affects our Gaspesian population is not confined to eastern Quebec; its ravages extend as well to other parts of our province.

The Address-Mr. Arsenault
The cause of this evil is that, in seeking to promote the development of eastern Quebec, emphasis has been laid chiefly on the agricultural angle. No attempt was made to integrate in our economy the necessary share of related industrial developments. The consequence of this mistake has been that, since there were no markets for our agricultural production, it has been impossible to deter our young men from the ever enticing appeal of an easy life in the cities. The development of industry, of our mines, our forests and our fisheries has been neglected, as well as the decentralization of industries centred around great cities in order to open nearby markets to our complementary agricultural production. There has been failure to provide the farmers of my area with adequate cold-storage facilities for the conservation of their green vegetables. Yet, the natural resources, the vast forests and the mines of the Gaspe peninsula, and its oil prospects should have led to the conclusion that full development was necessary. No solution has been forthcoming to our purely local problems. If, at least, the fiscal rights of the provinces had been respected, I am sure that this gap would have been filled long ago.
One of the main natural resources of the Gaspe peninsula is the forest. In my own constituency, millions of cords of wood are going to waste, with the consequent loss to the county of millions of dollars in revenue. Instead of marketing thousands of tons of paper or millions of feet of lumber, we are still content with spending millions of dollars in fighting insect damage in forests which are too old and which should have been properly cultivated. In the first place we should therefore heed the advice of experts especially when they point out the basic causes of the depression in the lumber industry and of the loss of national or international markets. We must also call upon the knowledge of economists to ensure better prospects for our lumber markets.
These markets will be improved by better means of transportation.
It would be a good thing if our seaways were kept open all year round in eastern Quebec, even as far up as the port of Quebec. The operation of a few ice breakers during the four winter months could well ensure uninterrupted shipping on the St. Lawrence. Business men could then take an interest in developing our natural resources and would thus pay into the treasury the taxes required for the implementation of social welfare legislation. Railways and sections of the Trans-Canada highway should also contribute to our economic expansion while making a necessary contribution to the defence of this vulnerable part of our country.


I should like to point out here the urgent necessity of providing the area of the Gaspe peninsula and that of the north shore of the St. Lawrence with railways which would promote the development of mining and forest industries.
I know that under this Conservative administration, the Prime Minister and the members of his cabinet will do their utmost to remove the difficulties which in the past have prevented the normal economic development of the eastern part of our country.
These few suggestions which a Canadian observer has been allowed to offer to this distinguished audience representing all parts of Canada would be pointless if they were not intended for a real Canadian of the highest distinction, that is the Right Hon. Prime Minister.
On behalf of all my constituents, I am glad to congratulate him for his accession to the function of Prime Minister of Canada. It is neither due to mere chance, nor the result of pure electoral conventions if a people such as ours chose him to guide its destinies: it is because he deserved it on all counts.
A professional man, a lawyer of great reputation, whose character enhances all his deeds, an untiring worker, he has, ever since he has represented Lake Centre and Prince Albert constituencies in this house, managed to earn the respect of the elite of all the people of Canada. The present Prime Minister of Canada rightly deserves the confidence, the respect and the admiration of the whole country.
Three months only of his present term of office have earned for this great statesman the highest praise and honours of a press which always keeps a watchful eye on the doings of those who hold high political office. When he takes part in discussions, whether it be in London, with the Commonwealth prime ministers, whether it be with the diplomats of the great American republic, or at the table of the United Nations, the right hon. Prime Minister commands attention by the loftiness of his views and the accuracy of his predictions.
All those qualities are manifest, beyond any doubt, in the plans outlined in the speech from the throne.
This house will be called upon to deal with matters which are both national and international in their scope.
In the international sphere, the preparation of a Commonwealth conference is expected, as well as the carrying on of the Colombo Plan, the active participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the co-operation promised to the United Nations.

Then, in the national field, we shall be called upon to amend our social legislation, first by increasing the old age pension, as well as the assistance to the blind and the disabled; moreover, there will be a revision of the help given veterans, and other social bills affecting industrial workers under federal jurisdiction.
In the national field also, a federal-provincial meeting for the study of taxation is being contemplated.
In regard to farmers, this government will consider the possibility of stabilizing the prices of their products, and it will study new and old markets for these same products. Prairie farmers will enjoy cash advance payments on their grain production. Ways and means of creating additional markets for the produce of our fisheries will be considered.
As to local matters, the speech from the throne states that means will be sought to provide cheaper electric powers for consumers in the Atlantic provinces; a power project on the South Saskatchewan river will be looked into, as will be the harnessing of the Columbia river for British Columbia. Some railway developments will also be submitted to this house.
Finally, we shall be asked to vote a budget to provide for the administration of this
The Address-Mr. Arsenault country until the end of the current fiscal year as well as certain changes in the taxation laws.
We shall all work in the same spirit for the prosperity of Canada. We are two great races. We have similar problems and, in following the advice given by our Sovereign in Her message to the Canadian nation, we shall show how proud we are of being Canadians.
(Text):


Mr. St. Laurent (Quebec East):: Mr. Speaker, I rise merely to comply with the suggestion made yesterday by the Prime Minister that after the mover and seconder of the address had spoken the debate be adjourned until tomorrow, and I beg leave to move that it be thus adjourned.
On motion of Mr. St. Laurent (Quebec East) the debate was adjourned.



BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Lionel Chevrier: Mr. Speaker, may I ask the government leader what the order of business for tomorrow will be?


Howard Charles Green: We shall continue with this debate tomorrow.
On motion of Mr. Diefenbaker the house adjourned at 4.05 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16, 1957



MAIN ESTIMATES, 1957-58

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting supplementary estimates for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting further supplementary estimates (1) for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.

[Stage Direction]
A message from His Excellency the Governor General transmitting further supplementary estimates (2) for the financial year ending March 31, 1958, was presented by Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance), read by Mr. Speaker to the house, and referred to the committee of supply.