1957-01-08

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Speaker: The Honourable L. Rene Beaudoin
Tuesday, January 8, 1957

[Stage Direction]
The parliament which had been prorogued earlier this day met again 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 2.30 o'clock on this day, for the purpose of formally opening the session of the dominion parliament.
A message was delivered by Major C. ft. 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:

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



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 82715-1
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 Is again a pleasure for me to greet you as you resume your parliamentary duties in this new year.
The international scene continues to be characterized by instability in the Middle East and in eastern Europe.
My ministers remain convinced of the need to maintain the basic unity of the commonwealth and the reality of the western alliance, to contribute effectively to the supervision of the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Egypt under the authority of the United Nations and to the achievement of a lasting settlement of Middle East problems.
Visits to Canada in the last few weeks by the prime ministers of Ceylon and India have been conducive to a renewed strengthening of the bonds which unite the peoples of the commonwealth in their constant aim to co-operate in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress.
An encouraging advance is being made, as evidenced by the latest ministerial meeting of the council, in the development of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the non-military as well as in the military field. My ministers remain strongly convinced of the need to maintain the North Atlantic treaty as the keystone of the defence of the western nations.
In the Middle East Canadian servicemen, as part of the United Nations emergency force proposed by Canada at the general assembly of the United Nations, are performing valuable tasks in the interest of world peace.
The United Nations has served to focus world opinion on the brutal repression of the heroic Hungarian people in their endeavour to throw off the yoke of Soviet imperialism. The vast humanitarian problems that have arisen as a result of Soviet intervention require the joint efforts of many countries. Through the United Nations, the Red Cross, and in co-operation with the government of Austria, this country is playing its part in relieving suffering and re-settling the refugees.
The entrance into Canada of Hungarian refugees has been greatly facilitated and free transportation provided from Austria to new homes in this country. Already thousands of these Hungarians have been welcomed to Canada and we look forward to receiving thousands more during the winter and spring. There are also substantially increasing numbers of immigrants from the British Isles arranging to proceed to Canada this year.
Recent events have confirmed my ministers' belief in the importance of seeking solutions to international problems through the United Nations

Speech from the Throne and of upholding by all practical and constructive means the principles of the United Nations charter. My ministers also believe, however, that while making every effort to achieve these long-term goals, the western nations must remain strong and united in their defences and in their diplomacy in order that aggressive action against them will be prevented and international tension can be lessened.
Excellent progress is being made in our national economic development. Expansion is evident in every part of Canada. Rapid strides are being made in opening up and utilizing our natural resources and in our industrial and urban growth. Employment has reached unprecedented levels. Once again we have been blessed with good crops. External trade was considerably greater last year than during any previous year. Canadians in almost every part of the country have been enjoying the benefits of this invigorating economic climate.
Indeed our economic expansion has been so rapid that it has put a serious strain upon the supply of various types of labour and materials needed for the many projects which are being put in hand. The corresponding competition to borrow savings to finance all these projects has brought about an increase in interest rates. Increases in the volume of money and credit have had to be carefully limited in order to check inflationary tendencies and the financial policies of my government have also been directed to counteract these same tendencies.
In the last few days a serious industrial dispute has led to a stoppage of work on one of the major railways of Canada despite the use of the normal processes of conciliation. Special efforts have been made and are continuing to be made by my ministers to assist the parties to reach an agreed settlement.
The preliminary report of the royal commission on economic prospects has been received and will shortly be laid before you.
You will be asked to approve a measure for the establishment of a Canada Council for the arts, humanities and social sciences, in order to give a new impetus to the development of Canadian scholarship and culture. In this measure you will be asked to approve an endowment for the council so that it may discharge its functions with the greatest possible sense of responsibility.
Because it is important that our universities should be able to keep pace with the increasing demands to be made upon them by the increasing number of young Canadians, you will be asked to approve a further grant of money to the Canada Council to be distributed by it for the purpose of assisting Canadian universities in some of their necessary construction projects. You will also be asked to approve the doubling of the annual grants to universities, and the payment of these funds to the national conference of Canadian universities for division by it among the recognized institutions of higher learning.
A measure will be placed before you for the purpose of renewing on a revised and increased basis the federal program of grants to provincial governments in aid of technical and vocational training.
It is proposed to recommend in the Senate the establishment of a committee to consider what should be done to make better use of land for agriculture and thus to contribute more effectively to the improvement of agricultural production and the incomes of those engaged in it.
An amendment extending the scope of the Municipal Grants Act will be laid before you to authorize the payment of grants in lieu of taxes on federal property in all municipalities where such property receives the normal municipal services.


An amendment to the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act will be presented making appropriate improvements in the scale of benefits to disabled seamen and the dependents of deceased seamen.
You will be asked to consider legislation for the implementation of a north Pacific fur seal convention.
An amendment to the Sockeye Salmon Convention Act to include pink salmon in this international agreement will also be laid before you.
You will be asked to consider a revision of the law controlling narcotic drugs in the light of the report of the Senate committee on the use of narcotics in Canada.
A bill will be introduced for the purpose of continuing the Canadian wheat board as the sole marketing agency for western wheat, oats and barley.
A measure will be laid before you to provide for the division of the national museum of Canada into two museums to be known as the Canadian museum of natural history and the Canadian museum of human history.
A revision of the Federal District Commission Act will be presented for your consideration.
Amendments of detail to a number of other acts will also be introduced.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to appropriate the funds required to maintain the services and payments provided under the authority of parliament.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.



MOTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION LATER THIS DAY

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Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration later this day.
Mr. Speaker:: Is it the pleasure of the house to adopt the motion?


Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):: Before this motion carries, Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the government plans at any time to make a statement on or provide for a discussion of the present railway strike, and in that connection whether the government would consider tabling all documents in relation to this matter, including Senator Roebuck's minority report?


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, the matter has been referred to in the speech from the throne and I think it is extremely apt to be dealt with in the debate that will take place on the speech from the throne. As to the production of papers, may I say that any papers in the possession of the Department of Labour can, I assume, be laid on the table for the information of hon. members.


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Motion agreed to.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, with the unanimous consent of the house, I hope, I beg leave to move, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, that the addresses delivered today at the unveiling of the statue of Sir Robert Borden, a former prime minister of Canada, be made an appendix to the Hansard of this day.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
(For text of above see appendix, pages 15-19.)

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, I have another agreeable duty to perform. I would preface it by reminding the house that, at the beginning of the special session of parliament, which was officially closed this morning, I had the privilege of expressing our sincere regret that Hon. George Drew's health made it impossible for him to continue as leader of his party and of Her Majesty's loyal opposition in this house.
I also expressed our hope, which I know was shared by all hon. members, for the speedy restoration of Mr. Drew's health and for the continuance of his important contributions in the public service of our country. I know hon. members must have been delighted to see him at the ceremonies this morning which marked the unveiling of the monument to Sir Robert Borden and to note what rapid progress Mr. Drew has already made, and I am sure they will join with me in wishing him an early, complete and lasting return to his former robust health.
I now wish to extend our most hearty congratulations to the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker) on his recent election as the leader of his party and on the assumption of his duties as Leader of the Opposition in this chamber. The hon. member's new position is one of the most important in our parliamentary system. In all countries which model their system on that of the United Kingdom, competent and responsible examination in the House of Commons of government policies and conduct has proved throughout the years to be one of the most convincing guarantees of efficiency and fairness in the administration of publie affairs. Here in Canada the leader of the opposition is also recognized as the most likely alternative for the position of prime minister in the
82715-li
House of Commons
event-which he and his supporters perhaps consider less unlikely and remote than do we on this side of the house-that the government should fail to have the support of a majority of the members of this house.
The hon. member for Prince Albert has had a long experience in public life and all of us in this chamber have learned to appreciate his talents, his industry, his incisiveness and his pertinacity in promoting what he has regarded as in the best interests of Canada. I do not imagine that his new responsibilities are apt to lessen his belief that the most urgent requirement in that regard is to bring about the downfall of this government; and to, I am sure, the satisfaction of those who sit on the other side of the house, I promise him that we will do our best to provide him with a long period in which to exercise his pertinacious efforts towards that objective.
He and I have disagreed on many occasions and I expect that we shall continue to do so perhaps quite frequently in the future. That is only natural in view of our respective positions. But I hope that we shall be able to disagree in a manner in keeping with the high standards of parliamentary debate and that despite our disagreements we shall continue to respect the sincerity of purpose of one another and our common desire to be of real service to our fellow citizens.
I extend to the Leader of the Opposition our sincere good wishes in his new position and I wish to assure him quite seriously that I will be ready at all times to discuss with him in advance matters which need not be controversial on party lines and about which national unity might perhaps be best served by solutions that we could all recommend to those whom we represent in parliament.
(Translation):
I also wish to congratulate the hon. member on the excellent French he used in the few sentences in this other official language of our people when he addressed the convention at which he was elected leader of his party last December.
Finally, in conclusion, I ask Mrs. Diefenbaker to rest assured that we associate her in our minds in the congratulations and good wishes which we are conveying to her husband today, for we are well aware of the important part which she will play in helping him in the appropriate performance of his new responsibilities.
(Text):


Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roselown-Biggar):: May
I join the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) in extending congratulations to one of our number who has been elevated to the high office of Leader of the Opposition. I am sure that irrespective of our parties in this house we recognize the importance of the office to

House of Commons
which he has been elevated and the large obligations which he has had to assume, both as leader of his party and Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition and I for a long time occupied neighbouring constituencies and therefore I have known him for a number of years. I am quite sure all of us hope he will retain good health and strength in order that he may carry on the work that is demanded of this very important office. Too many of those who have assumed high office in this country, as leader of the opposition or in other capacity, have broken down under the strain.
I join in the regret expressed by the Prime Minister, regarding the loss from this house of the former leader of the opposition. I want to say to the Leader of the Opposition that I hope, in spite of the efforts he will make to build up his party to a more influential position than it has had for a large number of years, he will take care of his health, because that is of primary importance.


Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):: We would like to join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the leader of the C.C.F. party, Mr. Speaker, in extending a very warm welcome to the newly elected leader of the official opposition in this house. We congratulate him on his elevation to that very important position. We recognize fully the great responsibilities that do devolve on a leader of the opposition. Good government in Canada has to depend to a very large degree on the quality of the opposition and the leadership in that opposition; that is very important.
I should like to express one word of caution and advice, as has already been expressed by my friend the leader of the C.C.F., and it is this. I think that to safeguard his health the Leader of the Opposition ought to relax. Since, as the Prime Minister has said, he is going to have plenty of time he can do his work without working under tension and stress, because that is what kills. If he will take a word of advice from me he will take better care of himself than some others have done, including myself. I do wish him every success and warmly congratulate him. He is a westerner. He has been a good friend of mine throughout the years, and I am glad to see him elevated to this very important position.


Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker (Leader of the Opposition):: My first words, Mr. Speaker, must be to express my deep and abiding appreciation for the very warm sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister and by the leaders of the C.C.F. and Social Credit parties. I am one of those who, over the years, have known all of these gentlemen, the Prime Minister and the hon. member for Rosetown-Biggar before I came into this house. I love this chamber, for however much we may dis-

agree-and when strong men have strong opinions on occasion they use strong language to express them-we retain that conformity with the tradition of respect for one another. It is in that spirit that I thank the Prime Minister and the other hon. members for what they have said.
I want to thank the Prime Minister, too, for those very chivalrous words that he expressed regarding my wife, words that were full of kindness and consideration and represent something of what we so often forget in this chamber, the contribution that our helpmates make to us in order to permit us to remain in public life.
The Prime Minister referred, somewhat eulogistically, to my endeavours to speak one of the two official languages. May I be permitted, with diffidence which I do feel, to reply to him as best I may. With the indulgence of the house I should like to say this, Mr. Speaker.
(Translation):
I appreciate the generous references made by the Prime Minister in the French language and with diffidence I hope that the day will come when I shall be able to express myself with greater ease and assurance in that beautiful language.
(Text):
That will be my endeavour, realizing the difficulties that I will experience in that regard. Over the years I have endeavoured, as you know, sir, to anticipate the day that I would do so. Over five years ago, at the parliamentary conference in Australia, I told you of my desire, but my extreme diffidence.
The Prime Minister has mentioned the position of the opposition, recognized as it is in our democratic tradition as a basic element of parliamentary government. Some there are of the communist states that claim to have parliamentary democracies, but the salient differences between those democracies and ours may be summarized in a few words. Oppositions do not exist in the tradition of communist countries. The essence of our system of government, the basic foundation, is the right of each of us to disagree. The Prime Minister paraphrased, I think, the words of Tierney, who over 140 years ago said, as I recall it, "The function of an opposition is to propose nothing, to oppose everything and to turn out the government." With the first two obligations, I am in disagreement, but I say, sir, that in this year of grace the third would seem to be one worthy of adoption.
As the Prime Minister showed such an intimate knowledge of the responsibilities of an opposition, I hope the opportunity will come to him and to Canada to display that knowledge.

Now, sir, all I will say further at this time is to repeat my thanks and to reaffirm my desire to maintain, as the Prime Minister so eloquently said, the traditions and the customs of parliament, to expedite the public business and at all times-and I say this with humility-determine to do nothing that will detract from the dignity and prestige of this institution, our parliament. Six hundred years of experience has revealed that if parliament is maintained in all its greatness, and if the functions of free debate are not interfered with, freedom will never be destroyed or even impaired.
I believe that this institution is one which, when it discharges its responsibilities in accordance with our traditions, will preserve our freedom from within as from without. I thank the Prime Minister and my hon. friends for being so kind as to suggest that I may, in a humble way, discharge the responsibilities of this office.



INTERNAL ECONOMY COMMISSION

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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. Garson, 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 143rd chapter of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1952, intituled: An act respecting the House of Commons.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the standing committees of this house under standing order 65, the said committee to be composed of Messrs. Harris, Knowles, Lapointe, Tustin and Weir.
Motion agreed to.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That Edward T. Applewhaite, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Skeena, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.
Motion agreed to.
The Address-Mr. Hanna SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
Mr. R. F. L. Hanna (Edmonton-Strathcona):: Mr. Speaker, on this memorable occasion of my life I would first of all like to thank the right hon. Prime Minister for the great honour he has bestowed upon me by inviting me to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne here this afternoon. I have no doubt, however, that the Prime Minister desired especially to honour the residents of Edmonton-Strathcona whom I have the privilege of representing in this House of Commons. On their behalf I assure him that we are most grateful for the recognition that he has bestowed on what we believe to be one of the finest communities in all of Canada. It is my hope that on this occasion I may be able to do justice to them as their representative in parliament.
As we have barely crossed the threshold of 1957, Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity to wish you, sir, and through you, all hon. members of this House of Commons a happy, healthful and prosperous new year.
I do regret, Mr. Speaker, as I am sure do all hon. members, the circumstances which have compelled the Hon. George Drew to resign his seat in this House of Commons. He will be very much missed by everybody here. Mr. Drew has performed outstanding services to his country in many ways, and I am sure we all wish for him a speedy recovery to his normal good health and vigour. In that connection, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker) on his election as leader of the Progressive Conservative party of Canada. He, too, has had a distinguished career both at the bar and here in parliament. He is now leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition, and I know that he will appreciate my sincerity as a supporter of this government when I wish him many happy years in the high office which he now holds in parliament. I was impressed this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, by the good counsel that he received from other members of this chamber that he should not work too hard to overthrow the present government.
It is a good thing for Canada, I believe, that on an occasion like this the government can select a government backbencher from any one of the 10 provinces or the northern territories to move the address in reply to

The Address

Mr. Hanna the speech from the throne. Regardless of what political party may be in power from time to time, X think it is important that that party should draw support from all parts of Canada, and I am certainly glad that this is so at the commencement of this fourth session of the 22nd parliament. It is one more example, I think, of the national unity which is more in evidence throughout Canada as time goes on, and I would like to congratulate my colleague, the hon. member for Gloucester in the province of New Brunswick, on being invited to second the address. His province, we all recall, was one of the four originals in the spendidly conceived confederation of Canada.
May I be permitted, Mr. Speaker, at this point, to say a few words about the province and the city from which I come? I consider nyself fortunate indeed to be the representa-;ive of a city that has no special problems ather than those that arise out of prosperity, growth and good fortune. We in Edmonton are not plagued by any misfortunes of climate, fire, flood or social and economic upheavals such as frequently befall peoples in other parts of the world. Compared with the peoples of many lands, Albertans, and indeed Canadians generally, have every right to be thankful. We do have some problems, it is true, but those problems are relatively small and well within our capacity to solve. I think, Mr. Speaker, it is not out of place at this time to pause and count our manv blessings.
Alberta is now coming into its own as one of the richest provinces of Canada. Even today its vast riches are far beyond accurate estimation. The past year 1956 has been by far the most prosperous in our 51-year history. Retail trade was up 10 per cent over 1955. Capital construction planned for Alberta in 1956 was in the neighbourhood of $900 million. This was about 12 per cent of the capital construction planned for the whole country although Alberta has less than 7 per cent of the total population of Canada. Sales of new automobiles and trucks were up 16 per cent in volume and 30 per cent in dollar value over the previous record year, 1955.
Agriculture, still our basic industry in Alberta, is doing well too. The latest figures whicn 1 could obtain show that farm cash income is up about 14 per cent over 1955 although this figure is tempered somewhat by ever-rising farm costs.
Oil production was up not less than 30 per cent over 1955. Oil production in Alberta now averages well over 400,000 barrels a day with a potential of over 700,000 barrels

a day if markets were available. Power consumption was up 19 per cent over 1955 and so it goes; during 1956, in every area of our economic life, old records tumbled. But Alberta's finest treasure is the quality of her people. They are increasing in numbers, too, although we have room for many more in our province. During the past 12 months the population of Alberta continued to increase and it is now over 1,100,000.
The population of the city of Edmonton proper according to official census figures reached 224,000 last June. This moves Edmonton up from eighth place to sixth place amongst the leading cities of Canada in the short space of five years and during the same period, Mr. Speaker, the population of the constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona increased from 56,000 to over 90,000 which is an increase of 60 per cent. I think that is probably a record.
Since the discovery of oil at Leduc near Edmonton in 1947 the industrialization of Alberta has been taking place very rapidly. During 1956 alone some $85 million was spent in establishing new industries in the Edmonton area. These new industries, mostly petro-chemical in nature, are attracted to Edmonton largely because of our supply of natural gas. This wonder fuel is not only inexpensive but it serves both as a source of energy and as a source of raw material for our manufacturers.
In 1951, five years ago, 10,500 persons were employed in the manufacturing industry in Edmonton and in 1956, 20,251 persons were so employed, an increase of 90 per cent in five years. Indications are that manufacturing will very soon become Alberta's major industry in terms of dollar value.
They used to say, Mr. Speaker, all the major companies operating in the oil fields and new industries in Edmonton located their head offices elsewhere. In 1956 that has been changed. Not less than ten large office buildings are under construction in Edmonton at the present time representing an investment of over $30 million.
I know my constituents and the people of Edmonton generally would want me to thank the Minister of Transport (Mr. Marler) for the progress he is making toward the construction of a fine new international airport in the constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona. The necessary site is being acquired and plans are being advanced so that actual construction will start in the coming spring. I can certainly sympathize with those people who have to move off their farms and out of their homes to make way for this new development. However, I am confident that the government will compensate them adequately and I think this is the best we can

The Address-Mr. Hanna
do under the circumstances. I hope the minister will allow nothing to stand in the way of this project which is so badly needed if Edmonton is to continue to develop as the aerial crossroads of the world. I mention this not from a narrow local interest only but in the interests of air transportation for all of Canada.
I would also like to thank the Postmaster General (Mr. Lapointe) for the fine job he and his department have been doing to keep mail delivery up to par in such a fast growing area as the one I represent. I would also like to say, Mr. Speaker, that both in his capacity as Postmaster General and as Minister of Veterans Affairs this hon. gentleman has proven to be a most efficient administrator. He is always most attentive to all reasonable representations.
I would like to remind my colleagues from eastern Canada how much the people of Edmonton enjoyed the renewed meeting last November between our champion Edmonton Eskimos and the Montreal Alouettes in the annual Grey Cup classic. Out where I come from they are still calling Edmonton the home of the Grey Cup. This now famous annual event, I am sure, is contributing a great deal toward better understanding between all sections of the Canadian people both in the east and in the west.
(Translation):
Mr. Speaker, I was deeply touched by the confidence shown me by the Prime Minister when he invited me to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne. Unfortunately, I lack his command of the two official languages of our country. However, in order to thank him and to follow the example of this illustrious Canadian, I do wish to say a few words in French. I hope to show in this way my confidence in the development of Canada, firmly based on two of the richest cultures of human civilization. Here we are, less than two months after the short special session held in November, when the Prime Minister and his colleagues grew even greater in the esteem of the Canadian people and of peoples abroad as a result of policies which are sensible and at the same time compassionate towards less fortunate peoples, such as the unhappy Hungarian people. They have helped to preserve order and peace in the world.
By its recognized sincerity and its great desire for peace, the Canadian government commands respect in international circles. Here at home, the Canadian nation has reached a remarkable degree of national unity based on the mutual respect of its citizens. In addition, the government strives to promote a fair distribution among all Canadians of the fruits of the general prosperity enjoyed throughout Canada.
I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the names of Canada and of its present political leaders will be recorded in history in terms that will honour all our grandchildren.
(Text):
I should like to turn now to matters a little farther afield but still of serious consequence for Canadians. I refer of course to the serious world situation which we have been facing in recent months. I wish I had the talent to express adequately my feeling toward our Prime Minister, the minister of external affairs and other ministers of the crown who have contributed so much to the pre-eminent position which Canada holds today in the council of nations. Certainly they have stood tall in the eyes of the world during the biggest and busiest year in Canada's history. It is fortunate indeed that this nation is endowed with such leadership during these unsettled times. The people of Canada will not soon forget the debt we owe them for their patience and vision and tireless efforts for peace and freedom and security throughout the world.
In her external relationships Canada has three principal avenues of approach. At one and the same time we are leading members of the great British commonwealth, of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and of the United Nations. None of these several avenues of approach is in my opinion inconsistent or mutually exclusive. As a nation we endeavour to act on the strongest moral principles at all times. We believe that there cannot be several definitions of right and wrong according to the exigencies of immediate and pressing situations.
While we realize we must be prepared to use force to defend ourselves if need be, Canada stands firmly in the belief that ways must be found eventually to outlaw the use of force as an instrument of international policy. We believe that mankind has a conscience and we hope that sanctions under the moral law will one day replace brute force as the guiding rule of conduct among nations, as it now is amongst individuals. Unfortunately all individuals do not always conform to the moral law and to meet this situation we have police forces. Internationally speaking, we believe the same system should be followed. We believe that the moral force of world opinion, backed up by effective police action, is the best hope of mankind if large-scale wars are to be avoided. This is the basis of our policy in the difficult situation that prevails in the Middle East.

The Address-Mr. Hanna Canada's oldest and strongest ties are with the member nations of the British commonwealth in which we are playing an increasingly important part. Never in the history of the world has there been an organization comparable to the commonwealth for the promotion of peace, freedom, justice and mutual understanding among the diverse peoples of the world. Canadians have a tremendous loyalty to and abiding faith in the commonwealth. We rejoice that the head of the commonwealth is also Queen of Canada. We recall very clearly how the present Prime Minister of Great Britain referred to our own Prime Minister here in this chamber as "the wisest of counsellors and the most loyal of friends".
History very clearly relates how the commonwealth has evolved over the years. The commonwealth is very old in some ways, yet ever new in others. It has proven that it is capable of adapting itself to the needs of the times. It is the only international body in the history of mankind which has survived two major world conflicts and several minor ones. Surely the leaders of the British empire of a century or more ago would scarcely recognize the commonwealth of today. Former ideas of colonial rule, perhaps justifiable in their time and place, have given way to a commonwealth of nations that is the greatest force for enlightened democratic government that the world has ever known.
The Statute of Westminster of 1931 underlined the autonomy and independence of commonwealth nations under the crown. That famous enactment of the British parliament has been the inspiration for the promotion of self-government and freedom all over the globe. In this day and age we are all familiar with the brilliant array of new commonwealth partners that have developed or are developing at the present time their own particular institutions of self-government under the guiding hand of the mother of parliaments at Westminster. This in itself is powerful testimony to the integrity of British leadership in world affairs.
There is nothing in our commonwealth relationship which compels any member to remain within the family against its own wishes. That is precisely as it should be. There is no loyalty so strong as that solidly based on freedom of will. Accordingly, to preserve, to keep intact and to promote further commonwealth growth and understanding should be the endless aim of each and every component member. That, I am confident, is the aim and object of Her Majesty's government of Great Britain. That,
I am equally confident, is the aim and object of Her Majesty's government of Canada. In


our view the commonwealth must be preserved, all of it. None of it is expendable. All of it is well worth while.
I do not wish to suggest for one moment that there cannot be differences of opinion between members of the commonwealth from time to time. Because of the voluntary nature of our association that is only natural. But when differences do occur they are the differences that one normally expects between members of the same family or between friend and friend. Let no one erroneously suppose that these diverse opinions are signs of weakness or of disunity. Quite the contrary. Diversity is in fact one of the main sources of the strength of the commonwealth family. Like the mortar in a brick wall it separates the various units and at the same time binds them securely together. A brick wall without mortar is weak indeed. On more than one occasion in the past the enemies of our sovereign have learned not to underestimate the inherent strength of the commonwealth's invisible ties.
We in Canada are proud of the fact that numerically speaking the greater part of the commonwealth embraces nations in Asia and in Africa which recently have achieved or, speaking of Africa in particular, are about to achieve full and complete self-government. We are happy that these peoples share our common heritage of free institutions and we are anxious to assist them to develop their material resources. We are thankful for the bridgehead of mutual trust and understanding that the commonwealth ties maintain between them and us. We hope they will all remain in the commonwealth. Certainly we in Canada will be the last to forsake our common heritage. Nor do we cling to this common heritage for material gain, but rather for a better understanding amongst all peoples everywhere.
We welcome the recent visit of the Prime Minister of India to our nation's capital. We recall with affection the most cordial reception our own Prime Minister was given when he visited the nations of Asia in 1954. We congratulate the Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin) on his globegirdling tour of commonwealth countries. As a result of such visits of good will and understanding, there is growing today a stronger, better commonwealth than we have known before.
I must confess, Mr. Speaker, that I am one of those people who upon occasion have speculated on the possibility of expanding the commonwealth to include freedom loving nations of good will who are not now members. I am happy indeed to recall that from time to time such hopeful speculation has

been indulged in by a good many other people. All of us remember, I am sure, that during the darkest days of world war II the great Sir Winston Churchill proposed what was in effect an outright amalgamation of the British and French empires. Unfortunately, such a bold and imaginative development was not to be. However, had it taken place 1 am sure this grand union, or should I say reunion, of the British and French peoples would have been worked out along lines similar to those which were used so effectively in building the great Dominion of Canada.
But if it is not practicable at this time to bring new members into the commonwealth from outside, I am proud that Canada has played such an important part in promoting international good will by other means. I refer, of course, to another avenue of our external relations, namely, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Here we have banded together some 14 freedom loving nations not only for mutual defence but also for the promotion of better social, cultural and economic ties. We have unstinting confidence in the present and ultimate success of NATO. Here is another vast area of mankind in which we believe war to be unthinkable as a solution to mutual problems.
In the still wider field of the United Nations itself Canada has earned for herself an enviable reputation for promoting the highest ideals of mankind. We follow this course because as a people we are deeply and genuinely concerned about the future peace and prosperity of the whole world. Unfortunately, in this larger sphere we are not yet sure that war is impossible but we will never stop trying to make it so.
It has become fashionable, Mr. Speaker, for some people, some pessimists, to speculate upon what they regard as the impracticability of our cordial relations with the United States upon the one hand and the members of the British commonwealth on the other. Such sceptics completely overlook the fact that one of the greatest single factors in world affairs today is the now traditional basic friendship and understanding that exists among the great English speaking peoples of the world. Certainly there are differences among us but they are superficial only. The things that unite us are far stronger than those that divide us. I for one hope and believe that this happy state of affairs will soon be spread all over the face of the earth. That is the essence of the international outlook of this Liberal government. We believe that our friends, the people of the United States, appreciate fully what 82715-2
The Address-Mr. Hanna the commonwealth means to the peace and security of the world. For our part, we will never cease trying until the spirit of mutual trust so evident amongst the commonwealth partners thoroughly permeates the whole United Nations.
We are happy, Mr. Speaker, that the speech from the throne asks parliament to approve a measure to set up a Canada council for the arts, humanities and social sciences. Important also is the suggested aid to our hard-pressed universities. This financial assistance, if approved by parliament, will be extended in two ways, namely, grants for capital expenditures and annual grants for current operations.
The other day I happened to see the breakdown of the finances of the University of Alberta in Edmonton for the current fiscal year. It shows a provincial grant for operation of $2,167,000, a federal grant for operation of $545,000, and students' fees amounting to $900,000. Under the proposal in the speech from the throne the federal grant will be about $1,100,000. This amount will be 26 per cent of the university's annual operating budget whereas students' fees will be about 21 per cent. I mention these figures because many people are under the impression that very little is being done by our senior governments for higher education.
The increased grants to the provinces for the encouragement of technical and vocational training will also help to meet a very real need in our country's development.
The proposal to set up a committee in the other place to consider ways and means of assisting agriculture further will be welcomed by all the people of Canada. I am sure this is a matter which will have everyone's wholehearted support. More of our people are engaged in agriculture than in any other single business. Yet their standard of living is hardly up to par with that of those who spend their energies in industrial pursuits.
In many cases the reason is that these people are operating what is generally called submarginal land. Their farms simply will not yield a decent standard of living in return for the effort expended. It is suggested that we take some of these farms out of active agricultural production and return them to some use more in keeping with their productive capacity. This will conserve not only the land itself but also the labour being expended on it without satisfactory results. Most of this land is not really submarginal at all but submarginal only in its present use. Its yield may be quite considerable in some other use. I am sure we will all await the findings of this committee with interest.

The Address-Mr. Hanna
During the latter part of 1956 this country experienced a definite upswing in immigration. With the tremendous growth of our national economy, Canada can use a great many more people. It is encouraging to hear of so many people planning to come here from the British Isles. I for one feel sure that they will not be disappointed with what Canada has to offer them.
This parliament and the people of Canada have demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt their welcome for the unfortunate refugees from tyranny in Hungary. I am sure these people will quickly find remunerative positions here within the framework of our national economy. While we rejoice in their coming here, I am sure we all deeply regret the conditions which have caused them to flee for their lives from their native land.
In this connection I feel I should not overlook a word of commendation and praise for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Mr. Pickersgill) who acted so swiftly to give his personal attention to the movement of Hungarian refugees to Canada. I have met no one who is not filled with admiration for his decision to go to Austria to make sure that everything humanly possible was being done by his department for the relief of distress and suffering.
I am sure that everyone here, Mr. Speaker, regrets as much as I do the unfortunate industrial dispute which has led to the stoppage of work on the whole Canadian Pacific railway system. This stoppage is having very serious implications for the whole nation. In the interests of Canada I hope that the parties to the dispute will soon agree to come together to effect a settlement. The present situation is hurting many innocent people and it will have to be settled some time. In the name of reason I hope we can have a settlement now before any more damage is done. I am sure that the good offices of the federal Department of Labour are always available to the parties concerned.
Those responsible for municipal government in our country will, I am sure, be most happy that their representations for the payment of taxes by the federal government on federal property have not gone unheeded. This will assist them materially to carry out the numerous obligations which our orderly development as a nation is placing upon their shoulders. This is also a matter which I and other government supporters in the house have raised from time to time and I cannot help noting that it is good to see that attention is being given to these matters, for it belies the contention of some uninformed individuals to the effect that the views of backbenchers on issues of the day are usually of no avail.

As representatives of the people of Canada, we are thankful for what the contents of the speech from the throne will mean to our country.
Seconded by the hon. member for Gloucester (Mr. Robichaud) 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.
(Translation) :


Mr. H. J. Robichaud (Gloucester):: Mr. Speaker, when I was asked by the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) whether I would accept to second the address in reply to the speech from the throne, I was deeply moved by the invitation, and I accepted it in all humility. I wish to offer my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister and to the members of his cabinet for this honour which I accept not only in my personal name but above all in the name of the electors of my constituency of Gloucester and more particularly in the name of the racial group which I have the privilege of representing in this house.
I also wish to join with my colleague, the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona (Mr. Hanna), in expressing to you, Mr. Speaker, as well as to every member of this house, my best wishes for a good, happy, prosperous and holy new year.
(Text):
Mr. Speaker, I want to be the first one to extend to my colleague the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona (Mr. Hanna), who had the honour of moving this address, my heartiest congratulations on his splendid presentation. I was deeply moved by his noble gesture in addressing a few remarks in the French language, the other official language of this country. This is another tribute to this Canadian unity which today is prevailing throughout this Canada of ours under the leadership of our present Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent). All members of this house, I am confident, are being impressed by the necessity for Canadians, regardless of our religious beliefs or racial origins, to work closely together, in harmony and mutual understanding, for the welfare of the whole population of our beloved country.
May I also pause for one moment to offer at this time my most sincere and hearty congratulations to the new leader of Her Majesty's official opposition, the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker). His

years of experience and his reputation as an outstanding lawyer and parliamentarian have assured him of this confidence and the highly responsible honour tendered him by his party supporters.
(Translation):
The 60,000-odd citizens of Gloucester constituency, of whom 85 per cent are the descendants of those who lived in the Acadia of 1755, have made a very important contribution to the economic and cultural growth of our country. They are also among the first to understand the necessity of national unity in the pursuit of our common goal. After tneir deportation, the Acadian people were in a very precarious situation. But, through their indomitable courage and their will to survive, they gradually recovered and overcame many obstacles before becoming an important element in the life of our nation. Their gradual settlement in northern New Brunswick and along the coast of Gloucester can perhaps be explained by their love of the sea and the forest, and an irresistible urge to settle close to the ocean.
I do not intend to take undue advantage of the few minutes at my disposal to relate the history of my constituency. As most of the population is rural, a great many of my people are interested in the fishing industry, and a sizeable proportion of them practise the noble occupation of farmer. During the last ten years, the fishing industry, which is predominant along the 200 miles or so of coastal areas in Gloucester, has known a development and an expansion comparable with the transformations which have taken place in every section of this country. Our modern fishing fleet compares favourably with any other on the Atlantic coast. The federal departments of fisheries and public works have widely co-operated with provincial authorities in making possible these changes in the fishing industry in my constituency.
As we enumerate the important milestones in the evolution of this country and in the economic expansion of the last few years, we must take note of the mineral developments in the Bathurst district. The discovery of zinc, lead and copper ore must rank foremost among the major mining discoveries of the year 1953. We may infer from it an economic expansion unprecedented in the history of our province. Bathurst, a little town of 5,000 people, has been mainly known so far for its pulp and paper mill, its lumber industries, its mechanical parts plant, etc. This little town, which up to now had been perfectly calm, has now become a centre of great activity and undergone changes which in the near future may well go beyond the most optimistic hopes. It is true that a large 82715-21
The Address-Mr. Robichaud number of the people in my constituency and even in the province of New Brunswick as a whole are uncertain and doubtful about these developments, which they find somewhat too slow and possibly not spectacular enough. I would like to reassure them and to inspire them with my own confidence. A new public building will be built this year in Bathurst. Moreover, a deep water port will soon be established there from which minerals and other products of the area may be shipped, almost the year round. The mining companies will continue to expand and we are assured of the fullest co-operation of the federal authorities in each and every area which is of concern to them.
These mines will bring additional revenue to our province and contribute to the economic expansion of this country. We in New Brunswick are only beginning this mining expansion whose value in 1956 reached the almost fabulous amount of over two billion dollars, representing twice the production of 1950. Through the co-operation of the department of mines and technical surveys, we were assured of an excellent service which made this development possible particularly in New Brunswick. There is no longer any doubt that the marked and sensational development of the Bathurst area will gradually extend to other areas of my constituency and of the province.
New jobs will be available for thousands of people and, with the contemplated increase in population, new outlets will be created for our agricultural and fish products.
Mr. Speaker, I do not want to overtax the patience of this house and, without further ado, I shall deal with some of the main points of the speech that was just read to us in the senate by His Excellency the Governor General.
At the beginning of this new year, there is no doubt that we are going through one of the most critical periods of our history. As stated in the speech from the throne, the instability of the situation in the Middle East, the disastrous effects of the persecution of the unfortunate Hungarian people should make us think more seriously and bring each and every one of us, whatever our political affiliation, to a sense of responsibility, that will guide us in our deliberations, and to a greater appreciation of the freedom of speech and action guaranteed to us by the constitution of our country.
It was with pride, was it not, and not without some glory, that the great majority of the Canadian people approved the stand taken by our representatives at the United Nations.
Has not Canada, despite the opinion expressed by some political antagonists, been an important factor of solidarity in the common-

The Address-Mr. Robichaud wealth as has been so clearly indicated, once again, by our representatives at the last session of the United Nations assembly? Has not Canada, as a free country under the clever and wise leadership of our Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson), contributed, perhaps more than any other country to the achievement of the noble goals dictated by the charter of the United Nations? Its objective will insure us as well as mankind as a whole, that useful measures will be taken to lead us towards that era of peace which we are all so much longing for.
Has not Mr. Nehru, prime minister of India, while in Ottawa, declared to a press conference that Canada, in recent conflicts, has been playing a part of paramount importance and has rendered a valuable service by establishing links between the countries of Asia, Europe and America which are all experiencing a strong economic development? That part played by Canada must undoubtedly be put down to the credit of our Prime Minister, of his government and of our energetic and untiring Secretary of State for External Affairs. The goodwill tour of our Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin), which will be completed in a few days, after a visit to Pakistan and other countries which receive assistance under the Colombo Plan, is another obvious and glaring proof of our foreign policy aimed at insuring throughout the world a lasting peace based on Christian charity. The main purpose of that visit was to convey to the Asiatic populations in the name of the people and the government of Canada a message of friendship and goodwill. In every country he visited our ambassador of goodwill met an attitude of respect and friendship for the Canadian people. Our representatives, our engineers and experts in the fields of medicine, public health and education who have been sent to those countries have largely contributed to the betterment of conditions there and of the way of life of those peoples.
The speech from the throne recommends the introduction, at this session, of legislation designed to set up a Senate committee on agriculture. We, from the eastern provinces, consider this approach on the part of the government as a very promising one for the future. There is no doubt that a gradual recession of farm income would endanger the continued strength of our general economy. We do not doubt that the changes and developments which have taken place in agriculture these last few years will be a prominent factor in the progress of our nation's industrial growth. The changes occurring both in domestic and in foreign markets basically require an entirely novel adjustment calling for a revision of measures applied so
[Mr. Robichaud.l
far with regard to consumption as well as to production. However, we cannot ignore the fact that, during the past year, farm incomes have reached a record figure in our history.
We hope that this committee, whose object will be to contribute effectively to increasing agricultural production and the income of agricultural workers, will take advantage of the opportunity to make a thorough study of the particular position and conditions of the eastern provinces. Our farmers, our New Brunswick agriculturists and especially those of the northernmost districts, recognize that they can no longer make any progress or even make a living unless they are given substantial financial aid so that they may improve or adapt their methods in accordance with the development and modern trends of other industries. They believe, and rightly so, that the regulations, or the interpretation of the Canadian Farm Loan Act do not enable them to obtain the share of loans to which they are entitled. Let us hope that the committee proposed under this new legislation will use its authority and prerogatives to make a thorough study of this problem, one of unequalled importance to the effective development of agriculture in our section of the country.
The whole Canadian people has been pleased to hear the declaration of our Prime Minister on November 12 last, in the speech he made at the national conference on secondary education. The establishment of a Canadian council for the encouragement of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as was put forward in the speech from the throne, and in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Massey Commission, will encourage and help voluntary organizations concerned with arts, humanities and social sciences, and will foster our cultural relations with foreign countries. Again, in accordance with this report, it is the intention of the government to introduce a measure designed to vest this council of the arts with another important function. I think that the voting by this house, or rather this parliament, of an additional credit of $50 million which would be entrusted to the council and distributed over a ten-year period, will help meet that urgent need for capital expenditure which is facing our Canadian universities.
Thanks to private enterprise and a proper national policy, our economic prosperity stands at a record level. The Canadian government realizes that our cultural development must go hand in hand with our economic development. It is the duty of the state to help financially, but without

controlling it of course, that private enterprise which looks after the development of our national culture.
With the great majority of our Canadian universities, I am glad of the government's decision to recommend to parliament, at this session, that the annual federal grants to the universities be doubled. Coming as I do from an English province and being of the French minority, I realize that such a frank and courageous decision on the part of our government will have important repercussions on the future of our youth and on the development of our national life.
We find, in my constituency, the University of the Sacred Heart, under the direction of the Eudist fathers. No one will ever be able to assess what Acadia, what New Brunswick, and what my constituency of Gloucester owe to these educators who, for more than half a century, have devoted their lives and energies to our young people, without asking anything in return. We recognize that the rapid growth of our country requires a similar development of our universities and we approve without any reservation the financial participation of the state as long as the federal government does not intend to interfere in the field of education, which belongs to the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces, and as long as the central government does not threaten the freedom of our universities.
Our institutions of higher learning, such as the Sacred Heart university which I mentioned a moment ago, need the financial help of the government to continue to dispense to our young people the knowledge which will prepare them to take charge of the development of the natural resources of our country.
As long as the federal subsidies to universities continue to be paid unconditionally, as long as the central government makes no attempt to intervene in the administration or the management of these universities, we who are from provinces with French-speaking minorities will rejoice in this financial assistance which constitutes another means of safeguarding our cultural autonomy. Along with our Prime Minister, we are convinced that these proposals will help fill a gap in the national life of this country and help solve the critical difficulties now being felt by Canadian institutions of higher learning.
Our government is not content to increase this help given to our institutions of higher learning. It recognizes the increased demands brought about by our national evolution. It therefore proposes to revise once more and to increase subsidies and subventions to provincial governments to assist them in providing technical and vocational training for our young people. May I point out one
The Address-Mr. ftobichaud of the problems facing our municipalities, the seriousness of which is constantly increasing from year to year. In my constituency of Gloucester, for instance, the population of 60,000 inhabitants has to provide primary education to some 15,000 children. The high cost of building and maintaining our schools, as well as teachers' salaries require direct taxation, far beyond the taxpayers' ability to pay. It must be recognized however that this matter is exclusively of provincial jurisdiction and that it would not be logical to ask federal authorities to intervene in the settlement of our problems of primary and secondary education. This should be dealt with exclusively by our provincial legislatures, and it is up to the municipalities to insist upon the distribution by the provincial governments of a larger share of the subsidies granted the provinces by the federal government under the federal-provincial tax agreements.
We shall also be called upon to deal with some amendments to the federal program of subsidies to municipalities. We hope that the study of the suggested amendments will help us to lighten the already too heavy burden borne by municipalities in providing the additional services made necessary by our economic expansion and our growing population.	,
(Text):	.
Before resuming my seat I want to say a word about the royal commission on Canada's economic prospects. We have confidence that the report of the Gordon commission, which is expected to be made public within the next few days, will deal-in a most encouraging manner, we hope-with problems affecting the provinces of the Atlantic coast. The day has come when we of the maritime provinces must desist from this attitude of utter discouragement which has been so prevalent amongst ourselves for the last two or three decades. Let us do away with the expression of depressed or "have not" provinces for which we ourselves, residents of the mari-times, may have been responsible and had to bear the consequences. We realize that the maritime provinces may not have shared equally in the general economic upswing which has been maintained so vigorously throughout the last few years. We feel that our geographical position is creating transportation problems, but we are confident that these problems can be solved. We have faith in the future of our country and faith in the future of our own maritime provinces.
Our new attitude of self-reliance must be a realistic indication of our determination to share in this period of unequaled prosperity

The Address-Mr. Robichaud in Canadian history. New industries have sprung up in the maritime provinces, new pulp and paper mills have come into being, power generation is increasing gradually, and New Brunswick's lead, zinc, copper and manganese developments have given our province new industrial importance. We will be waiting with great interest for this report of the Gordon commission. We feel confident that proper consideration has been given to our difficulties in the field of transportation, and in the supplying of electrical energy.
We regard as a move in the right direction the recent decision of the board of transport commissioners which has resulted in a saving of $100,000 annually for our New Brunswick potato farmers. We approve of the recent announcement of the Canadian government travel bureau to increase by $300,000 its annual contribution for the promotion of the tourist industry in the maritime provinces where the charm of our ports, our salmon rivers, our valleys, our long coast line and historic woodland highways and our moderate climate is attracting thousands of tourists annually to spend some $50 million a year.
We support the renewal of an agreement between the Canadian government, the province of New Brunswick and private industry to carry on with the spraying program to protect our forests against the disastrous destruction by budworms. In this particular field we sincerely hope that the Canadian government will recognize the importance of our forests to our general economy and, in view of the wide scope of this program, increase substantially the federal contribution which to date has reached a total of over $2 million.

We most welcome the latest revision of the Unemployment Insurance Act regulations which provides for the inclusion of commercial fishermen in unemployment insurance benefits. The application of this new measure could easily mean an additional $200,000 annually for the fishermen of Gloucester county.
(Translation) ;
Mr. Speaker, in formally seconding the resolution moved by the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona, I should also like to pay tribute to the right hon. Prime Minister.
At this time, and in this critical period of our history, the Canadian people are thankful to Divine Providence for the fact that they have as a leader a man whose wisdom and foresight are also greatly admired abroad. He knows how to apply to national affairs those same Christian principles which he has adopted with regard to his own life, and his policy is based on his determination to preserve Canadian unity while securing for each and everyone the material and cultural security which is essential to our national unity.
(Text):
On motion of Mr. Diefenbaker the debate was adjourned.



LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT

[Stage Direction]
Report of the parliamentary librarian.- Mr. Speaker.
On motion of Mr. St. Laurent (Quebec East) the house adjourned at 4.52 p.m.
[Stage Direction]
Statue of Sir Robert Borden

[Stage Direction]
The
Unveiling of the Statue of Sir Robert Borden
on
Tuesday, January 8, 1957
Speeches of the Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent, Hon. Wishart McL. Robertson, Speaker of the Senate, Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin, Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr. Henry Borden, Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker, Mr. M. J. Coldwell and Mr. Solon E. Low.
Hon. Wisharl  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senaie: Ladies and gentlemen, "O Canada".
(Whereupon the gathering sang O Canada.)
Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons, ladies and gentlemen: We are assembled here to do honour to the memory of a great Canadian, the Right Honourable Sir Robert Borden, a former prime minister of Canada. We, and the unseen audience, through the magic of television, have just witnessed the unveiling of the statue to his memory, located on a site just west of the west block on parliament hill. For seasonal reasons the continuing ceremonies are being held in the Hall of Honour of the centre block.
Seated on the platform in addition to the co-chairman, the Honourable L. Rene Beaudoin, Speaker of the House of Commons, are: Right Honourable L. S. St. Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada Honourable Patrick Kerwin,
Chief Justice of Canada Mr. Henry Borden Honourable W. Ross Macdonald, Government Leader in the Senate Mr. John Diefenbaker,
Leader of the Opposition Mrs. Henry Borden Honourable T. A. Crerar Honourable George Drew Honourable J. T. Haig,
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mr. John Bracken Mr. M. J. Coldwell,
Leader of the C.C.F. party Mr. Solon Low,
Leader of the Social Credit party.
The Right Honourable Arthur Meighen, the Honourable Esioff L. Patenaude and the Honourable Albert A. Sevigny were invited to attend but expressed their regrets. They, with Senator Crerar, are the only surviving members of Sir Robert's government.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Speaker of the House of Commons.
(Translation):


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of ihe House of Commons):: Mr. Prime Minister, Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here this afternoon to honour the memory of a Canadian who was prime minister of our country and who, in the course of a long and remarkable political career, has rendered outstanding services: Sir Robert Laird Borden.
A few moments ago, in the presence of the present Right Honourable Prime Minister, and of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Henry Borden, Q.C., a nephew of Sir Robert Borden, unveiled a monument erected on parliament hill to remind future generations of our past glories and of the debt of gratitude which we owe to the builders of this nation.
We are therefore witnessing one of those great parliamentary occasions. The leaders of all parties unite in paying a nation's tribute to Sir Robert Laird Borden.
(Text):


Hon. Wisharl  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senaie: Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour to present the Prime Minister of Canada.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Co-chairmen, Mr. Chief
Justice, Mr. Borden, ladies and gentlemen: Just before we begin the heavy schedule of another session of parliament, it is fitting that we should pause to pay tribute to one of the great figures in Canadian history, Sir Robert Borden.
I wish to congratulate Miss Frances Loring on the striking likeness and the excellent workmanship of the statue which Mr. Henry Borden unveiled a few minutes ago. She has expressed for the permanent records of our nation in a fashion more eloquent than words many of the fine characteristics of that distinguished statesman.
16	HOUSE OF
Statue of Sir Robert Borden
The Right Honourable Sir Robert Borden was born over one hundred years ago in the small rural community of Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, the native province of three of Canada's prime ministers. He is remembered particularly by us as Canada's prime minister during the first world war.
Much has been written about Canada's role in the first world war and no doubt much will be written in the future. This was one of the most critical periods of Canadian history. Much progress has been made since confederation in the development of a strong and united nation, but the national fabric has never faced such a severe test and none could tell if it could withstand the strains imposed upon it.
Canadians were fortunate in those trying years to have as their leader a man of unquestionable integrity, a high sense of duty, a thoroughly trained mind and an exceptional capacity for unremitting hard work. Whatever opinions might be advanced on the policies which he pursued, his personal qualities and particularly his honesty and sincerity of purpose in seeking to serve his country well were outstanding.
Under Sir Robert Borden's leadership Canada made a contribution to the first world war which won the praise and admiration of her allies. In addition to his leadership at home, Sir Robert played an active role in the imperial war cabinet in London. He strove throughout the war to ensure that Canada should have a voice in the formulation of allied policy rather than limit her role to supplying men and material. With a wide and statesmanlike view of this country's capacities and her future, he sought to encourage his fellow citizens to accept their new and inevitable responsibilities.
In 1919 Sir Robert Borden was our chief plenipotentiary delegate at the peace conference in Paris, and in 1920 he signed the treaty of Versailles as the representative of Canada on terms of equality with the representatives of the other allied nations. In the same year Canada was admitted as an original member of the league of nations.
Another of Sir Robert's accomplishments at about the same time was to secure for Canada the right to have a minister plenipotentiary in Washington accredited by the King and appointed on the advice of the Canadian cabinet. Such an appointment, however, was only made several years later. Sir Robert also suggested at the imperial war conference of 1918 that Canada should decide its own constitutional questions. This, as you know, was accomplished in the last few years.


In his book, "Canada in the Commonwealth", published after his retirement, he welcomed the definition of the relations of Great Britain and the dominion contained in the Balfour report as "autonomous communities within the British empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any respect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the crown and freely associated as members of the British commonwealth of nations."
"The dominions having sought and gained the status of nationhood", Sir Robert wrote, "they cannot recede from assumption of its responsibilities." And in the last lines of his book Sir Robert Borden expressed his hope that this freedom within the unity of the commonwealth was "an earnest of what may yet be accomplished in an ever wider sphere. The league of the commonwealth may serve as an exemplar to the league of nations."
(Translation):
Sir Robert devoted himself to his work with such energy that even his own vast physical resources proved unequal to the task. He was obliged to retire in 1920. Fortunately, he soon recovered his good health, a fact which enabled him to continue his active life for a number of years afterwards. I had the pleasure of hearing him in 1929 when he spoke before the Canadian Bar Association in Quebec city. I well remember him and the words he spoke on that occasion. During the war it was believed in certain quarters that he did not understand those Canadians belonging to the French-speaking group, and that he had no real sympathy for them. It is perhaps for that reason that he availed himself of that opportunity to speak of the very origin of Canadian history in the heart of the province of Quebec, in that city which he called the "founding city" of Canada. When he had finished speaking, he had removed any doubts we may have had about his real sympathy for French-speaking Canadians. May I be allowed to quote the last sentences of his speech:
(Text):
On the whole there has been an honourable and wholesome co-operation of the two races in the upbuilding of Canadian institutions and in the development of the heritage with which Providence has endowed the Canadian nation. The pioneer races are and they always will be distinctive but in their origins they are much nearer to each other than either seems to imagine. It is desirable to emphasize their points of sympathy and contact rather than their divergences of temperament and outlook.

(Translation):
Those words were spoken by Sir Robert Borden more than a quarter of a century ago. Since then, our policy, both internal and external, has undergone great changes. Perhaps he would not approve of them all. I am sure however that he would agree with us that we have gone a long way on the road to national maturity and unity.
(Text):
In the years since his death we have learned to have a more accurate and a deeper appreciation of a great Canadian statesman. And I am sure that all Canadians who gaze upon the statue which has been unveiled today will recall with respect his sincerity of purpose and his selfless devotion to his country.
One of Sir Robert's oldest friends and perhaps his closest collaborator, who had hoped to be here on this occasion but who is prevented by illness from being present, has written me the following letter:
360 Bay Street, Toronto January 3, 1957
My dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I feel grateful for your invitation to be present at the coming Sir Robert Borden memorial event (January 8) but am resolutely forbidden to leave the house by my doctor. I have, therefore, prepared a very short statement of acknowledgement and regret. This I hope you will read to the assembled people.
There has been nothing in the past that I had to shrink from which X regretted like I do this failure to take my part.
I sincerely appreciate the invitation and am grateful to you personally.
Sincerely yours,
Arthur Meighen.
This is the statement enclosed with Mr. Meighen's letter:
It is with extreme remorse that I find myself ill and quite unable to attend the proceedings on parliament hill which are to do honor to Sir Robert Borden.
In his lifetime, Sir Robert Borden had friends unnumbered in all parts of Canada, but none, I sincerely submit, more devoted and tireless than myself and this relationship continued until the hour of his death.
To have survived until this event takes place will add much to my feelings of gratitude and satisfaction, and one cannot be wrong in indulging an inward assurance that the waves of goodwill generated here, the richer sense of unity and common purpose inspired, the pride we all have in those who have toiled nobly and passed on, that all these flaming truths will keep us resolutely on our course.
Arthur Meighen.


Hon. Wishart  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senate: Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. Henry Borden, nephew of Sir Robert Borden and one of the most outstanding Canadian figures in the business and professional life of Canada.
Mr. Henry Borden, Q.C.:	Mr. Chairman,
Mr. Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Speaker of
Statue of Sir Robert Borden the House of Commons, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: This is indeed an historic occasion and I wish, Mr. Prime Minister, to thank you sincerely for doing me the great honour and giving me the unforgettable privilege of unveiling this statue of Sir Robert Borden. I have no hesitation in saying that I dearly loved Sir Robert and my life has been enriched by the deep affection and kindliness which he bestowed on me.
The statue, in the design and completion of which you, sir, have taken such a genuine personal interest, will serve to keep fresh in the minds of future generations the memory of a distinguished Canadian statesman, of whom you have just spoken in such complimentary terms.
On behalf of Sir Robert's relatives and friends I wish to join in the Prime Minister's congratulations to Miss Loring, and to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and through you the citizens of Canada, for causing this wonderful memorial to be created on parliament hill. Thank you very much indeed.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. John Diefenbaker, Q.C., M.P., will now speak.
Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker, Q.C.: Joint chairmen, Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: First, I want to join with Mr. Borden in thanking the Prime Minister for the generous terms in which he referred to the service to Canada of Sir Robert Borden. This is in keeping with the traditions of our public service. While we may disagree in matters of policy each of us must, under our democratic system, realize that it is only in a community of counsel that the best for Canada will be achieved.
I think it is most fitting that we, on this occasion, honour one of Canada's greatest statesmen. As I listened to the Prime Minister review the constitutional development of this country I thought it was a magnificent tribute from one constitutional lawyer, regarding the constitutional development of this country, in giving approval to the contribution made by another. After all, there is that bond of union amongst members of the legal profession wherein the greatness of a contribution is at all times recognized by one's fellows. It is of interest to know, too, that out of the eleven prime ministers of Canada, seven were members of the legal profession, all making their contribution toward the building of this country into the ideal of us all.
Mention was made of the reaction to the attitude of Sir Robert Borden and the stand

Statue of Sir Robert Borden he took at the peace conference. It was he who insisted, following the sacrifices of the war, that Canada be recognized as an autonomous nation within the family of British nations, and insisted on the right to sign the treaty of Versailles and join as a signatory of the league of nations pact whereby Canada adopted responsibilities that heretofore had not been regarded as a necessary incident of our membership in the commonwealth.
After all, we judge men and women first on the basis of those who served with them. This morning I found a quotation in Lloyd George's memoirs which sets forth the attitude that was taken by Lloyd George to this man who has been honoured today in the unveiling of this statue. Lloyd George said of him this:
Canada was represented (at the imperial conference of 1917) by Sir Robert Borden who was the very quintessence of common sense. Always calm, well balanced, a man of co-operating temper, invariably subordinating self to the common cause, he was a sagacious and helpful counsellor, never forgetting that his first duty was to the people of the great dominion he represented, but also realizing that an insistent and obstructive particularism would destroy any hope of achieving success in the common task.
While it was Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George Etienne Cartier who joined together the two great races and founded Canada, and who had still a greater contribution to make in the years to follow, it was Sir Robert Borden and those who served with him who were able to achieve that unity and that international status which many had dreamed of 50 years before. It was only achieved in the light of the sacrifices of the war.
We recognize, too, as you said, Mr. Prime Minister, the contribution of the two races to this country. With parliament opening today it is well to remember that in 1921 Sir Robert Borden, on the occasion of the gift of the Speaker's chair from Westminster to the House of Commons, said this:
The parliamentary institutions which we hold as of right and not of grace were won by a common ancestry and through gradual evolution and development during the past five or six centuries. The man who summoned the first gathering that might be regarded as the forerunner of the commons house of parliament of Great Britain as that of Canada was a Frenchman, born in France. Thus we can look back with satisfaction upon the fact that Saxon and Norman five or six hundred years ago stood side by side in the assertion of liberties that are ours today.
I think on this occasion it is well to recall those words, as this monument has been unveiled. I think all of us will agree that his monument will be tangible evidence of his statesmanship; his living monument the establishment of the principle of equality among the free nations within the common-


wealth and empire as he saw it, and his contribution to fashioning for Canada that role which she is playing so magnificently today. Of him it may indeed be said that "he builded better than he knew."
Kon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons): Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the leader of the C.C.F. party, Mr. M. J. Coldwell, will now speak.


Major James William Coldwell: Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I think it is fitting that we have gathered here today to honour the memory of a great Canadian. There are times in the lives of nations when it is well to look back and remember famous men. Sir Robert Borden was a famous and a great man. As we have heard today he was one of the architects, indeed in many respects the principal architect, of the place which Canada now has in the world of today.
Sir Robert Borden, at Versailles, insisted on the recognition of Canada as a nation. Sir Robert Borden was, in that respect, one of those who placed the British commonwealth in its new phase. His services to this country and to the commonwealth deserve the recognition that has been given to him today. I am very happy indeed that I am one of those who, though not sharing the fundamental principles of the party he represented, can speak on behalf of those who, while disagreeing with him in some of his policies, none the less recognize fully that in his day and in his generation he played a great part in leading this country through difficult times and in laying the foundations of the Canada which we know today.
I am very happy indeed to have had this opportunity of being present and participating in this great event.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of fhe House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the leader of the Social Credit party, Mr. Solon Low, will now speak to you.


Solon Earl Low: Messrs. Co-chairmen, Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I feel greatly honoured to have this privilege of participating in an event which was designed to enable us to pay tribute to a great Canadian statesman. I shall not multiply words nor repeat the things that have already been said, though I am convinced that some of them might be worthy of repetition for the sake of emphasis. Suffice it to say that I concur most heartily in all those things which have been said of Sir Robert Borden, as well as of the artist who executed the statue that has been unveiled today.

As people in the days ahead look upon the likeness of Sir Robert that is now on the grounds of parliament, they will doubtless be moved to study the life and accomplishments of this great Canadian. If they do, I am sure that they will discover something which will give them considerable encouragement.
Sir Robert was born in humble circumstances, and through his own effort and determination to work hard he reached one of the highest positions within the ability of the Canadian people to bestow on any man. He accomplished this without benefit of family fortune or prestige of great family power. It will occur to all who will read and learn about this Canadian that what Sir Robert accomplished many another Canadian can also accomplish if he is prepared to devote himself unceasingly and with complete honesty of purpose to his task. We may differ with many of the views that were held by Sir Robert Borden. We may be critical even of some of the things he did, but anybody who took the trouble to study his life and the motives that activated him in his public service must agree that he did have complete honesty of purpose and an integrity that can
Statue of Sir Robert Borden stand as an example to all who are called to serve their country. It is fitting, therefore, that an occasion of this kind be used to remind ourselves that Providence has always raised up good men to meet the needs of the particular time in which they lived.
I am sure that Sir Robert was one of those, and furthermore if our nation continues in humility to seek after things of righteousness we will always be blessed with the kind of men who can give us the leadership we need for the particular circumstances of those times.
May I say in conclusion that I honour the memory of Sir Robert Borden for all the reasons that have been mentioned here today, and in addition for the fact that he had a thoroughly disciplined mind, which he applied with singleness of purpose to the development of Canada and the British Empire. Of Sir Robert it can truly be said that he served his country well.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you now to rise and sing "God Save the Queen."
Whereupon the gathering sang God Save the Queen.

Wednesday, January 9, 1957

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 2.30 o'clock on this day, for the purpose of formally opening the session of the dominion parliament.
A message was delivered by Major C. ft. 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:



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 82715-1
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 Is again a pleasure for me to greet you as you resume your parliamentary duties in this new year.
The international scene continues to be characterized by instability in the Middle East and in eastern Europe.
My ministers remain convinced of the need to maintain the basic unity of the commonwealth and the reality of the western alliance, to contribute effectively to the supervision of the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Egypt under the authority of the United Nations and to the achievement of a lasting settlement of Middle East problems.
Visits to Canada in the last few weeks by the prime ministers of Ceylon and India have been conducive to a renewed strengthening of the bonds which unite the peoples of the commonwealth in their constant aim to co-operate in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress.
An encouraging advance is being made, as evidenced by the latest ministerial meeting of the council, in the development of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the non-military as well as in the military field. My ministers remain strongly convinced of the need to maintain the North Atlantic treaty as the keystone of the defence of the western nations.
In the Middle East Canadian servicemen, as part of the United Nations emergency force proposed by Canada at the general assembly of the United Nations, are performing valuable tasks in the interest of world peace.
The United Nations has served to focus world opinion on the brutal repression of the heroic Hungarian people in their endeavour to throw off the yoke of Soviet imperialism. The vast humanitarian problems that have arisen as a result of Soviet intervention require the joint efforts of many countries. Through the United Nations, the Red Cross, and in co-operation with the government of Austria, this country is playing its part in relieving suffering and re-settling the refugees.
The entrance into Canada of Hungarian refugees has been greatly facilitated and free transportation provided from Austria to new homes in this country. Already thousands of these Hungarians have been welcomed to Canada and we look forward to receiving thousands more during the winter and spring. There are also substantially increasing numbers of immigrants from the British Isles arranging to proceed to Canada this year.
Recent events have confirmed my ministers' belief in the importance of seeking solutions to international problems through the United Nations

Speech from the Throne and of upholding by all practical and constructive means the principles of the United Nations charter. My ministers also believe, however, that while making every effort to achieve these long-term goals, the western nations must remain strong and united in their defences and in their diplomacy in order that aggressive action against them will be prevented and international tension can be lessened.
Excellent progress is being made in our national economic development. Expansion is evident in every part of Canada. Rapid strides are being made in opening up and utilizing our natural resources and in our industrial and urban growth. Employment has reached unprecedented levels. Once again we have been blessed with good crops. External trade was considerably greater last year than during any previous year. Canadians in almost every part of the country have been enjoying the benefits of this invigorating economic climate.
Indeed our economic expansion has been so rapid that it has put a serious strain upon the supply of various types of labour and materials needed for the many projects which are being put in hand. The corresponding competition to borrow savings to finance all these projects has brought about an increase in interest rates. Increases in the volume of money and credit have had to be carefully limited in order to check inflationary tendencies and the financial policies of my government have also been directed to counteract these same tendencies.
In the last few days a serious industrial dispute has led to a stoppage of work on one of the major railways of Canada despite the use of the normal processes of conciliation. Special efforts have been made and are continuing to be made by my ministers to assist the parties to reach an agreed settlement.
The preliminary report of the royal commission on economic prospects has been received and will shortly be laid before you.
You will be asked to approve a measure for the establishment of a Canada Council for the arts, humanities and social sciences, in order to give a new impetus to the development of Canadian scholarship and culture. In this measure you will be asked to approve an endowment for the council so that it may discharge its functions with the greatest possible sense of responsibility.
Because it is important that our universities should be able to keep pace with the increasing demands to be made upon them by the increasing number of young Canadians, you will be asked to approve a further grant of money to the Canada Council to be distributed by it for the purpose of assisting Canadian universities in some of their necessary construction projects. You will also be asked to approve the doubling of the annual grants to universities, and the payment of these funds to the national conference of Canadian universities for division by it among the recognized institutions of higher learning.
A measure will be placed before you for the purpose of renewing on a revised and increased basis the federal program of grants to provincial governments in aid of technical and vocational training.
It is proposed to recommend in the Senate the establishment of a committee to consider what should be done to make better use of land for agriculture and thus to contribute more effectively to the improvement of agricultural production and the incomes of those engaged in it.
An amendment extending the scope of the Municipal Grants Act will be laid before you to authorize the payment of grants in lieu of taxes on federal property in all municipalities where such property receives the normal municipal services.


An amendment to the Merchant Seamen Compensation Act will be presented making appropriate improvements in the scale of benefits to disabled seamen and the dependents of deceased seamen.
You will be asked to consider legislation for the implementation of a north Pacific fur seal convention.
An amendment to the Sockeye Salmon Convention Act to include pink salmon in this international agreement will also be laid before you.
You will be asked to consider a revision of the law controlling narcotic drugs in the light of the report of the Senate committee on the use of narcotics in Canada.
A bill will be introduced for the purpose of continuing the Canadian wheat board as the sole marketing agency for western wheat, oats and barley.
A measure will be laid before you to provide for the division of the national museum of Canada into two museums to be known as the Canadian museum of natural history and the Canadian museum of human history.
A revision of the Federal District Commission Act will be presented for your consideration.
Amendments of detail to a number of other acts will also be introduced.
Members of the House of Commons:
You will be asked to appropriate the funds required to maintain the services and payments provided under the authority of parliament.
Honourable Members of the Senate:
Members of the House of Commons:
May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations.



MOTION PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION LATER THIS DAY

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That the speech of His Excellency the Governor General to both houses of parliament be taken into consideration later this day.
Mr. Speaker:: Is it the pleasure of the house to adopt the motion?


Stanley Howard Knowles: Before this motion carries, Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the government plans at any time to make a statement on or provide for a discussion of the present railway strike, and in that connection whether the government would consider tabling all documents in relation to this matter, including Senator Roebuck's minority report?


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, the matter has been referred to in the speech from the throne and I think it is extremely apt to be dealt with in the debate that will take place on the speech from the throne. As to the production of papers, may I say that any papers in the possession of the Department of Labour can, I assume, be laid on the table for the information of hon. members.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, with the unanimous consent of the house, I hope, I beg leave to move, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, that the addresses delivered today at the unveiling of the statue of Sir Robert Borden, a former prime minister of Canada, be made an appendix to the Hansard of this day.


[Stage Direction]
Motion agreed to.
(For text of above see appendix, pages 15-19.)

Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Speaker, I have another agreeable duty to perform. I would preface it by reminding the house that, at the beginning of the special session of parliament, which was officially closed this morning, I had the privilege of expressing our sincere regret that Hon. George Drew's health made it impossible for him to continue as leader of his party and of Her Majesty's loyal opposition in this house.
I also expressed our hope, which I know was shared by all hon. members, for the speedy restoration of Mr. Drew's health and for the continuance of his important contributions in the public service of our country. I know hon. members must have been delighted to see him at the ceremonies this morning which marked the unveiling of the monument to Sir Robert Borden and to note what rapid progress Mr. Drew has already made, and I am sure they will join with me in wishing him an early, complete and lasting return to his former robust health.
I now wish to extend our most hearty congratulations to the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker) on his recent election as the leader of his party and on the assumption of his duties as Leader of the Opposition in this chamber. The hon. member's new position is one of the most important in our parliamentary system. In all countries which model their system on that of the United Kingdom, competent and responsible examination in the House of Commons of government policies and conduct has proved throughout the years to be one of the most convincing guarantees of efficiency and fairness in the administration of publie affairs. Here in Canada the leader of the opposition is also recognized as the most likely alternative for the position of prime minister in the
82715-li
House of Commons
event-which he and his supporters perhaps consider less unlikely and remote than do we on this side of the house-that the government should fail to have the support of a majority of the members of this house.
The hon. member for Prince Albert has had a long experience in public life and all of us in this chamber have learned to appreciate his talents, his industry, his incisiveness and his pertinacity in promoting what he has regarded as in the best interests of Canada. I do not imagine that his new responsibilities are apt to lessen his belief that the most urgent requirement in that regard is to bring about the downfall of this government; and to, I am sure, the satisfaction of those who sit on the other side of the house, I promise him that we will do our best to provide him with a long period in which to exercise his pertinacious efforts towards that objective.
He and I have disagreed on many occasions and I expect that we shall continue to do so perhaps quite frequently in the future. That is only natural in view of our respective positions. But I hope that we shall be able to disagree in a manner in keeping with the high standards of parliamentary debate and that despite our disagreements we shall continue to respect the sincerity of purpose of one another and our common desire to be of real service to our fellow citizens.
I extend to the Leader of the Opposition our sincere good wishes in his new position and I wish to assure him quite seriously that I will be ready at all times to discuss with him in advance matters which need not be controversial on party lines and about which national unity might perhaps be best served by solutions that we could all recommend to those whom we represent in parliament.
(Translation):
I also wish to congratulate the hon. member on the excellent French he used in the few sentences in this other official language of our people when he addressed the convention at which he was elected leader of his party last December.
Finally, in conclusion, I ask Mrs. Diefenbaker to rest assured that we associate her in our minds in the congratulations and good wishes which we are conveying to her husband today, for we are well aware of the important part which she will play in helping him in the appropriate performance of his new responsibilities.
(Text):


Major James William Coldwell: May
I join the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) in extending congratulations to one of our number who has been elevated to the high office of Leader of the Opposition. I am sure that irrespective of our parties in this house we recognize the importance of the office to

House of Commons
which he has been elevated and the large obligations which he has had to assume, both as leader of his party and Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition and I for a long time occupied neighbouring constituencies and therefore I have known him for a number of years. I am quite sure all of us hope he will retain good health and strength in order that he may carry on the work that is demanded of this very important office. Too many of those who have assumed high office in this country, as leader of the opposition or in other capacity, have broken down under the strain.
I join in the regret expressed by the Prime Minister, regarding the loss from this house of the former leader of the opposition. I want to say to the Leader of the Opposition that I hope, in spite of the efforts he will make to build up his party to a more influential position than it has had for a large number of years, he will take care of his health, because that is of primary importance.


Solon Earl Low: We would like to join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the leader of the C.C.F. party, Mr. Speaker, in extending a very warm welcome to the newly elected leader of the official opposition in this house. We congratulate him on his elevation to that very important position. We recognize fully the great responsibilities that do devolve on a leader of the opposition. Good government in Canada has to depend to a very large degree on the quality of the opposition and the leadership in that opposition; that is very important.
I should like to express one word of caution and advice, as has already been expressed by my friend the leader of the C.C.F., and it is this. I think that to safeguard his health the Leader of the Opposition ought to relax. Since, as the Prime Minister has said, he is going to have plenty of time he can do his work without working under tension and stress, because that is what kills. If he will take a word of advice from me he will take better care of himself than some others have done, including myself. I do wish him every success and warmly congratulate him. He is a westerner. He has been a good friend of mine throughout the years, and I am glad to see him elevated to this very important position.


John George Diefenbaker: 

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. Garson, 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 143rd chapter of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1952, intituled: An act respecting the House of Commons.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That a special committee be appointed to prepare and report, with all convenient speed, lists of members to compose the standing committees of this house under standing order 65, the said committee to be composed of Messrs. Harris, Knowles, Lapointe, Tustin and Weir.
Motion agreed to.

[Stage Direction]
Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime
Minister) moved:
That Edward T. Applewhaite, Esquire, member for the electoral district of Skeena, be appointed deputy chairman of committees of the whole house.
Motion agreed to.
The Address-Mr. Hanna SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

[Stage Direction]
The house proceeded to the consideration of the speech delivered by His Excellency the Governor General at the opening of the session.
Richmond Francis Lionel Hanna: Mr. Speaker, on this memorable occasion of my life I would first of all like to thank the right hon. Prime Minister for the great honour he has bestowed upon me by inviting me to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne here this afternoon. I have no doubt, however, that the Prime Minister desired especially to honour the residents of Edmonton-Strathcona whom I have the privilege of representing in this House of Commons. On their behalf I assure him that we are most grateful for the recognition that he has bestowed on what we believe to be one of the finest communities in all of Canada. It is my hope that on this occasion I may be able to do justice to them as their representative in parliament.
As we have barely crossed the threshold of 1957, Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity to wish you, sir, and through you, all hon. members of this House of Commons a happy, healthful and prosperous new year.
I do regret, Mr. Speaker, as I am sure do all hon. members, the circumstances which have compelled the Hon. George Drew to resign his seat in this House of Commons. He will be very much missed by everybody here. Mr. Drew has performed outstanding services to his country in many ways, and I am sure we all wish for him a speedy recovery to his normal good health and vigour. In that connection, Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker) on his election as leader of the Progressive Conservative party of Canada. He, too, has had a distinguished career both at the bar and here in parliament. He is now leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition, and I know that he will appreciate my sincerity as a supporter of this government when I wish him many happy years in the high office which he now holds in parliament. I was impressed this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, by the good counsel that he received from other members of this chamber that he should not work too hard to overthrow the present government.
It is a good thing for Canada, I believe, that on an occasion like this the government can select a government backbencher from any one of the 10 provinces or the northern territories to move the address in reply to

The Address

Mr. Hanna the speech from the throne. Regardless of what political party may be in power from time to time, X think it is important that that party should draw support from all parts of Canada, and I am certainly glad that this is so at the commencement of this fourth session of the 22nd parliament. It is one more example, I think, of the national unity which is more in evidence throughout Canada as time goes on, and I would like to congratulate my colleague, the hon. member for Gloucester in the province of New Brunswick, on being invited to second the address. His province, we all recall, was one of the four originals in the spendidly conceived confederation of Canada.
May I be permitted, Mr. Speaker, at this point, to say a few words about the province and the city from which I come? I consider nyself fortunate indeed to be the representa-;ive of a city that has no special problems ather than those that arise out of prosperity, growth and good fortune. We in Edmonton are not plagued by any misfortunes of climate, fire, flood or social and economic upheavals such as frequently befall peoples in other parts of the world. Compared with the peoples of many lands, Albertans, and indeed Canadians generally, have every right to be thankful. We do have some problems, it is true, but those problems are relatively small and well within our capacity to solve. I think, Mr. Speaker, it is not out of place at this time to pause and count our manv blessings.
Alberta is now coming into its own as one of the richest provinces of Canada. Even today its vast riches are far beyond accurate estimation. The past year 1956 has been by far the most prosperous in our 51-year history. Retail trade was up 10 per cent over 1955. Capital construction planned for Alberta in 1956 was in the neighbourhood of $900 million. This was about 12 per cent of the capital construction planned for the whole country although Alberta has less than 7 per cent of the total population of Canada. Sales of new automobiles and trucks were up 16 per cent in volume and 30 per cent in dollar value over the previous record year, 1955.
Agriculture, still our basic industry in Alberta, is doing well too. The latest figures whicn 1 could obtain show that farm cash income is up about 14 per cent over 1955 although this figure is tempered somewhat by ever-rising farm costs.
Oil production was up not less than 30 per cent over 1955. Oil production in Alberta now averages well over 400,000 barrels a day with a potential of over 700,000 barrels

a day if markets were available. Power consumption was up 19 per cent over 1955 and so it goes; during 1956, in every area of our economic life, old records tumbled. But Alberta's finest treasure is the quality of her people. They are increasing in numbers, too, although we have room for many more in our province. During the past 12 months the population of Alberta continued to increase and it is now over 1,100,000.
The population of the city of Edmonton proper according to official census figures reached 224,000 last June. This moves Edmonton up from eighth place to sixth place amongst the leading cities of Canada in the short space of five years and during the same period, Mr. Speaker, the population of the constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona increased from 56,000 to over 90,000 which is an increase of 60 per cent. I think that is probably a record.
Since the discovery of oil at Leduc near Edmonton in 1947 the industrialization of Alberta has been taking place very rapidly. During 1956 alone some $85 million was spent in establishing new industries in the Edmonton area. These new industries, mostly petro-chemical in nature, are attracted to Edmonton largely because of our supply of natural gas. This wonder fuel is not only inexpensive but it serves both as a source of energy and as a source of raw material for our manufacturers.
In 1951, five years ago, 10,500 persons were employed in the manufacturing industry in Edmonton and in 1956, 20,251 persons were so employed, an increase of 90 per cent in five years. Indications are that manufacturing will very soon become Alberta's major industry in terms of dollar value.
They used to say, Mr. Speaker, all the major companies operating in the oil fields and new industries in Edmonton located their head offices elsewhere. In 1956 that has been changed. Not less than ten large office buildings are under construction in Edmonton at the present time representing an investment of over $30 million.
I know my constituents and the people of Edmonton generally would want me to thank the Minister of Transport (Mr. Marler) for the progress he is making toward the construction of a fine new international airport in the constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona. The necessary site is being acquired and plans are being advanced so that actual construction will start in the coming spring. I can certainly sympathize with those people who have to move off their farms and out of their homes to make way for this new development. However, I am confident that the government will compensate them adequately and I think this is the best we can

The Address-Mr. Hanna
do under the circumstances. I hope the minister will allow nothing to stand in the way of this project which is so badly needed if Edmonton is to continue to develop as the aerial crossroads of the world. I mention this not from a narrow local interest only but in the interests of air transportation for all of Canada.
I would also like to thank the Postmaster General (Mr. Lapointe) for the fine job he and his department have been doing to keep mail delivery up to par in such a fast growing area as the one I represent. I would also like to say, Mr. Speaker, that both in his capacity as Postmaster General and as Minister of Veterans Affairs this hon. gentleman has proven to be a most efficient administrator. He is always most attentive to all reasonable representations.
I would like to remind my colleagues from eastern Canada how much the people of Edmonton enjoyed the renewed meeting last November between our champion Edmonton Eskimos and the Montreal Alouettes in the annual Grey Cup classic. Out where I come from they are still calling Edmonton the home of the Grey Cup. This now famous annual event, I am sure, is contributing a great deal toward better understanding between all sections of the Canadian people both in the east and in the west.
(Translation):
Mr. Speaker, I was deeply touched by the confidence shown me by the Prime Minister when he invited me to move the address in reply to the speech from the throne. Unfortunately, I lack his command of the two official languages of our country. However, in order to thank him and to follow the example of this illustrious Canadian, I do wish to say a few words in French. I hope to show in this way my confidence in the development of Canada, firmly based on two of the richest cultures of human civilization. Here we are, less than two months after the short special session held in November, when the Prime Minister and his colleagues grew even greater in the esteem of the Canadian people and of peoples abroad as a result of policies which are sensible and at the same time compassionate towards less fortunate peoples, such as the unhappy Hungarian people. They have helped to preserve order and peace in the world.
By its recognized sincerity and its great desire for peace, the Canadian government commands respect in international circles. Here at home, the Canadian nation has reached a remarkable degree of national unity based on the mutual respect of its citizens. In addition, the government strives to promote a fair distribution among all Canadians of the fruits of the general prosperity enjoyed throughout Canada.
I am sure, Mr. Speaker, that the names of Canada and of its present political leaders will be recorded in history in terms that will honour all our grandchildren.
(Text):
I should like to turn now to matters a little farther afield but still of serious consequence for Canadians. I refer of course to the serious world situation which we have been facing in recent months. I wish I had the talent to express adequately my feeling toward our Prime Minister, the minister of external affairs and other ministers of the crown who have contributed so much to the pre-eminent position which Canada holds today in the council of nations. Certainly they have stood tall in the eyes of the world during the biggest and busiest year in Canada's history. It is fortunate indeed that this nation is endowed with such leadership during these unsettled times. The people of Canada will not soon forget the debt we owe them for their patience and vision and tireless efforts for peace and freedom and security throughout the world.
In her external relationships Canada has three principal avenues of approach. At one and the same time we are leading members of the great British commonwealth, of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and of the United Nations. None of these several avenues of approach is in my opinion inconsistent or mutually exclusive. As a nation we endeavour to act on the strongest moral principles at all times. We believe that there cannot be several definitions of right and wrong according to the exigencies of immediate and pressing situations.
While we realize we must be prepared to use force to defend ourselves if need be, Canada stands firmly in the belief that ways must be found eventually to outlaw the use of force as an instrument of international policy. We believe that mankind has a conscience and we hope that sanctions under the moral law will one day replace brute force as the guiding rule of conduct among nations, as it now is amongst individuals. Unfortunately all individuals do not always conform to the moral law and to meet this situation we have police forces. Internationally speaking, we believe the same system should be followed. We believe that the moral force of world opinion, backed up by effective police action, is the best hope of mankind if large-scale wars are to be avoided. This is the basis of our policy in the difficult situation that prevails in the Middle East.

The Address-Mr. Hanna Canada's oldest and strongest ties are with the member nations of the British commonwealth in which we are playing an increasingly important part. Never in the history of the world has there been an organization comparable to the commonwealth for the promotion of peace, freedom, justice and mutual understanding among the diverse peoples of the world. Canadians have a tremendous loyalty to and abiding faith in the commonwealth. We rejoice that the head of the commonwealth is also Queen of Canada. We recall very clearly how the present Prime Minister of Great Britain referred to our own Prime Minister here in this chamber as "the wisest of counsellors and the most loyal of friends".
History very clearly relates how the commonwealth has evolved over the years. The commonwealth is very old in some ways, yet ever new in others. It has proven that it is capable of adapting itself to the needs of the times. It is the only international body in the history of mankind which has survived two major world conflicts and several minor ones. Surely the leaders of the British empire of a century or more ago would scarcely recognize the commonwealth of today. Former ideas of colonial rule, perhaps justifiable in their time and place, have given way to a commonwealth of nations that is the greatest force for enlightened democratic government that the world has ever known.
The Statute of Westminster of 1931 underlined the autonomy and independence of commonwealth nations under the crown. That famous enactment of the British parliament has been the inspiration for the promotion of self-government and freedom all over the globe. In this day and age we are all familiar with the brilliant array of new commonwealth partners that have developed or are developing at the present time their own particular institutions of self-government under the guiding hand of the mother of parliaments at Westminster. This in itself is powerful testimony to the integrity of British leadership in world affairs.
There is nothing in our commonwealth relationship which compels any member to remain within the family against its own wishes. That is precisely as it should be. There is no loyalty so strong as that solidly based on freedom of will. Accordingly, to preserve, to keep intact and to promote further commonwealth growth and understanding should be the endless aim of each and every component member. That, I am confident, is the aim and object of Her Majesty's government of Great Britain. That,
I am equally confident, is the aim and object of Her Majesty's government of Canada. In


our view the commonwealth must be preserved, all of it. None of it is expendable. All of it is well worth while.
I do not wish to suggest for one moment that there cannot be differences of opinion between members of the commonwealth from time to time. Because of the voluntary nature of our association that is only natural. But when differences do occur they are the differences that one normally expects between members of the same family or between friend and friend. Let no one erroneously suppose that these diverse opinions are signs of weakness or of disunity. Quite the contrary. Diversity is in fact one of the main sources of the strength of the commonwealth family. Like the mortar in a brick wall it separates the various units and at the same time binds them securely together. A brick wall without mortar is weak indeed. On more than one occasion in the past the enemies of our sovereign have learned not to underestimate the inherent strength of the commonwealth's invisible ties.
We in Canada are proud of the fact that numerically speaking the greater part of the commonwealth embraces nations in Asia and in Africa which recently have achieved or, speaking of Africa in particular, are about to achieve full and complete self-government. We are happy that these peoples share our common heritage of free institutions and we are anxious to assist them to develop their material resources. We are thankful for the bridgehead of mutual trust and understanding that the commonwealth ties maintain between them and us. We hope they will all remain in the commonwealth. Certainly we in Canada will be the last to forsake our common heritage. Nor do we cling to this common heritage for material gain, but rather for a better understanding amongst all peoples everywhere.
We welcome the recent visit of the Prime Minister of India to our nation's capital. We recall with affection the most cordial reception our own Prime Minister was given when he visited the nations of Asia in 1954. We congratulate the Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin) on his globegirdling tour of commonwealth countries. As a result of such visits of good will and understanding, there is growing today a stronger, better commonwealth than we have known before.
I must confess, Mr. Speaker, that I am one of those people who upon occasion have speculated on the possibility of expanding the commonwealth to include freedom loving nations of good will who are not now members. I am happy indeed to recall that from time to time such hopeful speculation has

been indulged in by a good many other people. All of us remember, I am sure, that during the darkest days of world war II the great Sir Winston Churchill proposed what was in effect an outright amalgamation of the British and French empires. Unfortunately, such a bold and imaginative development was not to be. However, had it taken place 1 am sure this grand union, or should I say reunion, of the British and French peoples would have been worked out along lines similar to those which were used so effectively in building the great Dominion of Canada.
But if it is not practicable at this time to bring new members into the commonwealth from outside, I am proud that Canada has played such an important part in promoting international good will by other means. I refer, of course, to another avenue of our external relations, namely, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Here we have banded together some 14 freedom loving nations not only for mutual defence but also for the promotion of better social, cultural and economic ties. We have unstinting confidence in the present and ultimate success of NATO. Here is another vast area of mankind in which we believe war to be unthinkable as a solution to mutual problems.
In the still wider field of the United Nations itself Canada has earned for herself an enviable reputation for promoting the highest ideals of mankind. We follow this course because as a people we are deeply and genuinely concerned about the future peace and prosperity of the whole world. Unfortunately, in this larger sphere we are not yet sure that war is impossible but we will never stop trying to make it so.
It has become fashionable, Mr. Speaker, for some people, some pessimists, to speculate upon what they regard as the impracticability of our cordial relations with the United States upon the one hand and the members of the British commonwealth on the other. Such sceptics completely overlook the fact that one of the greatest single factors in world affairs today is the now traditional basic friendship and understanding that exists among the great English speaking peoples of the world. Certainly there are differences among us but they are superficial only. The things that unite us are far stronger than those that divide us. I for one hope and believe that this happy state of affairs will soon be spread all over the face of the earth. That is the essence of the international outlook of this Liberal government. We believe that our friends, the people of the United States, appreciate fully what 82715-2
The Address-Mr. Hanna the commonwealth means to the peace and security of the world. For our part, we will never cease trying until the spirit of mutual trust so evident amongst the commonwealth partners thoroughly permeates the whole United Nations.
We are happy, Mr. Speaker, that the speech from the throne asks parliament to approve a measure to set up a Canada council for the arts, humanities and social sciences. Important also is the suggested aid to our hard-pressed universities. This financial assistance, if approved by parliament, will be extended in two ways, namely, grants for capital expenditures and annual grants for current operations.
The other day I happened to see the breakdown of the finances of the University of Alberta in Edmonton for the current fiscal year. It shows a provincial grant for operation of $2,167,000, a federal grant for operation of $545,000, and students' fees amounting to $900,000. Under the proposal in the speech from the throne the federal grant will be about $1,100,000. This amount will be 26 per cent of the university's annual operating budget whereas students' fees will be about 21 per cent. I mention these figures because many people are under the impression that very little is being done by our senior governments for higher education.
The increased grants to the provinces for the encouragement of technical and vocational training will also help to meet a very real need in our country's development.
The proposal to set up a committee in the other place to consider ways and means of assisting agriculture further will be welcomed by all the people of Canada. I am sure this is a matter which will have everyone's wholehearted support. More of our people are engaged in agriculture than in any other single business. Yet their standard of living is hardly up to par with that of those who spend their energies in industrial pursuits.
In many cases the reason is that these people are operating what is generally called submarginal land. Their farms simply will not yield a decent standard of living in return for the effort expended. It is suggested that we take some of these farms out of active agricultural production and return them to some use more in keeping with their productive capacity. This will conserve not only the land itself but also the labour being expended on it without satisfactory results. Most of this land is not really submarginal at all but submarginal only in its present use. Its yield may be quite considerable in some other use. I am sure we will all await the findings of this committee with interest.

The Address-Mr. Hanna
During the latter part of 1956 this country experienced a definite upswing in immigration. With the tremendous growth of our national economy, Canada can use a great many more people. It is encouraging to hear of so many people planning to come here from the British Isles. I for one feel sure that they will not be disappointed with what Canada has to offer them.
This parliament and the people of Canada have demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt their welcome for the unfortunate refugees from tyranny in Hungary. I am sure these people will quickly find remunerative positions here within the framework of our national economy. While we rejoice in their coming here, I am sure we all deeply regret the conditions which have caused them to flee for their lives from their native land.
In this connection I feel I should not overlook a word of commendation and praise for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Mr. Pickersgill) who acted so swiftly to give his personal attention to the movement of Hungarian refugees to Canada. I have met no one who is not filled with admiration for his decision to go to Austria to make sure that everything humanly possible was being done by his department for the relief of distress and suffering.
I am sure that everyone here, Mr. Speaker, regrets as much as I do the unfortunate industrial dispute which has led to the stoppage of work on the whole Canadian Pacific railway system. This stoppage is having very serious implications for the whole nation. In the interests of Canada I hope that the parties to the dispute will soon agree to come together to effect a settlement. The present situation is hurting many innocent people and it will have to be settled some time. In the name of reason I hope we can have a settlement now before any more damage is done. I am sure that the good offices of the federal Department of Labour are always available to the parties concerned.
Those responsible for municipal government in our country will, I am sure, be most happy that their representations for the payment of taxes by the federal government on federal property have not gone unheeded. This will assist them materially to carry out the numerous obligations which our orderly development as a nation is placing upon their shoulders. This is also a matter which I and other government supporters in the house have raised from time to time and I cannot help noting that it is good to see that attention is being given to these matters, for it belies the contention of some uninformed individuals to the effect that the views of backbenchers on issues of the day are usually of no avail.

As representatives of the people of Canada, we are thankful for what the contents of the speech from the throne will mean to our country.
Seconded by the hon. member for Gloucester (Mr. Robichaud) 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.
(Translation) :


Hédard-J. Robichaud: Mr. Speaker, when I was asked by the right hon. Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) whether I would accept to second the address in reply to the speech from the throne, I was deeply moved by the invitation, and I accepted it in all humility. I wish to offer my sincere thanks to the Prime Minister and to the members of his cabinet for this honour which I accept not only in my personal name but above all in the name of the electors of my constituency of Gloucester and more particularly in the name of the racial group which I have the privilege of representing in this house.
I also wish to join with my colleague, the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona (Mr. Hanna), in expressing to you, Mr. Speaker, as well as to every member of this house, my best wishes for a good, happy, prosperous and holy new year.
(Text):
Mr. Speaker, I want to be the first one to extend to my colleague the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona (Mr. Hanna), who had the honour of moving this address, my heartiest congratulations on his splendid presentation. I was deeply moved by his noble gesture in addressing a few remarks in the French language, the other official language of this country. This is another tribute to this Canadian unity which today is prevailing throughout this Canada of ours under the leadership of our present Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent). All members of this house, I am confident, are being impressed by the necessity for Canadians, regardless of our religious beliefs or racial origins, to work closely together, in harmony and mutual understanding, for the welfare of the whole population of our beloved country.
May I also pause for one moment to offer at this time my most sincere and hearty congratulations to the new leader of Her Majesty's official opposition, the hon. member for Prince Albert (Mr. Diefenbaker). His

years of experience and his reputation as an outstanding lawyer and parliamentarian have assured him of this confidence and the highly responsible honour tendered him by his party supporters.
(Translation):
The 60,000-odd citizens of Gloucester constituency, of whom 85 per cent are the descendants of those who lived in the Acadia of 1755, have made a very important contribution to the economic and cultural growth of our country. They are also among the first to understand the necessity of national unity in the pursuit of our common goal. After tneir deportation, the Acadian people were in a very precarious situation. But, through their indomitable courage and their will to survive, they gradually recovered and overcame many obstacles before becoming an important element in the life of our nation. Their gradual settlement in northern New Brunswick and along the coast of Gloucester can perhaps be explained by their love of the sea and the forest, and an irresistible urge to settle close to the ocean.
I do not intend to take undue advantage of the few minutes at my disposal to relate the history of my constituency. As most of the population is rural, a great many of my people are interested in the fishing industry, and a sizeable proportion of them practise the noble occupation of farmer. During the last ten years, the fishing industry, which is predominant along the 200 miles or so of coastal areas in Gloucester, has known a development and an expansion comparable with the transformations which have taken place in every section of this country. Our modern fishing fleet compares favourably with any other on the Atlantic coast. The federal departments of fisheries and public works have widely co-operated with provincial authorities in making possible these changes in the fishing industry in my constituency.
As we enumerate the important milestones in the evolution of this country and in the economic expansion of the last few years, we must take note of the mineral developments in the Bathurst district. The discovery of zinc, lead and copper ore must rank foremost among the major mining discoveries of the year 1953. We may infer from it an economic expansion unprecedented in the history of our province. Bathurst, a little town of 5,000 people, has been mainly known so far for its pulp and paper mill, its lumber industries, its mechanical parts plant, etc. This little town, which up to now had been perfectly calm, has now become a centre of great activity and undergone changes which in the near future may well go beyond the most optimistic hopes. It is true that a large 82715-21
The Address-Mr. Robichaud number of the people in my constituency and even in the province of New Brunswick as a whole are uncertain and doubtful about these developments, which they find somewhat too slow and possibly not spectacular enough. I would like to reassure them and to inspire them with my own confidence. A new public building will be built this year in Bathurst. Moreover, a deep water port will soon be established there from which minerals and other products of the area may be shipped, almost the year round. The mining companies will continue to expand and we are assured of the fullest co-operation of the federal authorities in each and every area which is of concern to them.
These mines will bring additional revenue to our province and contribute to the economic expansion of this country. We in New Brunswick are only beginning this mining expansion whose value in 1956 reached the almost fabulous amount of over two billion dollars, representing twice the production of 1950. Through the co-operation of the department of mines and technical surveys, we were assured of an excellent service which made this development possible particularly in New Brunswick. There is no longer any doubt that the marked and sensational development of the Bathurst area will gradually extend to other areas of my constituency and of the province.
New jobs will be available for thousands of people and, with the contemplated increase in population, new outlets will be created for our agricultural and fish products.
Mr. Speaker, I do not want to overtax the patience of this house and, without further ado, I shall deal with some of the main points of the speech that was just read to us in the senate by His Excellency the Governor General.
At the beginning of this new year, there is no doubt that we are going through one of the most critical periods of our history. As stated in the speech from the throne, the instability of the situation in the Middle East, the disastrous effects of the persecution of the unfortunate Hungarian people should make us think more seriously and bring each and every one of us, whatever our political affiliation, to a sense of responsibility, that will guide us in our deliberations, and to a greater appreciation of the freedom of speech and action guaranteed to us by the constitution of our country.
It was with pride, was it not, and not without some glory, that the great majority of the Canadian people approved the stand taken by our representatives at the United Nations.
Has not Canada, despite the opinion expressed by some political antagonists, been an important factor of solidarity in the common-

The Address-Mr. Robichaud wealth as has been so clearly indicated, once again, by our representatives at the last session of the United Nations assembly? Has not Canada, as a free country under the clever and wise leadership of our Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson), contributed, perhaps more than any other country to the achievement of the noble goals dictated by the charter of the United Nations? Its objective will insure us as well as mankind as a whole, that useful measures will be taken to lead us towards that era of peace which we are all so much longing for.
Has not Mr. Nehru, prime minister of India, while in Ottawa, declared to a press conference that Canada, in recent conflicts, has been playing a part of paramount importance and has rendered a valuable service by establishing links between the countries of Asia, Europe and America which are all experiencing a strong economic development? That part played by Canada must undoubtedly be put down to the credit of our Prime Minister, of his government and of our energetic and untiring Secretary of State for External Affairs. The goodwill tour of our Minister of National Health and Welfare (Mr. Martin), which will be completed in a few days, after a visit to Pakistan and other countries which receive assistance under the Colombo Plan, is another obvious and glaring proof of our foreign policy aimed at insuring throughout the world a lasting peace based on Christian charity. The main purpose of that visit was to convey to the Asiatic populations in the name of the people and the government of Canada a message of friendship and goodwill. In every country he visited our ambassador of goodwill met an attitude of respect and friendship for the Canadian people. Our representatives, our engineers and experts in the fields of medicine, public health and education who have been sent to those countries have largely contributed to the betterment of conditions there and of the way of life of those peoples.
The speech from the throne recommends the introduction, at this session, of legislation designed to set up a Senate committee on agriculture. We, from the eastern provinces, consider this approach on the part of the government as a very promising one for the future. There is no doubt that a gradual recession of farm income would endanger the continued strength of our general economy. We do not doubt that the changes and developments which have taken place in agriculture these last few years will be a prominent factor in the progress of our nation's industrial growth. The changes occurring both in domestic and in foreign markets basically require an entirely novel adjustment calling for a revision of measures applied so
[Mr. Robichaud.l
far with regard to consumption as well as to production. However, we cannot ignore the fact that, during the past year, farm incomes have reached a record figure in our history.
We hope that this committee, whose object will be to contribute effectively to increasing agricultural production and the income of agricultural workers, will take advantage of the opportunity to make a thorough study of the particular position and conditions of the eastern provinces. Our farmers, our New Brunswick agriculturists and especially those of the northernmost districts, recognize that they can no longer make any progress or even make a living unless they are given substantial financial aid so that they may improve or adapt their methods in accordance with the development and modern trends of other industries. They believe, and rightly so, that the regulations, or the interpretation of the Canadian Farm Loan Act do not enable them to obtain the share of loans to which they are entitled. Let us hope that the committee proposed under this new legislation will use its authority and prerogatives to make a thorough study of this problem, one of unequalled importance to the effective development of agriculture in our section of the country.
The whole Canadian people has been pleased to hear the declaration of our Prime Minister on November 12 last, in the speech he made at the national conference on secondary education. The establishment of a Canadian council for the encouragement of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as was put forward in the speech from the throne, and in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Massey Commission, will encourage and help voluntary organizations concerned with arts, humanities and social sciences, and will foster our cultural relations with foreign countries. Again, in accordance with this report, it is the intention of the government to introduce a measure designed to vest this council of the arts with another important function. I think that the voting by this house, or rather this parliament, of an additional credit of $50 million which would be entrusted to the council and distributed over a ten-year period, will help meet that urgent need for capital expenditure which is facing our Canadian universities.
Thanks to private enterprise and a proper national policy, our economic prosperity stands at a record level. The Canadian government realizes that our cultural development must go hand in hand with our economic development. It is the duty of the state to help financially, but without

controlling it of course, that private enterprise which looks after the development of our national culture.
With the great majority of our Canadian universities, I am glad of the government's decision to recommend to parliament, at this session, that the annual federal grants to the universities be doubled. Coming as I do from an English province and being of the French minority, I realize that such a frank and courageous decision on the part of our government will have important repercussions on the future of our youth and on the development of our national life.
We find, in my constituency, the University of the Sacred Heart, under the direction of the Eudist fathers. No one will ever be able to assess what Acadia, what New Brunswick, and what my constituency of Gloucester owe to these educators who, for more than half a century, have devoted their lives and energies to our young people, without asking anything in return. We recognize that the rapid growth of our country requires a similar development of our universities and we approve without any reservation the financial participation of the state as long as the federal government does not intend to interfere in the field of education, which belongs to the exclusive jurisdiction of the provinces, and as long as the central government does not threaten the freedom of our universities.
Our institutions of higher learning, such as the Sacred Heart university which I mentioned a moment ago, need the financial help of the government to continue to dispense to our young people the knowledge which will prepare them to take charge of the development of the natural resources of our country.
As long as the federal subsidies to universities continue to be paid unconditionally, as long as the central government makes no attempt to intervene in the administration or the management of these universities, we who are from provinces with French-speaking minorities will rejoice in this financial assistance which constitutes another means of safeguarding our cultural autonomy. Along with our Prime Minister, we are convinced that these proposals will help fill a gap in the national life of this country and help solve the critical difficulties now being felt by Canadian institutions of higher learning.
Our government is not content to increase this help given to our institutions of higher learning. It recognizes the increased demands brought about by our national evolution. It therefore proposes to revise once more and to increase subsidies and subventions to provincial governments to assist them in providing technical and vocational training for our young people. May I point out one
The Address-Mr. ftobichaud of the problems facing our municipalities, the seriousness of which is constantly increasing from year to year. In my constituency of Gloucester, for instance, the population of 60,000 inhabitants has to provide primary education to some 15,000 children. The high cost of building and maintaining our schools, as well as teachers' salaries require direct taxation, far beyond the taxpayers' ability to pay. It must be recognized however that this matter is exclusively of provincial jurisdiction and that it would not be logical to ask federal authorities to intervene in the settlement of our problems of primary and secondary education. This should be dealt with exclusively by our provincial legislatures, and it is up to the municipalities to insist upon the distribution by the provincial governments of a larger share of the subsidies granted the provinces by the federal government under the federal-provincial tax agreements.
We shall also be called upon to deal with some amendments to the federal program of subsidies to municipalities. We hope that the study of the suggested amendments will help us to lighten the already too heavy burden borne by municipalities in providing the additional services made necessary by our economic expansion and our growing population.	,
(Text):	.
Before resuming my seat I want to say a word about the royal commission on Canada's economic prospects. We have confidence that the report of the Gordon commission, which is expected to be made public within the next few days, will deal-in a most encouraging manner, we hope-with problems affecting the provinces of the Atlantic coast. The day has come when we of the maritime provinces must desist from this attitude of utter discouragement which has been so prevalent amongst ourselves for the last two or three decades. Let us do away with the expression of depressed or "have not" provinces for which we ourselves, residents of the mari-times, may have been responsible and had to bear the consequences. We realize that the maritime provinces may not have shared equally in the general economic upswing which has been maintained so vigorously throughout the last few years. We feel that our geographical position is creating transportation problems, but we are confident that these problems can be solved. We have faith in the future of our country and faith in the future of our own maritime provinces.
Our new attitude of self-reliance must be a realistic indication of our determination to share in this period of unequaled prosperity

The Address-Mr. Robichaud in Canadian history. New industries have sprung up in the maritime provinces, new pulp and paper mills have come into being, power generation is increasing gradually, and New Brunswick's lead, zinc, copper and manganese developments have given our province new industrial importance. We will be waiting with great interest for this report of the Gordon commission. We feel confident that proper consideration has been given to our difficulties in the field of transportation, and in the supplying of electrical energy.
We regard as a move in the right direction the recent decision of the board of transport commissioners which has resulted in a saving of $100,000 annually for our New Brunswick potato farmers. We approve of the recent announcement of the Canadian government travel bureau to increase by $300,000 its annual contribution for the promotion of the tourist industry in the maritime provinces where the charm of our ports, our salmon rivers, our valleys, our long coast line and historic woodland highways and our moderate climate is attracting thousands of tourists annually to spend some $50 million a year.
We support the renewal of an agreement between the Canadian government, the province of New Brunswick and private industry to carry on with the spraying program to protect our forests against the disastrous destruction by budworms. In this particular field we sincerely hope that the Canadian government will recognize the importance of our forests to our general economy and, in view of the wide scope of this program, increase substantially the federal contribution which to date has reached a total of over $2 million.

We most welcome the latest revision of the Unemployment Insurance Act regulations which provides for the inclusion of commercial fishermen in unemployment insurance benefits. The application of this new measure could easily mean an additional $200,000 annually for the fishermen of Gloucester county.
(Translation) ;
Mr. Speaker, in formally seconding the resolution moved by the hon. member for Edmonton-Strathcona, I should also like to pay tribute to the right hon. Prime Minister.
At this time, and in this critical period of our history, the Canadian people are thankful to Divine Providence for the fact that they have as a leader a man whose wisdom and foresight are also greatly admired abroad. He knows how to apply to national affairs those same Christian principles which he has adopted with regard to his own life, and his policy is based on his determination to preserve Canadian unity while securing for each and everyone the material and cultural security which is essential to our national unity.
(Text):
On motion of Mr. Diefenbaker the debate was adjourned.



LIBRARY OF PARLIAMENT

[Stage Direction]
Report of the parliamentary librarian.- Mr. Speaker.
On motion of Mr. St. Laurent (Quebec East) the house adjourned at 4.52 p.m.
[Stage Direction]
Statue of Sir Robert Borden

[Stage Direction]
The
Unveiling of the Statue of Sir Robert Borden
on
Tuesday, January 8, 1957
Speeches of the Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent, Hon. Wishart McL. Robertson, Speaker of the Senate, Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin, Speaker of the House of Commons, Mr. Henry Borden, Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker, Mr. M. J. Coldwell and Mr. Solon E. Low.
Hon. Wisharl  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senaie: Ladies and gentlemen, "O Canada".
(Whereupon the gathering sang O Canada.)
Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Speaker of the House of Commons, ladies and gentlemen: We are assembled here to do honour to the memory of a great Canadian, the Right Honourable Sir Robert Borden, a former prime minister of Canada. We, and the unseen audience, through the magic of television, have just witnessed the unveiling of the statue to his memory, located on a site just west of the west block on parliament hill. For seasonal reasons the continuing ceremonies are being held in the Hall of Honour of the centre block.
Seated on the platform in addition to the co-chairman, the Honourable L. Rene Beaudoin, Speaker of the House of Commons, are: Right Honourable L. S. St. Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada Honourable Patrick Kerwin,
Chief Justice of Canada Mr. Henry Borden Honourable W. Ross Macdonald, Government Leader in the Senate Mr. John Diefenbaker,
Leader of the Opposition Mrs. Henry Borden Honourable T. A. Crerar Honourable George Drew Honourable J. T. Haig,
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Mr. John Bracken Mr. M. J. Coldwell,
Leader of the C.C.F. party Mr. Solon Low,
Leader of the Social Credit party.
The Right Honourable Arthur Meighen, the Honourable Esioff L. Patenaude and the Honourable Albert A. Sevigny were invited to attend but expressed their regrets. They, with Senator Crerar, are the only surviving members of Sir Robert's government.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Speaker of the House of Commons.
(Translation):


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of ihe House of Commons):: Mr. Prime Minister, Honourable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here this afternoon to honour the memory of a Canadian who was prime minister of our country and who, in the course of a long and remarkable political career, has rendered outstanding services: Sir Robert Laird Borden.
A few moments ago, in the presence of the present Right Honourable Prime Minister, and of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Henry Borden, Q.C., a nephew of Sir Robert Borden, unveiled a monument erected on parliament hill to remind future generations of our past glories and of the debt of gratitude which we owe to the builders of this nation.
We are therefore witnessing one of those great parliamentary occasions. The leaders of all parties unite in paying a nation's tribute to Sir Robert Laird Borden.
(Text):


Hon. Wisharl  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senaie: Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour to present the Prime Minister of Canada.


Louis Stephen St-Laurent: Mr. Co-chairmen, Mr. Chief
Justice, Mr. Borden, ladies and gentlemen: Just before we begin the heavy schedule of another session of parliament, it is fitting that we should pause to pay tribute to one of the great figures in Canadian history, Sir Robert Borden.
I wish to congratulate Miss Frances Loring on the striking likeness and the excellent workmanship of the statue which Mr. Henry Borden unveiled a few minutes ago. She has expressed for the permanent records of our nation in a fashion more eloquent than words many of the fine characteristics of that distinguished statesman.
16	HOUSE OF
Statue of Sir Robert Borden
The Right Honourable Sir Robert Borden was born over one hundred years ago in the small rural community of Grand Pre, Nova Scotia, the native province of three of Canada's prime ministers. He is remembered particularly by us as Canada's prime minister during the first world war.
Much has been written about Canada's role in the first world war and no doubt much will be written in the future. This was one of the most critical periods of Canadian history. Much progress has been made since confederation in the development of a strong and united nation, but the national fabric has never faced such a severe test and none could tell if it could withstand the strains imposed upon it.
Canadians were fortunate in those trying years to have as their leader a man of unquestionable integrity, a high sense of duty, a thoroughly trained mind and an exceptional capacity for unremitting hard work. Whatever opinions might be advanced on the policies which he pursued, his personal qualities and particularly his honesty and sincerity of purpose in seeking to serve his country well were outstanding.
Under Sir Robert Borden's leadership Canada made a contribution to the first world war which won the praise and admiration of her allies. In addition to his leadership at home, Sir Robert played an active role in the imperial war cabinet in London. He strove throughout the war to ensure that Canada should have a voice in the formulation of allied policy rather than limit her role to supplying men and material. With a wide and statesmanlike view of this country's capacities and her future, he sought to encourage his fellow citizens to accept their new and inevitable responsibilities.
In 1919 Sir Robert Borden was our chief plenipotentiary delegate at the peace conference in Paris, and in 1920 he signed the treaty of Versailles as the representative of Canada on terms of equality with the representatives of the other allied nations. In the same year Canada was admitted as an original member of the league of nations.
Another of Sir Robert's accomplishments at about the same time was to secure for Canada the right to have a minister plenipotentiary in Washington accredited by the King and appointed on the advice of the Canadian cabinet. Such an appointment, however, was only made several years later. Sir Robert also suggested at the imperial war conference of 1918 that Canada should decide its own constitutional questions. This, as you know, was accomplished in the last few years.


In his book, "Canada in the Commonwealth", published after his retirement, he welcomed the definition of the relations of Great Britain and the dominion contained in the Balfour report as "autonomous communities within the British empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any respect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the crown and freely associated as members of the British commonwealth of nations."
"The dominions having sought and gained the status of nationhood", Sir Robert wrote, "they cannot recede from assumption of its responsibilities." And in the last lines of his book Sir Robert Borden expressed his hope that this freedom within the unity of the commonwealth was "an earnest of what may yet be accomplished in an ever wider sphere. The league of the commonwealth may serve as an exemplar to the league of nations."
(Translation):
Sir Robert devoted himself to his work with such energy that even his own vast physical resources proved unequal to the task. He was obliged to retire in 1920. Fortunately, he soon recovered his good health, a fact which enabled him to continue his active life for a number of years afterwards. I had the pleasure of hearing him in 1929 when he spoke before the Canadian Bar Association in Quebec city. I well remember him and the words he spoke on that occasion. During the war it was believed in certain quarters that he did not understand those Canadians belonging to the French-speaking group, and that he had no real sympathy for them. It is perhaps for that reason that he availed himself of that opportunity to speak of the very origin of Canadian history in the heart of the province of Quebec, in that city which he called the "founding city" of Canada. When he had finished speaking, he had removed any doubts we may have had about his real sympathy for French-speaking Canadians. May I be allowed to quote the last sentences of his speech:
(Text):
On the whole there has been an honourable and wholesome co-operation of the two races in the upbuilding of Canadian institutions and in the development of the heritage with which Providence has endowed the Canadian nation. The pioneer races are and they always will be distinctive but in their origins they are much nearer to each other than either seems to imagine. It is desirable to emphasize their points of sympathy and contact rather than their divergences of temperament and outlook.

(Translation):
Those words were spoken by Sir Robert Borden more than a quarter of a century ago. Since then, our policy, both internal and external, has undergone great changes. Perhaps he would not approve of them all. I am sure however that he would agree with us that we have gone a long way on the road to national maturity and unity.
(Text):
In the years since his death we have learned to have a more accurate and a deeper appreciation of a great Canadian statesman. And I am sure that all Canadians who gaze upon the statue which has been unveiled today will recall with respect his sincerity of purpose and his selfless devotion to his country.
One of Sir Robert's oldest friends and perhaps his closest collaborator, who had hoped to be here on this occasion but who is prevented by illness from being present, has written me the following letter:
360 Bay Street, Toronto January 3, 1957
My dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I feel grateful for your invitation to be present at the coming Sir Robert Borden memorial event (January 8) but am resolutely forbidden to leave the house by my doctor. I have, therefore, prepared a very short statement of acknowledgement and regret. This I hope you will read to the assembled people.
There has been nothing in the past that I had to shrink from which X regretted like I do this failure to take my part.
I sincerely appreciate the invitation and am grateful to you personally.
Sincerely yours,
Arthur Meighen.
This is the statement enclosed with Mr. Meighen's letter:
It is with extreme remorse that I find myself ill and quite unable to attend the proceedings on parliament hill which are to do honor to Sir Robert Borden.
In his lifetime, Sir Robert Borden had friends unnumbered in all parts of Canada, but none, I sincerely submit, more devoted and tireless than myself and this relationship continued until the hour of his death.
To have survived until this event takes place will add much to my feelings of gratitude and satisfaction, and one cannot be wrong in indulging an inward assurance that the waves of goodwill generated here, the richer sense of unity and common purpose inspired, the pride we all have in those who have toiled nobly and passed on, that all these flaming truths will keep us resolutely on our course.
Arthur Meighen.


Hon. Wishart  McL. Robertson@Speaker of the Senate: Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. Henry Borden, nephew of Sir Robert Borden and one of the most outstanding Canadian figures in the business and professional life of Canada.
Mr. Henry Borden, Q.C.:	Mr. Chairman,
Mr. Speaker of the Senate, Mr. Speaker of
Statue of Sir Robert Borden the House of Commons, Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: This is indeed an historic occasion and I wish, Mr. Prime Minister, to thank you sincerely for doing me the great honour and giving me the unforgettable privilege of unveiling this statue of Sir Robert Borden. I have no hesitation in saying that I dearly loved Sir Robert and my life has been enriched by the deep affection and kindliness which he bestowed on me.
The statue, in the design and completion of which you, sir, have taken such a genuine personal interest, will serve to keep fresh in the minds of future generations the memory of a distinguished Canadian statesman, of whom you have just spoken in such complimentary terms.
On behalf of Sir Robert's relatives and friends I wish to join in the Prime Minister's congratulations to Miss Loring, and to thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, and through you the citizens of Canada, for causing this wonderful memorial to be created on parliament hill. Thank you very much indeed.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. John Diefenbaker, Q.C., M.P., will now speak.
Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker, Q.C.: Joint chairmen, Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: First, I want to join with Mr. Borden in thanking the Prime Minister for the generous terms in which he referred to the service to Canada of Sir Robert Borden. This is in keeping with the traditions of our public service. While we may disagree in matters of policy each of us must, under our democratic system, realize that it is only in a community of counsel that the best for Canada will be achieved.
I think it is most fitting that we, on this occasion, honour one of Canada's greatest statesmen. As I listened to the Prime Minister review the constitutional development of this country I thought it was a magnificent tribute from one constitutional lawyer, regarding the constitutional development of this country, in giving approval to the contribution made by another. After all, there is that bond of union amongst members of the legal profession wherein the greatness of a contribution is at all times recognized by one's fellows. It is of interest to know, too, that out of the eleven prime ministers of Canada, seven were members of the legal profession, all making their contribution toward the building of this country into the ideal of us all.
Mention was made of the reaction to the attitude of Sir Robert Borden and the stand

Statue of Sir Robert Borden he took at the peace conference. It was he who insisted, following the sacrifices of the war, that Canada be recognized as an autonomous nation within the family of British nations, and insisted on the right to sign the treaty of Versailles and join as a signatory of the league of nations pact whereby Canada adopted responsibilities that heretofore had not been regarded as a necessary incident of our membership in the commonwealth.
After all, we judge men and women first on the basis of those who served with them. This morning I found a quotation in Lloyd George's memoirs which sets forth the attitude that was taken by Lloyd George to this man who has been honoured today in the unveiling of this statue. Lloyd George said of him this:
Canada was represented (at the imperial conference of 1917) by Sir Robert Borden who was the very quintessence of common sense. Always calm, well balanced, a man of co-operating temper, invariably subordinating self to the common cause, he was a sagacious and helpful counsellor, never forgetting that his first duty was to the people of the great dominion he represented, but also realizing that an insistent and obstructive particularism would destroy any hope of achieving success in the common task.
While it was Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George Etienne Cartier who joined together the two great races and founded Canada, and who had still a greater contribution to make in the years to follow, it was Sir Robert Borden and those who served with him who were able to achieve that unity and that international status which many had dreamed of 50 years before. It was only achieved in the light of the sacrifices of the war.
We recognize, too, as you said, Mr. Prime Minister, the contribution of the two races to this country. With parliament opening today it is well to remember that in 1921 Sir Robert Borden, on the occasion of the gift of the Speaker's chair from Westminster to the House of Commons, said this:
The parliamentary institutions which we hold as of right and not of grace were won by a common ancestry and through gradual evolution and development during the past five or six centuries. The man who summoned the first gathering that might be regarded as the forerunner of the commons house of parliament of Great Britain as that of Canada was a Frenchman, born in France. Thus we can look back with satisfaction upon the fact that Saxon and Norman five or six hundred years ago stood side by side in the assertion of liberties that are ours today.
I think on this occasion it is well to recall those words, as this monument has been unveiled. I think all of us will agree that his monument will be tangible evidence of his statesmanship; his living monument the establishment of the principle of equality among the free nations within the common-


wealth and empire as he saw it, and his contribution to fashioning for Canada that role which she is playing so magnificently today. Of him it may indeed be said that "he builded better than he knew."
Kon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons): Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the leader of the C.C.F. party, Mr. M. J. Coldwell, will now speak.


Major James William Coldwell: Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I think it is fitting that we have gathered here today to honour the memory of a great Canadian. There are times in the lives of nations when it is well to look back and remember famous men. Sir Robert Borden was a famous and a great man. As we have heard today he was one of the architects, indeed in many respects the principal architect, of the place which Canada now has in the world of today.
Sir Robert Borden, at Versailles, insisted on the recognition of Canada as a nation. Sir Robert Borden was, in that respect, one of those who placed the British commonwealth in its new phase. His services to this country and to the commonwealth deserve the recognition that has been given to him today. I am very happy indeed that I am one of those who, though not sharing the fundamental principles of the party he represented, can speak on behalf of those who, while disagreeing with him in some of his policies, none the less recognize fully that in his day and in his generation he played a great part in leading this country through difficult times and in laying the foundations of the Canada which we know today.
I am very happy indeed to have had this opportunity of being present and participating in this great event.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of fhe House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, the honourable the leader of the Social Credit party, Mr. Solon Low, will now speak to you.


Solon Earl Low: Messrs. Co-chairmen, Mr. Prime Minister, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I feel greatly honoured to have this privilege of participating in an event which was designed to enable us to pay tribute to a great Canadian statesman. I shall not multiply words nor repeat the things that have already been said, though I am convinced that some of them might be worthy of repetition for the sake of emphasis. Suffice it to say that I concur most heartily in all those things which have been said of Sir Robert Borden, as well as of the artist who executed the statue that has been unveiled today.

As people in the days ahead look upon the likeness of Sir Robert that is now on the grounds of parliament, they will doubtless be moved to study the life and accomplishments of this great Canadian. If they do, I am sure that they will discover something which will give them considerable encouragement.
Sir Robert was born in humble circumstances, and through his own effort and determination to work hard he reached one of the highest positions within the ability of the Canadian people to bestow on any man. He accomplished this without benefit of family fortune or prestige of great family power. It will occur to all who will read and learn about this Canadian that what Sir Robert accomplished many another Canadian can also accomplish if he is prepared to devote himself unceasingly and with complete honesty of purpose to his task. We may differ with many of the views that were held by Sir Robert Borden. We may be critical even of some of the things he did, but anybody who took the trouble to study his life and the motives that activated him in his public service must agree that he did have complete honesty of purpose and an integrity that can
Statue of Sir Robert Borden stand as an example to all who are called to serve their country. It is fitting, therefore, that an occasion of this kind be used to remind ourselves that Providence has always raised up good men to meet the needs of the particular time in which they lived.
I am sure that Sir Robert was one of those, and furthermore if our nation continues in humility to seek after things of righteousness we will always be blessed with the kind of men who can give us the leadership we need for the particular circumstances of those times.
May I say in conclusion that I honour the memory of Sir Robert Borden for all the reasons that have been mentioned here today, and in addition for the fact that he had a thoroughly disciplined mind, which he applied with singleness of purpose to the development of Canada and the British Empire. Of Sir Robert it can truly be said that he served his country well.


Hon. L. Rene Beaudoin (Speaker of the House of Commons):: Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you now to rise and sing "God Save the Queen."
Whereupon the gathering sang God Save the Queen.

Wednesday, January 9, 1957