Mr. A. A. HEAPS (North Winnipeg) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 14, to amend the Immigration Act (public charge). He said: Mr. Speaker, this bill seeks to amend section 40 of the Immigration Act dealing with the question of public charge. It does not attempt to define the term " public charge," but deals with that section of the act which at the present time makes it obligatory upon local authorities to notify the federal government when a person becomes a public charge. The intention of the measure now before the house is that instead of it being obligatory upon local authorities, it shall be optional with them as to whether or not they will notify federal authorities. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. R. W. GRAY (West Lambton):
Mr. Speaker, before the orders of the day are called I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Pensions and National Health (Mr. Mac-Laren). Can he inform the house when the report of the committee investigating conditions in Westminster hospital will be made public?
Hon. MURRAY MacLAREN (Minister of Pensions and National Health):
Mr. Speaker, that report has been received, but no decision has been made as to when it will be made public. The matter is now under consideration.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. A. W. NEILL (Comox-Alberni):
Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct the attention of the Acting Minister of Fisheries to a news item appearing in a Vancouver paper called The Commonwealth. This item which appeared in the publication of the 14th instant, states there is a rumour to the effect that the Fisheries Patrol boat the Malaspina arrived in Vancouver on Thursday, the 8th instant, for the purpose of loading salmon to dump in the gulf. The article goes on to say:
Good salmon too, not spoiled stuff . . . but perfectly edible salmon.
I think that is unlikely, but suggest the matter should be looked into.
Hon. ALFRED DURANLEAU (Acting Minister of Fisheries):
Mr. Speaker, I shall be pleased to look into the matter.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. V. C. PORTEOUS (North Grey):
Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Railways and Canals (Mr. Manion) based on a communication I have received from one of my constituents. Is there any recent development in connection with the retirement of Canadian National electric railway bonds?
Hon. R. J. MANION (Minister of Railways and Canals):
Mr. Speaker, I assume the hon. member is referring to the Guelph suburban about which he spoke to me. I shall make an answer in regard to that in a few days.
Hon. R. J. MANION (Minister of Railways and Canals):
While I am on my feet may I say that the hon. member for North Waterloo (Mr. Euler) asked a question on Friday about the tabling of the annual report of the Canadian National Railways. I have made inquiries and I am informed that the report will not be ready until about March 15, which is about the usual time, after they have received the report of the auditors for the year.
Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister) :
Mr. Speaker, I think it would be the
sense of this house that we should place on record our very deep sympathy with the Belgian people in the loss they have suffered through the sudden and unexpected death of their sovereign, and that we should extend also our deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
In the end of July and the beginning of August, 1914, the late King of the Belgians was the well-beloved monarch of a small nation with a relatively limited population. Within a month he had become one of the great figures of the world. If one were to ask how this came about, the answer, I think, would be found in the character of the man.
King Albert of Belgium
who at that moment was sovereign of the Belgian people. The neutrality of his country had been guaranteed by treaty. When Germany determined to march against France the plan of campaign, as prepared by her military leaders, contemplated crossing Belgian soil. That was a violation of neutrality. It is difficult at this time to determine just what discussions took place and to what extent conciliatory efforts were used for the purpose of inducing those in authority in Belgium to consent to such action. But out of all the confusion and doubt on that question there emerges one clear-cut fact, and that is that the King of the Belgians was prepared to sacrifice everything except honour in defence of his people and of the integrity of his kingdom. From that moment on he became a world figure. He must have realized, as everyone did, that that small nation could not resist the onslaught of the great moving millions of Germany, and when his cities fell one after the other, when his country became almost a dependency of a foreign country and governed by a foe, as it was for so many years, he still pursued his course at the head of 'his army, sharing in their vicissitudes their losses and their gains. In the end he was privileged as the head not only of his own armies but of the armies of the north of France and of some British troops, the cavalry brigade of Canada and some detached engineering and railway units, to march back into his kingdom and repossess it.
His place in history is assured. The suddenness of his death and the circumstances attending it will add lustre to the glory of his name. We, far-removed from his kindgom, perhaps do not realize the extent to which he had become beloved by his people. Democratic, and yet in every sense a king, he and his queen had so endeared themselves to their people that I fancy few more popular sovereigns ever sat upon a throne. We Canadians were not closely in contact with the operations which he directed until the end when he repossessed himself of his kingdom, but I think we can share, as our troops shared under the command which he had over his own and the British and Canadian forces at the end, the sorrow of his people and extend the sympathy which Canadians have for those who have lost a heroic sovereign, one whose courage and determination have given him a place among the heroic figures of the world. In that sense I am sure that this House of Commons and the parliament of Canada will join with all the peoples of the world who honour and respect courage, bravery and the qualities that make for enduring fame among
the citizens of the world, in extending our sympathy to the bereaved royal family and people of Belgium in the great loss which they have sustained.