Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Transport):

I desire to lay on the table the budget of Canadian National Railways and Canadian National Steamships for the year 1940, and to move:

That the annual budget of Canadian National Railways and Canadian National Steamships, tabled herewith, and the annual reports laid on the table of the house on May 17, 1940, be referred to the standing committee on railways and shipping, together with the following items in the estimates:

US, Maritime Freight Rates Act; V/G, Maritime Freight Rates Act; 1/58, Canadian National (West Indies) Steamships Limited, capital advances; }59, Canadian National Railway Company; 1/60, Prince Edward Island car ferry and terminals.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, with respect to matters having to do with the Department of National Defence I should like to follow the practice of having my colleagues of that department make any announcements that have to be made in connection with that branch of the public service. However, there is one announcement which I feel will touch so deeply the hearts of the public of Canada that on this occasion I might, I think, depart from that rule and myself make the statement which it is necessary to make in the house.

I am greatly distressed to have to announce that, while engaged in the pursuance of hazardous duties off the mouth of the Gironde river near Bordeaux, France, His Majesty's Canadian ship Fraser was lost in a collision. One hundred and fifteen of the gallant crew have been rescued. I regret to have to say that forty-five are either dead or missing. The next of kin have already been informed.

His Majesty's Canadian ship Fraser has been on active service since the commencement of the war. At a few hours' notice she speeded, in company with another vessel of His Majesty's Canadian navy, from Vancouver to the Nova Scotian coast, via the Panama canal. Since then she has seen arduous

Loss of H.M.C.8. Fraser

service both off the coasts of Nova Scotia and in the Caribbean. Recently she has been on duty in European waters with sister ships.

There are four destroyers of the Fraser type in the Royal Canadian navy. Formerly known as H.M.S. Crescent, she was launched on September 29, 1931, and was acquired by Canada in 1937. Her displacement was 1,355 tons, and she was built at the Viekers-Armstrong works, England.

The commanding officer of the Fraser was Commander Wallace B. Creery, R.C.N. I understand the commanding officer's life has been spared.

At the present time, for reasons of naval ' secrecy, nothing more can be divulged of the operations of His Majesty's Canadian units operating in overseas waters.

I have just this minute received the following communication from the admiralty in London:

Please convey to officers and men of the Royal Canadian Navy their lordships' sympathies in loss of H.M.C.S. Fraser.

Their lordships wish to take this opportunity to express their thanks to all ranks and ratings of the Royal Canadian Navy for splendid contribution they are making to the work of his majesty's fleet in common cause.

Mr. Speaker, I should like to add on behalf of all hon. members of this house an expression of sympathy equally deep with the officers and men of the royal Canadian navy in the loss of the ship Fraser, but even more to express the very deep sympathy of this House of Commons to the relatives of the gallant men who have been lost in their country's service in the manner that I have been obliged to describe.

Hon. R. B. HANSON (Leader of the Opposition):

I am sure we all join with the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) in the expression of sympathy with the next of kin and loved ones of those who have been lost in this sad event. It is the sort of thing that Canada and Canadians may expect to happen at this time. May it be a challenge to every one of us to support our people at the front, our gallant lads in the navy, in the air and in the army. I am sure that their example and devotion and the sacrifice they make for Canada and the empire will not be forgotten.

Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):

I just wish to say very briefly that with the sentiments expressed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition the group with which I am associated are in hearty accord. We too extend our deepest sympathy to those who are bereaved.

Mr. J. H. BLACKMORE (Lethbridge):

It hardly needs to be said that our group is in most sincere accord with the sentiments which

have already been expressed. It must be impressed upon us all that we are at the beginning of a long, long list which will have to be recorded of those about whom it will later be said, as it was said of the heroes of the past: "Their name liveth for evermore."

Hon. R. B. HANSON (Leader of the Opposition):

I should like to announce to this house that the loyal city of Fredericton, in which I have resided for forty years, which I have served as mayor, and whose citizens have been so good to me in days gone by, has announced through its mayor that it will bear the full expense of hospitalization of all evacuated children who may be placed in Fredericton homes.

I make the announcement in the hope that other cities and municipalities in Canada will follow this example.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

May I ask my hon. friend when he returns, as I understand he does at the end of the week, to his native city, to extend to the mayor of Fredericton, an expression of our appreciation of the action the city has taken; and also to say that by taking the action it has, the city of Fredericton has set an example which we feel sure will be followed throughout Canada.

Hon. R. B. HANSON (Leader of the Opposition):

I should like to direct a question

The Budget-Mr. Reid

to the Minister of Transport, based upon a press report appearing in to-day's Ottawa Citizen. Is it true that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has lifted the ban on Trans-Radio news which was proposed to become effective from July 1? In view of his earlier statement made on June 6-page 557 of Hansard-will the minister give the house detailed information as to the proof or bona fides furnished by Trans-Radio news officials to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, particularly as to its ownership, and the authenticity of its reports dated from London?

I sent notice of this question to the minister earlier in the day and he has informed me that he has not the information at the moment. Of course it is quite satisfactory to me if he has to postpone his reply.