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

Before the house enters upon the proceedings of this afternoon, I regret to have to announce to hon. members the passing of one of our number in the period of the recess which we have just had. Mr. Arthur Damude, the fete member for Welland, passed away on the fifteenth of September at the comparatively early age of fifty-two years.

Mr. Damude entered the House of Commons in 1935 and was returned as a member at the last general elections. He was of a retiring disposition and took little part in the discussions in the house. He was, however, faithful in attendance, followed the proceedings of the house closely, and was very helpful on committees. He was keenly interested in the social problems of the day, and had given much of his time and thought particularly to the welfare of labour and also of those who are engaged in agriculture.

In his own constituency as a younger man, he had taken part in municipal affairs and in the work of local charitable institutions. Those of us on this side who knew him well will miss him greatly, because he was one of the most companionable of men and one of the most loyal of friends and supporters. He had the promise of many years of useful service before him. Unfortunately he has been taken away at this early age.

Mr. Damude suffered bereavement in the loss of his wife only a short time before his own death. There is only one member of the family left, Lieutenant Ross Damude, who is in the Canadian armed forces. I am sure it would be the wish of hon. members that we should express to Lieutenant Damude something of the great respect we have for his father's memory. It will be revered by all who knew him, and he will long be remembered by the citizens whom he served so well.

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

I desire to add my tribute to the memory of our late colleague. Mr. Arthur B. Damude was still in the prime of life, fifty-two years of age. He evidently had a flair for public service because he was a candidate for the House of Commons on two

Mr. J. S. Woodsworth

occasions prior to his election. His ambition culminated in his election by a substantial majority in 1935 and again in 1940. I have no doubt that he contributed a great deal to the public life of his county, besides making his contribution here in parliament.

I regret to say that I did not know Mr. Damude personally. During the brief time since I came here in 1940, I do not recall that I ever had the privilege of meeting him. I suggest to you, sir, and to this house, that his untimely death at the comparatively early age of fifty-two exemplifies how fleeting is human life and how heavy the toll among those in public life.

I desire to associate myself with the Prime Minister in all that he has said and in extending to the family of the deceased member our very sincere sympathy.

1. What is the daily remuneration, including living and travelling expenses, of Mr. W. N. Tilley, K.C., for the investigation and report referred to by the hon. Minister of Air, and the hon. member for Cumberland, on the orders of the day, May 30, 1941?

2. How much has been paid to him?

3. Did he send a final account?

4. If not, what accounts did he send to the government to date?

Mr. POWER:

Mr. Tilley has not nor does he intend to render an account for his services or personal expenses resulting from his investigation into the development of the Eastern Passage aerodrome.

1. What are the names of those who tendered for the supply of coal to the post office and dominion experimental farm at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, during the years 1936-1941, inclusive?

2. What was the amount of each tender?

3. What are the names of the successful tenderers and the amount of their respective tenders?

Mr. HOWE:

Return tabled.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am sure it

will be the wish of hon. members of the house that I should say to the hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Woodsworth) how pleased we all are to see him again in his place to-day. As we all know, my hon. friend is leader of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, and as such has been unsparing in the time and energy he has devoted not only to the work of that political party but particularly to his duties in this parliament. Many of us felt that at times he worked far too hard; he did not spare himself but overtaxed his energies and occasionally those of the government as well. We were genuinely sorry when we learned that he had suffered a somewhat serious indisposition, which kept him away from Ottawa during practically the whole of the last and all of the present session of the house, but we are delighted to have him back to-day. I can assure him that on all sides of the house there is genuine pleasure at the progress he has made in regaining his strength. We hope he may find it possible to continue to attend the sittings of the house, and that he will enjoy a complete recovery of his health.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I trespass upon the time of the house to add just a word to what the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) has said. The hon. member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Woodsworth) and I entered this house in the same year. I think I can safely say that during most of the intervening time we have not thought alike on public questions, but on one point I am sure I can agree with my right hon. friend and with all other hon. members of this house; that is, how glad we are to see the hon. member back, I trust in improved health. I hope the time will come when he will be able to bear his full share of the duties and responsibilities of this house.