Mr. ANGUS MacINNIS (Vancouver East):

I think this house should approve the message the Prime Minister has sent to the Prime Minister of India. The thought that occurred to me when I heard the news this morning was the very one that the Prime Minister *expressed. It is really one of the ironies of life that a man who was the chief apostle of non-violence should have met a violent end. We have heard of the passing of one of the world's great men, and I think the house should commend the Prime Minister for his message to the Indian people.

Mr. JOHN BRACKEN (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, I am sure all hon. members will approve the Prime Minister's action in sending the message he has sent to 5849-46

our high commissioner with respect to the assassination of Gandhi. I am sure we were all shocked to hear of what had taken place in another part of the commonwealth. The action taken by the Prime Minister is entirely to be commended. We are pleased to associate ourselves with him in the message he has sent.

Mr. SOLON E. LOW (Peace River): I should just like to say we commend the Prime Minister for sending the message that he has just read. He has expressed our sentiments exactly, and our sympathies go out to the people of India who have suffered what is I think an irreparable loss.

Mr. STANLEY KNOWLES (Winnipeg North Centre):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question either to the Minister of Finance or to the Minister of Public Works, notice of which I sent to both ministers? In view of the low rates of pay to women cleaners employed in federal public buildings and the fact that no increases were provided for them in the recent announcements of civil service salary increases, will either minister state whether consideration is being given to the matter with a view to action at an early day?

Hon. ALPHONSE FOURNIER (Minister of Public Works):

The government has under constant review the salaries of civil servants, and that applies also to women cleaners. Not long ago women cleaners did receive an increase in salary, although it was prior to the general increases given to other classes of civil servants. Not long ago also the local members from both Ottawa ridings made representations, and these representations, as those of other members, are taken into consideration.

Mr. KNOWLES:

The cost of living is still going up.

Mr. J. M. MACDONNELL (Muskoka-Ontario):

I wish to address a question to the Minister of Finance, of which I have had no opportunity to give notice. The daily press

Inquiries of the Ministry

carries a report that Albert Edward De Palma has forfeited bail totalling some $50,000 in the United States courts, which I presume was paid in United States funds. Can the minister tell us whether this money was obtained through the foreign exchange control board?

Hon. DOUGLAS ABBOTT (Minister of Finance):

I shall have to look into the matter and give an answer later.

Mr. W. R. THATCHER (Moose Jaw):

I wish to address a question to the Minister of Justice. Has the attention of the minister been directed to the recent order of a British Columbia government official which forbids further employment of Canadians of Japanese origin, on crown timber leases? If so, what action does the federal government intend to take to counteract such discrimination, and protect the rights of Canadian citzens?

Right Hon. J. L. ILSLEY (Minister of Justice):

My attention has not been drawn to the recent order to which the hon. gentleman refers; that is, it has not been officially drawn. I saw some reference to the matter in the newspapers. With regard to action contemplated by the federal government, anything of the kind is of course usually subject to the answer that matters of policy will be announced in due course; but in this case, if I understand the matter correctly, it would not appear that any action is open to the federal government.