Mr. George A. Drew (Leader of the Opposiiion):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) in the tribute he has paid to two highly respected members of this house who enjoyed the friendship and the affectionate regard of those who knew them. Both, as has been said already, were from Prince Edward Island, and in that fact there is evidence of the continuing contribution made to the whole of Canada by a province which is proud of its history and its place in our country.

The last time I saw Mr. Matthews was during last summer in Brandon. It was typical of the friendship which exists among the members of this house that one of those who extended courtesies to me while I was there was Mr. Matthews. In his genial and kindly way he made it quite clear that, with him, service in the House of Commons could never interfere with personal friendship, no matter what differences of opinion there might be as to the way in which the political affairs of this country can best be conducted.

The same thing was true of Mr. Douglas. Mr. Douglas was always generous and friendly, not only to those of his own political party but to those of other political parties as well. It seemed to me that both these gentlemen displayed that measure of understanding friendship which, after all, is the basis of our freedom.

I wish to join with the Prime Minister and the other members of this house in extending sincere sympathy to Mrs. Matthews and Mrs. Douglas and to their families, and we all hope,

I am sure, they will derive a substantial measure of comfort from the knowledge that the members of this house will think of our departed colleagues with respect and affection.

Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roselown-Biggar):

Mr. Speaker, I think everything has been said that needs to be said about the two highly respected members who have passed, but we should like to associate ourselves with all the words of appreciation and the condolences that have been given. Both were amongst the friendliest members of the house. Mr. Matthews, aged and yet sprightly, was an example to all of us of what we might be if we lived very much as he lived. We recognized his friendliness everywhere we met him. Mr. Douglas was much the same kind of man. On the many occasions on which I sat on committees with him, I found he was one of the friendliest members with whom we were associated. To the relatives who are left to mourn, we extend our sympathy.

Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):

Mr. Speaker, the members of the group which I represent wish to join with the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) and the other speakers in all that they have said by way of tribute to the two deceased members, the one having represented Brandon, and the other, Queens, Prince Edward Island. We found these two men always friendly and considerate. We found them to be gentlemen. I was not privileged to know either of them personally, but simply by association with them we learned to respect both. We feel, Mr. Speaker, that these two good men have left something by which they will be remembered for many years. We wish to extend to their widows and other relatives our sincere sympathy.

Mr. J. W. MacNaughl (Prince):

I should like to join with those who have already spoken in paying humble tribute to the memory of my colleague from Prince Edward Island, Mr. J. Lester Douglas. He was a man of infinite charm, extremely hospitable, and he derived much pleasure from his many acts of kindness and consideration. I well remember his good counsel to me when I first came to Ottawa. We shared the same office for three years, and I shall never forget his kindness to me during that time.

Lester Douglas was highly regarded by his constituents. It was a moving sight indeed to see the large number of persons from all classes of life who filed past his coffin to have a last look at their well-beloved representative. To his widow and children I offer my deepest sympathy.

I am sure that my constituents would like me at this time to pay tribute also to

Tributes to Deceased Members the memory of J. Ewen Matthews. Mr. Matthews was born in the constituency of Prince some eighty years ago, and spent the early part of his life in Prince Edward Island before leaving his native province to make his living elsewhere. It is interesting to recall that the late Mr. Douglas and the late Mr. Matthews were close friends. Some forty years ago in Charlottetown they worshipped God in the same church. Mr. Matthews was a fine Christian gentleman, and his mature judgment will be greatly missed by his friends and associates. My sympathy, and that of my constituents, is hereby conveyed to his widow and family.

Mr. J. A. Ross (Souris):

Mr. Speaker, while joining in the tributes paid to the late Mr. Douglas, as an old neighbour and friend of the late Mr. J. Ewen Matthews I should like to say how kindly tolerant and helpful I always found him, especially after I came to Ottawa. His interest in the welfare of his fellow men went away beyond all partisan affiliation. May I add my word of sympathy to Mrs. Matthews and the members of the family in the loss of a good husband and splendid father.

Mr. L. A. Mutch (Winnipeg South):

I presume, Mr. Speaker, that there are many people in the province of Manitoba who would bear witness to the statement that I wish to make, and it is this. Mr. Matthews held his fellow man in such esteem that if he could not speak well of any man he did not speak at all. His service to the province of Manitoba, where in these last years we knew him so well, matched his philosophy of life to such an extent that he will not soon be forgotten in that province.

As to Mr. Douglas, I had the pleasure of sharing a seat in the house with him during the last session. While he was here I met him on many occasions under intimate circumstances. As one who knew him well in this house, I am pleased to be associated with the tributes which have come from those who knew him best.

wish most sincerely to associate myself with the well-deserved tributes paid by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Drew), and others, to the late J. Lester Douglas. No man in this house, and very few outside of it, knew Mr. Douglas as I did. I had fought him for fourteen years in the political field. I had known him a great many years before that, and I must say that I found him to be a real man and a most honourable opponent. Furthermore, he had perhaps the greatest way of forming friendships of any man I ever knew. He also had the way of holding the confidence of those friends.

758 HOUSE OF

Tributes to Deceased Members As one of the representatives of the dual constituency of Queens, I wish to say this. The late Mr. Douglas was one of the finest representatives that the constituency of Queens has had. He was always ready to do a good turn, for anyone, when it was within his power to do so. As a further tribute to him I may say that he was active in all things of great interest to the younger people in the constituency as well as in the province as a whole. To his wonderful wife, his daughter and his two sons, I, as many other members have done, have already extended sympathy; but I think it is well that the records of this house should show that the deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved by members in all parts of the house.

In closing let me say again that Mr. Douglas was a real man. On an occasion of this kind it is difficult for me to speak as I should of such a friend as he was. I can only say that as a man, as a citizen of our province, and as a representative of the people, he was one who will be long remembered. He has gone to his eternal reward, and we shall all miss him.

I wish also to associate myself with the remarks which have been made about Mr. Matthews of Brandon. He was a Prince Edward Islander, and the people of his native province were proud of his success, not only in our own province but in western Canada as well.

Mr. J. H. Harris (Danforih):

Mr. Speaker, these events seem to recur every year, but I am unable to allow this occasion to go by without making reference to my good friend, Lester Douglas. I did business with him for thirty-five years; therefore I came to know him reasonably well. He was a man of the highest integrity, one whom it was a delight to meet. Like many others from Prince Edward Island, he was a big man, one who made you feel proud of Canadians. To his family I wish to extend the condolences of his friends in the province of Ontario.

Mr. Matthews was well known to me. In the desk in my office I have three letters which I treasure, signed by his own hand, in which he encouraged us younger men to continue with welfare work of one kind or another. When something was said in this chamber on behalf of our fellow men he never missed the opportunity to add his comment. That was something that I appreciated. He was a bighearted man, the kind who make our life here worth while.

If I may have the indulgence of the house, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make another observation. For a quarter of a century I sat in this chamber with one of the most honourable and grandest of men. He was not a candidate [Mr. McLure.l

in the last election, having had to retire on account of ill health. Within the last month we have lost him. I refer to the late Mark Senn. Mr. Senn was a philosopher, guide and friend; he was someone to whom you could appeal in this chamber when you were not quite sure of your ground. We loved him. I think of the tribute that was paid to him in his home town a few weeks ago when, on the occasion of his funeral, the sidewalks were crowded with over a thousand people. I came to the conclusion that such a life as his was really worth while, when so many persons came to pay their respects to one who did the best he could for his country. I should like to have permission from you, sir, to express to his dear widow and to his stalwart sons and charming daughters the sincere sympathy of this entire chamber on the loss they have sustained. Perhaps there is a special reason for my doing so; after long association with him I learned to have for him a regard, indeed an affection, which can be shared by few in the same degree. I was anxious, therefore, to take advantage of this opportunity to put on the records of this house some expression of the regard we had for him. I will not give you his record; you have it, sir; everyone has it. Everyone in the house loved him. He will be sorely missed.

Mr. Daniel Mclvor (Fori William):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to add my tribute to the three friends-two members and an ex-member of this house-who have been spoken of here. I remember Archdeacon Farrar saying that the older we grow, the more alone we grow. Some of us have come to the time in life when we know more friends who have crossed the line into the great beyond than we know here.

For over forty years I knew the former [DOT]member for Brandon, and when he became my deskmate I was greatly pleased. He was always helpful. As I knelt in worship, the knowledge that he had driven forty miles to attend the service was a great stimulus to me. He was always helpful when he sat beside me in the house.

The late member for Queens and I seemed to be kindred spirits. I was in his room in Ottawa regularly. But we know our friends best when we meet them in a game, and especially in a tight contest. He was an outstanding bowler. Just as he served in this house, he was -always steady; and he was just as well pleased when some of his mates were able to put it over him.

As I said, the older we get the more concerned we are, not with what a man says but with what he does. If he practises Chris-

tianity then there is no doubt of his future life. When I think of the apostle Paul speaking of the great cloud of witnesses I cannot but think that these three old friends belong now to that assemblage, because the cloud was not then completed. Somebody said, "It is not what we leave behind but what we give away that we take with us." These three friends have left behind such footprints that if we tread in them we shall rise to a higher and better service. [DOT]

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

As is already well known, since the end of the last session the Hon. George Prudham has been appointed Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys. I now wish to table the order in council in respect of that appointment, which is dated December 13, 1950. I will not attempt to repeat here the welcome we of the cabinet extended to him when he joined our circle, but as a member of this house I think I would be speaking for all hon. members in extending to him best wishes in the discharge of his added responsibilities.

On January 24 Mr. W. M. Benidickson was appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transport; Mr. Jean Lesage parliamentary assistant to the Secretary of State for External Affairs; Mr. Leopold Langlois parliamentary assistant to the Postmaster General; Mr. E. A. McCusker parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Health and Welfare; and Mr. Ralph Campney parliamentary assistant to the Minister of National Defence. Mr. Ralph Maybank, who was formerly parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys, has been appointed parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Resources and Development. I wish to table the orders in council relating thereto.

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

I should like to table copies, in English and in French, of the proceedings of the constitutional conference between the federal and provincial governments of September 25 to September 28, 1950, and December 4 to December 7, 1950; also copies, in English and in French, of the further correspondence between the Prime Minister and the premiers of the provinces respecting those conferences.

Reports and Papers FIRES