January 29, 1951 (21st Parliament, 3rd Session)

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.