February 8, 1951 (21st Parliament, 4th Session)

Mr. Cruickshank:

I am going to get over to Saskatchewan and cartels in a minute. A remark was made by the hon. member about our external affairs. I want to say with all respect that from the time this department has borne the distinguished name it has Canada has never had the privilege of having at the head of this department a gentleman with the capabilities of the present Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson) or anyone who has enjoyed such respect throughout the world. I should like to quote a further remark by the hon. member for Vancouver-Quadra, as reported on page 163 of Hansard, as follows:
The handling by the government of Canada's activities in the Korean crisis has been one of the most disgraceful episodes in Canada's history.
That remark should never have been placed on Hansard as it brings no credit to the party the hon. member represents and it definitely brings no credit to the province from which we both come. I have nothing at all to be ashamed of as the member for Fraser Valley

of the part Canada has played in the Korean or any other war that involved the freedom of the peoples of the world. It is a most peculiar thing that the representative of one riding should say that there has been a disgraceful handling of affairs by a man possessing the capabilities of our present minister. The status of our minister is borne out by a question asked on Tuesday by the hon. member for Peel (Mr. Graydon) when he inquired if our minister had accepted the invitation extended to him by the president of the general assembly to serve on the good offices committee with respect to oriental problems. If that is not a compliment to the Canadian minister of external affairs, I should like to know what it is. I think it is one of the finest compliments that could be paid to him or that could be paid to Canada for the part she is playing in the Korean and other crises.
In case it may be thought that I am altogether too favourably inclined in my remarks, I should like to move on to the question of controls. Perhaps I cannot speak on controls with the authority with which certain Saskatchewan members speak. It must be realized that we farmers in British Columbia do not go in for chain farming. We operate just one farm, not five or more. Of course I can speak only for myself, but I think the Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Gardiner) will permit me to say that we are both free traders. If we are able to convince the rest of the people to be free traders, we shall have free trade in this country.