Mr. Nicholson:

Mr. Chairman, on the first day the minister had his estimates before the committee he was good enough to say that he looked at an order that had been issued by his predecessor under which the files on cases of certain Chinese immigrants had been closed roughly some two years ago. I hope that as a result of that decision, which was so well received in the house, the minister will be able to reverse the decisions made by his predecessor. As I mentioned the other day, during the five-year period ended December 31, 1929, there were four Chinese immigrants admitted to Canada. In the next five-year period which ended in 1934, there were three admitted, one in the next five-year period and none at all in the subsequent five-year period. Being familiar with conditions in western Canada I am sure the minister will agree with me that in many of the little towns in the west there are Chinese running restaurants who are among the outstanding people in the community.

I have in mind a Chinese cook in a restaurant. He brought his wife to Canada approximately two years ago, but it was decided by the department that the child this couple have supported and continue to support is not really their child and so the youngster is not permitted entry into Canada. I think we can afford to be generous In a case of this sort. If the minister were to have a meal in this restaurant and meet the couple in question I am sure he would agree they are fine citizens who would not wish to do an injustice to Canada. I think the least we should do is to permit this mother and father to bring to Canada the ten-year old child for whom they have cared all of its life. It is my hope that the minister will examine these cases which are being brought to his attention by hon. members in all parts of the house.

Mr. Nicholson:

Yes. I did not intend to

suggest that there had been no increase since the period with which I dealt, but in view of the fact that immigration from China was practically at a standstill for a 20-year period is it not reasonable to suggest that many of these people are anxious to bring their children to Canada now? In viewing the situation I think we should take into account the policy of the previous government with regard to immigration from China which I think can be accurately described as unreasonable.

Mr. Nicholson:

Page 23 of the annual report of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration. I should like to ask the minister about the East Indian immigration problem.

Some two years ago his colleague, the Minister of Public Works, made reference to a delegation of East Indians who came to Ottawa. I am sure the Acting Minister of Citizenship and Immigration would agree with his colleague about the fine contribution the East Indians have made to the life of Canada. According to the report, between 1952 and 1956, inclusive, we have admitted East Indians to Canada in the following numbers, 153, 154, 177, 249 and 322. Since India is a member of the commonwealth, and has a population of 370 million people, it does not seem reasonable that fewer than 300 have been admitted to Canada each year. Could the minister tell us how many applications are processed in our office in Delhi, where an office has been maintained for some time? Could he indicate how many people would like to come to Canada and whether his department is reviewing the situation? I think it is most unfortunate that one of the great men of recent times, Gandhi, would have been denied admission to Canada as an immigrant 40 years ago. Today there are many young people in that country who could make a worth while contribution to life in Canada. I think a policy of immigration that limits the numbers of immigrants to the low figure contained in the annual report of the department is one that ought to be reviewed. Could the minister make a statement concerning the immigration policy as it affects East Indians?

Mr. A. M. Nicholson (Mackenzie):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture. If I heard the minister correctly yesterday when he spoke to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture in Montreal, he intimated that during the present year he hoped

to introduce legislation to provide for an improved credit system, crop insurance and a national soil and water conservation program. My question is, does the minister intend to introduce this legislation during the present session of parliament?

Mr. Nicholson:

I wonder whether the

minister has figures available showing how many applications were received last year at the Delhi office?