Mr. Gilbert Rondeau (Shefford):

Mr. Speaker, may I ask a supplementary question?

At the same time, could the Prime Minister inquire from the Minister of Agriculture as to why information circulars sent to farmers and agriculturalists throughout the province of Quebec have been published only in English for months?

Mr. Pearson:

I will be glad to, Mr. Speaker. LABOUR RELATIONS

Hon. Alvin Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Trade and Commerce a question about the movement of grain from the west coast. In view of the threatened strike of the terminal workers I wonder if the Minister would not consider holding a meeting with all the parties concerned, before the situation degenerates like it did in 1963, particularly in view of the fine record of this particular union in honouring the commitment made at a meeting in 1961 for the movement of wheat to China without strike action.

Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

Mr. Speaker, both the Minister of Labour and I have been very much concerned to avoid any stoppage of work in Vancouver. I can assure my hon. friend that no one in the House desires to see a continuous movement

May 18, 1965

Inquiries of the Ministry of wheat out of the west coast more than I involved has already accepted the Majority do, and he can depend on the Government to Report of the conciliation board, while the make every effort that can usefully be made, companies involved have not?

Mr. Hamilton:

As a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, would the Minister see if a meeting could be held, because the commitment was made at a meeting with both sides in front of the Minister, and I think if that commitment were put up to both sides the threatened stoppage would probably end.

Mr. Sharp:

Mr. Speaker, I would be very happy to give this suggestion consideration. It may be that a meeting of this kind would be useful but I can assure my hon. friend there are many other ways of handling this, as he knows; and I think we have been at least as successful as he was in keeping the movement of grain going through the Pacific coast ports-even more successful.

Mr. Hamilton:

As a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, in view of the opinions expressed in the latter part of the Minister's answer I am sure he will admit that there was a big loss of markets in the winter of 1963-64. Therefore I ask him again, would he not consider giving a direct commitment that a meeting will be called under his auspices?

Mr. Sharp:

I deny the statement made by the hon. Member, who was not really asking a question. He has made a statement, and he knows perfectly well that the greatest movement of wheat ever made in the history of this country was made in the crop year 1963-64.

Mr. R. R. Southam (Moose Mountain):

As a

further supplementary question, Mr. Speaker, is the Minister aware that Alberta wheat pool officials said yesterday that Alberta and Saskatchewan farmers, already hit by a drop in the price of wheat, will suffer more seriously if the grain handlers' strike is called in the Vancouver area?

Mr. Sharp:

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I entirely agree with the hon. gentleman that it would be most unfortunate if a strike were called in Vancouver, and I earnestly hope it can be avoided. I can assure the hon. Member that the Government is doing everything possible to avoid a strike.

Mr. Barry Mather (New Westminster):

wanted to direct a supplementary question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce in connection with the grain handlers dispute in New Westminster and Vancouver. Is the Minister aware of the fact that the union

Mr. Sharp:

Yes. I have been discussing this question over the last few days with all the parties directly concerned, and I am fully aware of the facts the hon. Member has put forward.

Hon. Paul Mariineau (Poniiac-Temiscamin-gue):

I wish to address a question to the Minister of Finance. Will the Minister say whether the Government has received a bid by private interests for the purchase of Polymer Corporation? Would he further state whether the Government would entertain such a bid if one were made, on conditions similar to those applicable to the Canada Development Corporation when it is set up?

Hon. Walter L. Gordon (Minister of Finance):

This seems to be a rambling and hypothetical question. The answer to the first part is, not to my knowledge.

Mr. Mariineau:

What about the second part?