Mr. H. W. HERRIDGE (Kootenay West):

I do not intend to take the time of the house to discuss things which I think should properly come before the committee or before the house at a more fitting time. But I wish to make reference to the fact that some objection has been raised to the relative strength of parties on the committee. I can understand the reason for this objection being raised, but I must say that, after twenty-five or twenty-six years of experience on committees dealing with veterans' affairs, I have found in working with members of all polite

ical parties that when we enter the field of veterans' affairs we work on a basis of nonpartisanship. Regardless of the political faiths of the members of this committee, I am quite sure that every member will think first of the veterans of this country and not of the party to which that member may belong; and I am quite confident and quite happy to leave the investigation entirely in the hands of the committee as now composed.

1. How many persons have been appointed to positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs since its inception in 1944?

2. How many positions have been established where the official concerned is in receipt of $3,600 per annum or more?

3. What was the previous army, navy or air force rank held by such persons holding these positions?

Mr. H. W. HERRIDGE (Kootenay West):

I wish to direct a question to the Acting Prime Minister. According to a White House statement reported in the press, Marshal Gregory Zhukov has been invited to visit Washington and will arrive on October 4. Will the Acting Prime Minister inform this house if consideration has been given to extending an invitation to Marshal Zhukov to visit this country?

Mr. H. W. HERRIDGE (Kootenay West):

Mr. Speaker, as the new member for Kootenay West I succeed a gentleman who served that constituency in this house for a period of over twenty years, and I am certain that all those who knew Mr. Esling will join with me in wishing him a happy and lengthy retirement.

Mr. HERRIDGE:

Mr. Esling received the esteem and affection of all people in Kootenay West regardless of party affiliations. On that account possibly may I say that my advent to this house was delayed for about ten years.

I enter this house under somewhat unusual political circumstances, and I think a few words of explanation are necessary. I was nominated for the last federal election as the candidate of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation organization in Kootenay West, actively supported by large numbers of members of trades unions, farmers' organizations, veterans' organizations and cooperatives. I was elected to this house in support of the principles of the Regina manifesto and the present national programme of the C.C.F. Owing to the difference that has occurred within the fold of those who support the philosophy and the principles of the Regina manifesto, I sit in this house as a member of the people's C.C.F. group in Kootenay West. That difference, which was the result of sincere convictions on both sides, does not lessen in any degree my determination to work for the building up of society as enunciated in the principles of the Regina manifesto.

I have just mentioned that I entered this house under somewhat unusual political circumstances, and if hon. members will forgive

a reference to my domestic affairs, I may say that I enter this house under rather unusual domestic circumstances. I come on the one side from a long line of Liberals. My father is a great admirer of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister (Mr. Mackenzie King) and has been a long-time supporter of his, and he will be reading the papers to see exactly what I say to-night.