Mr. CASTLEDEN:

While men offered

their life-blood in the hour of danger, profiteering industry refused to provide the sinews of war. To-day Canada hangs her head in shame as we find our earliest efforts thwarted for want of supplies. Canada and the empire were sold out.

Quoting from Hansard of September 12, 1939, page 179, I find these words of the Minister of Transport (Mr. Howe):

I can say to my hon. friend that from that day to this the defence purchasing board has done its very best to place contracts on that basis and has used every pressure that could be brought to bear in the form of patriotism and so on, but to date it has not succeeded in placing a single contract on that basis.

This is one of the most revealing cases of the attitude of industrialists toward the war. From this statement it is quite evident that there was agreement among the contractors. It is abundantly evident, too, that patriotism and sacrifice mean nothing to them-profits mean everything. Profits to them mean more than Canada or the British empire. They are largely responsible for our present plight with regard to the shortage which is paralyzing our war effort. Instead of yielding to the demand for a greater increase in profits, why

[Mr. Castleden.l

did not this government or the administration nationalize the industries which are so vital to our very existence?

Is money again to be considered of more importance than life? Many boys from the western plains leave debt-ridden homes as they go to fight for Canada. After enlisting, they hear that relief quotas are to be drastically reduced, farm machinery prices are raised within ten days after the election, and the soldier goes into battle wondering how his aged parents and his sisters can live on the meagre returns from the home he has left. There are no profits for him. To-day he looks to this house for leadership. He asks why, if he is willing to give his life, the money-lenders should not be willing to give a part of their money. In the last war Canada socialized her greatest natural resource, the blood of her manhood; and while this was being poured out, profiteering industry and money-lenders enriched themselves with tax-free bonds, and laid upon coming generations a debt so staggering that we can but borrow to pay the interest. Too soon wives and parents will be sent telegrams to tell them that their husbands and sons will not come back. No telegrams will come to tell the money-lenders that some of their contribution will not come back.

Mr. CASTLEDEN:

I have some notes.

Mr. CASTLEDEN:

Was it not made

retroactive?

Mr. CASTLEDEN:

Why do we not have some equality of sacrifice? The boys in 1914-18 died in what they were told was a war to end war.

Mr. CASTLEDEN:

May I refer briefly to a matter of vital importance which so far has been almost completely overlooked in the debate? The Minister of Finance spoke the other day of the morale of our Canadian troops. Without that proper morale, all the money, all the men and all the sacrifice will be of no avail. What creates this spirit in our men and in our people? It is created by faith and confidence, by that assurance which comes from the knowledge that their leaders have the ability and the power to render proper leadership. How can we best create that assurance in the minds of those who go to sacrifice all that living means? How can we maintain in the hearts and minds of those who remain at home that proper spirit? We can do it only by assuring them that their sacrifices are not again a waste of life and material, and the creation of a great debt which will cast its shadow over the lives of generations yet unborn. There must be proof of effective action at home. They must know that there is not corruption or profiteering. We must rid Canada of the spirit of a profiteering world. These boys must be assured that justice will be preserved and democracy maintained at home. Let the traitors of the great cause of democracy-those who would use the freedom given to them under the British flag to betray us in the dark hour of trial-be treated as befits their acts; but let us be equally sure that the civil liberties, the justice and the fair play, which are also a part of our traditions, will not be destroyed in the process. That is vital.

Canadians must always remember that the civil liberties won for us by our forefathers are our only guarantee for progress. It 7

War Appropriation Bill

those liberties for which we are at war. They are sacred to all true Canadians-they must never be abused. The maintenance of those liberties is a sacred trust of this parliament. To-day Canada's manhood goes to fight to maintain freedom and democracy abroad so that these rights still may be the heritage of future generations.

It is incumbent upon every parliament of Canada to respect and constantly protect every clause of our constitution. Orders in council may be necessary at a time of stress, but Canadians must be eternally vigilant to see that these privileges are properly used. No cabinet should be permitted to set aside legislation passed by parliament as was done on August 26, 1939. Not until seven or eight days later was the War Measures Act passed which permitted such action. Why? When our constitution is not respected, Canadians must make their instant protest; for ,the path of such action leads directly to anarchy.