Wednesday, March 15, 1967

Walter R. Shaw: But you can’t take it, that is the trouble; that is the reason

you are making a fuss now. A real loyal fellow, he is in the back seat and he has to shout in order to make himself heard.

Honourable Cecil A. Miller: I don’t have to shout.

Walter R. Shaw: Yes, Sir, publicity. Traffic is the whole sum and substance of this government’s practices since they came into power. The government is strong in that, it lacks action and makes up in flamboyant press releases. One issue of a newspaper not long ago had nine different productions from the Ministers. . . .

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Active. . . .

Walter R. Shaw: Nine of them. The man from First Prince didn’t get his pencil working, he wasn’t yet dedicated. He will come in later. I counted nine sep- arate and distinct articles relating to government departments, and it covered the dreams and the visions, and the fantasies of various Ministers of the Crown. The article, indeed—and there was the usual run of these articles of innocent-appearing Ministers gazing out with unusual benevolence at the world at large. Wonderful publicity! I can only say with regard to this Draft Address that it is disjointed, pathetic, verbal, camouflage.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Could I have those words again? Walter R. Shaw: I will give you the next one, perhaps better still! (Laughter)

Walter R. Shaw: Take this one. This is just simply a mass of words covering up the constipation in thought and action. (Applause) And that's what it is.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: When did you write that speech?

Walter R. Shaw: After eight months in power, a mouse finally emerged from the mountain, and what a miserable little mouse it is. I think that when he looks around and sees the desolation that has followed the activities of this government he will rush back into the hole in the mountain again with a frightened little squeak.

I can quite understand, Mr. Speaker, the desire of Ministers of the Crown, whose efforts have been so barren and futile. You can take this one too, is your pencil ready?

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: What are fantastic fantacies?

Walter R. Shaw: Now, to have some Liberal artist draw the brush of decep- tion across the unfortunate handiwork. . . .

Honourable M. Lorne Bonuell: You sound like Steve Hessian.

Walter R. Shaw: . . . . that were so rightly dressed in purple and linen and borne out here by the two gentlemen in the back seat, the Cabinet that was dressed up in purple and fine linens during the election. Boy, oh boy! I can tell you after I read some of these addresses by these boys, and when I met them on the street. I got to one side and I stood and I looked at them for a long time and I wondered if these were the fellows that I had known for the last few years? I couldn’t believe it, but anyway many voters were assured of jobs.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: There was only one. . . .

Walter R. Shaw: It was even reported, it was even reported that not only were there promises, and I have copies here that I can show to you, but they were very fervent and all embracing. That was the official promises; but it was the extra promises that were made by these men during the election campaign. I heard of one man who went out and he told some old people, “Listen, what about your funeral expenses? (Laughter) What about your funeral expenses? If you are sav- ing up’money for your funeral expenses, forget it; we will pay your funeral ex- penses. '

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: You thought. . . . _15_