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I have ever worked with. I recommend him highly. Yours truly, ‘ C. D. Gordon, Booth Fisheries Canadian Co. Ltd.”

And now they ask did he resign or was he dismissed and for what reason? The learned doctor, the member from Second Kings, even demanded to know the travelling expenses of Mr. Baisley from April 1st, 1960. I have had my staff con- tact his previous employers on two accounts. I do wish to assure the former Minister of Industry, the member for Second Kings, that Mr. Baisley was not fired. He did not extract that letter of recommendation by any foul means. Mr. Gordon on March 28th confirmed his earlier opinions of Mr. Baisley’s abilities and services and I read that letter as well. On the second count I have questioned Mr. Gordon concerning these travelling expenses and will table the information as soon as received.

“BOOTH FISHERIES CANADIAN CO. LTD.

March 28, 1967

I believe it was sometime around Christmas 1964 that you contacted me in regards to my personal recommendation of Mr. Leonard Baisley.

I cannot quote my original recommendation verbatim, however, I am sure I wrote that I had worked with Len some eleven years previous to his resignation, and that in my estimation he was one of the most honourable, sober and hardest working men I had ever had the pleasure of working with.

I also added that in my opinion he was the most knowledgable and practical fishing trawler man in the Maritimes, and that I thought you would be most for- tunate should you be able to entice him to your Island.

As you well know, the fishing industry of the Maritimes, including plants, shipyards. etc., is a very closely knit little community and there are secrets amongst us all. I have watched Len's efforts and results at P.E.I. with much inter- est and it is most gratifying to me personally to hear from all sources that he has more than lived up to my opinions.

Very truly yours, (signed) C. D. Gordon."

In order to satisfy the curiousity of the honourable member from Fifth Kings as to Mr. Baisley's travel expenses from 1st April 1960, I have only this answer from Mr. Gordon.

“April 17th, 1967

You have flattered me by asking for my opinion and help on various matters in conjunction with your fish industry in P.E.I. Since, the ultimate aim at least was to inprove the fishing industry in your Province, I was most happy to give freely of my time and effort to help in any way I could.

In this particular instance, .however, I can see no earthly reason why I should waste many hours of my time and effort searching for an answer to so meaningless and utterly foolish a question as you pose in your letter. simply to satisfy sanebody’s idle curiousity.”

Before leaving this issue I would like, Mr. Speaker, to do something which you might consider most unusual under the circumstances. I would like to pay a complimert to the one-time Minister of Fisheries the honourable member from Second K'ngs. Up until I reviewed this matter I was of the firm opinion that he never did anything right. But I now see that I was wrong. This was one thing, at least one thing, that we must admit was a right decision.

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