PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE of ASSEMBLY During the Third Session of the · Twenty-Sixth General Assembly of Newfoundland 1926 The Evening Telegram, Ltd. ST. JOHN'S, N.F.

Proceedings of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland SESSION 1926 Begun and holden at St. John's in the said Island on Wednesday, the third day of March, Anno Domini, Nineteen hundred and Twenty-six, being in the Sixteenth year of the reign of His Majesty our Sovereign Lord George, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British Do­ minions beyond the Seas, King, De­ fender of the Faith, Emperor of India. WEDNESDAY, March 3rd, 1926.

His Excellency having fixed the hour at which he proposed to open the present Session of the Legislature at three of the clock in the afternoon of this Wednesday, the third day of March instant, the Members of the House of Assembly met in the Assem­ bly Room at a quarter to three of the clock in the afternoon, when Mr. Speaker took the Chair. At three of the clock a message from His Excellency, the Governor, was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, c9mmanding the im­ mediate attendance of Mr. Speaker and the House in the Council Cham­ ber. Whereupon, Mr.

Speaker and the House attended His Excellency in the Council Chamber: And being returned to the Assembly Room, Mr. Speaker informed the House that, when in attendance upon His Excellency in the Council Cham- ber, His Excellency had been pleased to make a Gracious Speech to both Branches of the Legislature, a copy of which for greater accuracy he had obtained, and then read to the House as follows: Mr. President and Hononrable Gen. tlemen of the Legislative Council: Mr.

SJJeaker and Gentlemen of the Honourable House of Assembly: Sipce last we met there has been universal sorrow throughout our Em­ pire at the death of Her late Majesty Queen Alexandra. The Queen Mother, by her exceptional qualities, her kindness of heart, and her untiring efforts for the alleviation of suffering, won the love and affection of all classes of the community both at Home and Overseas . ·The sincere sympathy of the people of Newfound­ land went out to their Majesties the King and Queen, and to all the Mem­ bers of the Royal Family .

The continued prosperity of the Colony since you were last in Session has been well mainta ine d, and I con­ gratulate you accordingly. Not since the Great War commenced have con­ ditions generally been so satisfactory as they are at presen t, and have been during _ the last twelve months. The Sealing and Codfishery indus­ tries in 1925 were more productive than in the previous. year. Stimulated by the bounty for repairs a larger number of vessels engaged in cod­ fishing; Qn. tilt; Labrador, and the catch

4 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS obtained was above the average. Good prices were paid locally for fish, and although foreign market conditions are not now good, exporters will probably realize their stocks without material loss. Improvement in the cure is essential if the Colony is to maintain its position in foreign mar­ kets. The development of the Colony's forest resources during the last twenty years, and the growth of the pulp in­ dustry, have changed and improved the conditions of a large

section of the working classes. There is reason to hope for a further early expansion of this industry, as well as that of min­ ing, with a proportionately increased demand for labourers. The construction of the Hotel in St. John's, legislation in connection with which was enacted last year, has proceeded apace, and there is no reason to doubt that the Hotel will be ready for occupation at the open­ ing of the approaching tourist season. During last Summer the Highroads Commission constructed and recon­ ditioned a considerable mileage of important roads.

The quality of the work done was excellent and the cost per mile was not excessive when fair allowance is made for the initial cost and local conditions. The reconstruction, extension and improvement of the St. John's dry dock have proceeded rapidly, and the erection of a capacious fire-proof warehouse in connection therewith has been commenced recently. The utmost satisfaction is felt with the manner in which the work has been done, and with the results that have been obtained. The re-railing of a portion of the railway between St.

John's and Clar­ enville has materially improved the road-bed, has afforded increased com­ fort to passengers, and has facilitated traffic. Ordinary depreciation in roll­ ing stock and road-bed );las been II\Ore than met by increased ballasting and other improvements, and, as a whole, the standard of the railway has been heightened. In the month of August last cer­ tain Members of the Imperial Parlia­ mentary Association came to New­ fouI)dland and were the guests of the Government.

This was the first oc­ casion that any such delegation had visited the Colony and the Legislature and the Public were gratified to have the opportunity of meeting them. The exchange of views between the Par­ liamentarians of this country and those from the United Kingdom were alike helpful and profitable, and it is anticipated that much good will result. In October last the S. S. "Caribou" took up the conveyance of mails and passengers between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, and has proved to be a most suitable boat for the ser­ vice. With a large up-to-date Hotel in St.

John's, improved and extended roads, a smoother railway road-bed, and a new, commodious and well­ equipped steamer to connect with the adjoining Dominion, the Colony is rapidly being made ready for the in­ creased tourist traffic which is con­ fidently hoped for and expected. In this connection it is pleasant to note that three large new passenger steam­ ers will this year be plying to and from St. John's, and that an excellent steamship has been built for the trade between Montreal and Bay of Islands .

The award of the Pecuniary Claims Tribunal at Washington in November last, on claims by the United States of America arising out of the traffic in herring on the West Coast by American vessels, was in Newfound­ land's favour. The principle on which the decision was based estab­ lishes the Colony's right to control traffic between its people and Ameri­ can vessels resorting to that Coast to procure herring cargoes. The final pleadings in the Labrador Boundary

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 5 case will be filed at the end of this month and it is proposed to have a late in October of this year set for ~he hearing in London by the Judicial Committee of His Majesty's Privy Council. The geological surveys of the Col­ ony which have been made in the past were carried out before the interior was opened up by the railway. It is not unreasonable to hope, and even to believe, that great mineral resources exist, and an effort ought to be made to discover them for dev;ilopment . purposes.

A proposal, therefore, will be laid before you for the employ­ ment of a competent and experienced geologist, with adequate provision for surveys. .Ur. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Honourable House of Assembly: The financial year 1924-25 resulted in a substantial surplus of ordinary Revenue over ordinary Expenditure, but the loss on the operations of the railway absorbed that surplus.

Rail­ way receipts did not equal those of the previous year owing chiefly to the decrease in the volume of freight, while railway expenditure during the year included the cost of improving the rail way road-bed and rolling stock beyond the wear and tear of the year. The Revenue and Expenditure of the Colony for the expired portion of 1925-26 conform closely to the estimate.

It is not expected that a substantial surplus will be achieved on the year's operations as demands for increased expenditure continually arise, some of them automatically by reason of long standing legislation, such , for instance, as the Teachers' Augmentation Fund. The estimates for 1926-27 will be placed before you in due course . Mr. President and Honourable Gen· tlemen of the Leg·islative Council: J1Ir.

Speaker and Gentlemen of the Honourable House of Assembly: '!'he development of the industries of the Colony within recent years and the increasing number of our people engaged therein, make it desirable to provide the best possible protection to workmen and their dependents in case of accident. The amount of com­ pensation to which workmen, in case of injury, and their dependents, in case of death, are entitled under the existing law is not sufficient. Your consideration of this matter is invited for such action as may seem to you best calculated to safeguard the in­ terests of workmen and industries alike.

Although self-government in purely local affairs seems to be desirable and practicable in certain localities, either by single or associated settle­ ments, the powers and responsibili­ ties of Municipal Government ought to be sought by the electors of pro­ gressive areas rather than imposed upon them by authority. A measure was drafted last Session which was general in its terms as to the election and powers of Councils in incorpor­ ated areas, with prov1s10n for its adoption where suitable on the peti­ tion of electors and subject to the approval of the Governor-in-Council.

That draft was deferred for more ma­ ture consideration and a Bill will be presented to you during the present Session. The status of Civil Servants is undefined by law both as to their ap­ pointment and retirements. Salaries are seldom large enough to permit of saving for old age or infirmity, or for the protection of dependents, and, consequently, some officials have re­ mained in office when their efficiency has .ceased, while the death of others has reduced their dependents to want and entailed upon the Colony at times almost irresistible claims for gratu­ ities.

A Bill will therefore be intro­ duced 1regulating superannuation or retiring allowances, and for other purposes.

6 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS The legal position of the railway and its operations; the method of collecting its revenue and disbursing its expenditure; the making of its contracts, and its responsibility for accidents are susceptible of improve­ ment, and a tentative measure will be introduced not in order to make any drastic alteration in present condi­ tions and practices, but to legalize the control and operation in the man­ ner followed since the railway was taken over from the contractors.

When the Board of Liquor Control came into power in the early part of last year, the conditions it had to deal with were chaotic. istration, however, moonshining have Under its admin­ smuggling and decreased, and there has been a gratifying diminu­ tion of offences, many of which were the outcome of breaches of the Pro­ hibition Act. The pecuniary results have exceeded the estimate.

Condi­ tions under the existing law have not, however, been free from objection, ascribable, in some degree, to the open practice of bad habits previously pursued with greater secrecy, and partly from the greater circulation of money through increased employ- A new contract, subject to your confirmation, has been made between the Government and the Companies operating at Bell Island. Working conditions on the Island call for im­ provement. The creation of a market for ore within the British Empire is almost essential.

The contract has been made, therefore, for a long term, and contains a provision as to export duty designed to give a preference to consumption within the Empire. The contract provides for improved hous­ ing conditions and limits the price of coal for household consumption both to workmen and others within the Colony. A safeguard is instituted against any reasonably avoidable closing of the mines at any time. I invite your serious consideration to the terms of this important contract. Proposals will be laid before you for the better control of the harbour of St. John's by the institution of a Port Authority.

The opening of the new Dry Dock, and the increase of shipping which it is anticipated will result, make such a measure neces­ sary. The agreement entered into by the Government with the Montreal Trust ment. It is confidently anticipated Company in rnlation to an issue of that there will be a continuous im­ provement in results. Some amend­ ments in the Liquor Act, to facilitate its enforcement, seem desirable, and, incidentally, the fines for certain of­ fences will be reduced, so as to make them more suitable for conditions here, but no radical change in meth­ ods will be proposed.

A Bill for these purposes will be placed before you. The statute permitting the landing and transhipment of spirituous liquors hampers the enforcement of <the law in adjoining countries, and thus, pos­ sibly, tends to create international friction. Both g0od conscience and prudence alike suggest its repeal, and a Bill for that purpose will be intro­ duced. bonds for the Hotel now under con­ struction in St. John's will be sub­ mitted to you for confirmation.

I invoke the Divine Blessings on your labours, and leave you to your deliberations with confidence that they will be inspired by the desire to serve your country well. RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY. THE HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER-Mr. Speaker: Since this House of Assembly last met the country has been deprived by death of the services of the Honourable J. D. Ryan. Mr. Ryan represented the very important district of Ferryland in this House from the year 1900 to 1904. For twenty-one years there ­ after he was a member of the Letis-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 7 lative Council and during the last five years of that period he presided with dignity and impartiality over the de­ liberations of that particular body. Honoured alike by the Head of his Church and by the country of adop­ tion, Mr. Ryan was one of these un­ assuming, genial souls, who we are proud to call nature's gentlemen and who whereever they go spread an in­ fluence for good and the influence to­ wards better citizenship, which was inspired by the life and living amongst us here of Mr. Ryan for sixty years, would be incaluable.

Still he never lost his love for his native land by having taken Newfoundland as his adopted country, and although his whole soul and heart was in the in­ terest of the Colony. For twenty-five years Mr. Ryan held the honoured position of President of the B,enevo­ lent Irish Society and I do not think that there was a man in the whole country more suitable to occupy that office. Those who knew Mri. Ryan most intimately, I think, will join with me in saying that the word benevo­ lence, as it is defined in the dictionary, describes the peculiar characteristics of the man. I, therefore, Mr.

Speaker, ask to move the following Resolution: RESOLVED that this House desire to record the expression of its deep regret at the death of Honourable J. D. Ryan, late President of the Legis­ lative Council and some time Member of this House. Whilst mourning his loss, Members of this House desire to convey to his relatives deep sympathy in their be­ reavement. MR. HICKMAN-Mr. Speaker: I take upon myself this afternoon the sad duty of seconding the Resolution of sympathy proposed by the Honour­ able the Prime Minister to the rela­ tives of the late Hon. J. D. Ryan.

A biography of his jife has been given you, Sir, by the proposer and I am sure that there is not much that can add to it. I have known Mr. Ryan for several years and I have known him always to be a good citi­ zen; and I know that he was a de­ vout worshipper of his religious faith and teachings and is a good example for all the members of this honourable House of Assembly. In the death of Mr. Ryan the Legislative Council has lost a good member and St. John's an exemplary citizen.

I understand that twenty-five years aJo he occupied a seat in this Cham­ ber, as a colleague of Sir Michael Cashin, representing the district of Ferryland, and prior to that he con­ tested the district of St. John's East. He always took an active interest in the public life of the Colony. I agree with the Honourable the Prime Minister in submitting the Resolution to the House and which I beg to second. MR. WARREN-Mr. Speaker: So that this

section of the House may be heard from, I desire to associate myself with what has been so elo­ quently and ably said by the Honour­ able the Prime Ministei: and the Leader of the Opposition. MR. CASHIN - Mr. Speaker: I would like to associate myself also with the Motion before the Chair so ably pro­ posed by the Prime Minister, espe­ cially in view of the fact that the late Mr. Ryan represented the district, which I have the honour to represent to-day, for four years . Mr. Ryan was known as a philanthropist in this community and he was always ever ready and foremost in the cause of education.

He was a devout Ro­ man Catholic and contributed gener­ ously to his Church, and I trust that Mr. Ryan has reaped the benefit of his good deeds in the other world. On motion of Hon. the Prime Min­ ister, seconded by Mr. Hickman, and supported by Mr. Warren and Mr.

8 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Cashin, the following Resolution was passed: RESOLVED that this House desire to record the expression of its deep regret at the death of Honourable J. D. Ryan, late President of the Legis­ lative Council and some time Member of this House . Whilst mourning his loss Members of this House desire to convey to his relatives deep sympathy in their be­ reavement. MOTION FOR ADDRESS IN REPLY. MR. PUDDESTER-Mr.

Speaker: I rise for the purpose of moving that a select committee be appointed to dr~ft an address in reply to the gra­ cious speech with which His Excel­ lency has been pleas!Jd to open the present session of the Legislature, and in doing so ask the permission of the House to make a few observations upon certain matters referred to therein. Before addressing myself thereto I would ask your permission, Sir, to refer back to the resolution of con­ dolence just passed unanimously by the House on the motion of the Hon. Prime Minister. The Hon. J. D.

Ryan, was, for many years, an out­ standing figure in the public business and church life of Newfoundland. At first he was a member of this branch of the Legislature, graduating, if I may so put it, from this House to the higher and upper body. But whether in this House or the Upper House he always showed himself possessed of that marked dignity and respect which at all times become a public man. So much was this so that he was chosen among his brethren to preside over their deliberations. In business life he was highly successful and at all times the soul of honour.

In his re- loss we have sustained in his death. Be it ours to emula te as far as in us lies the noble example that his life has left us. In the death of Queen Alexandra the British Empire suffered a very severe loss. Since 1863 when, as the "Sea King's daughter from over the sea," she was welcomed to England and became the Princess of Wales , up to the time of her lamented death in November 1925, she held an hon­ oured place in the affections of the people of our Great Empire.

First from 1863 to 1901 as the Princess of Wales, and wife of our future King, then from 1901 to 1910 as the wife of our Sovereign, and as such our Queen, and 1910 to 1925 as the be­ loved Queen Mother. The latter title was spontaneously conferred upon her on the death of her illustrious husband, King Edward, because of the sincere love and devotion manifested by her to the people of the whole Empire, which Empire she had de­ votedly served for fifty years.

Dur­ ing the debate on the address in re­ ply to the Speech from the Thron e which has occupied some weeks of the Canadian Federal Parliament now sitting, some remarkable tributes were paid to this good woman. Mem­ ber after member with sincere and tender sorrow, paid his tribute of re­ spect and esteem.

May we in the Parliament of Newfoundland, the old­ est Jewel in the Crown of Great Brit­ ain, be permitted to join with our Can­ adian brethren in paying a merited tribute of esteem and affection to the Memory of the great and good Queen Mother, and assure our beloved King and the Royal Family of our sincere sympathy in their great bereavement.

THE FISHING INDUSTRY ligious life he was a tower of strength It is indeed gratifying to note, Sir, to his Church and was signally hon- that the Sealing Industry and the . oured for his loyalty and devotion to Codfishery in 1925 were more pro- the cause which he held most cious. We all deplore deeply pre­ the ductive than in the previous year. To the Hon. Minister of Finance and

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Customs I am indebted for some sta­ tistics relating to his Department, and among others I notice with pleasure that the Exports of Fishery products increased $2,175,405 during the last fiscal year over the year previous. The exact figures are: 1923-24 .............. $10,867,496 1924-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,042,901 ·without doubt the Act passed last session creating a bounty for schooner repairs stimulated activity in the Labrador Fishery and is responsible to some extent for the increased catch on that Coast.

The prices locally paid were remunerative and it is good to learn that exporters will realize their stocks without material loss. A note of warning is struck in the speech that an improvement in the cure is essential if we are to maintain our position in foreign markets. In connection with better cure we have heard a lot about standardization which means more or less reversion to the old system of strict culling.

Standardization may have to come for onr self-preservation if for nothing else, but, Sir, if it does come I trust it will not only be a standardization af­ fecting the fishermen in his selling but that it will be also a standardiz­ ation affecting the qualities for export as well. In other words, if fish is bought from the fishermen as No. 1 then it should go to the market as No. 1, and if bought from the fishermen as No. 2 and No. 3 it should go to the market nnder that brand also.

It is good to notice that the Board of Trade approved of the efforts made by the Government throngh the Fish­ eries Department to furnish reliable statistics as regards the catch of codfish last season. For many years the Board of Trade complained that no statistics could be had which would give a fair estimate of the catch.

Last season the Government made a first attempt to furnish this inform­ ation and the Board of Trade in its Annual Report has this to say re­ garding same:- "It is a pleasure to be able to con­ gratulate the Fishery Department upon its determined efforts to secure reliable statistics of the catch of codfish. Your Council has reason to believe that the figures supplied as to the catch in the various districts is reasonably reliable and correct, and begs to express the hope that the ef­ fort will be continued and extended.

The value of this method of reporting the catch will be felt in years to come if the system is adhered to and in1proved.'' 'fHE DRY DOCK AND OTHER UNDEltTAKINGS. The Government is deserving of congratulations on the foresight and vision which they have displayed in the many undertakings that have en­ gaged their attention since last ses­ sion. First among these enterprises is the New Dry Dock, which, when completed will be a credit to the country. There is no gainsaying the fact that a dry dock is absolutely necessary if St.

John's is to survive as a seaport town, and Newfoundland a link connecting the old world with the new. I remember during the session of 1924 when a small vote was being put through this House for repairs to the dock, some Honourable mem­ bers opposite denounced the vote as insufficient, and they were right. I recall the Hon. Member for Trinity, Captain Randell, making the remark on that occasion, that St. John's should be the repair shop of the Atlantic, and in my opinion he was right. The aim and object of the Government, if I understand correctly, is to carry out that very suggestion, and maim St.

John's the repair shop of the Atlantic. But St. John's could not attain to that distinction with a tumble-down, wornout dock. And let there be no mistake about it, if St. John's benefits financially from that

10 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS undertaking, as it should, the reflex influence will be felt throughout the whole country. And all that is re­ quired to have this object fully real­ ized is efficient management, with ability to be able to enter into keen competition with Halifax, St. John and Quebec. This is most important - the very life of the new dock de­ pends upon its application. Witlfout doubt, Sir, the new dock is a splendid asset for Newfoundland. The new steamer Caribou is another enterprise of the Government which deserves special mention as is also the rerailing of the railroad.

These two enterprises are closely connected with the Highroads, and the new Hotel, which all taken together form the nucleus of the tourist policy under­ taken by the Government. One is the complement of the other. Taken in order they run as follows: - The Caribou, the re-railing and equipping of the railway, the Hotel and the Highroad.

This policy, I have little doubt, if pushed vigorously by the Government, the Publicity Bureau, and the several lines of ocean steam­ ships will have its desired effect, viz., the bringing in of wealth by the influx of tourists who will make Newfound­ land their home for two or perhaps three months of the summer season. In my humble opinion the pivotal point in this regard is the new Hotel which I am glad to see is being erected with such startling rapidity.

Let me say again, as in the case of the Dock, if this Tourist policy pros­ pers and becomes a wealth producing source for the revenue of the Gov­ ernment of Newfoundland, its reflex influence will be felt in every town and hamlet in the island.

The people to whom we are looking to visit New­ foundland as tourists, are not the "boozing" Yankees, as I recently heard them termed, who come down here for a "spree," but the best people of the American Continent, both Can­ adians and Americans who will come here because of our country, because of our scenery , because of our his­ toric asso .ciations, and because we can offer them health and happiness in our invigorating climate. Sir, what other countries have done in the tourist line we can do also.

A story can be told of Victoria, B.C., and British Columbia as a whole if time permitted, as to the trade developed there in recent years , a story, I must confess when I heard it related, com­ pletely changed my viewpoint as re­ gards the possibi~ities of this Tourist Traffic policy. MATTERS FINANCIAL The paragraph to which I wish to next draw attention is that dealing with the financial affairs of the Col­ ony, and I trust I shall be pardoned if I explore them a little more fully than they are dealt with in the Speech from the Throne.

It is an­ nounced here that a substantial sur­ plus of revenue over expenditure was declared for the last fiscal year. Through the courtesy of the Hon. the Finance Minister I have been able to get some figures relating to the Cur­ rent Account of the Colony for the year ending June 30th, 1925. The de­ tails of this account will be tabled and the House informed in due course. It will be remembered that on the operations of Current Account for the year before the Monroe Govern­ ment took charge a deficit of $1,620,- 000.00 was declared.

In the first year of the present Government's office that large deficit was turned into a surplus of about $350,000.00. How did that remarkable change take place? Here are a few facts. Let us first take the revenue figures for the past two years.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS COJllPARATIVE REVENUE STATEJllENT Customs Revenue . . . . . . Postal Telegraph . . . . . . . . Crown Lands Revenue . . . . Fees from Public Institutions ... Death Duties Cable Tax ............... . 1923-24 $6,603,000.00 468,000.00 98,000.00 52,000.00 23,000.00 56,000.00 1924-25 $7,997,000.00 523,400.00 159,000.00 55,000.00 47,000.00 96,000.00 All the above are increases. The following are the decreases: Liquor Revenue . . . . Income Tax ..... .

Miscellaneous . . . . . . 1923-24 1924-25 .. $ 219,000.00 560,000.00 164,000.00 $ 177,000.00 506,000.00 76,000.00 Total Net Increases . . . . . . . . . . 11 Increase $1,394,000.00 55,400.00 61,000.00 3,000.00 24,000.00 40,000.00 $1,577 ,400.00 De,crease $ 42,000.00 54,000.00 88,000.00 $ 184,000.00 . $1,400,000.00 To be precise the exact increase of Revenue for 1924-25 over 1923-24 is $1,381,519.37.

If we add the deficit of 1923-24 of $1,620,468.36 to the surplus of 1924-25, viz.: $347,003.23 we have a total_ of $1,967,471.59 which is the exact amount that the Government improved the financial situation of the country during their first year of office. Of this amount we have only accounted for approximately $1,400,- 000.00 in increased revenue and where shall we find the balance of more than half million dollars? To discover the source of this balanc<. we must turn to the Expenditure Account and there we find a record which is indeed creditable to the administrat­ ors of the government.

Let me give you some approximate figures.

COJllPARATIVE EXPENDITURE STATEJllENT 1923-24 1924-25 Decrease Legislation .. .. .. .. . . 121,000.00 98,000.00 23,000.00 Civil Government .. .. .. $ 476,000.00 $ 457,000.00 $ 19,000.00 Administration of Justice 537,000.00 458,000.00 79,000.00 Public Charities .. .. . . .. 1,173,000.00 1,060,000.00 113,000.00 Agriculture and Mines .. .. 77,000.00 52,000.00 25,000.00 Roads, Bridges and Ferries 236,000.00 225,000.00 11,000.00 Posts and Telegraphs .. .. 1,372,000.00 1,250,000.00 122,000.00 Customs Department .. .. 529,000.00 510,000.00 19,000.00 General Contingencies .. 110,000.00 90,000,00 20,000.00 Shipping .. .. .. .. 41,000.00 41,000.00 Elections .. .. .. .. 72,000.00 7,000.00 65,000.00 Audit Act, Sect. 33B 419,000.00 181,000.00 238,000.00 $ 775,000.00 All the above are decreases:

12 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS The following are the increases: Interest on Public Debt Marine and Fisheries .. Pensions-Civil, Military and Old 1923-24 $3,016,000.00 295,000.00 1924-25 $3,128,000.00 317,000.00 Increase $ 112,000.00 22,000.00 Age ............... . 715,000.00 768,000.00 53,000.00 The above figures show a saving in Expenditure of approximately $600,- 000.00, but again to be precise, the ex­ penditure figures for the year under review are:-1923-24, $10,022,137.45; 1924-25, $9,783,188.46, showing a sav­ ing of $585,952.22.

In other words the Government during their first year of office increased their Revenue $1,400,- 000 and decreased their expenditure nearly $600,000.00, a truly remarlrnble feat, the accomplishment of which the Finance Minister, the Government and the Government party should indeed feel proud and for which the country will be deeply grateful. Strict Business Met1t0ds The question, Sir, will be asked where the increased revenue came from.

Immediately I hear the answer "from the New Tariff"; but this is not so, or at least not to any great extent, because it was not until April that the new Tariff was put into force and only about two months of the fiscal year came under its application. One of the greatest and most productive sources, Sir, I take it was the confi­ dence the public placed in the Mon­ roe Government when it assumed pow­ er; a confidence which induced in­ creased importations by the business public, and which in turn brought increased Customs Revenue. In­ creased prosperity was undoubtedly another substantial reason.

I also notice among the items which go to make up the increase $75,000.00 in Roy­ alties collected from Besco, an amount which had been outstanding for years, but through lack of courage or im- $ 187,000.00 potence on the part of the then Finance Ministers was not collected until the present Minister took charge. Then again I attribute a considerable part of the increase to the strict applica­ tion to duty displayed by Sir John Crosbie, from the very moment he took office.

This attention to duty on his part resulted in the collecting of very many thousands of dollars that were outstanding for lengthy periods, some instances for years. The advent of the present Government to power and the placing of a keen business mind in charge of the financial affairs of the country did not come a moment too soon.

This country could not stand many more deficits such as those experienced in recent years, therefore it is with great pleasure we hail the year 1924-25 when the coun­ try's credit was again established on a firm foundation; and it will be the aim and object of the Government, I have no doubt, to so regulate the In­ come and Expenditure during their term of office that it will redound to the country's credit at home and abroad. The Tariff Commission Much criticism, Sir, has been aimed at the New Tariff enacted at the last session of this Legislature.

This criticism was indulged in largely by the very men who appointed the Tar­ iff Commission, whose production it was, and worst of all by some who were members of the Commission themselves and who by their signa­ tures to the report should have taken full responsibility for their recom-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 13 mendations. Instead they · censured the Government for giving effect to their own recommendations. This Tariff may be high and bear heavy in some respects, but it must not be for­ gotten that this Government put cer­ tain commodities, used very largely by the masses, on the free list, such as Flour, Pork, Beef, Kero-Oil, Gaso­ lene. And to what extent have the public benefited by these goods being placed on the free list?

Loss to Revenue on Flour $11,321.00 Pork 38,852.00 Beef 40,717.00 Kero-Oil 59,509.00 Gasolene 54,485.00 Sales Tax on above 25,000.00 $329,884.00 So you see the Revenue would be $330.000 better off and the masses the same amount the poorer if the Gov­ ernment had not placed these on the free list. This to a large extent counteracts the increases in the New Tariff. The Country's Tmde Again I have to thank the Finance Minister for some very important sta­ tistics relating to the Colony's Trade during the past fiscal year.

These statistics compared with those of the previous year give very interesting, and very important information. In 1923-24 the total Trade was $48,748,- 753, but last year it mounted to $59,- 994,860, an increase of $11,246,107. The imports for last year amounted to $36,404,674, and for the year pre­ vious $27,677,1882, an increase of $8,- 727,492. The Exports for last year an:ounted to $23,590,186 and for the year previous $21,071,571, an increase of $2,518,615. It is very gratifying to have this increase in Trade especially the increase of about two and one half million dollars in the Exports.

It will be noticed that there is an excess of Imports over Exports for last year of approximately $13,000,000. A true bar- ometer of a country's prosperity is considered to be the balance of trade either in its favour or against it. This large balance against us would be disquieting were it a normal year and it occurred in normal times. But it is accounted for by the large im­ ports of machinery, equipment, etc., for the Mills at Corner Brook, and Grand Falls, the Dock and the New Hotel. Of our total imports last year of 36 million dollars nearly 16 mil­ lion dollars worth of goods came in the country duty free.

The year pre­ vious the free list amounted to 7'h millions. I would judge that in an ordinary average year the duty on free articles would amount to from five to seven million dollars. Last year was an abnormal one, inasmuch as heavy imports were made for the mills and other enterprises just men­ tioned and practically all came in duty free. But, Sir, I submit that the large free importations in an ordinary year give cause for some very serious consideration on the part of the fin­ ancial authorities of our country.

Can we afford to have such a free list, and I do not now refer to the free articles such as flour, etc. Are there not things and commodities on that free list that should not be there? Is there not here a source of revenue for the country that has not yet been tapped? I commend the careful consideration of this free list to our Finance Min­ ister and through him to the Govern­ ment. For a number of years past the balance of trade has been continu­ ally against the country.

May we not express the hope that ere long we shall be back to the days when more money was brought in the country for exports than was sent out of the country to purchase the imports. THE RAILWAY It is a matter of great regret that the surplus has to go to liquidate a deficit incurred by the operations of the rail way. There is great appre-

14 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS hension existing in the minds of most people as to whether or not this is a burden this country will have to bear indefinitely. We cannot do without this great utility. It is not the fault of the present Government that the railway has been turned from a pri­ vate ownership to ownership by the public. Rather it is an inheritance which the Government assumed when they took office. It was the first thing they found on their doorstep.

If blame there be for this additional burden it must be borne by a previous Government who purchased the rail­ way for two million dollars rather than force the Contractors to live up to their obligations. On the other hand it is gratifying to learn that the road is in such good repair. The Maintenance of Way account is never treated as a liability but as a very valuable asset. If it is ever our lot to have the railway revert to private ownership, our greatest asset in that regard will be the amount of the maintenance account for the ten years previous to the reversion.

The larger the account the greater the asset. It is a matter of great inter­ est to me to learn that the railway last season had three steam shovels working, that 123,000 cubic yards of ballast were laid as against 43,000 in 1924, and that new ties to the number of 500,000 were put in as against 250,000 the previous year, and I trust that this good work will be continued next season and every season, and that the road will be kept in a state of thorough repair.

One great trouble with the railway during the years 1920, 1921 and 1922, when such heavy losses were incurred was due to the fact that from 1909 to 1915 when the branches were under construction lit­ tle or no attention was given to main­ tenance, and from 1915 to 1918, dur- ing the war period, a constant effort was being made to sell out and very little repair work was being under- taken while these negotiations were proceeding. Consequently in 1920 we had on our hands a dilapidated rail­ way practically unfit and unsafe to travel over.

Too much praise cannot be given the present Management of the Railway for the efficiency dis­ played in handling matters. Under in­ efficient management during the past two years the losses would have been much heavier. I have great faith in the capabilities of Mr. H. J. Russell, who came from the school house to the railroad office and I well remember the day he joined the staff. From the first he showed great interest in his work, and under the able tuition and guidance of Mr. F. Rioux he soon developed into a first class railroad operator. Ably seconding Mr. Russell is Mr. W. F.

Joyce, who has even much longer experience than the Man­ ager. His is a practical railroader's experience, - an engineer of no mean ability who knows every inch of the railway from St. John's to Port aux Basques together with the several branches. With Mr. Russell looking after the operation of the road and Mr. Joyce the maintenance of way, and attention to rolling stock, etc., this country can place every confi­ dence in its Railway Management.

Sir, I say that the Railway Commis­ sion can scrape Canada and the United States and bring down high salaried men to run the road, as was done be­ fore, if they so desire, but they will find in a very short period that men who have grown . up with the road, such as Russell and Joyce will be the prime factors in running the road though the credit for doing it may be taken by the importations. All credit to Russell and Joyce and their offi­ cials for the splendid manner in which they have kept the road open during the past two months under such trying circumstances.

Civil Service Pensions The pensioning of Civil Servants

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 15 has long been a source of worry to successive Governments. It has at different times ):>een recorded that too soon after appointment has a pension been granted. It is a commendable action for the Government to have the courage to take up this matter and handle it. I have no doubt but the bill when introduced will commend itself to the House and the Country. LIQUOR TRANSHIPllIENT. The bill permitting the landing and transhipping of liquor at St.

John's for the purpose of export to our sis­ ter nation, the United States of Am­ erica, has since its introduction in 1923 been regarded with much dis­ favour by many of our people. It looked too much like trying to break the laws of a sister state for sordid gain. I am sure the announcement of the repeal of this obnoxious meas­ ure will be greeted with much satis­ faction. THE BESCO CONTRACT No person in Newfoundland wishes to see the mines closed down. It may be thought that another Company could be induced to take the mines over and operate them, but this is easier said than done.

We have ex­ periences, not too rosy, staring us in the face at every turn we take in looking to mining development. No body of people legislating for the country's benefit wa,s ever more sin­ cere or more determined in trying to get the best contract possible for Bell Island than was the Monroe Govern­ ment in the negotiations with Besco just concluded.

A BRIGHTER DAY In reviewing the record of the Gov­ ernment for the past 18 months one finds tbat many new assets have been added to the country's capital ac­ count; a tight rein has been kept on the country's expenditure; a diligent application to duty has characterized the head of every department there- Another paragraph announces that by engendering efficiency throughout after prolonged negotiations between the Government and its party and the B. E. S. Co. a contract relating to the operations of the mines at Bell Island has been consummated.

Dur­ ing the past five years the operations have been 8omewhat of a nightmare to those interested, both Government and miners. One could not tell when a "shut down" was going to occur. It has been openly stated that when the old contract of 1921 was made, one of the parties at least, had no intention of abiding by its terms. Now a contract has been made, a hard and fast one, with penalties for its non-performance, and it is the inten­ tion of this Government during their term of office absolutely to insist that the Company live up to its agree­ ments.

The negotiations resulting in this contract were, as I said before, prolonged and every means that could be thought out for the benefit of the country in this regard were explored. the system, and if they will persevere throughout their term as they have done during the past when they had to undertake the difficult task of rescuing the Colony from almost a "Slough of Despond" then they will be thanked by a grateful country.

As the Prime Minister, in whom this House, and also this country, has every confidence, stated during the first session of this Parliament, the Government will not be judged on one year's record or two years' or even three years', but on the record of their whole term. On that record they will stand or fail. What of the future of Newfoundland? Sir, I am no pessimist as far as the future of the country is concerned. I believe that given sane and judicious Gov­ ernment, there is a bright future ahead of her. We must steer clear of the pitfalls into which we came near stumbling during recent years.

We must profit by the mistakes of

16 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS those years. We are passing through post-war years. We have yet to be very careful. May I commend to the House the words of that famous Eng­ lish Statesman, John Bright, who in 1851, speaking when England was coming out of a period of depression gave utterance to these memorable words:-"I am not afraid of the fut­ ure. We have not as the chosen peo­ ple of old had, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night to lead us through the wilderness of human passion and human error, but He who vouchsafed the cloud and the fire has not left us forsaken.

We have . a guide not less sure, a light not less clear; we have before us the great principles of Justice and Mercy which Christianity has brought us and the advantage of philosophy and experience. Let us trust their prin­ ciples.

Let us believe that they ex­ ist forever unchangeable in the Pro­ vidence of God, and if we build our national policy upon them we may rest assured that we shall do all that lies in our power to promote that which is good and which patriotic men in all ages have panted for­ the lasting happiness and prosperity of this great Nation." These words apply to Newfoundland to-day as much as they did to England in 1851. May we as Members of this House take heed to them.

To the Government, Sir, whose duty it is to guide the destinies of New­ foundland for the time being, I com­ mend the words that Shakespeare put into the mouth of one of his charac­ ters, Wolsey, "Let all the ends you aim at be your Country's, your God's and Truth's." Mr. Speaker I beg to move the re­ solution. MR. BROWNE-Mr. Speaker: It is my great pleasure to rise here to-day and second the resolution which has just been proposed by the Honourable member who has just sat down.

I feel sure, Sir, that it would scarcely be incorrect to say that he has cov­ ered everything that is in the speech from the Throne and that he has a wonderful command of statistics and of the country's trade, and he must have left with you a decided impres­ sion of the country's prosperity. It is almost to be regretted that his position as Chairman of Ways and Means prohibits him from devoting his great ability as a speaker to the various matters which come before the House.

As I had a similar honour of sec­ onding the Motion for the appointment of a committee to draft a reply to the speech from the Throne last year, I wish to state that it is through the illness of the Honourable Member for St. George's that I do it this year, and I am sure that all regret that he is ill and trust that his illness is not serious. I wish to extend a welcome to the Honourable and gallant mem­ ber for Placentia and St. Mary's, and trust that his sojourn in the Old Country has succeeded in restoring his health and that he returns to his duties with vigour and ardour.

From the speech of my hon. friend who has just proposed the motion, and in which can be seen his confi­ dence in his country, it will be noticed that the wheels of industry are now moving as rapidly and as regularly as before the war. Speakil1g for my own constituency,-and I may add the country as a whole,-I believe that this is true. St.

John's West has had a period of prosperity during the past twelve months which it has not had for a long time, and although at the moment perhaps one may be inclined to be a little pessimistic, I trust the depression is only momentary, and that the impetus given the country last year will carry us forward with renewed confidence and will result in continued prosperity. During the latter part of the sum-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 17 mer we had the pleasure of being visited by the members of the British Parliamentary delegation consisting of twelve members of the British House of Commons, under the chairmanship of Captain King. I am sure that they must have been somewhat dis­ appointed on coming here, when they had heard so much about this country as a fishing country, to find that only one of their party succeeded in hook­ ing a salmon and that he, even with the help of all the other members of the delegation and two guides was not able to land it.

I am sure that the knowledge which they gained of this country and its affairs and the exchange of ideas which was avail­ able to them, will be of assistance to them in the discussion of imperial affairs in the British House of Com­ mons, and will also be of no little value to us. I regard the British statesmen in a certain sense as being as representative of the people of this country· as the members of this House.

In all dealings with foreign powers and matters of foreign policy it is the British statesmen who speak the mind of the empire and therefore I regard the members of the British House of Commons as representative of the different parts of the British Empire and that what they do affects the whole Empire. ·we hear too in this speech of how the pulp and paper industry on the Humber River was started last Aug­ ust when the button was pushed and the wheels of the enterprise began to move. The development of these last resources has been most useful to this country.

We have already reach­ ed the position when the pulp and paper industry is scarcely less im­ portant to the country than the fish­ ery and it has reached such a stage that it will be necessary for the Gov­ ernment of the Country to take some steps for the conservation of the tim- ber of the country . I think that for example there should be some meas­ ures taken to prevent the exportation from the Colony of pulp wood and pitprops which could be manufactured in the Colony These products would then be much more valuable than they are when exported in the unmanu­ factured state.

I am glad to see that the Govern­ ment is considering the introduction of an experienced geologist who will be of great assistance to the develop­ ment of. the mines ' and minerals re­ sources that are lying dormant in this country. It will be a great encour­ agement to the prospectors and the investors who have had unfailing faith in the country's futnre. Side by side with the industrial development of the country I must refer to the policy of the Government in connection with the tourist traffic.

It must have been a surprise to some of the members from the outports to come to town and see how far the workmen have advanced with the construction of the new Hotel. It is a fine building and will be the first to greet the tourist's eye as he enters the Narrows. I am sure that this ad­ dition to the City's accommodation, combined with 'lhe fact that the street car system in St. John's has been put in excellent order during the past summer, will help to enhance the reputation of the country as a tourist resort.

Gratification will be felt at the im­ mense improvement to the roads of the country which has been made . Now I am sure that honourable gen­ tlemen of this House will give a great deal of attention to the matter of the high cost or the low cost of high­ roads during the coming session, but all things considered I think that the progress of the past year has been most satisfactory, although at the initial stages of the undertaking the cost of construction was rather great . I believl) that every one wiJI agree

18 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS that perhaps through inexperience at the outset of this great venture things were done that might have been done a little cheaper, but what has been bers of this House to produce

an act which will be original and serviceable, and which will be a lasting benefit to all those engaged in the industries of done has been done well, and it is now this country. Last year in the debate a pleasure to ride on our country roads. One can now go to Placentia, to Whitbourne, to Hodgewater and Brigus over the most magnificent roads that we ever had. I am told that there is one stretch of road be­ tween Hodgewater and Brigus of twenty one miles, and the only thing wrong with it is that it is too good, but I trust that the time is coming when nothing will be too good for us.

The daily Press have already in­ formed honourable members of the successful issue of the arbitration in connection with the N. W. Atlantic Fisheries dispute. But I would like to refer to the fact that the Labrador Boundary is at last to be definitely decided upon, and that the goose that has laid the golden egg for so many generations for the legal profession is about to be killed. Some of us may get some of the feathers. A subject which has given me a great deal of thought, ~nd which I am glad to see is being given consider­ ation by the government is the q ues­ tion of workmen's compensation for injuries.

This matter is a question of social legislation. The act that we have on the Statute Book to-day was passed in 1908 and we are not so far behind other countries in this respect. However, the amounts given in com­ pensation are utterly inadequate. This country has made a great deal of progress during that time, and what surprises me is that we have had governments that claimed to repre­ sent the mass of the people more than any other government has done, and no change has been made to any ex­ tent in this matter of compensation.

I feel sure that the Government can count on the suppgrt pf all the mem- on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne I made a reference to the establishment of municipalities. But, sir, everyone, will admit that last session was a very full one. It was too busy a one to con­ sider a question of local govern­ ment. That is going to be done this year, and I understand that instead of creating municipalities prov1s10n will be made by which they can apply . for incorporation. I feel sure that a lot of good will come from the devolu­ tion of a lot of the work under the hands of the local authorities.

The Government has decided to in­ troduce a bill to legalize the position of the Railway now under a commis­ sion. I am sure that the disingenious questions of the Hon. Member for Fortune at the last Session of the House were intended to produce leg­ islation of this charader, for he was Attorney-General at the time the Rail­ way came into the hands of the people of this country and appointed a com­ mission to operate it. Another matter, sir, about which I presume to have a little knowledge is in connection with the Alcoholic Liquor Act.

It was never intended that this Act was going to be a pan­ acea for all the evils that this country was suffering from. But I think that we have discovered this, that the Act has abolished the hypocrisy and the deception that existed during the pre­ vious Act. It abolished moonshining to such an extent that it is now almost extinct; and it has also re­ duced smuggling, because there is no need for those practices now. And, although, sir, some of our daily papers e,nd some of our principal members may think that we are exaggerating the claims of improvement, yet, sir,

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 19 mY contention is that the conditions that exist in the country to-day are better than they have been since the abolition of the old time saloon. It might appear from the number of arrests for drunkenness, and from the sections of the act that make drunk­ enness punishable with imprisonment that the act was bad right through, but this is not so, and I feel sure that when this part of the act is reme­ died that we will be still more justi­ fied in pursuing this act. This liquor question is not a dry one, yet it is astonishing to find the heat its dis­ cussion produces.

I trust that the attitude that the Hon. Members of the Opposition will take to this subject will be the same as the attitude which they adopt towards liquor itself, that is-a moderate one. I also trust this discussion will be conducted in the best spirit. I think that all the other matters have been referred to by the Hon. Member for Bay de Verde. Therefore, in conclusion, I should just like to 8ay that though the legislation for the present session is not as extensive as it was last session, yet there are some matters of very great import­ anec to which all Hon. Members will bring their good services.

I trust also that we shall have a continuance of the cordial and amicable relations that have always existed between the members of this House. I have much pleasure in seconding the motion that a Commtitee be appointed to draft an address in reply to the gracious speech with which His Excellency opened this Session of the Legislature . HON. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION-It has been the custom in this House of Assembly for the Leader of the Opposition to congratu­ late the mover and seconder of the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, whether they deserve it or not.

However I congratulate both the gentlemen, they did remarkably well. And I would say for the mem­ ber , Mr. Puddester, that his speech will look well in the Morning News to-morrow. And I would venture to say that he had that uppermost in his mind when he wrote it to read here to-day. And also it was intended to circulate amongst his constituents in Bay de Verde District who were not here to hear it. Now this Speech from the Throne as they call it, delivered by His Ex­ cellency the Governor , is a speech written by the Government and given to the Governor to read, and he has to read it.

A lot of this speech is pure camouflage, written purely to deceive the lay man. The man who hears this thinks that there is a lot in it. He probably thinks that this country is going to get a lot of benefit from these things. But when it is read thoroughly and thrashed out, as it will be on the floors of this House, then you will see nothing of benefit in it. I agree with the first part of the Speech from the Throne in preference to the death of the late Queen Alex­ andria, and in the last sec.tion but one I also concur. That is in regard to the proposition for the better con­ trol of the Harbor of St. John's.

That is a thing that is very necessary. The rest, as I said before, is pure camouflage and it has to be well read and then it wlil be found that there is nothing in it. Now the Governor made reference to a great many things. Here is a reference to the Fishery . It states that improvement in the cure is essential if the colony is to maintain its position in the for­ eign markets. What help is that to the fishery? Why is there not some legislation to rectify this? Now every­ body knows that improved cure is necessary. That has been said in this House many times.

However the Government do not say that they are goint; to i!ltroduce any system for the

20 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS improvement of the cure. They simply say that it is necessary. They also tell us "There is reasons to hope for an early expansion of timber industry as well as that of mining." You would Imagine from ~ that that they were going to begin great mining developments. But they do not tell us that they are going to spend any money to develop and im­ prove the mineral resources. They simply hope that something will turn up. We all hope for developments, hoping does not give employment. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick.

It is silly to fill up the speech from the Throne with such nonsense. Let us hear of practical development. Now there is this great big tourist other Canadian Provinces. Some of the Hotels have facilities to meet the needs and have two thousand to three thousand rooms in them, and there are many. I was in a hotel only a few weeks ago which contained four thousand rooms, and when it is filled there are over seven thousand people in it including employees. I con­ gratulate the Government on a sane tourist policy and I would say that we will do nothing to discourage any­ thing of that kind.

But I cannot be­ lieve in misleading our people that we are going to do something that will be of great benefit to the country when we know that what we have in mind is impossible of fulfilment. The speech contains the following: policy. This seems to be uppermost "The cost of the road was not excessive in the minds of the mover and the seconder of the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, I think that every true Newfoundlander would like to see a large number of tourists come in here and leave their money here.

It will distribute among our people, the cabman, the taxi-man, the photographer, the guide and many other classes, and the country will reap the benefit. We have a fine country and an excellent climate. This is a great place for tourists to come. But there is no development of the tourist policy yet that would justify the Governmnet in laying out two mil­ lion dollars on roads. First thing is to get our tourists and let them use the roads that we have now.

Then if the tourists come we can extend our roads to meet requirements of the visitors, but we cannot have a great tourist traffic here, because in the first place there is no accommodation for them. We have all heard of the fine hotel. But it has only 150 rooms, and if we have a tourist traffic worth while we will need more people than we have accommodation for.

We have heard people speak of the tourist traf­ fic of British Columbia, qqel;>~c, and when fair allowances made for the initial cost and local conditions." This is untrue and misleading, I venture to say that many miles of road that was made cost not less than $20,000 per mile. I have no figures at pre­ sent to substantiate that, but it will be found that that is the case when we have all the figures when we are told all that has been done in that respect. Great stress has been laid on the Dry Dock. They tell us what lovely dock we are going to have.

So it is, a good dock is a splendid thing to have in Newfoundland, and it would be a good thing also if everybody had a gold watch; but if we had to go and borrow the money to pay for the gold watch it would be better to use the nickel one as long as it kept the correct time. Now we had a dock that one hundred thousand dollars would have put in condition and it would have done this country for the next twenty years; and the records show that during the last forty years only four steamers came into the port of St. John's that could not go on the dock that we had. If that is the excuse for the Government borrowing

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEPINGS 21 another two million dollars and put­ ting an additional burden on the shoulders of the people of this coun­ try I cannot see any reason for it. They also mention the S. S. Caribou. I should have thought that would be one thing that the Government would leave out altogether. I did not think that they would bring up the subject of the Caribou if the reports we hear of the conditions of the ship have any foundation in fact .

We all know the fittting and furniture are cheap stuff," not at all equal to what is put in a British built ship, and the ship her­ self is not strong; besides she was built in a foreign dock-yard, when thousands of British subjects in Eng­ land who fought in the war and kept us from the enemy were walking the streets out of employment. The mover of the Address in Reply made a statement here this afternoon while · it might be correct in one way, it was misleading in another. He made the statement that the Govern­ ment had made only $177,000.00 off the sale of liquors.

Now he may be correct in this way, that the Govern­ ment had made $177,000.00 in the liquor sales department. Now that is just where it is mis­ leading to the laymen. I want to point out that the Government in ad­ dition to profit on sales made large sums on the duty on the liquor, which went into the Department of Customs. You can import the whiskey in bond which the Government is selling here for one dollar a bottle, and they are selling it over the count­ er here for four dollar and fifty cents per bottle.

Rum that costs about twenty to fifty cents a gallon in Dem­ erara is bought here, diluted with forty per cent. of water, and then sold over the counter for one dollar and fifty cents and two dollars per bottle. I don't say that the mover meant to give us the wrong figures, but he gave us the wrong impression. You wanted .to convey to us the impression that the Government which you are a member of was not making much off liquors.

I want to tell him that they are making a lot off the liquor, but if they are making only $177,000 off the sale of liquor it would be better to give it up and the people that spend their money on the liquor spend it on groceries, food and cloth­ ing . The Government are making a lot more off the liquor, and in a few days when the figures are laid on the table of this House we will see just how much they are making. I ven­ ture to say that the drink bill in this country is $1,250,000.

I go further and say that it is nearer one million and a half dollars, and it would be far better to take it all and throw it into the sea, because it would not then wrcek the bodies of those who are consuming it. I refer now to the habitual drunkard. They tell us that they are going to make a change in the Liquor Act. The ordinary man in the street might think that the change is going to be in re­ gard to the bottle a day. The change is going to be in reference to the fines for certain offences. According to the act as it stands at present any man convicted three times has got to go to jail.

I suppose they are going to change this so that he won't have to go to jail. I say it should be changed. Reference has been made in the Speech from the Throne to a contract that has been made with the com­ panies operating in Bell Island . The working conditions on the Island call for improvement. The contract I see is a long one; I hope that it is a good one, because if it is a long con­ tract, for twenty or fifty years it can­ not be changed and we will have to put up with it. "The creation of a market for ore within the British Empire is almost essential."

22 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS We know that it is essential, but for all that there is nothing in the Speech from the Throne to tell us that the Government is going to make any special effort to increase the market for the ore. Most of the ore that came out of the mines recently has been sent to Germany. Germany was the only market that has blasting furnaces to utilise the ore and facili­ ties for discharging the ore to obtain ocean freight rates. The Government tells us how necessary a market is, but they do not tell us how they are going to find a market to increase the output on Bell Island.

Reference has been made here in regard to legislation for a new hotel. I don't know what the legislation is. The Government brought down a bill into this House last year in which they undertook to guarantee the bonds but not the interest on the bonds as well. If there is some more legis­ lation necessary I suppose that we shall hear about it in a few days.

Again I congratulate the mover and seconder of the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, but I do not agree with everything that they have said, and I hope in the course of the next few days to take up some of their points and show them where they are wrong. MR. WARREN-Mr. Speaker: As the elected representative of the independ­ ent party I need hardly make any apologies for addressing the House this afternoon.

But in view of the fact that I take the position that I represent the man who does not show any partizanship towards politics, who neither supports the Government nor the Opposition-I may be allowed to say a few things this afternoon. And first of all I would suggest to you that if the members on this side of the House are to intelligently discuss this Speech from the Throne, then it would be well to have copies of the speech distributed long before they are. We on this side have had only a few minut es to study this speech at all.

We heard it read in the Upper House, and when we citme down here we heard it read again, and for some reason or other we are not per­ mitted to read it ourselves until you, sir, have finished reading it from the chair. For those whom I represent in this House here I associate myself with what is contained in the Speech from the Throne with regard to the loss entailed by the death of the late Queen Alexandria. And I am very much surprised that this House has not been called upon to pass a vote of condolence-as was done in the British House of Parliament on this occasion.

Next, sir, I don't consider it a duty but a pleasure to congratulate the mover and seconder of this motion . The mover of the motion gave us a speech that we do not often hear on an occasion of this sort, and I was rather at a loss to find out whether he was anticipating the Minister of Finance with his budget or whether he was afraid that we on this side of the House had not sufficient pep to keep the debate going for the next ten days, and therefore he thought that he would be a little provocative so as to work us up on this side to answer him next week.

And I want to say that I am going to send him back as good as he gave . His speech was certainly rather provocative, and most of his references to the actions of a previous Governmen( call for, "(as far as I am concerned, and I think that I may speak for those as­ sociated with me in a previous Gov­ ernment), not only refutation but some caustic comments . I will have many things to say in reference to the de­ creased expenditure later on when the motion for the adoption of the report comes before the House. All will then have an opportunity of expressing

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 23 their opinions and of criticizing a great deal of what has been said here this afternoon. I don't intend to say anything about the increased revenue, but I do take exception to what has been said about the decreased expen­ diture. Because it is common know­ ledge that when this Government came into power they adopted the estimate of the Warren Government of the year before. Therefore if the expenditure is decreased tbe country has to thank the previous government and those associated with me at that time. My Hon. friend, the member for St.

John's West, referred to the goose that laid the golden egg, the Labrador boundary, and he made a statement that the goose was going to be killed, and that there would be no more gold­ en eggs coming from that goose. I am not sure that the goose is going to be killed just yet. It is quite pos­ sible that the Labrador boundary question may not be settled, and therefore I want to relieve the feel­ ings of those future members of the Bar perhaps by telling them not to believe all that Mr. Browne said this afternoon. Possibly in ten or fifteen containing something in which he is interested.

There are a great many things agitating the mind of the man in the street to-day and they may be summed up shortly by saying that there should be no increase in tax­ ation. He wants to see that there shall be no increase in taxation and that there shall be no increase in the cost of living. As a matter of fact he would like to see a decrease in tax­ ation and a decrease in the cost of living. He will scan the Speech from the Throne and start in to guess whether there is going to be any in­ creases or decreases concerning his living conditions.

We have listened this afternoon to the honourable member for Bay de Verde referring to the decrease in expenditure. Our expenditure is practically in three dif­ ferent parts. First of all we have to pay the interest on our public debt. We have to find the money to pay that anyhow. After that we have to find a large amount for Education. That expenditure and the expenditure on our public debt are laid down by Statute and we cannot get away from years from now those who are law them. But we also have another ex- students to-day may still continue to get some {If the golden eggs that come from that goose.

I do not intend to go into detail about it now, but I think the Attorney General could tell us that there is a possibility of the Privy Council not deciding the case. Now, sir, I don't want to take the time of the House this afternoon to any length and as a matter of fact the speech itself is so verbose that it would take a considerable time to read it. I say that there is more ver­ bosity in it than anything else, and I agree with the Leader of the Op­ position in that respect.

But general­ ly speaking the man in the street looks to the Speech from the Throne as outlining some things that the Gov­ ernment intends to do or at all events penditure, which is the ordinary ex­ penditure on Civil Government, and it is there, I think, that some reduction can be made. Those who were asso­ ciated with me in the Government previous to the present one often dis­ cussed the possibility of reducing the cost of Civil Government in this Colony.

I was convinced then, and I am convinced now, that any Govern­ ment as a Government cannot under­ take it; but the present Government ought to do what other Governments in the British Empire did. A few years ago in England the Government found that they had to reduce the Income Tax rate. To cut down the expenditure of Civil Government the Geddes Commission was formed to see what reduction could be made. Sir

24 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Eric Geddes was an independent outside man who was entrusted with the necessary powers. As a result of his investigation the expenditure on Civil Government was cut down considerably and one shilling per pound was taken off the Income Tax. In the year 1923 India was on the verge of bankruptcy.

She had done everything she could in order to meet the requirements of the service, but even then those in charge of the Gov­ ernment were unable to formulate any scheme tending to overcome the diffi­ culty that confronted them, and, ac­ cordingly Lord Inchcape was appoint­ ed to conduct an investigation similar to that conducted by Sir Eric Geddes with a view to seeing what reduction could be made in the service. In con­ sequence of that investigation India is on her feet to-day. I merely cite the&e instances to show how effect­ ively an outside independent man, when called in, can do the work.

Now neither the Monroe Govern­ ment nor any other Government in this country can reduce the expendi­ ture on Civil Government with any degree .of success. The work cannot be done satisfactorily by any man who is mixed up in politics; but I do think that if an outsider was brought in to do the cutting that he would per­ form the job alright. Another thing that the man on the street is agitated about is the railway. When I heard His Excellency the Governor reading the Speech from the Throne in the Legislative Council this afternoon I was at a loss to know as to why he mentioned the railway at all.

What on earth has the railway got to do with this House. Millions were spent on the railway and this House had scarcely a word to say about it. The seconder of the motion for the Address in Reply (Mr. Browne) referred in his speech to some questions I asked last session with regard to the operations and con- trol of the railway. Ever since the railway was taken over by the Gov­ ernment it has been illegally and un­ constitutionally run.

I am glad to see, therefore, that, according to the Gov­ ernor's speech, the Government pro­ poses to legalize the control and operation of the railroad, and so that this House will have some say re­ specting the expenditure of money in that branch of the Government ser­ vice, because this House should have full control over all expenditure in connection with the railway, the same as is done in Canada. One of the things that I intended to speak about at the last session of the House and which is engaging the attention of the man on the street in St.

John's to-day is certain public utilities, which have been given cer­ tain rights and privileges. Within recent years the Telephone Company were given a franchise and the right to use the streets which belong to the Municipality of St. John's. The Electric Light Company, the Gas Com­ pany and the Tramways Company for many years had similar franchises and similar rights and exercised them.

Now the man on the street has paid for the streets that are used by those Companies, which are Public Utility Companies, and, as such, are sup­ posed to supply the people with ade­ quate and safe services and at reason­ able figures. While I do not say that they are not doing that at present, I do say that there should be some­ body to see that they carry out their contracts.

We give them the rights and franchises to operate, but, when it comes to their being compelled to carry out their sides of the contracts, it is a matter of "What is everybody's business is nobody's business." Take the telephone service, for instance. If a man refuses to pay his bill on the grounds that he could not use the telephone in an emergency case, the next thing John Citizen finds that his

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 25 'phone is cut out and he has nobody to appeal to at the present time. The same applies to the Electric Com­ pany. If my electric light bill is not paid within a certain time, no matter what the excuse, the lights are cut out, as the Company has the law in its own hands. Lately we have seen the Street Car service consid­ erably improved. In fact it is an as­ set to the town. Now the position is that the Street Railway Company have so increased their trade by an im­ proved service that they are not able to take care of the traffic that they themselves created.

In every other country but this one there is a Pub­ lic Utilities Commission and until there is one in this country we will never get the service we are entitled to. The street railway to-day is the poor man's motor car and a man driving in a street car to and from his meals now would imagine almost that he is in a subway in New York; and by reason of the fact that those care are driven through our streets, which are maintained and upkept out of the moneys of the workingmen, the Government should see that the Com­ pany who own and operate these cars carry out their part of the agreement.

Reference is also made in the Speech from the Throne to the in­ dustrial development of the country, and anybody who has been following the trend of events recently cannot help noticing that there is a bad feel­ ing growing in this country over the lack of protection to workmen and their dependents in case of accident, and, I learn, with satisfaction that the Government is going to deal with the Workmen's Compensation Act, particularly as it applies to Bell Island. In pursuing that policy I think that the Government are taking a wise course.

The signs of the times all over the world show that there is a tendency to-day for labour to look after itself, and unless labour is handled and treated with the respect that labour demands, you will find, Mr. Speaker, that there is going to be trouble. Hence I say that the Gov­ ernment are taking a wise course in attending to the wants and require­ ments of the miners on Bell Island and so amending the Workmen's Com­ pensation Act as to satisfy those who may be looked upon as the labouring portion of the community.

In this little country of ours we cannot af­ ford to have any strikes or revolu­ tions or anytqing of that sort; and I would like to advise all within sound of my voice now that the labourer has to receive a fair share for his toil, and the labourer has also to realise that capital has to receive its fair share too. It was only this afternoon that I came across a clipping from a certain paper, and, in concluding what I have to say, I cannot do !Jetter than quote it.

It reads as follows: " 'Tis Industry that shows the way to peace, And bids men thrive in Harmony of Toil, Each taking up the task that fits him best, And proudly conscious that he fills a place Which, left unfilled, would mar the symmetry, And leave the aimed-at figure incom­ plete! With men thus ruled, there dwells prosperity." MR. CASHIN-Mr. Speaker: As a leader of one of the Independent parties and having last year stepped from the chorus part of the perform­ ance into that of playing into a minor role, I ,Purpose to again take a slight

part in the annual drama that is pro­ duced here every year. It has been customary in the past for various leaders and speakers to extend hearty congratulations to the Mover and Seconder of the Motion for the appointment of a Committee to draft an Address in Reply. I do not

26 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS feel inclined altogether to extend to them my hearty congratulations; but , on the contrary, I feel like extending to them my deepest sympathy for be­ ing in the position to have to try to the best of their abilities to bolster are to believe what we are told the contract is not all what it should be, and, no doubt , when the matter comes up for debate in this House members, - no matter where they are sitting­ who are directly or indirectly inter- up the cause of a class legislation ested with the miners on Bell Island, Government, which has been in power in this country just long enough to show that it is considerably more ex­ travagant than previous administra­ tions.

We have heard from Mr. Pud­ dester what one would think was a supplementary Budget . • He spoke very fast and it was difficult to follow his figures, but, no doubt, the "Daily News" to-morrow morning will have it all. However, as the debate goes on I feel that I will be able t!J con­ vince this House and this country that the expenditure by the present Government for the past twelve months has considerably increased instead of being reduced and that the extra revenue that has been said to be got has been derived through class will assert themselves.

Party feelings or political affiliations should not be brought into this matter. It is too serious a question. I know that there are members in the present Govern­ ment to-day who are not in favor of a lot of clauses in that contract. We are told in the Speech from the Throne that the Government have en­ tered into a contract and we are told amongst other things that the contract is a fair one; but there is no men­ tion in it at all about wages for the miners.

The Speech from the Throne says: "The contract provides for im­ proved housing conditions, and limits the price of coal for household con­ sumption both to workmen and oth­ ers within the Colony. A safeguard is legislation. I do not propose to spend instituted against any reasonably any time this evening in dilating on the actions of the Government or to make any serious commentary on the Speech from the Throne, because in my opinion the Speech from the Throne should set forth-but it did not -to the country what the Govern­ ment's policy is for the next twelve months.

There is nothing in the Speech telling what the Government is going to do; but what the Govern­ ment has done. I do not intend to be personal; but I would like to ask the Prime Minister and the present members of his Party when they in­ tend to start and carry out the prom­ ises that they made to the people of this country in the Spring of 1924. There is nothing in the Speech from the Throne concerning the future of the fisheries of this country; but we are told instead that the Government has entered into a contract with the Companies at Bell Island.

Now, if we avoidable closing of the mines at any time." But it does not say any­ thing regarding wages for the work­ ingmen on Bell Island. Now, for the information of this House and this country generally I feel that the Companies operating the iron mines are attempting to "put one over" on the people of this country. Therefore , I say that this class of legislation when brought in here should receive the earnest con­ sideration and serious attention from the members of the Government, Op­ position and Independent benches.

In concluding my remarks and be­ fore taking my seat I wish to say that when the debate begins next week I propose to deal as thoroughly as I can with the Government's man­ agement of affairs from the time of their election down to the present day, and I feel that after I have fin­ ished that Mr. Puddester will be con-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 27 vinced that both expenditure and tax­ ation has increased instead of de­ creased during the Monroe Govern­ ment's tenure of office and that the people of this country to-day are worse off than they were in the year 1924. THE HONOURABLE THE PRIME MINISTER:-Mr. Speaker: The time is getting short this afternoon and I am sure that some of the ladies pre­ sent are getting tired, and it is not my intention to further delay the House with the few remarks that I propose to make.

We have, I hope, a considerably busy session before us and when all those matters that have been brought up this afternoon will be fully threshed out. To-day we find that we have three parties in opposition to the Govern­ ment, and I see by the papers that the principal Opposition are going to take off their coats in good shape and give us all we want. Perhaps we are able to get off our coats and retaliate; but this afternoon we are only shed­ ding our overcoats and not settling down to actual business yet.

TRADE SHOULD SUGGEST would like to comment for a few moments on a few remarks made by the honourable leader of the Oppos­ ition and at the same time congratu­ late Mr. Pnddester and Mr. Browne, who certainly did themselves credit by the excellent speeches they made. Now in dealing with that paragraph in the Speech from the Throne which states in effect that improvement in the cure of codfish is essential if the Colony is to maintain its position in foreign markets, the Leader of the Opposition inferentially said that it was the business of the Government to find out what that cure should be.

I take the position that it is the duty of the trade to recommend to the Gov­ ernment what should be done in con­ nection with the cure of codfish. A Government is not supposed to know and deal with any particular faults of the cure of fish. That is a matter for the Board of Trade or some other body interested in the trade who could recommend and suggest to the Government what could and should be done. We have had Government in­ terference in the past with our cod­ fishery industry and I do not think the Colony benefitted by it. The Leader of the Opposition also referred to other industries in his speech.

We cannot say very much until we are sure of things. We are looking for­ ward to and hoping to see large out­ lays of expenditures on the industries mentioned in the Speech from the Throne. For instance, we are expect­ ing the Gander proposition may start up, although at the present time there is nothing definite in the matter. We also have a fairly good assurance from the principal of the Grand Falls Com­ pany, who is now in London, stating that if his investigations prove cor­ rect that the Company intends to ex­ pend two million of dollars within the next two years.

That expenditure will go towards the building of a new paper machine, the building of another stock room and the improvement of the present plant generally, and al­ together should afford a considerable amount of employment for our people. The same Company has a great in­ terest in large deposits of silver and lead at Red Indian Lake. Work on those deposits is only yet in the ex­ perimental stage, but, for purposes of development, the Company purposes spending a half million dollars there. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT EX­ PECTED.

We have also an intimation from another party that the development of a large aluminum deposit will prob­ ably take place in Bay D'Espoir on the South West Coast, and if that comes off, as we hope it will, it will mean an expenditure of about forty million dollars-a proposition larger than

28 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Corner Brook itself. These are some of the industries that we have hope for; also there is a small company about to use the waters of Carbonear for the purpose of the refining of things in connection with the fisheries. All thos() industries that I have re­ ferred to cannot be gone ahead with at once, but they make the outlook bright for the future.

When operations ceased on the Humber practically five thousand men were let loose and if we had no Dry Dock, no Highroads, and no new Hotel being built, we would have found it very difficult to cope with a serious unemployment situation. These local expenditures are all of value to the country, and the Government was able to leave the people in fairly good circumstances this Winter when it is considered that we got no calls to any great extent for relief.

We are endeavouring to the best of our ability to carry out what was con­ tained in my Manifesto and which we started in to carry out; but I am go­ ing to tell the House that I have now a very different idea of reducing tax­ ation than what I had when I came in power first, because there is not a week in the month, or a day in the week, or an hour in the day that some­ body is not coming to the Government with a proposition for the expendi­ ture of Government money.

It is only out of the revenue of the country that we can get the money at all, and I know that most of the propositions put before us are worth while and are needed. TWO MILLIONS FOR OLD DEBTS. You say that we cannot borrow any more money . You say that we have borrowed six and a half millions. But we used two millions of that to pay the back debts contracted by our predecessors in office. That only left four and a half millions, and what have we got for it. We have the dock for one and a half millions.

A splendid dock no matter Leader of the Opposition about it-a dock that has what the may say double the capacity of the one we had before, and which will be invaluable to the port. We have the "Caribou" for a half a million dollars, and I am sur­ prised to hear the Leader of the Op­ position refer to the "Caribou" to-day, and say that certain rumours are going around the street in connection with her. Surely it is the business of the Leader of the Opposition to make sure that what he is saying is correct.

I believe that for the half million dollars we have in the "Cari­ bou" the best steamer that was ever put in the water in this country or any other country. We spent a mil­ lion dollars on high roads during the past year. I am going to say that it is quite possible that some of · the money was spent extravagantly. In the early part of the spring men came along with the desire to be put to work and they were put to work, and per­ haps there was a little overlapping. But this is a thing that will not hap­ pen again. And as long as we have good roads that will not average more than seven thousand dollars a mile .

I think that the money will have proved fairly remunerative . I remember the member for Trinity referring last year to the fact that we had spent a great deal of money in Bonavista dis­ trict before the General Election. It was only twenty or thirty thousand dollars but he made a great deal of fuss about it, but I said that we had got value for it. I want to take that back again. We did not get value for it. I travelled over the roads and I said that they were splendid and that the twenty thousand dollars were spent well. But after the first shower the roads were gone again.

And that is what has been happening in this country for years. The roads have not been properly built. We have started building roads that will be a

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 29 credit to the country. We will do a little at a time, and we will have something to look at for our money. It has been said that we are running the railway illegally. We know it. But surely the Government of which Mr. Warren was the head, put that machinery into being, and when we took that concern over we had to run it illegally at first, but we are doing the best we can to put that right. RAlMVAY co,mnSSION 'fO CON­ 'l'INUE. There has been a suggestion made in the papers of the Opposition that we were going to make Mr.

Sullivan the Minister of Railways and so create a new department. We have not done that because we do not want to create an extra salary to be paid in the Government service. We have, fortunately, got four men, I don't know that they get very much thanks for it, who go up there once a week and work for the afternoon on railway matters, and they do it without pay. A former Government paid three thousand dollars for this work. Mr.

Halfyard, I think was a member of that Commission and he said that he had received one thousand dollars. for it, and he said that he would have taken three thousand if it had been offered him. But we are doing it for nothing. And I think that it is being done fairly well. We found that there were two or three men whom we thought were paid too high salaries, and for what we did in these cases we did uot get credit even from the papers supporting this side of the House. Two or three were getting salaries of six· and seven thousand dollars.

When the other clay. very unfortunately, the Gen­ eral Freight Agent died, we just moved up the next man, and now the office has one man where it had two before. When the man in charge of the machine shop left the other day we moved up the next man, and in this way we are, I say Mr. Speaker, doing everything that can be done to cut clown expenditure. You want to be a Prime Minister or an Executive Minister to recognise just how diffi­ cult it is to do this. There may be a man or two too many in a Gov­ ernment Department. Possibly there is. But what can the Government do?

The Government cannot throw anybody into the street. The Opposi­ tion papers said the other day that there was going to be a cut in the salaries in the Civil Service. But of course we must not reduce anything. But we must decrease taxation, the only way that we can get the money to pay salaries. Then there is the claim that the departments of the Government are not well run. The departments of the Government are better run than they have been for years. There has . been a great deal of criticism of Mr. Russell in the Board of Works.

People said that he was spending money freely and giving patronage to his friends, and that we were losing a lot of money for the Colony. I, as the Prime Minister, went to investigate, and I persuaded the Board to call for tenders for the supplies for the Board of Works. And they advertised for tenders for supplies for the next twelve months, and Mr.

Harris, the Deputy Minister of Public Works, took these tenders and spent three days and nights, and now taking these invoices he estim­ ates that the prices for goods in November and December were lower than those quoted in January for shipment during the next twelve months. And I think that that is a feather in Mr. Russell's cap. It is an indication that attention is being paid to the department. The Department of Marine and Fisheries has been do­ ing its work. They have found that the lighthouses are in a wrecked con­ dition. And money has to be spent

30 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS to keep them in repair. We cannot let them fall down. Everybody knows what interest Mr. Walsh is taking in the work of his department, and the efforts that he is making to have vegetables produced in this country, improved. It is not only the improve­ ment of the vegetables produced that has to be looked to, but it is also the storing of them here. We have to we get when we came into office? We found that the railway was not much more than a bunch of junk. That is all I can call it. It was down to the last sleeper.

The dock was absolutely bad and we have had to face the situ­ ation and see what could be done. And have we faith in the country? Are we going to carry on? Are we going to let the railway go to ruin and have a store here. The man down on say that is all we can do about it? the West Coast is not concerned very much about how the potatoes are grown in Salvage, but he is concerned about the manner of transport. It is easier to get the potatoes by steam­ er from Halifax than to have them come in peacemeal from the Outports, as they are required. We want a big storage house here in St.

John's and we want a lot of other things at the same time. We want a Poor House; that has been talked of since Lord Morris' day. But you can't take it out of current revenue and it has got to be capital expenditure, and I say that the country has got to borrow more money. I believe that we have got to borrow more money as long as the money borrowed is spent properly. MAKING A SOUND AND SOLID RAILWAY . What have we done with the rail­ way? We have spent a million dol­ lars on re-railing, and another half million for rolling stock in connec­ tion therewith.

We got fifty new fiat cars and fifty new box cars, two sleepers and a diner, all costing money. What are we going to do now? Are we going to lie down and let the rest of the railway rot? If some of the people in this House saw the number of broken rails that came off the Bishop's Falls

section I think that they would be almost afraid to travel over the line. We have got to re-rail a certain portion of the line again. It will cost three million dollars to finish re-railing the rail­ way and put it in condition. What did I say no. We have faith in this coun­ try. I say that the country has re­ sources and it only wants the right men to run it. And for that reason we are going to go ahead and give her a chance. We are only here be­ cause we thought that the last gov­ ernment was horrible. At least I am here because I thought that we could improve things, and I think that we have improved matters.

And I think that if a former Government had spent its sixteen million dollars that it borrowed as well as we spent the four million dollars that we borrowed, we would be in a better position than we are in to-day. They built two roads leading from nowhere to no­ where and that is all they have to show for it. I give them every credit for having to live in a hard time.

I give them credit that the country was in desperate circumstances and that they had a very difficult road to travel during the past few years that they were in office, but they could have done some good works with money that they spent instead of something bad. We are here, Mr. Speaker, as the Government, and we shall do our best, and I am not afraid when the end of our term in office is up, that we will have established in the minds of the public at large the fact that we are not the worst Government that ever had charge of affairs. On motion of Mr. Puddester, sec­ onded by Mr. W. J.

Browne, it was ordered that an Address of Thanks be presented to His Excellency the Gov-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 31 l·n i·eply to the Gracious Speech ernor, 0 with which he had been pleased t the present Session of the Leg- open d that a Select Committee islature, an be appointed to draft such Address in Reply. The Committee to consist of Mr. Puddester, Mr. Browne, Mr. Sinnott, Mr. Hibbs, Mr. Randell. Hon. the Colonial Secretary table.d Estimated Revenue St. John's Mum­ cipal Councii-1926. Mr. Scammell gave notice of ques- ti on. Mr. Mr. Mr. ti on. Grimes gave notice of question. Cashin gave notice of question. Ashbourne gave notice of ques- Mr. Hibbs gave notice of question. Mr.

Brown gave notice of question. Mr. Randell gave notice of question. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER:- Mr. Speaker, in rising to move the adjournment of the House I was going to suggest that the House adjourn until to-morrow at three o'clock. But I have a note here from the Leader of the Opposition asking that we ad­ journ the House as we did last year until Monday. And we have pleasure in acceding to the request of the Opposition in this matter.

If I can­ not congratulate the members on the other side of the House on the interest taken in getting the sessional work begun, I can congratulate them on be­ ing ready with the large number of questions which they have given notice of, and they are making sure that somebody will be busy getting ready the answers between now and Monday. In accordance with the wish of the Opposition, Mr. Speaker, I move that the House adjourn until Monday afternoon, at three of the clock. It was moved and seconded that when the House rises it adjourn until Monday afternoon next, 8th inst., at three of the clock.

The House then adjourned accord­ ingly. MONDAY, March 8th, 1926. The House met at three of the clock in the afternoon, pursuant to adjourn­ ment. Mr. Speaker read Reply of Thanks from Mrs. James D. Ryan for the Resolution of Condolence passed by the House. Petitions were presented by: Mr. Brown from Springdale, re road. Mr. Cashin from Renews. re dredg- ing. Mr. w. J. Browne from Petty Har­ bour, re mail service. Mr. Ashbourne from Cobbs Arm, , re fishing rules. MR. PUDDESTER-Mr.

Speaker: On behalf of the Select Committee ap­ pointed to draft the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne with which His Excellency the Governor was pleased to open the present ses­ sion of the Legislature, I beg to pre­ sent the Report which reads as fol­ lows: To His Excellency Sir William Lamond Allardyce, K.C.M.G., Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island of Newfoundland and its Dependencies.

May it Please Your Excellency: We. the Commons of Newfoundland in Legislative Session assembled, beg to thank Your Excellency for the Gracious Speech which your Excel­ lency has addressed to both Branches of the Legislature. (Sgd.) J. C. PUDDESTER. W. J. BROWNE, E. F. SINNOTT', I. R. RANDELL. Assembly Room, March 8th, 1926. MR. GODDEN-Mr. Speaker: On the motion for the adoption of the report of the Select Committee I would like to say first of all that the first para­ graph in the Speech from the Throne is in accord with my own sentiments.

The late lamented Queen Alexandra was widely known and generally be­ loved throughout the British Empire

32 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS for her charitable efforts and was the not belonging to this country for greatest Queen, in that respect per­ haps, the world has ever known. The rest of His Excellency's Speech does not give cause for much en­ couragement. The second paragraph tells of the continued prosperity the <;muntry has had since last session of the House. Prosperity is not gen­ eral in Newfoundland, I am sorry to say, and if there was prosperity in some sections of the community, there were setbacks in many others.

We must remember that whatever extra success business people met with was on account of the money, belonging to the taxpayers of Newfoundland, that the Government expended on the Dry Dock, new Hotel and Highroads. That money was borrowed money and has to be paid back with heavy in­ terest, so that the prosperity talked of in the Speech from the Throne is not a lasting prosperity; but a false prosperity. The next paragraph in the Speech says that the Sealing and Codfishery industries ·in 1925 were unusually suc­ cessful, etc.

I believe that the catch of codfish last year was very large; but where anyone gets the idea that exporters will probably realise on their stocks of fish without any ma­ terial loss in the face of adverse conditions in the foreign markets I am at a loss to know, as the present outlook in the foreign markets is anything but optimistic. quite agree that an improvement in the cure of our fish is essential so that our product can maintain its position in the foreign markets, and the best huge timber areas and water powers.

I think, Sir, that those in authority should take particular care that people outside Newfoundland, unless they are convinced that such outsiders are particularly interested in devel­ oping our resources, should not be given advantage over Newfoundlanders in having given to them unlimited timber areas and water powers. I know some of those people that are asking for permits over thous­ ands of square miles of property are only asking for them for the purpose of exploiting them for their own per­ sonal and pecuniary advantage. Now with regard to the construc­ tion of the new Hotel in St.

John's, I, for one, hope that the projec . t will be a success. As the present Government has guaranteed the interest on the bonds, however, I think that it would be just as well to have some one to watch matters fearing something un­ wieldy may happen and that we may be left with a white elephant in our hands. With regard to the Highroads Com­ mission. Apparently good work was done last year, but I think I will be agreed with when I say that it takes a Newfoundland winter to test wheth­ er good roads were made or not.

If they stand the test this winter then we may have something to congratu­ late the Commission on. I have my doubts, though, if the Highroads Commission kept within the bounds of the expenditure they set out to do, namely, a half million dollars. I am afraid they went beyond that limit way that can be done is by proper very considerably, and I must say standardization. that it would be far better, if the Further on in the Speech from the Throne reference is made to the development of our inland resources, particularly to our forest resources.

That reminds me that in reading the "Royal Gazette" from time to time one notices requests being made by people monies that have been spent and will be spent in that direction, were ex­ pended on the repairing and building of local and main lines in the differ­ ent outport districts, and, if possible, link up one district with another. In any event, I suppose the Highroads

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 33 Commission will carry on. While on this point I would like to put up a plea to that Commission on behal~ of the South Side of Trinity Bay, particu­ larly between Winterton and Lead Cove, where the people are without coastal facilities and are up against other disadvantages in getting goods and supplies to and from the settle­ ments.

There is a local road there now and people living in different places on the South Side of the Bay are very anxious to have that road improved and made navigable, and I hope and trust that the Highroads Commission will do their best and as­ sist these people by giving them a good road this year. I fail to see why reference to last year's visit of the Imperial Parlia­ mentarians is contained In the Speech from the Throne. They were fine fel­ lows and I dare say that they enjoyed their visit here; but I cannot see what material advantage it was to the Col­ ony by their visit.

Coming next to that paragraph dealing with the Dry Dock, I still con­ tend as I did last year that the Dock could have been repaired and brought to its original capacity, with a few minor improvements at a cost of not more than a quarter of a million dol­ lars. It is also very questionable as to whether it has been done in so satisfactory a manner as stated-that is to be seen later. Mention is made of the re-railing of the railway.

I think it is a pity that the Government saddled itself with the railway, although that is not the work of the present Government; it would be far better to have passed it to private hands who I believe could make it a paying venture. It is a difficult matter to make a railway pay and particularly if saddled with Government interference. I believe the management, and I refer particu­ larly to Mr. Russell, is as good as can be obtained, but under Goverqmeµt control it will be difficult to make it pay . Under existing conditions I should be interested in a statement showing profits and losses. MR.

HIGGINS-"Do you think that might interest possible purchasers?" MR. GODDEN-I think it might. No matter how bad the situation might be I believe the Railway could be run on a profitable basis. His Excellency's Speech speaks of the "Caribou" as being a huge suc­ cess. I have not seen the steamer, but the consensus of opinion seems to be among people who have travelled by her that . she is not built to last long.

One man asked me what she cost, and when I told hfm $500,000.00 he replied "That is a half million too much." I notice that part of His Excellency's Speech is about the success of the Pecuniary Claims Hearing at Wash­ ington . No doubt our legal friends know best who got most out of that matter. Regarding the paragraph dealing with finance for the 'years 1924-1925, appearing to show a credit balance, this is misleading. If I make a profit on flour and lose that profit on pork, there is · no profit, and this state of affairs applies here. You have no surplus. · And now, Mr.

Speaker, understand that a further loan has been suggested. I should like to point out that we are a Colony of only a quarter million of people, and I think it would be far better for us to cry halt on any expenditures except those of a strictly necessary nature, cer­ tainly not such things as highways or re-railing the railway. Regarding the railway I think we ought to spend just what is necessary to keep it going and let whoever takes it over make the most of it. The more we borrow the more taxation we have to endure, and it is time to consid er carrying on without further taxation .

I am sorry to se~ !!<.>thing regardin~ reduction

34 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS of taxes. understood last year when the new tariff was introduced that the increases might be only for a year, and I quite expected to see some relief coming about this time, and I hope the Minister of Finance will give us something of this sort before the session ends. He stated that he wanted $600,000 more last year, but the result of the new tariff has been to collect three times the $600,000, as I predicted. I agree that it is desirable that there be some sort of protection for workers and the working classes and hope something can be arranged to that end.

With regard to the reference to the Civil Service status, I think it is also de- country; I hope that it will not be left entirely to the Opposition to pick out all the flaws and errors in the Bills that will come before us, but that the gentlemen on the other side will help. (They don't do everything right.) Let us criticise together as amicably as possible. Thus our de­ liberations could be truly for the benefit of the country in which we live. As I stated before, the Speech from the Throne can hardly be called encouraging.

I should like to see ex­ penses reduced to that irreducible minimum mentioned by the Minister of Finance in his Budget Speech last year; but if we go on spending as we have been that minimum will nev- sirable that something be done to the er be attained. It would be interest- end that appointments no longer be given to parties with nothing more to recommend them than party affilia­ tions. Persons advanced in life are given appointments, and two or three years afterwards are pensioned-this should stop. The country will note with interest the forthcoming 'changes in the Liquor Act.

I do not understand why it is wise to prohibit the landing and ex­ portation of Liquors. This provides employment to longshoremen and others and revenue to the country, which I am sure is welcome to the Finance Minister. Why we should bother about aiding in the enforce­ ment of the laws of countries who do not aid us I do not quite understand. It is interesting to note that the con­ tract to be made with Besco by the Government is to be for a long term. Experience shows that we must be very, VE.ry careful in making this sort of contract.

It it can be shown that it is for the benefit of the country and to its advantage it is alright, and it is up to us ~o see that this advantage occurs. The Speech ends by expressing con­ fidence that our deliberations will be inspired by a desire to serve our ing to find something in the Gov­ ernor's Speech referring to a bounty for fishermen on their fish, and a bounty for miners; also some sug­ gestion regarding reduction of taxes. It is difficult to see how our taxes can be made less-if we spend we must obtain.

At present what we can't get from our people we borrow anyhow, and so saddle our people further with an extra burden of debt. While I was away I was interested in the talk of Canadian farmers on cooperation on farm products and their marketing, such as wheat and grain. Already this talk has had ef­ fect on some markets, and produced marked improvement in farming areas-why could not also coopera­ tion of this sort be effected here? This cooperation is very necessary if we are to market our fish success­ fully.

Some of those who did catch fish last year made some money, but unfortunately everybody did not get a good catch. Then again often those who bought found that the price in other markets was less than that paid by them here. I have now come to the end of the Speech and think I have covered all that is in it. I have only just arrived

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 35 in town, and did not hear the Speech from the Throne, merely obtaining the newspaper copy. I trust that we shall hear of some other measures than those taken up in the Speech from the Throne, before the end of the Session which will be of benefit to our people. MR. SCAMMELL-Mr. f:lpeaker', I propose to offer some observations on the Speech from the Throne. In con­ formity with Parliamentary practice and institutions we have this Speech which presents the same undesirable conditions each year.

It is my per­ sonal opinion that this Address in Reply really ought to be presented at the end rather than the beginning of the Session. We are now called in, and at the opening of the Session supposed to thank His Excellency the Governor, officially. It would, I think, Now Mr. Speaker, this document is a very long one, and it may possibly be that in taking it line for line a great deal of time may be spent in debating it. It opens with an ex­ pression of regret at the universal sorrow over the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Alexandra. That is correct.

There were no doubt ex­ pressions of sorrow from all parts of the Empire when the news was flashed around the world that the late Queen had passed away. And of course we of the Opposition can have no dis­ agreement with the sentiments em­ bodied in the special clause in refer­ ence to this fact. No doubt the late Queen was a very remarkable woman and worthy of the love and the esteem of all her subjects . She has been styled "The sea King's daughter from over the seas," and she has been be much better if such a debate as loYed not only by those who have this be left until later.

But we must bow to parliamentary practice. The Speech from the Throne is supposed to contain an outline of Government policy; I have very grave doubt as to the Government's having any pol­ icy. I mentioned the parable of the fig tree bearing no fruit, last year, and I am forced to say the same this year. What we have listened to in the Speech from the Throne is nothing more than a re-hash of what has been said before. The Press, or one

section of the Press has told us that on the opening the Prime Min­ ister spoke in a happy frame of mind and was in a fighting mood. I want to say that I have been here in this House, for a short while, it is true, but I have never yet seen the outlook so black. I do not believe the Prime Minister was happy, even if he did show a happy front.

He might, it is true, have been happy because he has all his party still about him, but cer­ tainly not as to what the future holds, for admitting he was happy, he cer­ tainly is not looking to the future in any happy frame of mind. been associated with her in the old country, but because she was a wom­ an possessing the admirable qualities referred to here. The Speech from the Throne has referred to the continued prosperity of the Colony .

"The continued pros­ perity of the Colony since you wen1 last in session has been . well main­ tained and I congratulate you accord­ ingly." These words were put in Excellency's mouth by His to His Excel- lency's Ministers. Sir, I cannot find that this continued prosperity has been maintained. It is a prosperity based on borrowing money, but as Mr. Hickman observed here at the last session we could all have a gold watch if we had to borrow the money for it, but then we forget that the day will come when we will have to pay for it.

The astonishing aspect is, that the Prime Minister has expressed the opinion that we shall have to go on borrowing money . Now I ask any man within the sound of my voice this afternoon where we can expect to get off if we have to take serious

36 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS consideration of such expressions of the Prime Minister. If this country has got to go on borrowing money I can well understand the jubilation in the Government ranks because of the fact that next year they will have their three new steamers kept busy taking people out of this country. Now the duty of the Government in this country instead of embarrassing and clogging the wheels of progress is to assist this country on the way to success and prosperity. They are cer­ tainly not going that way when they can see no other avenue but that of continuing to borrow money.

It is a frightful statement, a state­ ment that will spread throughout the country that the Government can see no other way out of their difficulties except to continue to borrow money. I wonder if the Government has taken the trouble seriously to find the way out of the difficulty, and to devise any schemes that would obviate in any way the necessity of borrowing money. This country cannot afford to borrow more money. This Government stands charged with neglect because they seriously undertook to transact the affairs of this country, and to correct the mistakes and errors com­ mitted by its predecessors.

It seri­ ously undertook to evolve a new con­ dition of things, and having seriously undertaken this it now not only stands charged with not knowing what it was talking about when it criticized the actions of its predecessors, but it is also charged with the delinquency of knowing now less themselves. In the Manifesto of the Prime Minister previous to the election of 1924 we were told that we were going to have a general clean up in the affairs of the public, and that this country was henceforth going to be an entirely different place to live in. Expendi­ ture of public money was going to be reduced.

When this Government came into power it ou8"ht to have be- gun to redeem those promises to the country, to undertake to carry out it's policy. What proof is there that this Government has made any honest attempt to put this policy into effect. What proof is there that this Govern­ ment has any policy. I say that it has absolutely none, and no proof can be shown to contradict the state­ ments I am making. The continued prosperity of this country is not the continued prosper­ ity the people want. Let us pursue this statement further.

The ·Speech from the Throne goes on to refer to the Sealing and Codfishery industries. The Sealing and Codfishery indus­ tries in 1925, you state, were more productive than in the previous year. But if the Government wanted to make any serious estimate of the con­ dition of those industries, I think they ought to have gone back further and not taken the most successful year in the history of the fishery, to gauge where we stand.

According to the estimates last year the country was flooded with an army of men going up and down through­ out the length and breadth of the country, here, there and everywhere gathering statistics to give an estim­ ate regarding the catch of the cod­ fisheries. The Government seems to have got a bee in it's bonnet for sta­ tistics. We haye been flooded with