' • • • PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY . • During the Second Session of the Twenty-Sixth General Assembly of Newfoundland 1 25 • • The Evening Telegram, Ltd. , • •

Proceedings of the' House of Assembly of Newfoundland Session 1925 Begun and holden at St. John's in the said Island on Wednesday, the eighteenth day of February, Anno Domini, Nineteen Hundred and Twenty-five, being in the Fifteenth 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 Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India. WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18th, 1925.

His Excellency having fixed the hour at 'vhich he proposed to open the present Session of the Legis'lative at three of the clock in the afternoon of this Wednesday, the eighteenth day of February inst., 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. Hon. W. S. Monroe and Wm. C. Win­ sor, Esquire, duly elected Members for the Electoral District of Bon­ avista, having been sworn by the Com­ missioners of His Excellency the Gov­ ernor, were introduced by the Hon­ ourables W. J.

Higgins and Sir John Crosbie, and took their seats. At Three of the clock . a message from His Excellency, the Governor, was delivered by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, commanding the im- n1ediate 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 at­ tendance upon His Excellency in the Council Chamber, His Excellency had 'been pleased to make a gracious Speech to both Branches of the Legis­ lature, a copy of which for greater ac­ curcy he ·had ·Obtained, and then read to the House as follows: Mr. President a11d Honourable Gentle­ men of the Legislative Co·uncil: Mr . • Sp.eaker and Gentlemen of the Honoura ,ble House of Assembly: We meet under more prosperous and gratifying conditions than exist­ ed in this Colony when the Legislature · 'vas prorogued.

The Codfishery of last year was ·prosecuted successfully and the . pro­ ducts disposed of at the best prices known in the history of the Colony (exclusive of the abnormal war years). Those who engaged in this staple in- · dustry of the country reapetl a reward which renewed their faith and interest in it. The construction of great works upon the Humber has proceeded wit~ r. ,I ' • ' ..

• • 4 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS remarkable speed and success, many men are now engaged in cutting wood for lnanufacture into pulp and paper, and it is confidently expected that early in the approaching Spring, inanufacturing will begin. _Negotiations are proceeding, it is understood, for • the promotion of a pulp and paper in- dustry on the Gander River, and hope is justly entertained, that construction will commence before we meet again in Session. Conditions in the Mining industry at Bell Island have not been satisfac­ tory. Disagreements have occurred between tl1e Company and its work­ men.

Before they arose my Govern­ ment had felt constrained to make concessions to the Company concern­ ing its contractual obligations in or­ der to procure increased employment for labourers. Arrangements have l1een made to proceed with work on for1ner conditions, pending a confer­ ence between the Company, the min­ ers, and the Government.

My Government recently sent a dele­ gation to Canada to discuss sugges­ tions regardi .ng a settlement, by nego­ tiation, of what is popularly known as the "Labrador Boundary Question." They met representatives of the Do­ minion of Canada and the Province of Quebec, and discussed with them tl1e economic aspects of the matter, con­ fidentially, frankly and fully, and without prejudice to either party, and the discussion has been continued by correspondence since the return of tl1e delegates.

No agreement has been completed, and none may be, but un­ til a tentative arrangeme11t has been inade, or the possibility of nlaking one at andoned, it is not deemed expedient to inform you more fully of the pro­ ceedings. It is hardly necessary to add, I hope, that the Colony will not le committed by my Government to any settlement of this matter without the prior consent of the Legislature. The gratifying warmth of the recep­ tion given to the delegates in Canada testifi,ed to the extre1ne friendliness of Canadi~ns to the people of this Colony.

Following upon the Hague Award, defining the liberty of the inhabitants ~ ~ of the United States to tal{e fish on the Treaty Coast, so called, of New­ foundland, an agree1nent was made in 1910 for the settlement by arbitration of claims by the United S•tates, based on alleged wrongft1l acts of the au­ thorities of this Colony in respect of American fishing vessels. Statement a11d Answer were filed in 1914, but proceedings were interrupted by the Great War. A revised claim was filed on the first of August last, and a final Answer 011 the 31st January . last.

It is expected that a hearing by Arbi­ trators will take place in Washington this year. A contract has been made for the construction of a Stea1ner to ply 011 the Port aux Basques-Nortl1 Sydney route. It was given to a Company in­ corporated in Holland, l ut partly own­ ed and manage_d by British people. It would 11ave been inore agreeable if a contract could properly have bee11 given for co11struction in a British Shipyard, but the price asked, and the impossibility of getting guarantees for early completion , practically co1n­ pelled the acceptance of the Contract which 11as been made.

Unemployment in tl1e Colony has greatly decreased by comparison with all tl1e years since the Great War ceased, and it is not now al norn1al. There are many persons wl10 for one reason or anotl1er are out of 'vorl{ and it has been suggested that public money sl1ould be expended to provide employment. Experience 11as sl1ow11 that work at public expense cannot be· productively engaged in at this s·eason and my Government has decided there­ fore not to authorise it at present.

Very disturbing discoveries have been made by a Commission engaged in an enquiry concerning expenditures for charitable institutions and ser­ vices. Laxness of a dministration ~ and I

HOUSE OF -ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 5 imposition by the non-deserving, have been proven, and there is evidence that . the homely · virtues of self-reliance and self-respect have · l een diminishing. Public expenditure for the relief of the sick and afflicted is meant for therhelp­ less poor, and the conduct of those who selfishly trade upon this charity is highly reprehensible. Stricter rules and closer observance must be insist­ ed upon. Good results from the en­ quiry have already been observed.

The services of a Postal Service ex­ pert, with great experience in Canada, have been obtained, to aid in a reform in the Postal Service of the Colony, in which conditions have existed ·Of a na­ ture very injurious to public interests. The Service is over-manned and un­ der-worked, and much greater effici­ ency must be obtained at less cost. It is not possible to reform a Service s· o den1oralized in a short time, but drastic reforms ·have ,been proposed, and will be insisted on.

Agricultural interests are having the attention of my Government and it is hoped that a Committee of prac­ tical Farmers, now in conference with the Minister, may suggest some wise legislation for the promotion of this important industry. Mr. Speaker and Gentlem,en ·of the Honourable House of Assembly: The finances of the Colony are in a highly satisfactory condition. Revenue has increased, and expenditure has de­ creased, and there will be a surplus of ordinary Revenue over Expenditure 011 current account . in the financial year, 1924-25.

Tenders for a Loan of Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000), part of what was authorised last year, l1ave recently been received, and the rates quoted have been m-ost satisfactory. Part of this Loan will be expended in Great Britain for the purchase of rails, and the Imperial Trade Facilities . Board has undertaken to pay part of the interest for five years on the amount so expended, with the stipula- tion that the Loan be raised in Eng­ land .

The expenditure for many ·years past have so exceeded the votes made for them as to show that -great care­ lessness, at least, has been displayed by those who prepared the Estimates. The provision you will be asked to make for ·the coming year will be cal­ culated with great care, and will in the due course be laid before you. · · Just prior to the coming into office of n1y present Government an irregu­ lar order was issued purporting to re­ move Customs duties from gasolene, flour, beef, pork and molasses.

My present Government, prudently desir­ ing to amply provide for the Colony's needs, did not feel able to legalize all the reductions which had been an­ nounced, but struck off the duty on gasolene and flour. It is pleasant, therefore, to be able now to announce that you will be asked to repeal the duties on beef and pork, a.nd kerosene oil, a most timely reduction when the prices of these articles are increas­ ing.

Owing to the increased cost ·of ship­ building, the bounty offered by the Government has not induced the con­ struction of many new vessels, and as a large proportion of our present fish­ ing fleet are in need of repairs, a mea­ sure providing a bounty for the en­ couragement of such repairs will be submitted for your approval. The taxation of Banks doing busi­ ness in Newfoundland has been exces­ sive and unfair. You will be asked to reduce it.

The successful prosecution of the trade of the Colony ·depends very largely upon the continuance of adequate banking facilities and the splendid banking institutions in our midst must be fairly treated. · An examination of the Dry Dock in this port, made by an expert en.gineer, has revealed the need of extensive re­ pairs, and of partial rebuilding, and the cost will be large. Proposals will be made for your consideration. ·.

• • I 6 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS War time demands led to the enact­ ment of the Business Profits Tax Act, 1917, and the Income Tax Act, 1918; the former has been repealed, the lat­ ter amended. Both laws worked . great hardships, and have been unsatisfac­ tory in practice. Income Tax returns · have n·ot been made by many, under pressure only by others, and payments of assessments have been evaded, de­ layed or refused in so many cases that unfairness has resulted to the honest ol'servers of the law. It is a form of taxation unsuited to this country.

It restrains investment of capital in business, and though apparently paid by_ the so-called well-to-do, it i~ pass­ ed on to the consumer, when paid by those successful in business, while hampering severely, and sometimes destructively, those who have not prospered. Profits ·on the business of last year often come to be added to the losses of this. Simplicity of taxa­ tion is much to be desired in this Col­ ony, in order to get back, as far as posible, to the good old days of com- · 'ft fort for our people, and therefore a Bill to suspend Income Tax as and from the commencement of 1925 will be introduced.

An endeavour will be made to meet the loss to the revenue by the practice of honesty and econ­ omy in public expenditure. Mr. Pre1sident and H· o·nourable Gentle­ men 01f the Legislative Council: Mr. Spe.ake, r and Gentleimen .of the Honoura .ble H·ouse of Asse 1 mbly: There has been no Redistribution of seats in the Assembly for many years. The constituencies marked out in 1832, up·on the grant of representative in­ stitutions, have undergone minor changes only.

The Census of 1921 re­ vealed inequalities and unfairness, the population of some electoral districts being shown to be half as many for two members as others had for one. A Redistribution Bill has therefore been prepared for your consideration and will be introduced at an early date, so that a measure may be enact­ ed at this Session to go into effect up­ on the diss ·olution of this Assembly. It has l een vary carefully prepared and will, I believe, be generally ac­ ceptable.

It divides the Island into thirty-f _our districts privileged to re­ turn one representative · each, and three districts to return two men each, and so arranged as to maintain re­ presentation of the various interests as formerly. It 'vould te difficult to exaggerate the go·od results 'vhich ·may l 1 e expected to flow from this measure. You provided generously in your last Session for the construction of roads intended especially to promote tourist traffic and generally to develop the Colony, affording local accommo­ dation incidentally.

It was not pos-.. sible to commence construction last year, tut some surveying has been done, a plan for work this year has been made, and construction will be vigorously undertaken as soon as the weather will permit.

A Bill will be introduced for the creation of a High­ roads Comn1ission, charged with the construct:on and maintenance of roads considered to be of first importance, designated from tin1e to time for that purpose by the Government, and the Chairmanship of this Commission will be conferred on the Government Engi­ neer, with the object that the methods adopted in roadbuilding will no long­ er ·be haphazard and inefficient. .

It is obvious that if tourist ·traffic is to come to this country, revision in Motor Traffic laws is essential, bring­ ing them into harmony with th·ose of the United States and Canada, from which such traffic must come. The need of stricter and fuller laws in this relation has long been evident, and a Bill for this purpose, based upon the latest and completest laws of adjoin- . ing countries, will be introduced. It will confer authority over the Motor Traffic upon the Highroads Commis­ sion, upon the ground that as that Commission is to control the construe-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 7 tion and maintenance of highroads, it must necessarily control motor trafilc over them. It has been usual in newly discov­ ered countries for government to ex­ pand upwards, from Settlement, Vil­ lage, and Town, to State and national organization, and· for the practice of the control ·of local affairs to train the people for participation in the man­ agement of matters of concern.

Here, it has been otherwise, participation in administration having been but slow­ ly conceded by central authority, and a consequence has been that the gen­ eral government of the Colony is ex­ pected to provide, control and pay for public services which should be insti­ tuted, managed and paid for locally. l It is proposed, therefore, to ask your consideration ·of a wide general meas­ ure for the inc·orporation of munici­ palities, which can from time to time be made applicable to suitable areas by proclamation of the Governor in Council, and thus the feasibility of self-g .overnment in such areas will be given a trial under favourable condi­ tions.

The residents of the incorpor"." ated places will thereby be able to vie with others in making their home towns desirable and attractive. I commend the duties of the Session to your assiduous care and pray that the guidance of Divine Providence may attend your deliberations. Hon. the Minister of Finance gave notice that he would on to-morrow move the House nito C·ommjttee of the Whole to consider the following reso­ lutions:- RESOLVED,-That "The Revenue Act, 1905," and the amendments thereto, be further amended by trans­ ferring to the free list under

Schedule B. the following items, viz:- "Beef when salted in barrels, includ­ ing duty on barrels." "Pork in barrels or half barrels, viz: Mess, Family, Prim .e, Mess, Rump, Extra Prime, Bean Clear, Butt and Ham, including duty on packages-per brl., Belly, Back or Family Mess or Loin Pork, including duty on pack­ ages." "Kerosene Oil, and the package in which it is imported." RESOLVED FURTHER,-That the Act 15, Geo. V., Cap. XXI, be amend­ ed by adding to

Schedule A. thereto the following words: "Beef when salted in barrels, in­ cluding duty on :barrels." "Pork in barrels or half barrels, viz: Mess, Family, Prime Mess, Rump, Extra Prime, Bean Clear, Butt and Ham, including duty on packages." "Belly, Back or Family Mess or Loin Pork, including duty on packages." "Kerosene Oil and the package in which it is imported. ' " MR. CAHILL-Mr.

Speaker and Honourable Gentlemen of the House of Assembly, I rise for the purpose of proposing that a Committee of this House be appointed to draft an Ad­ dress in Reply to the Speech from the Throne, but before formally putting this motion I would like to make a few brief comments on a number of important and far-reaching matters which are mentioned in that Speech. It is a matter of interest to note that in having a winter session the Government are following the prece­ dent and reviving the practice of earlier years when the House of As­ sembly was always convened in Feb­ ruary month.

Of late years expedi­ ency and opportunism have often dic­ tated otherwise, but the present Gov­ ernment, realizing that a Session of this House in the month of February is in the best interest of the fisheries, of trade, and of the Country general­ ly, have reverted to the old and pro­ per custom. A successful Codfishery with high prices realized for our stap\e product makes for the general prosperity of Neewfoundland perhaps more than

8 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS . . anything else, and it is a source of very great gratification to the Gov­ ernment, as it must be to those imme­ diately concerned in this industry, and , as a matter of fact, to the Coun ­ try generally, . that last year's fishery was prosecuted so successfully. · Mr. Speak-er, the public has recent ­ ly. been made aware that conditions in the mining industry on Bell Island have not been satisfactory.

In fact there seems to have been trouble of various kinds between the Company and its workmen . ever since the mer­ ger some years ago of the two former Companies into one large c~rporation known as The British Empire Steel Corporation, more familiarly . known as "Besco." Newfoundland workmen are undoubtedly am·ongst the best in the world, competent, adaptable, de­ pendable, not given as a rule te ·dis­ c,ontent, _or. strikes, or anything · of that kind, and I think it can be de­ pended upon that in any dispute with the Company . the . interests of the Bell Island miners and workmen will be most carefully guarded , and looked after by .the present Government.

Of course, the legitimate rights of capi­ tal . and the Company must also be protected, and fair and reasonable devices and regulations cannot be de­ _nied or prescribed, no more th~n , ex- cessive or unreasonable demands on • I . the part of the I!len can be supported, or uncalled for strikes and the intro-. . duction of "Red" or Bolshevik meth-. . ods condoned or allow~d. It must simply 1be remembered that the mine.rs and workmen on Bell Isl~nd, are not mere slaves, nor can they be treated , . as su~h.

They are our brother New-. foundlanders, , entitle . d. to fair :wag~s for an honest day's work under pro- . •• I per conditiol,ls, and to that extent I think they can rest assured that they will be supported to the fullest pos­ sible measure by the Government. Reference was made in the Speech from the Throne to the work of the ' Delegation sent to Canada in connec- tion with the Labrador boundary. Whlist nothing definite has yet result­ ed from that mission I am confident . . that the visit of the Delegates pro- duced many good results arid that these results _ will bE;l made ~ppar. ent .in the near future . .

Incidentally this visit gave the delegates the opportu- 1 • nity to -meet the Prime Minister ot Canada · and many of his Ca}?inet Min­ isters and to take up and discuss with ' . them various n1atters mutua _lly affect- fng Canada and Newfoundland. The . ' . warmth of the reception tendered by the Canadian ' people to our Delegates - j ' • was as much apprecia _ted by' them, . I ' am sure, as it has been by those whom they r~presented . on that occasion, namely, the people of Newfoundland. Mr.

Speaker and · Gentlemen of the Honourable House of Assembly, after the lapse of · some eight months the . ~ ' ; . slogan under which the present Gov- ernment was elected to po~er has · by no means become 'with them .a dead letter. On the contrary, it is just as •.. • ' • I much an

article of their creed and practice now as formerly. You will .. remem l er t.his slogan was ".Clean up, keep clean, and a square deal to all," . -( l . and so far the Government have not failed in one jot or tittle of that . pro­ mise, nor do they intend to do so in the future. You have rea· d "in the daily press ·of the "clean up"· in · the Depart­ ment of Finance and Customs~ 'and. of the reforms · and irliprovements insti­ tuted by the present · Minister, Hon. Sir John . C. Crosbie.

That these re­ forms, in• conjunction with other things, have already · resulted in the pleasing announcement in the Speech from the Throne of a surplus · ·of re­ venue ~over expenditure for the pres­ ent year must be as gratifying to ··the Minister as it is to the Government, and will be ; to the public :generally. But a clean-up and . reorganiz _ation ' was also found to be necessary in ~n- other Government department some­ what akin to the Customs, namely, the Po~ta:l . Service. Ma:ny reforms have

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 9 already been introduced t4ere by the Minister, . my colleague . for Harbour Main District, . the Hon .. William .Wood­ ford; and at . the p~esent time a Postal Service expert from Canada . is en-. . " ' . gaged .in . a thorough examination of the who~e service. Hi~ : recommenda­ tioµs and suggestions . will be faith­ fully carried O\lt by the Government, a11d the general public, and the busi­ ness pt1blic in particular, ca_ n count . ) upon I1~ving with .in_ a reasonable tiµie an up-to:-d.ate apcl efficient ,Postal S•er- vice. Mr.

Speaker, · as an ordinary lay- man, . unacquainted with farmi~g, it has been a. matter of wonde . r to me for . . many years . ~hy . farming has not p1~ ogre~·sed more favourably an4 been ta~ ken up more .. extensively in this country. I. could never understand, for. instance. why it should be neces- , .I • " • sary for Newfoundland to import such . . very la.r&"e stocks of potatoes, turnips and other vegetables from o.utside 1 the country. I. should have tl1ought that this coun~ry could produce at least enough of these . vegetables to meet the l.oca.l consumption.

The present ener­ g:etic Mini-ster of Agriculture, Mr. W. . . J. Walsh, the honourable member for . :... . Placentia and St. Mary's, has already outlin~d many plans for the impro ·ve­ ment of Agriculture in Newfoundland, and he is at present in conference . . with a committee of practical farm- • t '"' I ers. That many valuable suggestions , . tending to the improvement of Agri- • I culture in Newfoundland will result l'" , • • from that conference I am suprem ·eiy . - .. . . confident.

The general public, and the fisher-. . mer- p~rticularly, ~ill be deeply in- terested I am . sure in the announce­ men_ t that the Cust~ms' Duties . on Beef, Pork and Kerosene Oil are to be re-. pealed during the present session. Last yea.r, owing to the disturbed ·state of the finances of the country and the fac t that every dollar of rev­ enue was needed in order to cover ex­ pendit~re, the Government, much as the y would ha.ve· liked to.~ found it im­ possible to remit the dutie~ on these a.rticles.

No·w, however, . after some eight months of prudent ecQnomy and wise administration they happily find themselves able to remit the duties on .these commodities. which they gladly do, hoping that this action will be of material help and benefit to the fishermen of the country particularly.

The splendid · Banking institutions iii our midst, which ha;ve proven themselves true friends of the coun­ _try . in times of stress, must be treated in a f~ir and eq"Qitable manner, so tl1at the Bankip.g facilities so neces­ sary for the successful prq_secution and development of the general trade of the . country may be continued, and even enlarged and expanded. It has tl1eref ore been decided to slightly re­ d uc the taxatio · n on Banks doing bu·.si11ess in Newfou11dland, the Gov­ ernn1ent being fully satisfied after careful inquiry that the taxes as levied at the present time are excessive and unfair. ' Mr.

Speaker and hon. gentlemen of the House of Assembly, it will be learned with general relief and satis­ faction of the intention of the Govern .. inent to repeal the Income Tax Act. There is no doubt that this tax, whilst apparently fair and just at fi1.9st sight, was really and in actual fact not at all so. On the contrary, it was ~!together unsuitable to Newfoundland. it hamp- ~ ered bu&iness a.nd industry, and the peculiar circumstance-s , and conditions are such in_ this country that of ne­ ce_ssity the Act was unfair in its ad­ ministration. Our friend and esteemed citizen, Capt. A.

Kean, will now be a.ble to prosecute this season's Seal­ fishery with a mind quite happy and contented. Might I here express the sincere hope that he and all the other gallant sealing Captains may return from this year's voyage with bumper trips. May I call attention to the clos­ ing sentence of the paragraph dealing with this matter of the Income Tax

• 10 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCE '.EDINGS in the Speech fro1n the Throne, which . . reads: ''An endeavour will be made · to meet the loss to the Revenue by the practice of honesty and economy in the public expenditure." I feel that the people of Newfo ·undland will be­ lieve and realize that this is no me.re clap-trap nor empty promise, but is an honest declaration of intentio · n on the part of the Government, and o·ne which will be sincerely and con­ sistently carried out. Mr.

Speaker, the present system of distribution of seats in this House of Assembly is antiquated, unfair, cum­ bersome, and not at all in keeping with the developments and changes of recent years. The present Govern­ me.nt, with characteristic courage and disregard of party or practical poli­ tics, having in mind only the general good of the whole country, have de­ termined to bring in at this session of the House a Bill dealing with this important matter. It will divide the Island into thirty-four (34) districts returning one representative each and three districts returning two men each.

This measure has been given deep attentio ·n, and has been very carefully thought out. It will main­ tain representation of the various in­ terests a.s formerly, and will I feel sure appeal to the country as an e·m­ inently sane and long waited for im­ provement. So much for my remarks on matters mentioned in the Speech from the Throne, but before closing I would like to make just one other brief re­ ference.

I feel sure that our Hono ·ur­ able friends of the Opposition have learned with interest of, and will properly appreciate, the many im-: portant measures, carefully conceived in the best interest of the coutnry, to be introduced by the Government dur­ ing this Session, and that the.y, as true Newfoundlanders, genuinely in­ terested in the welfare and prosperity of their native land, will recognize the sincerity of the Government and will give these various measures their hearty support. The Honourable Leader of the Oppo.sition is a gentle­ man with large and varied intere ·sts in the country.

I migllt be permitted to describe him, and it is intended to be complimentary, as a business man first and a poliitcian second. I fully anticipate that the various measures introduced by the Government will appeal to his keen business . man's mind, and that they · will have his hearty support and the support of the Honou .rable gentlemen comprising the Opposition party.

Needless to say, any reasonable suggestions or construc­ tive criticism from the· Honourable the Leader of the Opposition, o· r from any Honourable Member of his Party, will be heartily welcomed by the Gov­ ernment, and I feel confident that fair comment only, and constructive criticism only, without any reversion to mere party politics, or what may be termed "gallery play," will be· fur­ nished by the Honourable Members of the Oppo·sition during the present Session.

After all, we· are all New­ foundlanders. who should be working and striving to one end, namely, the progress and happiness and pros­ perity of our native land. Mr. Speaker, there are a numbe · r of important matters referred to in the Speech from the Throne with which I have not dealt. This omission, how­ ever, is deliberate, as these particular n1atters will be referred to by the honourable gentleman who will fol­ low me in seconding the motion I ant about to make. Mr.

Speaker, I have very great pleasure in pro.posing that a Commit­ tee of this House be appointed to· draft an address in reply to the Speecl1 from the Throne. MR. W. J. B.ROWNE-Mr. Spea .ke.r, it gives n1e much pleasure this after­ noon to1 second the niotion so ably put by my 1101not1rable and learned friend who· 11as just sat down. I feel that I an1 expressing the thought of every '

HOUSE OF ASSE 1MBL Y PROCEEDINGS ii o11e here, when I compliment him on the able speech which he has given us , in propc sing the n1otio , n you have · heard. I feel Sir, that before I go. on to refer to tl1e vario ,us maters mention­ ed in the Gracious Speecl1 with whic:l1 His Excel 1lency o, p,ened the House this after110011, I shol1ld complin1ent th 1~ Hon. Prime Minister and his co 1 lleague the Ho,n. Minister of Marine and Fish­ eries on their re-electio , n for tl1e D1is­ trict of Bonav ·ista last October.

I feel sure that to have been returned with an increased majo.rity is not only an indication of the confidence the district places in tl1ese representative ,s, but is an ind 'ication o, f the feeli .ng of enco ·ur­ agement and restored confidence of the country as a whoJe. We are pleased to be able to 0 1bserve tl1at the co·untry at tl1is period of our time as a Go,rernment is very mt1ch better than it was when we first c. a.me into power. The general conditio ,ns of the co.untry l1ave been very mt1ch ame1liorated.

Not only have politica.l conditio ·ns become stab.ili ,sed but co·m­ merc:al conditions also seem to be go­ ing back to 11ormal. And His Excel­ lency was right i11 stating that we are 11ovv meeting unde · r mo·re prosperous circumstances tl1an when we 1ast pro· ­ ro·gued. This prosperity is due to many things. I am not going to mi11i­ mise the effect \Vhicl1 that great in­ dt1stry recently established on the Humber 11as1 had on the general pro·s­ perity of the cou11try.

The Humber has giv2n employment to several thous­ ands of me11 and it would be absurd to attempt to take away from that indus­ try the many benefits it has conferred. And not only have there been direct benefits to the workmen engaged bl1t tl1ere were indirect benefits, because this money put into circulation made the whee ,Js of industry and commerce move. It is likely that an industry of a similar kind on the Gander River may be organised during tl1e coming year. It is a matte · r for profound ho·pe.

If we had industries O·f this kind, and the n1ore the better, we should be able to pro·vide against the bad years whe11 the fishery fails. The West Coast is benefitting vE·ry la.rg·ely from these in­ dustries and I trust that the hon. memter for the district of St. George's is encouraging the people of that local­ ity in the deveJo .pment o.f their agri­ cultural possibilities. Honourable members who are ac- quainted vv·ith 1tl1e- history of our co·u11- try will ren1ember ho·vV long and ho·'v troublesome tl1e dispute regarding 01ur fisl1ery rights has been. It is now a re.lie o, f tl1e past ages.

B.ut the award of the Ha,gue Arbitration o.f 1910 ended it forever. But as most Ho·n. Mem­ bers must remem .ber there were so·me minor matters to be settled which we,re not S ·ettled due to· the interven­ tion of tl1e war.

Fo· r exa.mple one im­ portant matter was the fact that be­ cause of the interference of the A1ner­ ica . n Senate in not passing the Bo·nd­ Hay Treaty of . 1902 the Legislature of Newfc1111dland introduced a, me•as­ ure which to, o· k aw·ay from America11 fisl1ing ve3SP1S certain privile ·ges wl1·icl1 they had enjo 1yed t1nder the famous "modus vivendi." That ' measure was the Fo.reign Fishing Vessels Act of 1905. Tl1e enforce1n ·ent against Amer­ ica's Bait Act to. o· k away many · other privileges wl1ich they h.ad previo .usly (;·njoyed.

As in botl1 cases wrong wia,s do,ne and. as tl1e Hague award adm·it­ ted ce·rtain rights which were take · n away by this measure it was 0 1nly fair and Just that the A1neric .ans should rece ·ive so·n1e com1)e11sation for what they l1ad ·lost in the 'interval from 1905 . " to, the Hague award of 1910. It is, very gratifying to kno'v that this , matter vvill be adjusted this year. Our Go,vernment has recently clo~s­ ed an order for the building of a ne·;,v steamer in Hol 'land. · T'he co.J:1structio· n is well u11der way, and it will so, o· n be in ooeration on the Port au.x Basques­ Sydney route.

Some members o· f the Oppositio ·1i may be surprised that this o·rder ·was placed in Ho1lland but I I

• • 12 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS may assure them that this was the only course open to the Government a nd as the Speech from the Throne points . out, the prices in the Old Coun­ try were pro·hib-itive. Besides , there was no sort of gu.arantee from firms in the Old Country as to what time tl1e order would be co·mpleted, be­ ca11se of hig·h w1 a.ges and other indus­ trial troub-le8.

The people of New­ fo1J11dland mt1st not feel that we ara unpatriotic in doing that because a gre·at deal of the capital and manage­ ment o.f the· company, which has thij order, is British, and many British stean1ship firms operati11g in Britai11 have pla.ced orders w·ith the sa1ne co·n1- pany. This bEi11g so, it would be very unfair if ttnyl1ody were to· suggest that the G·overnn1ent has done 'vrong in giving consideration to these very im­ portant matters . The matter of unemployment is o·ne which is not unknown in this country.

Fortunately, because of our small po,p­ ulatio ·n, we are not ca1led upon · to face the tremendous difficu ·ltie.s which a.rise els .ewhe-re. Howe,~ er, we, H.on. Mem­ bers, who are representatives for the City, have so·me problems which are not experienced by Hon. Members fo· r the o·utp·orts a,nd it has been a n1atter of great co·ncern not only to my col­ leagues and myself but also to· tl1e Ex­ ecutive Go·vernment and we have given • the matter a g·reat deal of thought.

After consultation with the representa- tives of the la.rgest unions in this co.un­ try we have come to the co·nc'lusio · n that the expe11diture of large sums o.f . monies o· n relief works of the same nature as have been in operation in previous years would be ill-advised and t1nsatisfactory. We have co·me to the conclusion that in case of necessity the Government will step ·in and see to it that nobody W · iill be in danger of a.ny hardship or privation. We fee~ l that the results wi'll justify what we hav· e done and pro·ve our decisio · n to be in the best interests of the people.

We feel, too, - that in a short time work • will be started in St. John's which will adequately provide employment for tl1e .w.orking1nen a11d also put them in a pos:ition to obtain permanent em­ ployment and ena.ble them to provide amply for the next winter. This is 11ot the first year that there has been unemployn1ent. Unemployment seems to be a matter o· f continual recurrence. It is apparently a p. ermanent social problem defying solution and it is a surp.rise to· me that in former years more thought was not given to preven­ tative measures rather than relief.

The Government has appo-inted a committee to investigate tl1e Charit­ able Institt1tions. And they have dis­ covered ma11}· discrepancies. They 11ave been veritable gentlemen witl1 dusters. There have be e11 many im­ proper practices in tl1ese institutio ·ns and the depa.rtment of the Govern­ ment with which tl1ey are connected. These were largely due, I think, to the excess of human nature. Many of the hon. members of this House repre- sent outpo-rt districts, and when their constitue,;nts come to them in times of stress the hon. members do most gen­ ero.usly by them.

T'hP- result is that peop1le- of all conditions are crow ·ding the bo1arding houses of the city wait­ ing to· get into the ho·sptta il. Th.is condition o· f affa:irs is into 1lerable, as it prevents any proper control or arl­ ministratio ·n. By th.a appo .intment of tl1is co·mmission, a11d by the kn·owledge which they have received in their in­ vestigation we trust tl1at this condi­ tion which has ben so much in evid­ ence will be eliminated in the Public Charities Department and the vario11s institutions connected with it.

The Government is deserving o:f co·n­ gratulations for the raising of the recent lo1an ,,·hich was authorised by this House 11,ast )·ear. The Govern­ ment did we1ll in not rushi11g to· raise this loan and waiting · un.til six months when they were a.ble to point to a good half years operation. It may not be uninteresting for hon. mem-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 13 bers of tl1is Ho,use to know a few fig­ ures in con11ectio · n witl1 the working of tl1e Finance and Custo ·ms, for tl1e six montl1s ending Dec. 31st, 1924, and to take the revenue for tl1is perio , d in co111parison 'vith tl1at of otl1er s'imilar perio ·ds. It exceeded the revenue ot tl1e year of 1922-23 by $363, 735.00 wl1i 1 lst tl1e decrease in expe11diture for the sa1ne per5,od as con1pared witl1 tl1e 1922-23 was $808,946 making a total savings o· n current account of $1,172,- 682.

And now we will take last ye::lr wl1en perhaps the Government in power acted a dittle n1ore wisely tl1a11 tl1e previo ·us Gover111nent. The Reve11- ue foT the current year over 1923-24 sl10\VS an 'increase o.f $640,764.00 wl1ile tl1e decrease 'in expenditure over tl1e same period is $790,623.31, a. total sav­ ings over 1923-24 of $1,431,388--a sav­ ing of al1nost one a.nd a half nli'llio11s of dollars. I th·ink tl1at the Hon. Min­ ister of Finance a11d Customs is justly deserving o.f tl1e 11igl1est congratula­ tions on tl1e work wl1icl1 11e l1as doJ1e jn 11is present capacity.

Anotl1er ite111 i11 tl1e speecl1 fro111 tl1e tl1ro,ne refers to stiJ 1 l another practice of past Gover11ments, tl1at of exceedi11g tl1e am.011n ts voted in this House. That is a very incorrect pro­ cedure, Mr. Sp,eaker. Wl1en this Ho11se votes a certain a111oun.t after careful consideration it is wrong that so1ne otficial of tl1e Go,rern1nent shoul<l take it upon 11i111self, or even a.ny com- 111ittee oif tl1e Gover11111ent, take it up­ on itself, to exceed votes of tl1is nat- 11re by a.ny large a111ount.

Someti1110s in an e1nerge ·ncy tit is impossible to avoid do-ing tl1is e11tirely but tl1ere 11ave been occasions when votes 11a~v-0.­ been exceeded to the extent of one and a 11alf n1i1li.011 do· l1lars ! I am sure tl1at tl1is Government 'intends to abanclo!l practices of tl1at kind and to be able witl1 careful estimation to have n1. .. necess.ity of exceedj11g tl1e a111ount Wh·icl1 will be voted by tl1is Ho11se. Another matter of importance to t11B people o· f th:is country and particularly to the fishermen is that referring to the granting of a bounty for repairs o· f sl1ips.

T;here has been for a nu1n­ ber of years a bounty for sl1ipbuild­ ing in tl1is country and it was granted at a time when the comparative cost of building a vessel was [ow. During tl1e war p·rices incre 1ased and since tl1en they 11ave not gone down so very n1uch that it is possible · to pay ow11- ers for the great expense which it is necessary to undergo. However, tl1e Ho·n. Members of tl1e Oppositio · n are well acquainted with tl1is mat­ ter.

To· 11elp out the fisl1eries and to 11elp those engaged in tl1~ shi i,pbuild­ ing, this n1easure is to be intro- duced im111ediately and give the bounty foT the rep.airs to vessels. It 'viii also encourage a larger num- ber of vessels to1 take

part in the fish­ eries and will ' give emplo ·yment to tl1at large body of tradesmen knovi.rn as sl1ipwrigJ1t1-1. Tl1e Dry Dock is one of tl1e pul>lii1 c 'vorks on which employment will be given as soon as the weather conditions 'viili l warrent. Tl1ere was a vot.-J for tl1is work in the loan resolutions of last year of fifty thousand dollars. · I was not sa.nguine of the adequacy of tl1at amount but one 11f the J1011our·· able and gallant members went · eve11 so far as to suggest tl1at th~ amount ''":ts tl1ree times as great as n eces­ ::,ary. I sa:y. t~1at liv ·~n~ in St. Jnh~J.- . :!

West as I was, I 11ad no illusions about tl1e amount necessary to spend on this utility before it couild be pt1t i11 proper sh.ape. Tl1e Dock has been in need of re­ pair for a considerable number of years, and if we are goi11g to take any steps . to furnish the Dry Dock to ac­ commodate vessels tl1at become disabled in mid-stream, we must be prepared to spend a large amount of inoney on repairs; and I consider it will be money well spent. Another feature o. f the Govern- 1nent's programme, which has been forecasted at a previous session of the •

.. 14 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS House, is the policy of encouraging tourist traffic, A large amo·unt of money was voted f.or the opening UP· of roada to encourage tourist tra:fhc to come here. I co·nsider that this is a. policy which will soon justify itself, and assist very considerably in in­ creasing our revenue. Honourable members who are familiar with con­ dition.s in the neighbouring provinces of Canada will know what a ver}r large revenue can come from tourist traffic.

Honourable members who are acquainted with the provinces of Can­ ada, for example. the Province of British Columbia. know what an in­ credibly large amount of rever1ue · comes into the province . through the medium of tourist traffic. I consirler that we are going the right 'vay about carrying out that policy by tl1e establishment o.f a Highroads Co1n­ rp.ission under the chalrma .nship of the Government Engineer. Under thic; system the· hitherto · sporadic methods of road building will cease, and we will now have a better system under which we will have good road build­ ing, an:d good road repairing.

Under the old system, one part of the, coun­ try did not know what the other part wa· a doing, and there was not one per­ son who had devised or planned any general scheme of con11ected con­ struction or repair of our roads. In connection with the road scheme propagated by the Go·vernment there will be a revision of the motor laws. That is a matter which I think re­ quired consideration long before this. Tho·se who are familiar with the Courts of Justice in this country will know that in places outside St.

John's there does not have to be any registra­ tion of moto · r cars, unless the owners brought those cars into St. John .'s. It v.ra.s quite a common occurrence to see a motor car going around in the city without any registration number. It was an anomaly, too, that a man who wished to drive a motor car in Har­ bour Grace would have to . come to St. John's and pass an examination be­ fore the Inspector General before he would be permitted to drive it. That is an anomaly which I trust · will be cleared up by this legislation.

I trust alao that if we are going to bring our laws into conformity with the laws of Canada and the United States, we will make it the rule of the road to go, to the rigl1t, and I am sure that those Honourable Members on the other side who· are familiar with the work­ ings of the Road Commission will recognize that that . is an important introduction. Another matter of local Government is co·ntained in the aecond last para­ graph of His Excellency's gracious Speech from the Throne in regard to the distribution of municipalities. This is a very interesting, if new, feature.

I do not know if there has been any demand made fo. r this, but it is quite eaay to see. the benefits that will flow from tl1e incorporation of munici­ palities. and it is obvious that the·re are many peculiar conditions existing 11ow as a result o· f the failure to do this in the past. The large towns of tl1is country would 11ave a greater civic pride if they had their o·wn little organizations, and there would be a greater de.sire among the people to stay in tl1eir ho.me town, instead of abandoning the homes of their fathers to come into the city.

I am looking forward with hope to the development O · f this new institution in this coun­ try, and I trust that ere long Grand ·Falls, Carbonear. Harbour Grace, an·d other communities of similar size that would warrant the intrdouction of municipalitiea. will be incorporated, and I look forward to seeing therµ forming the proper community spirit, and vieing with St. John's in its many activities. Mr. Speaker, before concluding I should like to remark what I think will be the o·pinion of many of the . Honourable Members present, that the Speech from the Throne this year •

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 15 is brighter than usual; and I think it will be admitted that it is very com­ prehensive, and has no frivolous mat­ ter introduced in it. I think I can say with confidence that this Session now opening will be one of the most im. ­ portan t ses·sions of this, Assembly. This session, I consier, with. all its important legislation will be an his­ toric session.

The Legislation that is to be introduce! appears to be of paramount importance. and it is a great honour to me to be here · to-day to share in it, and I a. m grateful for the honour that I have to-day to be permitte.d to second this resolution that is now before the Chair-that a motion be passed fo. r the formation of a Committee to draft a reply to the gracious ·speech which we havei he·ard to-day from His Excellency the Gov­ ernor at the opening of this sessio ·n. MR. HICKMAN-Mr. Speaker, I de­ sire to1 c.ongratu .late Mr.

C'ahi1Il, the nlover of the Address in reply to the Spe-ecl1 fro111 tl1e Tl1rone, with which His Excellency the Governor has opened tl1e p-resent Session of the Leg­ islature. Mr. Cahill is as yet but a politica 1 l boy_ , but I have no doubt that he 11as a future before l1i1n in politica. I also congratulate Mr. Browne, the member for St. John's West, on his exceJle11t address in seconding tl1e inotion in re.ference to the Speech from tl1e Throne. Tbe Speech fro- m the Tl1rone con­ ta:Ls a great many things. There ~s scarcely anything that it does not contain.

T11e 011ly thi11g that I am sur­ prised to find is that it do1es i1ot con­ tr..in any reference- to the recent Pclipse of the sun. For those who· are not familiar with the proceedings of the House of .... ~s­ sembly, and are attending here no\V for the arst time, I migl1t say that sucl1 a spee,ch as this is written by the Go,vernment to boost up tl1eir cause. It is not written by the Gov­ ernor, but by the· Government, and placed in tl1e hands of His Excellency to read, an. d "\\,.l1ate·ver tl1ey put i~ tl1at spe Ech !-Iis Excellency 11as to .. rea\}.

Theref 0 1re the) 7 try to bo1ster up thHir cause , by tl1e Speecl1 from the Tl1rone · . You inust not believe everythip.g you hea ,r, and not believe l1alf you see. If you were to· take seriously everything tl1at is contained in that ~peech, I am sure that you would see a great de::il of good in Newfoundland for the fu~­ ure. But tl1is speecl1 l1as yet to be P· Ul ! ~fd to pieces by the men1bers of tl1e Opposition. The first opportunity the members of tl1e OppotSitio11 have to see or I1e,ar that spee-cl1 is wl1en it is read by His Excellency in the Council.

The Gov- ernment n1e1nbers see it and hear it, l ut the memters of the Opposition do not 11ave that privilege-. They have to wa'it until the speech has been read, a,nd thf11 tbey have to give tl1e.ir com­ ments on it. Tl1ere a.re a great rr1any subject3 co1ntained 1in th·is Speecl1 \Vhich can b· e critj_cized, but taking tl1is speech as it is before ine now and going down tl1ro·ugl1 it, I wil'l onJy be able to touch on certa :in matters, as I do· not · .. no· w \Vant to delay thH House. Lat.er we \vi1ll be a.ble to disc11ss tl1e Speecl1 in full.

One matter l1ere whicl1 l1as b re11 very mucl1 stressed by tl1e two1 ge11tle­ men wl10 spo1ke and is als- o very prom­ inent in tl1e Speeich from the Thro ·ne is the ccntr . a.ct fo1 r the new steamer wl1ich has been placed in Ho1lla.nd. Tl1ose who 11ave listened to the speeches made have seen a111rl l1ea.rd 11o· w the speakers 11ave stressed tl1at poiint, and ha.ve so·ugl1t to excl1se the placing .of that contract in Holla .nd, \Vhere it w~ll be carried ot1t and con­ structe · d by i1ro·bably 11alf Germans. The excuse given is the saving. I doubt very rriuch if there ts any sav­ -jng.

We have been told · to-da , y in the speecl1 tl1at tl1e loan has bee11 p1laced in England because- t11e Tra.de1 Facili­ ties Bo1ard will pa, y some of the inter­ est on the lo,an.. If tl1e Trade Fa,cili-

• • 16 HOUSE OF ASSmMBLY PROCEEDINGS ties Board is prepared to pa. y the in­ terest on the 1 loan , tl1at sa1ne Bo· a.rd would no dou.bt be prepared to pay the' interest on tl1e cost of construct­ i11g tl1e ship in England, and tl1at sav­ ing would be very mucl1 more than the . s·aving we are now 1led to bel1ieve the Govern1nent 11as 1nade on tJ1at con­ tract. In reference to tl1e Profits . Tax and Income Tax whicl1 the Government proposes re1novi11g- tl1is no1 do·ubt is a good mo·ve on tl1e l)art of the Go· v·ern­ ment, and it is - a depart111ent tl1at sl1ould be abolisl1ed in the interests of trade.

It is a pity tl1at tl1e Gov­ ernment tl1o·ught fit to 111ake an at­ tack on Sir Edgar Bowring through tl1e c ·ourts, and took all so·rt of trouble to collect from him income tax on money on wl1icl1 he 11ad alrea .dy paid income ta. x in England. Sir Edgal" Bowring is a pl1ilanthropist of great wealth, of wl1icl1 11e 11as given to thi;; country liberally, and 11e is now dri v­ en fron1 l1is 11ome, a11d forced to re­ sig11 11is seat in tl1e Legislative Coun­ cil. He is a inan, as I say, o.f great wealtl1, and r10 doubt he intended i11 the future to Jeave large legacies to tl1e country in wl1icl1 11e was born.

Tl1is 1nan is paraded througl1 the Courts in St. J ol1n's. He J1as been co1r1p·el1ed to resig11 11is seat in the Upper House, and 11e 11as. given in­ structio ·ns to 11is agent to sell his 11ouse in To1psail. He 1 kept 11is house at Topsail, a11d en1ployed a few ser­ vants to take care of it for him, and tl1a.t is wl1y 11P- is 111ade subject to this income · tax, 3nd is compelled to pay it. Tl1erefore I sa)r it is very regrettable tl1at -a man who is so important and has such · extensive interests here should have : been so badly treated in his own country.

One of the speakers l1as stated that the Gove.rnment pro­ poses to reduce the taxes on the Banks. I do not know what these taxes are, but I know from tl1e finan­ cial papers published in Montreal that all the Banks whicl1 have branch- es here pay 16 per cent. on the money invested. Therefore . , l · think they ought to be able to -pay a little here. I am not able to give particulars . of tl1is matter just now, but hope to be able to do so later. The Honorable 1\iiember for St. John's ·West. Mr. Browne, has -stressed the point of · the Government having saved 1% mil­ lions since tl1ey came into existence.

If they have saved this sum, why are there so many hungry people walking the streets to-day? Why have they not found some means of employment for them? There are many things that might have been taken up to give these people help. Those who are . getting tl1e dole. are driven only by necessity , to accept it. The dole was never in­ tended for any but the ·halt, the lame and the blind, and not those who are willing to work. If you boast of the saving of 1 lh millions, why don't you help out those who do not wish to a.p­ ply to tl1e Charities Department for tl1e dole.

We have yet · to find out · wl1cre tl1e· saving of revenue coines in and to discover what .the savjng will be after the salaries of the increased · number of officials appointed in the various departme ·nts since the Gov­ ernment got in have been paid. It is common knowledge that there have been many increases made and that departments are overmanned. It has also come before my notice during the · last few months that many ·dismissals 11ave been made of men 'who have given long years of service to the Government. I know of one· man. in .

Harbour Grace District with 15 years,. service who has been dismissed, but I do not know what side he vote · d on. Last year shortly before the closing of tl1e House 'the Hon. tl1e Prime Min­ ister promised that no man · would be - dismissed unless he took an active part on some particular side. Now, Mr. Speaker, in reference to· the Tour­ ist Traffic. I think . the most import­ ant step is the buildlng of an up-to ­ date hotel. No tourists will come · to •

HOUSE· ··o·F ASSEMBLY P.ROCEEDINGS · 17 - . . Newfoun .dland · unless tl1ey -- have some · place to. stop at. The provinces · of Britisl1 · Columbia and ·· Quebec, the revenues of wl1ich we have heard so much of this afternoon, are plentiful­ ly ·, supplied · with hotels. and that must be our beginning here. Before we waste any mone . y on roads o· r r·eg- voted for i11e, but by thP -eorresponfl.., e11ce I have received , I take it I -re­ present a11 independent body ·- of o,pin­ ion outside the House.

The man who votes fo. r a party 'is not alw1ays a hide­ bound politician and sometimes · he 11as an independent nlind and lik.es to 11a.ve 11is _opinions aired in the Hous8, ulations for auto traffic -it is neces- even if by a n1an not bound to eith~r . sary ·to have -accommodation ·for · the · side. Therefore I speak for the man people who· -will come here. I notice too, ··Mr. Speaker, that there is notl1ing in tl1e Speech from the Throne · in re­ ference to the Railway. Last year we suggested that the · estimates of the Railway be included with the others.

In ·reply the Hon. the Prime Minister said it would be ve·ry difficult to do this as it would be hard to know what the profits of .the . Railway would be from one time to another. The same applies to some · other departments. We must insist on having .this infor­ mation this year before the Estimates are passed.

All the people engaged ort the railway are civil servants and we must have .these estimates to preve ·nt the railway becom .ing · a · dumping ground -and also ·to see what additions and changes to the staff are made. · Our duty, as - an Opposition, · is to know ' exactly -- l1ow ·the railway · is conduct...; ed. and to -safeguard - it for the ·people · we represent. ,:, Tl1ere _. are many other subjects, -Mr. -Speaker~ I might dwell ·! . on now; but I -do · not wish to cause de- lay and will reserve · comment till a later date when the House · meets ag_ain. · MR. WAR.REN-JVIr . .

Speaker, as a rule it is us11al fo1r the leader of eacl1 party to :· take

part in tl1e fotmal pro· -, ceedings. : conriected :"1-it11· the ·· opening " of tl1e ~ot1se, ·and, · rrtb·dest a.s I am, I cannot forget that I .am the leader •.'f a party: It · ·is true the ·party is . i1ot so stro·ng in numbers as those I see around r.ae, but this I can co·ngratu­ late myself. o·n; my party went to tl1e constituencjes and ca1ne back 100 per cent. : strong. I not ·011ly take it, M1·. · Speak.¢!', ·. tl1at.· 1 represent those wl10 'Jn tl1e street who as lie sees affairs ·· inove a.long finds there are · certain questions he v1ould like to ask. .

While I do i1ot to-da . y vvisl1 to· cr1iticize I wou1d like to poi11t out tl1at tl1ere are some reflections · tl1at hav· e ·o·ccurred to · tl1e "man in tl1e street." I "\\rould lika · Mr. Spea.l{er, to add my co·ngratula­ tions to, tho·se of the Hon. Leader o· f the Opposition to tl1e gentlemen who so ably ·moved r.nd se·conded tl1e Reply to the Speech fro1n tl1e Throne. I thank go· o·dness that I was saved the 01rdeal but t.l1e Hon. the Prime Minister ma.de no mistake in le·aving it in the hands o- f these gentlemen. Mr . .

Cahil 1l-I was going to say is not young in years -is young in politics, and I hope he will long be spared to do honor to this · · House. Mr. Browne has already won a reputation as an orator and he well sustained it by his effort here this evening. I know the ordeal of speak­ ing from a set text, as I have had the . experience, tut we on this side make our own text . . I also join in congratu­ lating the Hon. the Prime Minister and the Minister of Marine and .Fisheries on their victory in the bye-election in Bo11avista Bay. They found a doughty opponent, but defeated him, and are . worthy of congratulation.

Those who were present at the ceremonies in the Upper House must ha~re noticed three new faces, and three newly filled chairs there. I saw Mr. Fred Alder­ dice, Dr. J. A. Robinson and Mr. C. P. Ayre i- n the seats of the mighty for tl1e first tin1e, and I want to congratu­ late the Government on the appoint-. inent of tl1ese gentlemen. Mr ..... .\.lder­ dice "vill prove a Vftlµable fl,ddition to

• 18 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS the Upper House, he is very well known in the mercantile world, and I am especially interested in the other two menibers of the Legislative Coun­ cil, as I offered them the seats, when I was Prime Minister but was not able to ·bring it to fruitition. I n·ot only congratulate them but the Hon. the Prime Minister on their appointment to positions in our legislative halls. Now, Mr.

Speaker, referring to the "man in the street" and thinking par­ ticularly of the "man in the street'" on the West Coast, we must remember the disaster which recently overtook that West Coast and I am going to re­ fer to it briefly, not so much as it af­ fects my district as the one next it, but to point out that the appeal for assistance of the people affected has not met with the assistance that it should have. We have heard this af­ terno ·on a lot about unemployment and the Government devoting 1 lh millions towards relief and I understand they are giving out a dole.

Now let me point out to this House that those men who lost their lives in that West Coast disaster a few weeks ago never looked for any dole. They did not want any portion of that mil­ lion and a half dollars. They go out in their l oats in all sorts of weather and at all times of the year. They go and pull fish from the sea when t11e spray freezes lefore it hits their faces, and, in pursuance of that, they carry on their work without asking the Gov­ ernment for a cent to go to the women and children who are left without hus- 1 ands and fathers.

A fund was start­ ed here by the "Evening "relegram," and I am sorry to say that if a man had his house l1urned down or had lost a horse he would get a better re­ sponse than this appeal for these West Coast people has met with. I have no newspaper to advertise in, and, as this is the only place I can assert myself, I want those within sound of my voice to try and do something. To say that only foµr or five hundred dollars is all that is contrituted for this deserv­ ing cause is a positive disgrace to us all.

I do not appeal to the Government for help; but to private individuals, and I hope that the fund will be swell­ ed by what I have said here this af­ ternoon. The gentleman who proposed the Motion for the Address in Reply, Mr.

Cahill, stated that the present Govern- 1nent ha,d not faltered in any shape or form in carrying out the policy for which it was elected, and he said that it had a slogan of ''Clean up, keep clean, and a square deal to all." It will l·e within the recollection of ev­ eryl ody in this community that we have l een for the past eighteen months indulging in some political fireworks and it cannot le denied that in these political fireworks I had a little to do It is, therefore, quite clear to you, Sir, that I must take some personal inter­ est · in the matter of 'that slogan of "Clean up, lreep clean, arid a square deal to all." I was rather amused I must admit when my learned friend picked out the three departments in which this slogan had l een carried into effect and how strangely he took them in order fro1n the left of the Prime Minister; I saw the modest blushes of the .Minister of Finance, the Minister of Posts and Telegraphs and the Minister of Agriculture and Mines, as the proposer referred to them.

I am not in the same position as Mr. Cal1ill 'vas and I do not kno'v exactly 'vhat policy of "Clean up, keep clean, a11d a square deal to all" the Honour­ able Ministers 11ave indulged ·in; l.ut perhaps, now that the Minister of Fin­ a11ce has the assistance of l\tlr. Jam es Gladney in his department, that I hope and trust things will go on alright. I do not say this in any disparaging spirit of Mr. Gladney. He is a person­ al friend of mine and I was delighted to lrnow that his al.le assistance was at the leek .and call of the Minister. The department of Posts and Tele­ graphs, I know from ex:pe"J;i~n.ce, i~ •

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 19 one that calls for thorough investiga­ tion and if there is any department that needs a duster that is the depart- 111ent. I know of no better wielder of the duster than the Hon. Mr. Wood­ ford. As a reformer he stands pre­ eminent and I am glad to see that he is following in the steps of his pre­ decessor. The late Government, of ,vhich, for a few months, I was the Leader, had already become a ware of the fact that the Postal Department was not all that it should be and we had already instituted some reforms there.

We had suspicions that things were not altogether right there and 've had, as some members of the pre­ sent Government know, put that de­ partment down as one to be investigat­ ed and enquired into by an independ­ ent outside Tribunal, and as far as I can see those steps taken by the late Government have been cancelled and the services of Colonel Ross have l' een invoked, ·but more with regard to the efficiency of the Posts and Tele­ graphs system rather than exposing to the public view and the public sight those who were not doing their work, as it was alleged to the Government at the time that matters were not go­ ing on as they might have and should have.

I do riot say that any officials 'vere personally liable for the conduct of the department, l·ut they were li­ able for some of their actions there. The Department of Agriculture and l\1ines is taking steps to obtain from farmers son1e idea of a National Agri­ cultural policy. In that my friend the Minister is following the footsteps of Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Wood in Eng­ land; but I want to point out to the Mi11ister that he must go farther than the farn1ers in and around St. John's to help him establish th:;it policy. The farmers in St. John's have a limited market here.

They have their own methods and, I am sure, they cannot advise 1nen in their garden in the out­ ports and I hope that the Minister \Vill take into his confidence those out- port folks who are trying to farm and trying to grow vegetables and other products referred to by the member for Hr . . Main and obtain some advice from them. The Leader of the Opposition stated that the Speech from the Throne con­ tained pretty well everything except a reference to the eclipse of the sun.

I inight say that the Speech was remarkable for two reasons, firstly, for its great length and secondly be­ cause it was so radical, and, as far as I am concerned, the proposed legis­ lation which is foreshadowed in the latter part of the Speech, I am sure, will meet with the approval of every man on the street. I started to talk a few minutes ago about the slogan of the Government Party and I want to say that it is not in keeping with the slogan they went to the country on. I do not ask the Government to do anything.

I only say this that the man on the street wan ts to know-and if he does not know now he wants to known later on-why the Commission of enquiry inaugurated by the late Government of which I happened to ,be Leader was cancelled and why investigations into various departments that were out­ lined in reports to the Governments have not been proceeded with. I do not say this personally; but I cannot help remembering what happened a little less than a year ag. o when Mr. Cramm, the honourable member for Bay de Verde, got up and proposed a vote of want of confidence. He said nothing against the then Government.

What he said was against me. He said tl1at I only carried on the investi­ gations sufficiently to get my own leader. If that is true, what has been done l y the present Government of which the same Mr. Cramm is an Executive member; if it was not true tr. ere was no justification for saying it and no justification for the Govern- 1nent joining him to carry out that vote of want of confidence. Now as

• 20 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS far as my connection with the Squires Government is concerned, I say this, that, at all events, whatever the short­ comings of that Government were, I do not think that any Government put their cards on the table and subjected themselves to exposure as that Gov­ ernment did. I say nothing of in­ dividual members of that Governme11t, but I talk of that Government as a Government.

I am also reminded that during the S 1 quires ad1ninistration a Royal Com­ mission was appointed to carry on what is known as the "Woodford Af­ fidavit Enquiry." That enquiry was proceecled witl1 without any undue de­ lay. Later on Sir William Coaker was accused of something wrong about Government salt and a Royal Commis­ sion of Enquiry dealt with tl1e matter. St1bsequently charges were made against other members of that Govern­ ment and proceeded with. Take the- Auditor General's Depar t- 1nent.

It is apparent to anybody arid it : ~ s to· the i11an on tl1e street tl1at thousands of do,llars 11ave disappear­ ed fron1 tl1e public cl1est. I say noth­ i11g of the officia.Js . Tl1e Auditor Gen­ eral is a perfectly capable inan. But tl1ere is something wrong witl1 the system by wl1icl1 tl1ousands 0 1f do1llars d·isappear, 2-Pf'".rentJy w~thout an3r­ bo· d~f knowing. I ho·pe tl1e Goverr1- 1ne1;t will, at an early stage, engage the service-s of s ome expert cl1artered accountant ,to try and put our sys­ t€:n1 r igl1t.

N O\V tl1e Leader of tl1e Oppo .sibion l1as referred to tl1e que ~:;­ tion o· f inco ·n1e tax, in wl1icl1 Sir Erl­ gar Bowri11g w1a.s involved. I only ref er to jt cas ually fo-r a partic11 J .ar rea so n. In a ce·rtai11 s e11se tl1e late Gov er nn1e11t was responsib.le for the n o11-cc.Jleetion of that, and tl1us it has been made es pec i:ally 11ard on Sir Ed­ gar.

I do not purpo ·se to debate tl1e case, bt1t I \Vant to1 say this, when I vvas Min· ister of Justice I did not th:nk it was eitl1er legally or rnorally rigl1t to co1llect the income tax from a ... t . • . • • 111a11 wl1om the Governme11t ~1ad ap­ pointed High Commissioner and who, by tl1e terms of 11is commissio11, had to live in Lo11do·n. We did not collect the tax. Tl1e result was that it went on for a certajn nu1nber of years, and in the end Sir Edgar \Vas st1ed fo· r quite a . large a1nount.

My point is this, that wruetl1er tl1e Governmre1t was r·ight or wrong in not co1llecting the tax, if Sir Edgar 11ad known in tb c first place tl1at 11e was liable fo· r tl1·:3 tax, he would 11ave rid 11i111self o.f tl1 :~ liability then as no\V. I point tl1at out to· tl1e Gove·rnn1ent for their co1n­ sicleratiou. I would like to re.fer to· one oitl1er point, Sir, a11d that is ra >>·­ ed by tl1e learned nlember for St. Jol1n's West, Mr. Bro""rne.

He 11as referred to the large rev·enue wl1icl1 tl1e Government 11as coillected and to tl1e fact tl1at at tl1e. end of tl1e present year we sl1a11 11ave a surplus of rev­ enue over expenditure. I would like to po·int out, Sir, that with the exception of tl1e duties tl1at are now to be taken off, tl1e Re·ven1ie Act is the sa1ne as tl1at proposed by tl1e• late Governm .ent. Tl1e p-resent Government was appointed to office in June, 1924, and at lea st 80 p Jr cen t. of tl1e esr,imates were tl1oso o.f tl1e late Governn1ent.

Tl1e present Gov­ ernment 11as been in office for 7 or ~~ nlonths and so has e11jo·yed the ben 9 - fits of a policy wbJcl1 \Vas p11r:::ued by its predecessor. They w: ll l1ave a cl1ance tl1is year to bring in tb e ~ r OWil estimates. I 11a,-e a 11a7y id ea tl1at tl1cse es t:mat es are not goin g to he as low as those passed last year. Tl1ey are 11ot goJ.ng to, do· away witl1 tl1e AX­ tra an1ount being paid to officials l y a Minute of Co·uncil; but they are go ­ ing to provide for tl1en1 by passing · tl1en1 forn1a .lly tl1ro11gl1 tl1is Ho11se.

I n1ay say tl1at I am amused at tl1e fe\v vvo·rds in the Speech from tl1e- Tl1ronA, refrrring to the irregular order is­ s11ed .Jast year in t a king off t11e duf::es now taken off. I have already spoken of jt in the Ho~~~~ ! <:lE1E?ire to· m.en-

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 21 tion it again. It w'ill be recalled that las t year there vras some agitation to get the people to go to the fisl1er­ ies during 1924. There were various a rticles sig11ed l)y the constituents of the Pri1ne i\Iinister. 1\ir. Winsor ask­ i11g for a bounty o, n fish or the reduc­ tion of dutie:3 on articles the. fisl"er- 1 nen were s1tpplierl \Vitl1. I cal1led tl1e inerchants tc·t!·et h~'r and asked their • I opinions, a11d upon consJd~ratior1 ev­ entually it was decided not to collect the duties on pork, beef, kero, gaso- le ne, etc.

That 'vas .done purely be­ cause we. wanted to, get tl1e fishermc11 fishing. 'fhe House did not open until Apri· l and we wanted it settled as quickly as. po·ssible, so an order was passed. It w.as not 'vrong; the Speech from the T'hro ·ne contained a state­ ment that we were going to· take thei duties a.ff for that particuilar reason. The mere fact that it was irregular did not p~event the fishermen getting the benefit of it. One hea.rs a Jot of politica.I rumours these days.

The man jn tl1e street has had eno·ugh of electio ·ns and cabinet-making for so·me while. w · e want tranquil 1 ity, 've wa11t political peace and we· want to get do.wn to· business. A good stable Gov­ eirnment J1as been put in office and the nTan in the Btreet desires that Gov­ ernment to rema ,in stable, to, pay no· attention to rumo ,urs but to carry on fo· r tl1e bene,fit of the people o.f tl1e co·untry who are first to be thought oif. HON. TH.

E PRIME MINISTER - It has teen a com1non practice in years gone by on this day o.f the. opening of the House, whe11 the proposer anrl se1co1nder of the motion for the Ad­ dress in Rep1y l1ave spoken and when th e le1 ad~rs of the opposition parties ha ve had someth~ng to say, it has been us ual fo· r the Prime Minister to, rise to his feet and, metaphorically speak­ ing, pat those budding statesmen 011 tl1e, back, te,11 them their speeches were excellent, and predict for them a very bright future. Mr. Speake1--, it is not necessary for me to take any such co·urse. In Mr. Cahill a.nd in Mr.

Browne . , yo. u h·ave two· men with ex­ perience .of parlia .mentary practice as long and ·with a knowledge of consti­ tutional law as profound as that of the very Prime Minister hi1nse~f. I have not counted the nun1ber of years these gentlemen and i11yself ha.ve bee11 in politics together. During twenty or twenty-five years o.f poiitica , l tur­ n1oiil w·ith po1l'iticians shifting fro ·n1 one side to the otl1er, Mr. Cahill, Mr. Browne and myself t1ave never been in op­ P01sition to one another in politics. We entered the po,litical arena to­ gether and "re have been together ev·er s.ince.

I ho1pe very since irely · that we rema.ln to.gether as long as I an1 in p,ublic life. I believe that these me11 to-day are in public life to try and benefit the co·u~try to' which tl1ey belong. Now, Mr. Speaker, it is a p1leasure tot ha.ve with us, a great nu1nber of the .lad1ie.s. And I want to say that I am afraid some of then1 were disappoiinted when the Speecl1 from the T·hrone ma.de no reference to the subjeect that has concerned . the· m for some years. I was not more than three "'~eeks in office when a (le­ putatio 1 n of the ladies called on me and asked me to introduce a Bill giv­ ing votes to w·omen.

I want to say here that I ai· d not for 011e moment imagine. tl1at the, y bad co·me to me be­ ca.use they · thought I could put their case befo ·re the House . n1ore forcibly than any other men1ber. The)r carrt e to, me because I was· the leader of th. e G·ov1ernme 1nt party and I explained that if I brought in a measure it muBt be a priv,ate on,e. I w, ould not e1xp· e·ct a member of ot1r party to vote for it because I introduced .it, and I would not e·xpect the· Opp1o·sttion to vote ag.ainst it because I had brought it in.

I do not propose to make a long speech on the subject of Wo· m.an Suf­ rage Just now but I wa.nt to say that N' e,vf oundland and South Africa a.re the only two· English sp.eaking coun­ tries whi'cli have· not· give111 wome · n

.. I • 22 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS ' , the vorte· . And when it is con·s:ide1re1d that South Africa is largely Dutch, N ewf,oundland stands .alone, I am co1n­ ·vinced that the women of Newfound­ land are as deserving as tl1e women i11 any p.art of the world to get the privileges they ask. There are thr·ee points which I would like you to turn over in your minds before the Bill c.on1es befo ·re the Ho·use The th.ree questions to ask yourselves are: Should a woman have . a vote at all. What age should she have it at. What are the privileges it carries with it?

I am inclined to think that women should h.ave a vote. As far as. the age, is concerned I have a very o·pen mind In England the vote . is given to women of 30 years of age. , and I think that was done . because, after the war they were afraid that the large nu1nber of women would sw.amp the votes . of the1 men. I understand that a law to amen cl this is to be brought in at this sessio · n of the House o· f Parliament In Canad . a. votes are giV-• en t, o women at 21. I fancy in this country it would be a.s well to· give· franchise to w·omen at the age, 0 1 f twenty-five . .

I say that not because I think that a woman of twenty-one has a men­ tality less developed than a. man of twenty-one . , but because I think it possible that it was a questionable policy to allow the men to vote at the early age of 21. There may be a dif­ ference of opinion about that and I am open to conviction. The next que·stion, gentlemen, is as to what privileges we are to give with the . vote. A couple of years ago my wife w~nted to join the Historical Society. She had heard that some papers were to be read in which she was in­ terested and she wished to become a member.

She made application and found that because she wa· s a woman she was not allowed to join. On ac­ count of her sex she could not be­ come a member of the Historical So­ ciety. Now, Mr. Speaker, I would allow every woman o.f Newfoundland to become a member of the Historical Society. I go further, I would allow every woman to sit on a jury. If the juries which we have had during the last six months had been entirely composed of women I firmly believe they would have done just as well as the1 men. I still go further, I would allow every woman who can get there a seat in the House of Assembly.

Some ladies ca111e to see me a few weeks after I b0came Pri1ne Minister and I told tp.em a story. I will tell it again. It was told by Lady Astor when she was first elected to the House of Comn1ons. A day or two after she had taken her seat in the House, Sir Edward Carson, now Lord Carson, went up to her and shook hands. Lady Astor said to Sir Ed­ ward "Is this a shake hands o· f we1- come or just an ordinary shake hands " Sir Edwa.rd, who speaks very slowly and with a broad Dublin . accent, replied, "It's a very ordinary shake ha11ds.

I hate to see you here." I just mention this to show th.at a wo.man trying to· get elected to the House of Parliament has to face very great disadvantages; but if a woman of outstanding character should offer herself for election she should not be· debarred from the House of Assem­ bly on acco ·unt of her sex. Th,at is all I wish to say on this subject this afte 1rnoon. Now I wish to make a rep1y to a few matters brought up by the Lead­ er of the O·pposition. In the first place I wish to speak about the con­ tract which we have given for the building of the -ship ref erred to.

I want to say that . we have made a saving of ten thousand pounds by giving the contract to the Holland firm. We could not very W ·ell sacri­ fice ten thousand pounds simply for the pleasure of giving the order to an English firm. The Furness and other British steamship companies are build­ ing their ships in Holland, and if in 4 · •

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 23 this manner we ·can save money for the country we are going to do it. As regards assistance procura .b1e fo· r work of this kind, the Government communicated with the High Com­ missioner and he wired that the Trade Facilities Board considered that ves­ sels of this type were not . a public utility, and they would not give the same assistance they would on rails. The Leader of the Opposition made some reference to E-ir Edgar Bow­ ring's income tax.

I think that there should be ·some little explanation in connection with that, beca .use what we want clearly understood is, that we did not make the income · tax la.w. The very fact that we a.bolish it, or are about to abolish it, shows that we disapprove of it. The law is wrong, but since it is there it mu·st be obeyed, and we cannot make the· effect any different for Sir Edgar Bowring than for any other person. As a matter of fact Mr. Warre · n will remember, as he was acting for Sir Edgar Bowring, that I suggested a. compromise, but Sir Edgar preferred to have the case tested in court.

We are certainly not to blame for the result of a bad law which we are propo ·sing to abolish. Mr. Hickman also referred to the matter of a hotel. He says that the first thing that we have to do is to build a hotel and the roads will come after. I do not quite agree with Mr. Hickman. I agree that the hotel is an essential and we have been trying to get 1som.ebody to build a hotel. We have offered every kind of enticement to get an American or Cana~ian company to build a hotel. We have even offered to subsidise them or guarantee their bonds to some extent. But in spite of this nobody has come forward yet.

It may yet be necessa .ry to build the hotel ourselves and then sell it af­ terwards at cost price. Anyhow, we want the hotel and we are going to have it. The building of the hotel and the roads go hand in hand, and as it is going to take longer to build the roads than it is to build the ho­ tetl, we need not worry ourselves about the objection raised by Mr. Hickman. As regards the income tax, we felt some diffidence in taking it off because the people might be of the opinion that we were doing it be­ cause some of the rich people might be affected favourably by it. Now, Mr.

Speaker, nothing was farther from our minds in that respect. There are . a small numbe · r of people who are paying the income tax and · there are many people who should be paying the tax and are not paying it. The people who are paying it are regular­ ly salaried clerks. It has become a disgrace. This class of man cannot escape paying the income tax because his employer gives a statement show­ ing his exact salary, -so that he can­ not escape. But there are fishermen who have paid for new schooners this year and never paid an income tax, and would be deeply surprised if they were asked to do so.

The whole prin­ ciple of the income tax is w.rong and indirect taxation is what we want in this country. There is Captain Kea.n, • and he will think that he was the man who got that off, but I want to tell Captain Kean that this matter was discussed before ever his letters came out in the papers. Now, Mr. Warren refers to the fact that our pol­ icy was "Clean up and kee· p clean, and a square deal to all.'' I can tell Mr. Warren that we are cleaning up and have been cleaning up with very startling re·sults. It is a very dif­ ficult business. And I want to tell Mr.

Warren that we have not yet fin­ ished paying the ·bills of the late Government. We got a bill the other day for sixteen thousand pounds for repa .irs to the Lobelia. The late Government apparently bought only the shells of these ships. No doubt they thought that they bought fully equipped vessels, but this bill char­ ges us with everything that went in-

• • ·HOUSE ·OF ASSEMBLY - PROCEEDINGS <to them. · We also got a . bill' the other ·· day for · two aeroplanes which were ·supposed to have been given to the ··Government. I think that it was the ·Squires Government. I do not know whether they thought that they were getting aeroplanes. If they did, they did not get them. They got balloons -dirigible 1 balloons.

They ca.me out to Botwood, were unpacked there and · sold to ·son1e garage firm. · The ma­ . terial was cut up and made into wat­ erproof coverings, and when you see a horse going thro .ugh Water Street «with a silver covering on him you '. will know where it came from. If it happens, Mr. Spe·aker, that you are driving home · so~e evening in a sleigh and an attentive cabman w·raps one of these silver robes about your kne.es, you can feel you are as near to · driving in a Government aeroplane ·as you are ever likely to be.

Now I do not want to delay the House this afternoon, but there is ·just one thing wh.ich I wish to say · before we close and that is, that we ·have a · great deal of very important legislation to lay before the House · and we ·want the criticism of the Op­ . position. · We want to hear what they have to say and any honest criticism ' that they give we are prepared to ·take sitting down. I believe that hon­ est criticlsm is the best thing that · we can get. · I do not think · the, y . should try to make p·olitical capital out of it. I cannot help feeling that On the motion · of Mr. Ca·hill, :and seconded by ..

Mr. ·· Browne, .·. that : a11 ·Address of Than -ks·. be presented · to His Excellency the Governor in reply to the Gracious Speech , .. with .. whicl1 -he had been pleased to open ·the .pre­ sen t Session - of . the Legislature, ~- .and that a Select Committee be appoi1it eel to draft such Address .in '•Reply, it . was accordingly . done . and ·that . tl.i.e ·Committee co11sist of Mr . . Cahill; Mr. Browne, Mr. Chambers, Mr .. Duff, Mr . Ashbourne. Hon. · the Colonial Secretary tabled the fallowing reports: . ' The Report of the Board of Gover·· nors of the St.

John's General Ho3- pital for the year ended June 30tl1, 1924. .. The · Report of the Tuberculosis Public Service for . ber 31st, 1924. year ended Decem -- . . Annual Financial Stat. emen,~s . of tl1e St. John's Municipal Council. The Minister of Marine ·and · Fish­ eries gave notice that ·· -he . would .· on to-morrow ask leave to introduce tl1e following Bills: "An Act Respecting the Seal Fisl1- ery during the present year." "An .Act Respecting the " Lobst~r Fishery." "An Act to Amend

Chapter "25 · of the Consolidated Statutes (Thirrl 1 Series) entitled 'Of Light Dues.' " Hon. the Minister ·of Justice gave notice that he wo11ld ·an to-morrow last session some of the gentlemen in . ask leave to introduce the · following opposition were obsessed with the Bills: coming election in Bonavista · Bay and "An Act to -Amend 11 - George · ,.,., that they could not think of anything Cap. 45, entitled 'An Act to Incorpor - else but how they could embarrass ate the Women's Patriotic Trtl.st us politically. I d· o not blame them · Fund, and for other purposes.'" ·for that.

These · gentle imen have · , I "An ·Act further to Amend the · Act · hope, · now settl~d dow;n ·· resignedly 61, Victoria, . Cap. 47, entitled '·An Act and contentedly to enjoy all the- home relating to the constitution of :· th2 comforts that -can be1 · found o· n the - Supreme Court and · the Acts · in · · opposition side · of the House and · do all they can to further the interests of the country, which is what I hope we a-re all -here · to do. .. --· Amendment thereof.' " "An -· Act respecting Compa .nies." Hon. the Minister of Agriculture · gave notic · e that he . would - ·an ·· to- • ,

-HotrsEr -o·~ ASSEMBLY PROCEEDiNGS ·::morrow .' ··ask leave to i11troduce the ··folio .wing ·Bills: · ·· "A11 Act to Amend Cap. 24 of 'the ·· Co1isolidated Statutes (Third Series), . e11titled 'Of payment of certain fees a11d· cl1arges by Stamps." ·: · "A11 · Act ·· to Ame11d

Chapter 134 of t l1e · · Consolidated Statutes (Tl1ird ·Series), entitled 'Of the Operation of ·Saw Mills.' " · . "A11 ·Act f11rther to Amend Cl1apter "129 · of the Consolidated Statutes (Tl1ird Series), e11titled 'Of Crow11 La11ds, Timber Mines a11d Mi11erals.' '' Mr. Scammell gave notice of q11es·­ tio11. Mr. Brown gave 11otice of question. · ·Mr. Halfyard gave notice of ques­ ~' tion . . · .-,.. Mr. Hickman gave i1otice of qu~s- fion. j• Mr. Ashbourne gave · notice of q11op­ tio11. · . . · ·. · HON. · THE PRIME MINISTER - I .:.~· move' that the House on its risi11g do ·adjourn u11til to-morrow. •• w MR· .

HICKMAN - Does the Ho11. tl1e If the Leader of the Oppositi9n makes a ·point of it we will adjourn until Monday, but we would rather go through a little work, and make the Session as short as we can. Our idea in getting Bills ready is to ha·ve things a little different from othe1~ Sessions of the House, which were adjourned almost immediately after ope11i11g, because notl1i11g was pre­ pared. MR. HICKMAN-It is the wisl1 of tl1e Opposition tl1at the House adjourn 1111til Monday. It is the pleasure of the Prime ·Minister whether he moves • tl1at or not.

There is nothing what- ever to be gained by departing frorr1 tl1e usual custom. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER-I will accede to the request of tha Opposition that the House adjourn t111 til Monday. It was moved and seconded that whe11 tl1e House rises it adjourn un­ til Mo11day next, 23rd inst., at three of the clock. The House then adjourned accord- · · Prime Minister mea11 . to-morruw, i11gly . . 1.,11 ursday? . · .. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER - MONDAY, Feb. 23rd, 1925 . . ~ Yes. MR. HICKMAN - The members of the Opposition would like to have the : us11al course · adopted of having the . . .

Hot1se · meet agai11 on Monday, whic~t .. is · ·the t1sual ·course · followed. This · would give the members of the Op­ position an opportt1nity to considt::l' · tl1e· Speech from ·the Throne. · HON. THE . PRfME MINISTER -­ . What is tl1e particular reason? The · ·idea · of the Government is to try and ··get through tl1e session ·a1 work as q11ickly as we can. We do not wisl1 to embarass tl1e members of the 01J-, · position in any way, but I do not be- lieve the ·opposition will read more of the Speech from now and next Monday, than they will from no'v until to-morrow.

They can read tl1e · Speecl1 from the Throne · ten timPs · through between now and to-morrow. The House met at three of the clock in the afternoon, pursuant t0 adjournment. MR. SCAMMELL-Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a petition from the residents of the Groais Islands, District of St. Barbe, and I notice among the signat11res the names of some who are directly connected witl1 trading there during the summer. Tl1e request is that the Government see its way clear to make the Islands a

schedule port of call during tht St1mmer for the Prospero. This pe­ tition l1as my heartiest support and I would like to take th· e opportunity to point out that every year since I have represented St. Barbe, I ha,·e presented a similar position or plea in this connection. I urged the Gov­ ernment of which I was a supporter to make it a regular port, and they

. . . • 26 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCE .EDINGS '· '~ did so as circumstances directed, b11t this did i1ot satisfy tl1e people; cinr 1 is i1ot satisfying them to-day. I ask the Government to give every co11- sideration to the request I am i1o'v urging. The Groais Islands is not on.ly a fishing centre and concerns onl)T men from St. Barbe district, but fish­ ermen from all the East Coast as far ' south . a~ Conception Bay, have occa­ sio11 to visit there in connectio11 witl1 tl1eir . operations. I do not see wh g tl1e petitio11 should be de11ied.

In view of the importance of the plac e and the large number of fishermen interested, it is only right to make jt a port of call. The matter affects Twillingate, Bonavista, Trinity and Co11ception Bays, as the Islands hav2 a large floating, as well as a resident population. I would urge the Go,?­ ernment and the Minister of Marine and Fisl1eries to give their earnest support to the petition. MR. BROWN-Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the petition.

I have re­ ceived letters from Bonavista, Twil­ lingate and Trinity Bays on the Sllb­ ject of this petition, and 'vould qslr the Government to give every con· sideration to seeing that the Prospero calls at the Islands both going and returning. MR. WALSH-Mr. Speaker, The presenter of the pet~tion has rightly said that the matter is of interest to the people of the north, and though my constituents are not directly con­ cer11~d, I am, and have great pleas­ ure in supporting the petition.

It may not be known generally in tbe House or outside, but I spent two years of my short career as a figb.­ ermen at the Groais Islands, and I know what the people there labor under through lack of steamer acco · MINISTER OF MARINE AND FISHERIES-Mr. Speaker, I wish to endorse the petition asking that th~ steamer call at the Groais Islands. I may say that when I first assumed office I was asked to send the steam­ er tl1ere a couple of times and tlid so , and also in the Fall. I have nc1 dolibt the Government will see that tl1e Islands are made a port of ~ all during the coming Summer.

The fishermen now are inconvenienced b)? having to go to Couche and other places for freight, etc., and the peti- ti on therefore port. MINISTER has my heartiest sup- OF MARINE AND FISHERIES-Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a petition from the reside11ts of Glovertown i11 the Distric-c of Bonavista Bay, asking for the erec­ tion ·of a public wharf during the com­ ing summer. As outlined in the peti­ tion, many men come there from outly­ ing settlements to join the train and ' are inconvenienced by having no proper la11ding place.

It is true there are some private wharves but there in no pul1lic wharf and landing is very difficult. This wharf would not ·cost ml1ch-say $200, and there should also be a room for the storage of 1 ug­ gage, costing say a total of $500. I 11ope this petition will receive the hearty support of the Governme11t. MR. CASHIN-Mr. Speaker, I beg t~ present a petition from the electors of Witless Bay in reference to a breakwater at Lower Pond Gut. I think if the matter were referred to the Government Engineer, who did some work there a few years ago, h~ would be able to throw some light on the matter.

I also beg to prese ·nt a petition from the same place for tr..e erection of a public wharf. Witless mmodation. The harbor is not what Bay Harbor is very exposed to the we would wish, but there is no reaso11 why the ship could not call there in summer with little disadvantage to either captain or the crew. I there · fore . h~artily endorse the petition . sea and the Gut is the only refug :e of the fishermen. I would suggest that the Government Engineer br-: sent to inspect the place. A break­ water was built up a few years a~o

UOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 27 b11t the sea has carried it it is absolutely necessary terests of the fishermen work of reconstruction commenced at once. away, anrl in the in­ that the should be HON l\/IR. BRADLEY-Mr. Speaker, I beg leave to present a petition from the people of Otterl ury, North River and Ha~lstown, praying for a public wharf in that vicinity. Formerly there was a public wharf at North River and it was of great benefit to the peo­ ple of that place and adjoining centres, but of recent years it has been allowed to fall into bad condition and is now practically non-existent.

There is . very considerable traffic at this point from Bell Island and other places and in the interests of the people the wharf should be again erected. I know myself of the existing conditions as I visited the place last summer and I know of the great difficulties experi­ enced in landing-· in some cases, even women have to come ashore on a plank. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I give this petition my heartiest support and hope that it will receive the consid­ eration it deserves. MR.

CAHILL, on behalf of the Select Committee, appointed to draft a reply to His Excellency's Speech, presented the report of the Select Committee, as follows: To His Excellency Sir William Lamond Allardyce, K.C.M.G., Gover­ nor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island of Newfoundland and its Dependencies. May it Please Your Excellency; We, the Commons of Newfound­ land in Legislative Session assem­ bled, beg to thank Your Excellency for the Gracious Speech which Your Excellency has addressed to both House . s of the Legislature. (Sgd.) CYRIL CAHILL, W. J. BROWNE, W. McK. CHAMBERS, R. DUFF, T. G. W. ASHBOURNE.

Assembly Room, Feb. 23rd, 1925. On motion the reception and adop­ tion of this Report was deferred until later in the sitting. HON. THE MINISTER OF FIN­ ANCE-Mr. Speaker, before the adop­ tion of the Report I would like to ask leave to introduce a Bill. I crave the indulgence of · the House but as it re­ fers to the Loan I would ask that the Bill te allo\ved to go through in all its sections, as its passage is most im­ portant.

The Loan is being raised in England and therefore it is necessary to have the word "bonds" inserted af- · ther the words "the said Loan shall le raised less the issue of." I have just received the following message from the Trade Facilities Board bearing on the matter. (reads telegram) I feel confident that the House will have no o l jection to the passage of this Bill as it is important to get it througl1 and only the slight change mentioned is l eing made in it. HON. MINISTER OF JUSTICE­ Mr. S•peaker, might I be permitted to explain for the information of hon­ oural le members opposite.

As re­ gards the legal aspect of the situation, I may say that the reason the indulg­ ence of the House is asked · for this afternoon is for the insertion of a word only.

Section 7 of the Loan Act last year reads that in the event of the Loan teen raised in England the Loan shall be raised by the issue of "stock." The request now is to in­ sert tl1e words "bonds or." I merely 'vant to explain to the . Leaders of both parties on the opposite side of the House that the change · of the wording has no effect whatever, ex­ cept, apparently, that it is necessary to have these words inserted in order to float the Loan over in England. I ), ;. take the liberty to say this so that there will be no misunderstanding as to the legal position. MR. SCAMMELL-Do I understand that the Dominion Securities Company fioa ted this Loan?

• 28 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS HON. MINISTER OF FINANCE­ Yest, but it is essential in England to have the words "bonds or" added. It is essential to have it under the Eng­ lish Acts. I think you will find that all our other Acts read in the same way. Hon. the Minister of Finance, with the unanimous consent of the House, asked leave to introduce the Bill en­ titled: "An Act to Amend the Act 15 George V.,

Chapter XX., entitled 'An Act for the raising of a sum of Money on the credit of the Colony for centain public purposes,'" which was, on motion, introduced and read a first time, and it was ordered that the said Bill be read a second time presently. Whereupon, on motion of Hon. the Minister of Finance, and with unanim­ ous consent, the Bill entitled "An Act to Amend the Act 15 George V.

Chap­ ter XX, entitled 'An Act for the Rais­ ing of a Sum of Money on the credit of the Colony for certain Public pur­ poses,' " was read a second time and it was ordered that the said Bill be referred to a Committee of the Whole House presently. Whereupon, on motion of Hon. the . Minister of Finance, the House resolv­ ed itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill entitled "An Act to Amend the Act 15 George V. Chap­ ter XX, entitled 'An Act for the Rais­ ing of a Sum of Money on the Credit of the Colony for Certain Public Pur­ poses.'" Mr. Speaker left the Chair. Mr.

Puddester took the Chair of Committee. Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair. The Chairman from the Committee reported that they had considered the matter to them referred, and had pass­ ed the said Bill without amendment. On motion this Report was received and adopted, and, it was ordered that the said Bill be read a third time pre­ sently. Whereupon, on motion of Hon. the Minister of Finance, and with unan­ imous consent, the Bill entitled "An Act to Amend the Act 15 George V.

Chapter XX, entitled 'An Act for the Raising of a Sum of Money on the credit of the Colony for Certain Pub­ lic Purposes,' .,, was read a third time, and passed, and it was ordered that the said Bill be engrossed, being en­ titled as above, and that it be sent to the Legislative Council with a mes­ sage requesting the concurrence of that body in its provisions. MR. HALFYARD-Mr.

Speaker, in the absence of the Leader of the Op­ position, who is not a.cquainted with the procedure, I would respectfully suggest that the rest of the Order Paper be gone on with before we take up the motion for the: adoption of the Report of the Committee appointed to draft an Address in Reply. HON. THE PRIME · MINISTER-Is there any partciular reason for that? MR. HALFY ARD-There is no par­ ticular reason, but there is a lot of questions to be answered and we could proceed a step or two by going on with the Order Paper. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER-We have no objections . HON. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY -Mr.

Speaker, it will be remember­ ed during the last session of this House that a Bill was introduced by Mr. Brown, member for Twillingate, in respect to Logging. Nothing was done in connection with thi-s Bi.JI out­ side of the Government promising to appoint a Commission to enquire into its merits and into logging operations generally, and, aceord­ ingly, Mr. Warren, member for Fortune Bay, was appointed a. Com­ missioner, and I have much pleasure in tabling his report. Mr. Scammel gave notice of queis­ tions. Mr. Brown gave notice of questions. Mr. Warren gave notice of questions . ...

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 29 Mr. Ashbourne gave notice of que·s- tio ns. Mr. Half yard gave notice of ques- tions. Mr. Hickman gave notice of ques- tions. The Minister of Marine and Fish­ eries tabled tl1e Report of his De­ partment for the year 1924.

Hon. the Minister of Justice gave notice that 11e would on to-n1orrow ask leave to introduce a Bill e·n­ titled "An Act Relating to Firearms." Hon. the Prime Minister gave no­ tice that he would on to-morrow ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled "An Act to Amend Cl1apter 11 of the Con­ solidated Statutes (Third Series) en­ titled 'Of the House of Assembly.' " Hon. the1 Prime Minister gave no­ tice that 11e would on to-morrow ask leave to introduce a Bill entitle!

"An Act to provide for the Construction, Reconstruction and Maintenance of Highroads." Hon. the Prin1e 1 Mi11ister gave no­ tice tl1at he would on to-morrow ask leave to introduce a Bill entitled "An Act to Regulate Travel on Highroads and tl1e Speed, Operation and Load of Vehicles Thereon." Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of the Minister of Marine and Fishe-ries, "An Act re­ specting the Seal Fishery during the Present Year" was introduced and read a first time, and it was ordered tl1at .tl1e said Bill be read a second time on to-morrow.

Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of the Minister of Marine and Fisl1eries, "An Act re­ specting the Lobster Fisl1ery'' was in­ troduced a11d read a first time, and it was ordered that the said Bill be read a seco11d time on to-morrow. Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of the1 Minister of Marine and Fisheries, "An Act to Amend

Chapter 25 of tl1e Consoli­ dated S.tatutes (Third Series)~ en­ titled "Of Ligl1t Dues" was introduced and read a first time, and it was or­ der ed that tl1e said Bill be read a second time on to-morrow . Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of Hon. the Min­ ister of Justice, "An Act to Amend 11 George V., Cap. 45, entitled 'An Act to Incorporate the Women's Patri­ otic Trust Fund and for other Pur­ poses ,' " was read a first time, and it was ordered that the said Bill be read a second time on to-morrow.

Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed. and on motion ·of Hon. the .Minis­ t 0r of Justice, "An Act Further to Amend the Act 61 Victoria, Cap. 47, entitled 'An Act relating to the Con­ stitution of tl1e Supreme · Court and tl1e Acts in amendment thereof,' " was read a first time, and it was ordered tl1at the ·said Bill be re·ad a second time on to-1norrow. Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, a11d on nlotion Hon. tl1e Minister of Justice, "An Act respecting Com­ panies" was introduced and read a first time, and it was ordered that tl1e said Bill be read a second time on to­ n1orrow.

Pursuant to notice and leave gra11t­ ed, and on motion of the Minister of Agriculture and Mines, "An Act to A1nend Cap. 24 of the Consolidated Statutes (3rd Series), entitled 'Of Payment of Certain Fees a11d Charges by Stamps,' " was introduced and read a first time, and it was ordered that the said Bill be read a second time on to-n1orrow. Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of tl1e Minister of Agriculture and Mines, "An Act to Amend

Chapter 134 of the Consoli­ dated Statutes (3rd Series), entitled 'Of tl1e Operation of Saw Mills/" was i11troduced and read a first time, and it was ordered tl1at the said Bill be read a second time on to-morrow. Pursuant to notice and leave grant­ ed, and on motion of the Minister of Agriculture and Mines, "An Act Fur­ ther to Amend Chapt('r . l29 of the

• 30 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS Consolidated -Statutes (3rd Series), entitled 'Of Crown Lands, Timber, Mines and Minerals,' " was introduced and read a first time, and it was or­ dered that the said Bill be read a sec­ ond · time on to-morrow. Answers to the questions Nos. 1, 2. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 were tabled.

(10) MR. HALFYARD-To ask Hon. the Prime Minister if it is tl1e inten­ tion of the Government to have the allocations for Public Works under the direction of the Public Works De­ partment and the Marine · and Fisher­ ies Department made upon the re­ commendations of the elected re·pre­ sentatives of the various districts. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER-.. In reply to question No. 10 in relation to the Departments of Public Works and Marine · and Fisheries, that is a matter for tl1e Heads of those Departments. Tl1ey will use their own judgment in . e:;;penditure and in accepting the re- c·o111me11dations of the elected repre­ sentatives. '

(13) MR. HICKMAN-To ask Ho11. the · Mi11ister of Justice for list of all co11victions under the Prol1ibition ·Act and Alcoholic Liquor Act from lfitl1 Ju11e, 1924, to 15tl1 February, 1925. The fines · imposed and the amounts . . collected and wl1at portion of eacl1 fine went to the informer. I-ION. THE MINISTER OF JTJS­ TICE-I11 connection with the ari­ swer to question 13, I may say thr.t th.is is a ' questio11 which involves the decisio11s of about tl1irty magistrates a11d all the ·details in connectio11 \Vitl1 tliem, but if the Hon. member '\Vil1 tell just wl1at l1e desires, I will g·et it for him i11 11alf a11 hour; otherwise it will take a considerable time .. ·

(14) MR. HICKMAN-To ask the Hon. the Prime Mi11ister to lay upo11 . . the Table of the House statement of all moneys paid out on Executive a1.1- thority from 10th day of June, 1924. to 15tl1 day of February, 1925. HON THE PRIME MINISTER-111' answer to q·ue.stiori No. 14, I may say • tl1at a stateme11t of the expendit11r( 1 made by tl1e Executive Gover11me . 1tt is· a matter for tl1e Fi11ance Mi11ister. Tl1e Suppleme11tary Supply, asked for in the Estimates, will in a full mea­ sure account for such expenditure.

(15) MR. HICKMAN-To ask the Prime Mi11ister to lay upon the Tahle of the House all corresponde11ce i11 reference to the building of a Rote l: also what guara11tee the Governme :nt is prepared to give to holders ct" Bo11ds in proposed hotels. HON. THE PRIME MINISTER -·-1 be6 to lay on the Table of the House tl1e reply to questio11 No. 15, whicl1 1s the correspondence in connectio11 witl1 a hotel, sl1owing tl1e g11ara11tee which the Government might be pre­ pared to give.

(16) MR. ASHBOURNE-To ask Ho11. the Minister of Justice when the appointment of a Magistrate for Twillingate will be made. HON. THE MINISTER OF .JUS­ TICE-I might say in answer to question No. 16, tl1at the choice of a magistrate for Twillingate is a matter 11aving the consideration of the J11s­ tice Department just now. I have no doubt that an appointment will soo11 be made. , ADDRESS IN REPLY: · Th1:R. SCAMMELL, Mr. Speaker, on the motion before the chair, that tl1e House draft an Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne.

I want first of all to say tl1at it is my hum­ ble opinion, whether I am constitu­ tionally correct or incorrect as regards proper procedure, that the House ougl1t i1ot at this time to be called upon to draft such Address. In my opinion, Mr. Spe·aker, the elected Re­ presentatives of the people of this country ought not be requested to draft any reply to the Governor's Speecl1 until such time as they have had full opportunity of . acquaintin , g themselves fully as to all the facts in

• HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEbINGS 31- relation to our public affairs since the prceent Government took office. On Wednesday last we heard the Speech for the first time. It was a lengtl1y document and, in view of that, the Leader of the Opposition very wisely asked for an adjournment till to-d ·aY, in order that Opposition Mem­ bers should have ample opportunity to acquaint tl1emselves with its con­ tents.

As tl1e Leader of the Opposition pointed out, it referred to practically every subject under the sun except the Eclipse of the Sun, and I will go further and say that, to my mind if it did not refer to the Eclipse of the Sun, it, at least, portrays the Eclipse of the Government. The Speech is wordy, exuberant in verbosity, and having looked all around it I am re­ minded, Sir, of tl1e Parable of the Fig Tree. It will be remembered in rela­ tion tl1ereto that the foliage w·as. copious, but no fruit was found . thereon.

Tl1e Speech from tl1e Throne, Sir, at first sight conveys the impression that it contains a great deal, but on closer examination we find practical­ ly nothing in it tl1at gives any food for satisfaction or hope. Like the Tree of old, to whicl1 I have just re­ f erred, it may be tl1at the time of figs is not yet.

Tl1e Leader of tl1e Indepe11dent Party tl1e other day said tl1e Speech contained no reference to matters wl1ich the man on the street were · in­ terested in, and I entirely agree witl1 the position 11e took, and will go fur­ ther and say that it gives no reference to, and seeks only to blind public i11- terest ·and public attention to the graver matters that are really con­ fronting the country to-day. Again, Sir, let me say tl1at were I in order I would like to move tl1at this Address ought to be the last thing considered by this House at the present time.

We ought, Sir, in this matter to be able to intelligently discuss the affairs of the Country. As ::tn Opposition Party we are responsible to the ·country · for · 11a ving full light thrown upon ·the· events of the past eight months.· Op- · position Members have already placed certai11 question before the Govern..:. n1ent, and until the·se questions are answered, I fail to see how we can intelligently dilate upon the events to which I have just made reference. But, since tl1e Motion for the· Address is tl1e Order of the· Day, we must pro­ ceed, in spite of protest, with our 1nanifest duty.

First df · all, I ·would congratulate tl1e Mover and Seconder of this Mo­ tion, and I congratulate them, Sir, only in so far as tl1ey acquitted them..: selves creditably on that day from the standpoint of eloquence, and from the fact that they made a good case out of a bad one. E·very one of us wl10 listened to them on Opening . Day realized tl1·at they had a difficult · problem before them in presenting a · case for the Government at the pres­ ent time.

I feel sure tl1at no one less · than two legal luminaries such as tl1e· Honourable gentlemen could h·ave put · forward such a case for the Govern­ ment as they, and tl1ey were evidently picked for the job. Tl1eir remarks lacked tl1e force of convictfon, they did not appear to be heart and soul witl1 the task tl1ey were confronted with, and I feel sure that the Honourable Member for Hr. Main, - Mr. Cahill, in particular, put a great deal more vim in his election · speeches in that constituency last Spring tl1an h. e did in his efforts on behalf of the Government · 1ast Wed­ nesday.

In fact, tl1e old saying seemed to l1a ve been reversed and in their en se it appeared that "while the flesh "va s 'villing, the spirit was weak."' Tl1ey felt of course tl1at tl1ey did not have a very good case but that it was · their bounden duty to make the best · of matters as they were. T'he Govern­ ment seems, it appears to me, to have so many irons in the fire that when it comes to writing a speech · for His· • · •

• • 32 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS · Excellency the Governor to deliver, they scarcely know wl1ere to begin and where to end. The most remark­ able thing ·about the speecl1 is its great lengtl1, but I fail to see how the · average taxpayer throughout the length and breadth of this Country is going to get any consolation as a re­ sult of a perusal of this document. Before passing on to discuss tl1e Speecl1, I would like to refer to the matter of tl1e We·st Coast · Disaster Fund.

I feel sure · that there is no hon­ orable member in this House who does not agree with what the Honorable Me1nber for Fortune Bay said on this point the other day. Tl1e West Coast Disaster Fund has not received that measure of support from the public which such a tragedy ought to induce. Tl1ese men went under at Duty's post. They ventured out that mor11ing as only fishermen can venture, and only tl1ose who are most intimately con- 11ected with it, can have any adequate idea of wl1at West Coast fisherme11 are calfed upon to endure in the prosecution of tl1e Winter fishery.

Amid frost, snow and ice they venture all to provide for tl1emselves and tl1eir families. On this particular day tl1e fishi11g fleet put to sea, the stor1n l rake, a11d we know the result. The wives and families of seventeen men are left the Country to-day as a legacy of tpat spirit of adventure, and tl1e tragedy which follows in its wake. It was ever tl1us. "Not once, nor twice, in our rough Is­ land's story, T11e path to duty was the road to glory." An appeal is now being made on be­ l1alf of tho·se who suffered as a result of that day's storm.

Tl1e fund is not being patronized, Sir, as well as it sl1ould, and without stigmatizing tl1e City of St. John's at all, I should like to say now that, in my opinion a first­ class . lottery would have been better subscribed to than the appeal which 11as been made in this connection. · . I · feel that tl1e inember for Burgeo 11as done all 11e possibly could, and I now offer him my hearty support ·in any further effort tl1at he makes i11 this direction, and also beg to inform him · .. I hope to be able to do something in a tangible way to express my sym­ pathy on this occasion.

I sl1all be 011ly too pleased to 11elp in any way .· possit le. Now, Sir, tl1ere is another re1nark i11ade by Mr. Warren the other day with whicl1 I do not find myself in absolute accord. He congratulated the Governn1ent on the appointments they 11ad inade to tl1e Upper House, and felt that they had done well in their selections of men to fill the vacancies in that Chaml er. I cannot congratulate tl1e Government for the appointments, althoug11 the three gentlemen they have appointed may be very estimable gentlemen in many respects.

The Government of course has acted true tc Tory traditions and have placed in these vacancies men who are repre­ se11tative of Tory traditions and the die-hard mercl1ant element. Apparent­ ly, the Govern1nent could not find it convenient to place in the · Upper House any representative of our Fish­ ing Industry or any representative of the large industrial activities in the Country. It would appear moreover that despite the large number of prominent Outport gentlemen · who are supporting them, tl1ey cannot find · among such gentlemen a fit and prope · r person to grace the Upper Chamber.

So much for what they tl1ink of tl1eir Outport supporters. The first of the Appointees, the Hon. Dr. Robinso ·n, may be a gentleman and a. scl1·olar. He is of oourse · a rrory of Tories, in fact, 11e1 is a tradi­ tio11al T·ory. He w.as an opponent of Whiteway, an oppo·nent of Bo·nd and an opp.one1nt of Squires. Mr. Alderdice, as Manager of the Ropewalk, also represents the mer­ ca11t.il·e ele1ne1nt, and the same applies . •

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS 33 to Mr. Ayre 1 • The p,ublic can v~_ry w·ell anytl1ing that has helped to make the kn ew, sir, · fro 1m these . ~· PPOi intm. ents it1st where the· present Go;vernme ·nt .. stands in its relrution to Wate 1r Street, and despite the large numb ·er of sup­ .pprters they . had a.mong leading me· n -in the Outports, they ap·parently did . . .-n.o.t tl1in~ it wo·rth 'vhile to1 app1oint ·any of these ge·ntlemen to the Upper .fiouse. I am an Outport man myself.

The city and tl1· e. city inte·rests are \Vell and :ably represe~ted i11 the Up­ per House · and I fail to see: why tl1e Outports have been so ignored by the Gov· e·rnm,ent when .appo ,intments otf th.is . na~~ure w .. as being considered. T-here .:are plenty · ~f splendid men in tl1e Outports Wh10 could grace the Up-. . ~ . per ~.: 9: ~am.ber equally as well as .so· m· e .. . of -:t110:se theire a. t present. ~.: I .. • ·T.J1e. , "Speech from the Thr1one opens b~- a refereneie , t.J() the ge·neral pro1sper­ ity a.nd gratifying conditio ,ns existing in tl1e country at the present time.

Tl1ese conditions m.ay be a matte-r 01 f cons1olation to the Governme ·nt, but tl1~y certainly ca.nnoit be a. matter of co.ngratulation to _the1n. The p,eople of tl1is country, sir, know that the real fo.undations of the p·rosperity wh.ich the country is enjoying to-d . a. y wa.s laid -by the liate: Liberal Administra­ lion. The . people of .this c.ountry n1e1e1 d no ·history · boo·ks or te1xt .bo· o·ks writ­ ten · to iI)..form them as to the· hist1ory o.f ·tl1e Humber Deal.

I recently returned from the Hum­ ber Valley a.nd I want ·to te1ll y·ou, sir; that th1e· Dee· r L:ake I saw the1 other day .. and tl1e De1er Lake thiat I went through in 1923, when I went do·wn to the District of St. Ba.rbe w'i.th the Hu1nber de·al as my platfo-rn1, were· e1n­ tire1y two different De·er La.kes. Wh·en \ve>were , prea.ching from th.at plat­ for111- , whl o were 01U· r opponents · ? The~ \Vere, in the -. ·ma.in, the1 gentlemen who .are sitting .. on the other side of the I-louse o· f As1sembly to-da .y.

I doubt very much if 0 1ne1 ma. n ·w·ho· sits on thiat side orf the House to-day can take to J1i111self:· ·01i.e single iota o.f credit for JJrospero ·US· conditions we lJ..a~e1 in the country to-·d.ay. Yeit tl1e Speech from tl1e T'hrone takes care· to stress that tl1e pros .perity which exists to-day i~ largely due to; the1 conditions in the Hu1nber V·alley . . · And I want, .in this connection, to r.ef er to· a m.an who was for many ·years . a me1mber 0 1f this Chamber; a ma11 who was as big a11d broad · a ma11 as ever held a se.at i11 this House 0 1f Ass·embly.

I \ refer to· Sir William Co.aker. · When the Humber Deal was inooted. Sir William Coaker asked tl1e Union C·ouncils to p1ass reso 1lu­ tions favouring the Humber Deal; he aslted the men to talk night after niglTt and develop public opinio · n . in ' favour of the p1roject. He w;as the1n .. cl1aracte 1rized as a f.ool and a mad"."' 1n.a11. Bu · he W 1as right, .and th1ose wJ10 op·posed him l1ave lived to see th.at h. e w.as right, and that h· e had hold of the• righit e·nd of the stick.

Sir Williarn Coak!er is .out of this Ho1uise to-day, and there are men in this House to-day who will say things _ be- hind his .back who would not dare to say the same tl1iings to h.im f.ace to fa.ce. I take this .opportunity o.f pay­ i11g a tribute t10 my leader, the Presi­ dent oif the.

Fis·hermen's Union, a.nd I say tl1at this co1untry can ill affo ,rd to I1,ave me, n. of the1 stamp of Sir Willia . m Coaker o· u1tside •Of the fo·ur w·alls of this House to1-day, and I say further that it will .not be J, o·ng be.fo,re Sir W-illiam C·oake-r w'ill find his way back to the House of Asseml,ly again, and that is the wish of thousands.

Tl1e history of the Humber Prop,osi~ tion, the whole Humber story, and the ultimate prosperity to the eountry 'vl1ich .resulted fro1m the Humb ·er In­ dustry .· in .. no. measure glves the pres­ eut Government any room ·f.or . co·n..:. gr~t-ulations, and they can no .. longer fool , the people with such talk as· they have· got off in the Speech from the Tl1ron · e . . · · T. h· e ·general pro1sp·erity of the coun ... •

• • 34 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS try is also due to the fact tha,t last year we had a short catch of codfish. I understand tha;t the catch last year \Vas three hundred thous .and quin.tals short of a. normal catch. The extra prices given for the1 fish last year have h.ad something to, do with the p:r.esent prosperity in this country. But the Government of Newfoundland has had no more to do with the prices paid for th· e fish l·ast year th.an the man in the moon had to do with it .

There was competiti ·on, there was a ~hort catch of fish, the1re was a goo· d in.arklet, and th.at, more . ,than any­ thing else, was responsible for the 11igh price P·aid for codfish. "The codfishery last year was pro­ secuted successfully," says th. e Spee-cl1 but the Go,·ernme 1nt can take no credit to itself for any ·of the resultant pros­ perity. Now, what is going to be th· e p·osi­ tion in the future.

It would ha.ve lJeen m·ore ·t 1 0 the point if the Spee ·cl1 from the Throne h.ad been miore de­ voted to discussion of the problems "\\·hich will arise during the com:ing year What ·is going · to be the ~osition tl1is spring? There \Vill not be any­ thing like the same number of men employed in the Humber V.alley this spring as there was last year. There \Viii be a surplus of tw10, or three, or four thousand men rele .a.sed for the fisl1ery this spring, Wh·ere, are these men going to find their supplies and outfits? Are they going to find 1boats and schooners to take the! m to the fishery?

And if not, what does the Q ,overnment propose to do with the·m? Tl1e Gov·ernn1ent mu.st co·ncern itself \Vitl1 this problem. A similar situ .a­ tion developed during tl1e regime of the S•quires Government in 1922. The Government fo·und its.elf up against a s·imilar situation. Men were com­ ing in and asking for supplies fo· r th· e fishery. They m