§ 50. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can give the House any information concerning the newly formed force of Rangers in Newfoundland; and whether they are being organised on 876 lines similar to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Marquess of Hartington)Yes, Sir. Steps were taken last year for the formation in Newfoundland of a Ranger Force modelled on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is intended that the Force, which will consist of two officers and 50 non-commissioned officers and men, should operate throughout Newfoundland, excluding the Avalon Peninsula and the towns of Grand Falls and Corner Brook, and in Labrador, and its duties will include, in addition to police work, game protection and fire control and, in certain areas, the distribution of able-bodied relief and the collection of Customs revenue. So far, a nucleus of the Force has been recruited and is being trained with the assistance of a staff sergeant whose services have been lent by the Canadian Government.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the Minister aware that reports are already being circulated that this body is being used for the purpose of suppressing the opposition of the Newfoundlanders to the treatment they are getting following the suppression of their Parliament?
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the Force being recruited from Newfoundland or from other sources?