§ 2. Mr. MAXTONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what changes have taken place in the Commission of Government in Newfoundland since its appointment; and how long it is proposed to continue the existing arrangement?
Mr. M. MacDONALDOn the death of Mr. Alderdice in February, Mr. J. A. Winter, K.C., formerly Speaker of the Newfoundland House of Assembly, was appointed to succeed him as Commissioner for Home Affairs and Education. At the beginning of September Sir John Hope Simpson retired as Commissioner for Natural Resources, and he has been succeeded by Mr. R. B. Ewbank, formerly 671 of the Indian Civil Service. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend that the Address to His late Majesty from the Newfoundland Legislature, to which effect was given by the Newfoundland Act, 1933, prayed for the suspension of the then existing Letters Patent, and for the issue of new Letters Patent providing for the administration of the Island on the lines now in force, until such time as it might become self-supporting again.
§ Mr. MAXTONAre these all the changes that have taken place? Was not the Governor a member of the Council, and has he not been changed?
Mr. MacDONALDThe change of Governor is another matter altogether. I took the hon. Member's question to be in reference to the Special Commissioners appointed under the Newfoundland Act. It is true that the. Governor who was in the Island when the new constitution came into force, reached the end of his term of office some months ago, and in the normal course of events, a new Governor was appointed in his place and that new Governor does act, as the previous Governor acted, as chairman of the Commission.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes that mean that the Commission is setting off on a second three-year period of this form of government, with an entirely new personnel and that not one of the original Commissioners is prepared to act for a second term?
Mr. MacDONALDOn the contrary, there have been three changes in a personnel of seven; therefore there are four of the original members still holding office.
§ Mr. MAXTONThese, I take it, are local Newfoundland Commissioners who remain unchanged, while the home Commissioners have all been changed?
Mr. MacDONALDNo, that is not so. There are still two of the Commissioners who went out from the United Kingdom in office there. It is true that one of these two will come to the end of his term of office shortly.
§ Mr. MAXTONAnd is coming home?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the Minister please note the fact that the Independent Labour party seems to have an objection to changes of government?