§ 60 and 61. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether he will take immediate steps to deal with the extreme poverty of the people of Newfoundland;
(2) whether he will consider taking a plebiscite of the people of Newfoundland on whether they desire to revert to the constitution and form of government that existed prior to the experimental government that is now in existence?
63. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that conditions in Newfoundland are becoming steadily worse and 1854 that, because of their distress, the people of the Dominion are demanding the restoration of the constitution and the recall of the British Commissioners and whether he is able to announce any change in the policy of the British Government?
§ 66. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has considered the petition from the people of Newfoundland which was presented after a meeting recently held in St. John's; and what action is being taken in the matter?
§ 70. Mr. Lunnasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that more than one-quarter of the population of Newfoundland is in receipt of Government relief and that there is widespread impoverishment, he will instruct the Commission of Control to work out, and put into operation, schemes of constructive work?
§ 73. Mr. Lunnasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the demand for the restoration of self-governing status in Newfoundland is supported by all the organised political parties in the Dominion; what representations has he received on the subject; what has been, up to date, the annual charge to the Treasury of the United Kingdom as a result of the commission of government; and whether any steps are being taken on the subject?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have been in communication with the Governor regarding the Press reports that resolutions asking for the return of responsible Government in Newfoundland were passed at a recent mass meeting in St. John's. I have not yet received copies of these resolutions, but I understand from the Governor that the meeting was not of a representative character, and that there is no reason to suppose that responsible opinion generally would welcome a return to self-government in present circumstances. I would point out that the Address presented to His Majesty King George V by the Legislative Council and House of Assembly of Newfoundland, to which effect was given by the Newfoundland Act, 1933, prayed for the suspension of the then existing form of Government until such time as the Island might become self-supporting again. It would 1855 clearly be premature to consider any change at present.
As the House will appreciate, the situation which the Commission of Government was established to deal with was a desperately serious one, and it was realised that recovery other than by a gradual process over a long period was out of the question. Steady improvement was being made under the Commission until events, over which they had no control, such as the loss of the important Italian and Spanish markets for fish owing to the situation in those countries, caused a set-back. The recent commercial agreement negotiated with Italy should go far to remove one of these obstacles to a resumption of progress. The chief concern of the Commission of Government is, of course, to bring about improved conditions in Newfoundland and enable the Island again to become self-supporting. One of the main problems is that there are many more men engaged solely in the cod fishing industry than can obtain a livelihood from it in present circumstances. Outside the industrial centres where work is now continuous, many people have been accustomed to rely on this single seasonal occupation, where in many cases a combination of occupations would enable them to become self-supporting. The Commission are seeking to help people to overcome these difficulties in a number of ways by encouraging the reorganisation of the fisheries; facilitating enterprises, for instance in connection with the forests, which will afford alternative employment; by schemes of land settlement and agricultural expansion, and by encouraging the establishment of new industries.
Since the introduction of the present form of Government a total sum of approximately £1,350,000 has been issued to Newfoundland in aid of the expenses of administration, and, in addition, loans and grants from the Colonial Development Fund amounting to £670,500 have been approved. I hope shortly to present to Parliament a full report of the work of the Commission in 1936. A considered long-term programme of economic reconstruction, based on the experience of the last three years, has recently been prepared by the Commission. I attach considerable importance to this programme, which is now under active consideration.
§ Mr. E. SmithCan we now have an answer to the questions stripped of all the trimmings? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that poverty has increased since this new form of government was instituted there, and, if so, what steps are his Department taking with a view to dealing with the situation?
Mr. MacDonaldI certainly cannot agree with that view. Despite the quite abnormal difficulties as regards the Italian and Spanish markets, the figures of those on relief to-day are some thousands lower than they were before the Commission took over the administration, and those who are on relief are enjoying a scale of relief considerably higher than they enjoyed before.
§ Mr. LunnAs it is a very long time since we had a report, may I ask whether we may now have a report?
§ Mr. PalingIs the Minister going to make any further inquiries into these representations, and not merely to refer them to the Governor and take for granted everything that he says?
Mr. MacDonaldI said that I have not yet received the text of the resolutions, and I think I must wait until I do so before I can consider what action is appropriate.
§ Mr. PetherickDoes the Minister not agree that there is a great improvement in the methods and morality of the administration?
Mr. MacDonaldThere has been a very great improvement in the administration. The returns alone show that. In addition, I would say that the fundamental economic situation is much improved from what it was before the Commission went there.
§ Mr. MaxtonDoes the Minister agree with his predecessor in office that dictatorship is the best form of government for that island?
§ Mr. McGovernAll the old Socialists become dictators.
§ 62. Mr. E. Smithasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will take steps at once to open negotiations between representatives of industries in Britain catering for the needs of the people of Newfoundland, finance companies, and his Department in order to make arrangements for their mutual benefit?
Mr. MacDonaldI am not sure what precise negotiations the hon. Member has in mind, but I will gladly consider any suggestions which he may have to make. I may observe, however, that the Trade Commissioner for Newfoundland in London is already in continuous and close touch with commercial and industrial firms interested in Newfoundland products.
§ 64. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will give an assurance that, before any question arises of the restoration to Newfoundland of self-government, the possibility of the incorporation of the Island in the Dominion of Canada will be thoroughly explored?
Mr. MacDonaldThe hon. Member will be aware that this suggestion was examined by the Royal Commission of 1933 and that they came to the conclusion that it was not one which could be pursued at that time. When the Island is again self-supporting, the form of government to replace the present regime will be a matter, in the first instance, for the people of Newfoundland to consider.
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of development along these lines?
§ 65. Sir J. Wardlaw-Milneasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how long the Commissioners appointed to govern Newfoundland have spent in that Dominion since they first took over charge; and how long, respectively, they have been on leave?
Mr. MacDonaldSubject to the exigencies of the public service, the six Commissioners of Government in Newfoundland are eligible for leave of absence at the rate of 60 days a year. I have no information as to the precise amount of 1858 leave that has been taken by the Commissioners appointed from Newfoundland. As regards the Commissioners appointed from the United Kingdom, the leave actually taken by them has approximated to, and in no case exceeded, the 60 days a year allowable in each case. The rest of their service has been spent in the Island except for some absences on duty.