Newfoundland

1912-28.

The inauguration in 1912 of the Fishermen's Union, which established large trading stores in all the principal out posts and had as its political object the safeguarding of the interests of the fishermen by means of representation in the Legislature, was the outstanding political event of the immediate pre-war period. In the elections of Nov. 1913, although the Government of Sir Edward Morris was re-elected, the candidates of the Fishermen's Protective Union (F.P.U.) won all the con stituencies in the north and northeast. On the outbreak of the World War a Newfoundland regiment was formed and served overseas in Gallipoli, Egypt and France. Altogether some 6,5oo men joined up for service. In 1917 the Morris Government was enlarged into a National Government by the inclusion of the Opposition, in order to expedite measures dealing with war re quirements. At the end of 1917 Sir Edward Morris resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. (Sir) William Lloyd, the former leader of the Opposition.

In 1919 Sir William Lloyd attended the Peace Conference as the representative of the Colony. During his absence his Gov ernment was destroyed by internal dissensions, and Mr. (Sir) Michael Cashin became Premier. The elections of Nov. 1919 were marked by extreme bitterness, 'religious feeling being intro duced to a great extent. A considerable turnover of votes re sulted, and the Government was defeated by a party led by Mr. (Sir) Richard Squires, whose Government was re-elected in 1923. Shortly afterwards Sir Richard Squires resigned as a result of grave charges preferred against him in the Legislature, including, amongst others, the receipt of money from private corporations and the diversion of government funds to persons occupying high official posts. The Attorney-General, William Warren, had assumed the leadership, but on the opening day of the legislative session of 1924 his ministry was defeated. It was reconstructed, but without avail and the election of 1924 resulted in a victory for the party led by Walter Monroe.

Among the measures passed in 1925 was one abolishing Pro hibition, which had proved unworkable and the substitution of government control of liquor, on the pattern of the Quebec law. The Monroe ministry was pledged to economy and reform, but its difficulties were many, there being much opposition to nearly all its measures of retrenchment. Although revenue was declining and expenditure increasing, a considerable party clamoured for still further loans, to provide bounties on fish and new roads. Only by a steady resistance to these demands was the Govern ment able during the years 1925-28 to balance its revenue.

Projects for Union with Canada.—In 190o the British admiralty, acting upon the repeated suggestions of Sir Charles Dilke and others interested in the manning of the navy, decided to initiate a branch of the imperial naval reserve in the Colony. In 1901 a difficulty arose about paying the men, owing to the lack of any provision for that purpose in the Imperial Reserves Act under which they were enlisted. The Colony was asked to bear the cost; its refusal was followed (1902) by the enactment of special legislation rendering the enrolment and maintenance of the reserves in Newfoundland a special imperial undertaking. Several efforts had been made to induce Newfoundland to con federate with the Dominion of Canada, but the project never met with favour. After the insolvency of the colony in 1894-95, a delegation was sent to Ottawa to ascertain if it were possible to arrange a confederation; but Sir Mackenzie Bowell's govern ment declined to assume the whole of Newfoundland's debt, and the negotiations were abandoned. Financial difficulties led New foundland in 1933 to seek assistance from the British government ; and, following the recommendations of a royal commission, the Legislative and Executive Councils were suspended. In 1934 the administration was taken over by a government Commission.