Newfoundland and Labrador’s National Convention

I was nine years old when Newfoundland and Labrador became a province of Canada on march 31, 1949, but I have many memories of the event and the happenings that led up to it. I should first perhaps give an overview of what led Britain’s oldest colony and for 79 years a Dominion in its own right, to take this momentous and often contentious step. The colony had been granted responsible government in 1855 and despite setbacks, progress had been made. When the great depression struck in 1929 the country in common with the rest of the world suffered heavily and although the government cut its expenditure in every direction, it soon found itself in an impossible situation. An appeal was made to the British government, which granted a loan but also set up an enquiry into the Dominions affairs. As a result it was recommended that responsible government be suspended and Britain should continue to make grants to Newfoundland until she should become self-supporting again. So it was that the last parliament under responsible government in Newfoundland sat for the final time in 1934 and handed the governing of the country over to a commission consisting of three Newfoundlanders and three Englishmen with the governor as Chairman.

As often happens the outbreak of the second world war, saw a measure of prosperity returned to the colony, and by the wars end in 1945, many were calling for a return to responsible government. Consequently a national convention, consisting of 45 members representing 38 districts was convened on Sept. 11, 1946. It’s mandate was to examine conditions in the country and make recommendations to the British government as to the future governing of the colony. This would than be put before the people in a national referendum. The first chairman of the convention, Judge Cyril Fox, died in November of that year and was replaced by F Gordon Bradley. All debates were broadcast on the government radio station VONF. The orderly program was upset on Oct.28, 1946, when Joseph R. Smallwood moved that a delagation be sent to Ottawa to determine possible terms of union with Canada. His motion was supported by only 17 members, but sparked a bitter debate and changed the whole direction of the convention. It was finally decided to send a delagation to both London and Ottawa both to be led by the convention chairman.

The London group made up mainly of those opposed to union with Canada received a cold reception and were told bluntly that if the country returned to responsible government, it could expect no further financial assistance from Britain. This attitude on the part of Britain outraged the anti-confederates, especially the outspoken Major Peter Cashin who felt that Britain was attempting to “sell” the country to the Dominion of Canada. Shortly after the London delagation returned, another group including Smallwood, set out for Ottawa. Draft terms of union were drawn up and although the delagation had left in June, it did not return until October. It was then it could be said, that the real fun began with the battle lines clearly drawn between those in favour of union with Canada, led by the articulate Joseph R. Smallwood, and those who wanted a return to responsible government, championed by the firey Major Peter Cashin. Although the convention voted not to include Confederation with Canada on the ballot, Britain stepped in once again and declared that the electrate of Newfoundland and Labrador must be be given that choice. The other aternatives were a return to responsible government or to continue to be govered by a commission. The date for the referendum was set for June 3,1948 and all sides prepared to do battle for the hearts and minds of the country’s people.