The Choice

It was March 31, 1949, not a date of great consequence for most, but for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, one of momentous importance. The population of Britain’s oldest colony had recently voted, albeit by a small margin, to join The Dominion of Canada. The two years leading up to that vote had been the most politically active in the country’s 450 year history. Having been granted Responsible Government in 1855, The Dominion of Newfoundland had achieved nationhood including having it’s own flag. It was a proud moment for a tireless and hardworking people, who had known more than their share of the abuses of colonialism. Unfortunately it was followed by some disastrous events that kept the tiny nation from thriving as it’s people had hoped. Nevertheless, the country continued to stay afloat, until the great depression of the 1930’s. In 1933 the last parliament voted itself out of existence and agreed to be governed by a Commission made up of three Britons and three Newfoundlanders with the governor as chairman. The war years (1939-1945) brought a measure of prosperity, and many people began to talk of a return to self-government. The National Convention which followed saw deep divisions among those who wanted a return to independence and an upstart group who advocated union with Canada. Now that the moment of truth was here, the terms of union signed and the people officially Canadians, many held their breath in anticipation. For years rumours of dire repercussions had been spread throughout the populate if confederation with Canada became a reality. Among them was Canada’s family allowance program which the anti-confederates had labelled a “Baby Bonus” and for which they said, the people would pay dearly in taxes.

Rob and Joe were eleven and twelve years old respectively but the impact of the past two years had been so great as to electrify even their young minds. Rob, whose father had supported joining Canada from day one was very excited but Joe was uncertain. His parents had actually voted to retain the commission in the first referendum, feeling the devil you knew was better than one you didn’t. “Mom says if anyone comes around here looking for taxes, she’ll chase him away with great grandfather’s old musket, he used on the French when they attacked and tried to take back Placentia”. Rob laughed, “I’ve told you a hundred times, no one will come looking for taxes, that’s just lies started by the Responsible Government bunch”. Joe wasn’t convinced but another thought entered his head, “did you know that George and Jim Marks from Darby’s Harbour haven’t spoken to each other since the vote and they’re brother’s too”? “That’s nothing”, Rob chimed in,  Sy Barnes hasn’t visited his father and he’s dying, even said he won’t go to the funeral”. The two lads walked along in silence for a few moments, finally Joe speaks up, “I don’t think it’s right not to visit your father, just because the confederates won, I’d go see my dad if he was sick no matter who he voted for”. Rob nodded, “isn’t it funny”, he said, “they’re supposed to be the grown ups, but if we did something like that they’d say we were acting like small kids, but you and I would be friends no matter who won the election”. The boys were quiet again, finally Rob broke the silence “Mom says she’s going to buy me a pair of boots with her first baby bonus cheque” Joe smiled, “Johnny Power’s mom says she’ll send her cheque back to Ottawa, says she’s not taking any of that Canadian money“. Both boys laughed. “look there’s Johnny now, let’s go out to the point and see if there’s any ice coming in the bay”.