NEWFOUNDLAND'S FINANCES

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20961, 15 September 1933, Page 9

NEWFOUNDLAND'S FINANCES

recommendations of COMMISSION SUSPENSION OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT LONDON, August 8.. The report of the committee urfcasA recently visited Newfoundland under the chairmanship of leri Amulree to investigate the financial and political situation in the Dominion is now in the hands of the Secretary of State for the Domiaioos. It is understood that its recommeßdations for the restoration of sound conditions in the administration cf public affairs involve far-reaching and fundamental changes. On the economic side, the island was found to be in a very serious state, and it is proposed that the finances should be thoroughly overhauled and put under expert nonpolitical control, as the condition precedent to arranging a large reconstruction loan. This will necessitate, the report recommends, the suspension of the normal political institutions of the island and the abandonment for the time being of active representative government. In short, if the recommend a::-:: of the report are carried out, the constitution would be temporarily withdrawn, and the administration of the Dominion handed over to j, nominated commission with full powers to reorganise the whole machinery of government, to conduct the affairs of the Dominion by administrative order, and to collet; taxes. This proposal is without preceat-i.; in the modern history or' the Empire, and its justification is ;5 a desperate position call? for a disparate remedy.