NATIONAL CONVENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26026, 14 December 1945, Page 6

NATIONAL CONVENTION

NEWFOUNDLAND ELECTIONS BRITAIN’S INTENTION LONDON, Dec. 11. The United Kingdom Government has decided to establish an elected national convention in Newfoundland in 1946 as early as climatic conditions permit said the Prime Minster, Mr C. R. Attlee, in the House of Commons. This is in pursuance of a statement of policy made on behalf of the Coalition Government in December, 1943, which the present Government fully endorsed. Elections to the convention would be held broadly on the basis, of former parliamentary constituencies. All adults would be entitled to vote. The judge of the Newfoundland Supreme Court would preside over the convention. Its terms of reference would be to discuss changes in the financial and economic situation of the island since 1934. to examine the general condition of the' country, and to make recommendations on possible forms of future government to be put before the people by national referendum. Mr Anthony Eden said the Opposition fully supported the Governments proposals. . _ , . , , Mr J. Maxton (Ind. Lab.) asked whether Mr Attlee . would consider sending out an additional commission or commissions to assist Newfoundland to prepare for the convention election and referendum. . Mr Attlee promised to send the technical help necessary. Mr Beverley Baxter (Con.) asked for an assurance that never again would a Parliament in any part of the Empire 'be closed down and the franchise taken away. . , Mr Attlee replied that it certainly was not the policy of the present Gqvernment to take away representation from any part of the Empire, but he was unable to pledge any future Parliament.

Up to February 15, 1934, the government of Newfoundland was in the hands of an Executive Council, a Legislative Council, and an elected House of Representatives. In 1933 the country, for the second time in 40 years, faced insolvency, and a Royal Commission was appointed to report on the financial situation. The commission recommended that the existing Legislature and Executive Council should, for the time being, be suspended. It also recommended that until such time as Newfoundland could be self-support-ing again there should be constituted a form of government under which the full legislative power and executive power should be vested in the Governor acting on the advice of a speciallycreated commission of six members (three from Newfoundland and three from the United Kingdom), exclusive of the Governor, over which the Governor would preside. The Gover-nor-in-Commission would be responsible to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in the United Kingdom for the good government of the island. The Government of the United Kingdom would assume general responsibility for the finances of the island during the period of reconstruction. These recommendations, which denoted a suspension of the Constitution of Newfoundland, were incorporated in the Newfoundland Bill, which was passed by the British Legislature on December 21. 1933, and became effective from February 15. 1934.