The Wanganui Chronicle THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1928. IMPORTANT ISSUES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20108, 29 March 1928, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1928. IMPORTANT ISSUES

DIFFERENT times efforts have Seen made to induce Newfoundland to federate with the Dominion of Canada, but, with the exception of one proposal, the project has found little favour in the island dominion.

The renewal of the question at Ottawa last week, when a resolution was passed in the Senate expressing the opinion that union was desirable, was probably due in large measure to a recent decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council confirming Newfoundland’s claim to a large area of the Labrador coast.

This decision establishes her right to a territory that for centuries was thought to be valueless, but whose resources in timber, minerals and water-power are now known to be of immense value. Naturally, Canada was disappointed that this large area of the mainland, which geographically forms an integral part of the great dominion, should be lost, and several suggestions have been made for retaining it under her own legislative and administrative jurisdiction. One idea that has received serious consideration is that Canada should buy the Labrador coast. But the suggestion, that the recovery of the lost territory should be made by the union of Newfoundland with Canada finds greatest favour, and as there is provision in the British North America Act for that course, no serious difficulties present themselves. There is, however, no evidence that the, people of Newfoundland have any desire for union, and, as pointed out in the Senate at Ottawa, the offer must come from them.

The opportunity did present itself many years ago when, after the insolvency of the island colony in 1894-5, a delegation was sent to Ottawa to ascertain if it were possible to arrange terms of federation, but the Canadian Government objected to the entire assumption of Newfoundland’s debt of a little more than £3,000.000, and the negotiations were abandoned. In view of the position to-day it would have been for Canada a marvellous investment. That rebuff, and the objections offered by the Canadian Government to a commercial treaty negotiated between Newfoundland and the United States in 1890, account for much of the disfavour with which federation has been regarded in Newfoundland, and her attitude towards Canada’s latest gesture for union will provide a very plain indication whether that feeling still exists. The wider question raised in the Senate, of consolidation of all the units of the Empire in the western. Atlantic, is boldly attractive. Commercial relations between Canada and the West Indies have existed for more than sixty years, and it was the Canadian connection that was largely instrumental in saving the sugar industry of the West Indies from severe depression, if not from actual extinction. Regular steamer communication has been established for many years, and the natural tendency, on account of the geographical position of the islands, to be thrown under the influence of either the United States of Canada, appears to have been narrowed down to a very definite connection with Canada.

Established commercial relationship provides a. suitable stepping-off place for forming still closer ties, and the confederation of all the units of the Empire in western Atlantic waters may not be so visionary, nor as far distrW, as may appear at the moment.