Newfoundland Governance up to Confederation

Overview• Newfoundland started as a large fishing station which would come under control of the British

Empire later in the 18th century.• In a pattern repeated many times around the world, it would initially serve as a functional site

of resources, a population would develop, people would start to settle and demand rights and fair governance. To continue productivity the empire would slowly grant these benefits in return for the continued benefit from NLs resources. This would eventually lead to independence (Responsible Government)

• Fast growth would lead to poor decisions and political corruption which, combined with debts created by World War 1, a necessary but unsustainable railway and the depression, would eventually lead the threat of bankruptcy. Faced with losing everything, NL would give up independence and cede control to the British Empire (Commission Government) until finances were in order and the people wanted independence back. Britain would bail NL out and benefit from its resources once again, in return.

• While a democracy may be considered cumbersome, fewer people making unilateral decisions about the future of NL caused resentment and resulted in decisions that were both seriously flawed and served future interests of Britain instead of NL. Commission government fixed a lot of problems, but many argue that it served only the future interests of Britain.

• After World War 2, NL had three choices – Attempt to try to independently survive (failed first time), keep commission government and give them a second chance, or join with Canada (sharing its resources and prospering under its protection as a province)

Discussion…

• If a factory owner set up a town to manufacture something and was given total control of the town, how might that affect people’s lives? What things might a factory owner invest in more, as opposed to an elected official from the community?• If serious crimes could not be dealt with by the factory owners but

had to be taken 4000 miles away to another court, what might happen?• If a local garrison of trained military forces was nearby with an

experience commander, how might they be used to improve justice and enforcement?

Governance to 1730’s – what a mess!• Justice and Govt handled by fishing admirals in the interest of a profitable fishing

industry in NL• Harsh military naval justice applied to early settlers and seasonal workers• NL seen as a large fishing station and not a colony. Benefits of a colony seen as

detrimental to business• Governance was decentralized and inconsistent. First attempt at normalizing it was

the Western Charter of 1634, which standardized issues admirals could deal with- issues that interfered with the fishery of course. Fishing admirals would later be accountable to naval commanders who served as judges who could consider appeals.

• Felonies were still under the jurisdiction of Britain and cases had to be heard there. Witnesses had to return to Britain, support themselves during court proceedings, and pay their own passage back. People would literally get away with murder.

1730-1815

• Things got more organized. A naval governor was appointed each year with his officers underneath him. Magistrates for 9 major districts who would travel and take care of more serious matters. Local Justices of the Peace for petty matters. While it still followed a typically Naval chain of command, there was a path for people to follow in the pursuit of justice. More isolated areas still did not have the same consistent governance that larger centers such as Harbor Grace and St. John's enjoyed. People wanted better and same treatment for all.

Questions

• The population in our fictional town increases. People are there to raise families now, and not just to seasonally work. People are coming in from other company towns that are governed differently. Worker are forming a community and talking about was to improve their quality of life. You are the CEO and you have a problem. Unhappy workers are not as productive or simply leave. Giving them everything the want cuts into the company’s bottom line. You might lose money, but you might also go bankrupt. What do you do?

Naval Governance to Representative Government• As the population grew, political groups would organize and the public became

more informed through the use of newspapers etc. A sharp increase in immigrations and the economy saw rapid growth and more educated/determined residents. Some were aware of a better life and many wanted a better future for themselves and their children• Naval governance would be challenged. Colony status, avoided to enable more

profit, was unavoidable. • NL was recognized as a colony in 1825. A civil governor replaced the naval

governor . In 1832 Newfoundland was granted Representative Government. People were "represented" by 15 publicly voted members . They formed the house of assembly (“lower house”). These members still reported to a Legislative Council (“upper house”) chosen by the governor (appointed by Britain). Elected members could take constituent concerns to the legislature had to agree with legislation in order for it to be passed. Important government positions were kept in the upper house. In the end, decision making served NL’s needs as long as they served Britain’s wants.

•Governor is appointed by British Government•Legislative council is appointed by governor and most members are military, merchants, sea captains, lawyers etc.•All bills have to go to House of Assembly for approval•15 elected members in House of Assembly•House of Assembly has to debate and approve bills from Legislative council. If a bill was not approved, the government could not function. Thus, compromises were of the made and decisions were in the interest of the British Government.

1855-1933 – Responsible Government• Responsible Government was responsible to the people who elected

its members. Nova Scotia was granted this in 1848 and NL wanted the same.• A Prime Minister of the political majority would choose who would sit

in the executive level of government, and the house of representatives (house of assembly) could provide better representation of the people (from both the “government” and the “opposition”) . In 1855, a general election would be held and a Liberal majority resulted in the first "government" with it's leader as Newfoundland's first "Prime Minister".

Questions

• Class discussion – How can a Million Dollar Lottery winner go bankrupt in a few years?• Refer to current NL deficit and budgetary measures.• Reflect upon how history repeats itself and how we can learn from it.

•Legislative Council, Executive Council, and Judiciary were recommended by the Premier and appointed by the Governor (who was still appointed by the British)•Executive council was formed by the party that had the most seats in the house, and the Premier was the leader of that party.•While this was a better democracy, it was not full autonomy; the British government retained the final say in important legislation and external affairs.

Responsible Government collapses

• NL fails an attempt at functioning on its own.• Responsible government was a milestone in NL independence but

corruption, difficulties with merchants that lacked confidence in government, fast unsustainable growth facing a slower democratic system, a very political and unsustainable railway, World War 1 debt, and the great depression would see the Newfoundland vote away it's independence in 1933. It could not pay the interest on its loans and faced bankruptcy. The public lost confidence and rioted. The opposition took advantage and the Prime Minister resigned. Politics, it seemed, was largely responsible for our problems and the democratic responsible system of government wasn't making it any better.

Bailed out by a Britain and a temporary Commission Government• Democratic politics and the constitution would be suspended. It was decided that a British appointed

"commission" would rule NL. Britain and Canada would pay 2/3 of our loan interst payments for Jan 1, 1933. NL would return to Responsible Govt only after the budget was balanced and the people demanded a restoration of responsible government. It appointed seven people to manage Nl’s affairs. There would be no democratic elections for 15 years. The new government would try to address issues identified in the Amulree Report,.

• There was a disconnect between what the people thought was right for Newfoundland and what the commission thought. The land settlement scheme, for example, failed and cost more money that it was supposed to save. Despite this, Commission government also made strides in education and health care, providing a solid foundation for whatever future NL chose.

• Land was leased to the US with no trade concessions (in return for desperately needed support of England by the US in WW2). While this was criticized for serving British interests, NL also benefited. After WW2, the offshoot benefits of US bases would result in an economy so healthy that NL would be lending money to Britian!

• Commission government was meant to be temporary though and conditions for its cancellation were met. Provided a “stay” by World War 2, the commission’s days were numbered.

The National Commission and Joey Smallwood• It was decided that Commission Government as it existed no longer had a place in NL’s future.• A National Commission was formed to explore our options. The commission was formed by influential

persons elected across the province. It was intended to explore the status of Newfoundland, document it, and decide upon options to be brought to the people after they were explored and determined feasible. Canada wasn’t even on the table. Joey Smallwood, a diminutive pig farmer and journalist from Gambo with famous debating skills (called “the Little Man from Gambo” by admirers and detractors alike) started a heated debate in the commission only two months into it’s existence, over confederation with Canada. Regardless of the outcome, it polarized the commission on the issue and would lead to it’s inclusion in upcoming referendums.

• What would NL do? • Go independent and try again, facing possible bankruptcy in a post WW2 world where small independent countries

also struggled and relied on their allies for support? back to it's previous state of affairs? • Try a modified British commission system that MIGHT work this time and better serve NLs future interests? • Join Canada, share NL’s resources, ally with its laws and economy, and hope for a better future?

• Two referendums were held. In the first, no option was a clear winner. In the second referendum, commission govt was dropped. Joey Smallwood would travel the province in a small plane, campaigning in the name of Canadian confederation. He was loved or hated for his position on Canada. He carried a handgun and was accompanied by two body guards. Once, he escaped an angry mob by holding onto the roof of a fleeing car. Confederation with Canada was chosen. Despite the cost of taking on NL, which Britain could not afford, Canada willfully accepted. NL has previously decided not to confederate with NL in the 1800s and Canada was worried about the US acquiring that land and its resources.

Links

• Newfoundland Decides Its Future – “Joey Smallwood, a dimunative, bespectacled man with an iron will, was at the centre of a political storm in the late 1940s as Newfoundlanders bitterly debated their future.”• The Tenth Province. Newfoundland Joins Canada• There were three tries for Confederation between Newfoundland and

Canada