File under "plus ça change..."
"There are people who put great hopes in the reported gold discovery in Labrador. From our past experiences of Responsible Government, I see no reason to expect that, even if Labrador increased the revenue of Newfoundland by ten million dollars a year, the people would be any better off, it is likely that an army of civil servants would be increased to such an extent, that the additional revenue would be just enough to pay them... Labrador may make a great difference, but not while we have Responsible Government."
– "Crown Colony", writing in the St. John's Daily News, June 29, 1933
posted by WJM @ 6:35 PM
7 Comments:
Given the past experiences of women in Canada before gaining the franchise and other rights, I suppose they could condemn Canada forever and a day from then onwards too. I'm glad most of them figured out that it's not that simple and that times change, attitudes change, etc . . .
Why offer a quote from 1933, when Responsible Government was suffering its worst crisis and ended up being abandoned the following year? It's a very interesting choice you make there, Wally.
Who is to say that the Responsible Government sought by about half of NLers in 1948, the most recent exercise in seeking responsible government, would be the same as what existed before the Commission Government, the Depression, and the War?
I'm sure you'll say it. I'm not sure you have reason to say it -- at least not to condemn it as it would develop at that stage as compared to the treatment of Labrador levelled by the provincial government post-Confederation. The problem wasn't with Newfoundland and Labrador having a government - be it provincial or independent Resp govt, it's with attitudes within Newfoundland and Labrador re Labrador.
I don't think it's fair to assume or imply that those who would have favoured Responsible Government in the 40s were any worse than those who would favour confederation with Canada when it comes to Labrador's issues. They both had some attitude problems. Similarly right now, Labrador is neglected by politicians on both sides of the House.
Given the past experiences of women in Canada before gaining the franchise and other rights, I suppose they could condemn Canada forever and a day from then onwards too.
Why not? Your "league" still bitches about D'Iberville and Blaine-Bond.
And once again, Liam, you choose to respond to something other than what I wrote!
Strawmen arguments like that will get you noodle-slapped by judges, you know...
Wally, I'm not saying you shouldn't be critical of past mistakes of any government. But when I complain about Confederation as it is now, I don't pretend as if Confederation has always meant the same thing and always must mean the same thing. That's why I want to work for positive change.
You daily call me a separatist. Noodle slap yourself as a liar on that one or at least explain how you were doing somehting other than implying that an independnet NL under responsible government must always mean what it meant in 1933 for Labrador.
That's why I want to work for positive change.
You're starting to sound like Jack Layton! What's next? You're trying to get results for people, instead of for plants? ;)
You daily call me a separatist.
No, about every month or so I call you a crypto-separatist! Which means it's almost that time again...
Noodle slap yourself as a liar on that one or at least explain how you were doing somehting other than implying that an independnet NL under responsible government must always mean what it meant in 1933 for Labrador.
You missed my point entirely: that even in 1933 there was a sentiment out there, which I share still, 73 years later, that even if Labrador generated all kinds of revenue for the Newfoundland/provincial treasury, very little of it would, or does, end up being used for the benefit of Labrador.
Carry on! In both senses of the expression.
You wouldn't need to work very hard to convince most people who believe NL never should have joined Canada (which , incidentally, isn't "crypto-separatism") that the first era of Representative Government (1832-) and Responsible government (1855-1934) was hardly a golden era for the tratment of Labrador. It was bad in many ways. I admit that.
I'll also argue, however, that Confederation wasn't much of a salve - and that the problem wasn't with responsible government. It was with attitudes on the island. I think your quote really does say that anyway.
Keep burning that strawman, Liam.
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