The Newfoundland National Convention of 1946 was a forum established to decide the constitutional future of Newfoundland The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British dominion from 1907 to 1949. The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland. The dominion was self-governing from 1907 to 1934 when it voluntarily gave up self-government and (now a province The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second largest country. The major difference between a Canadian province and a territory is that provinces are states that receive their power and authority directly from the Constitution Act, 1867, whereas territories derive their mandates and powers from the federal of Canada Canada is a country occupying most of upper North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. It is the world's second largest country by total area and shares the world's longest common border with the United States to the south and northwest). It would later see Newfoundland into Canadian Confederation Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed beginning July 1, 1867 from the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America.
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Background
Newfoundland Newfoundland and Labrador (pronounced /ˈnuːfɨnlænd ən(d) ˈlæbrədɔr/; French: Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador) is a province of Canada on the country's Atlantic coast in northeastern North America. This easternmost Canadian province comprises two main parts: the island of Newfoundland off the country's eastern coast, and Labrador on the mainland had a long history of democratic responsible government Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy. Governments in Westminster democracies are responsible to parliament rather than to the monarch, or, in the colonial context, to the imperial as a British colony, operating a bicameral In government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses. Bicameralism is an essential and defining feature of the classical notion of mixed government. Bicameral legislatures tend to require a legislature for decades. However, the Dominion The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British dominion from 1907 to 1949. The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland. The dominion was self-governing from 1907 to 1934 when it voluntarily gave up self-government and fell into democratic disarray at the beginning of the Great Depression The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn starting in most places in 1929 and ending at different times in the 1930s or early 1940s for different countries. It was the largest and most severe economic depression in the 20th century, and is used in the 21st century as an example of how far the world's economy can decline. The Great. Prime Minister Frederick C. Alderdice, Newfoundland's last Prime Minister, was born in Ireland and emigrated to Newfoundland when he became a successful fish merchant. Alderdice was elected on a promise to have a National Referendum on the future of the nation. But after he was elected his government reneged on their promise and approached the Prime Minister of Britain to appoint a Commission of Government. In 1934, the United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe. It is an island country, spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the northeastern part of Ireland, and many small islands. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK with a land border, sharing it with appointed a Commission of Government The Commission of Government was a non-elected body that governed Newfoundland from 1934 to 1949 . Established following the collapse of Newfoundland's economy during the Great Depression, it was composed of civil servants who were directly subordinate to the British Government in London to run the affairs of Newfoundland. Except for St. John's Municipal Council, there were no elections in Newfoundland until after World War II.
In 1943 a British Parliamentary Commission investigated the future of Newfoundland; the Chairman was Charles Ammon and the other members were A. P. Herbert Sir Alan Patrick Herbert, CH (24 September 1890 – 11 November 1971) was an English humorist, novelist, playwright and law reform activist. He was Member of Parliament for Oxford University for 15 years, five of which he combined with service in the Royal Navy (who supported independence over confederation) and Derrick Gunston.
On December 11 December 11 is the 345th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 20 days remaining until the end of the year, 1945 Year 1945 was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). It is most widely known for being the year in which World War II ended. It is also known as the beginning of the Cold War, UK Prime Minister The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom and the Head of Her Majesty's Government. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party, and ultimately to the electorate Clement Attlee Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951 and leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955. He was Deputy Prime Minister under Winston Churchill in the wartime coalition government, before leading the Labour Party to a landslide announced in the British House of Commons The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 646 members, who are known as "Members of Parliament" or MPs. Members are that a general election would be held in 1946 to select delegates for a National Convention in the Colonial Building Colonial Building was the seat of the Newfoundland government and the House of Assembly from January 28, 1850 to July 28, 1959 and in 1974 declared a Provincial Historic Site at St. John’s St. John's is the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. St. John's is the most populous Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in the province, it is the second largest CMA in the Atlantic Provinces after Halifax, and 20th Largest metropolitan area in. Attlee explained to the British House of Commons what steps were to be taken to end the Commission of Government, which one Independent Labour Party The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in the United Kingdom MP, James Maxton, called "the biggest blot" on the British democratic system.
The Convention
Nominations for the National Convention were held on May 31 May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 214 days remaining until the end of the year, 1946 Year 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar and on June 21 June 21 is the 172nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 193 days remaining until the end of the year, 1946 Year 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, Newfoundlanders elected 45 delegates. Only two females offered themselves as candidates, but neither succeeded in winning a seat. Lester Burry, of Labrador Labrador is a region of Atlantic Canada. Together with the island of Newfoundland from which it is separated by the Strait of Belle Isle, it constitutes the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The region is part of the much larger Labrador Peninsula on the Canadian mainland. The area was known by the Norse as Markland had secured a seat, the first time that Labrador had elected representation.
The convention first met on September 11 September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 111 days remaining until the end of the year. It is usually the first day of the Coptic calendar and Ethiopian calendar (in the period AD 1900 to AD 2099), 1946 Year 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. A judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland, Justice Cyril J. Fox, chaired the convention. The Department of Home Affairs issued pay checks to the National Convention Delegates: $15 a day, with a traveling stipend of $10 per day. Newfoundlanders could listen to the convention debates on radio stations VOCM, VOAR and the state-run Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland The Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland was the government-owned public radio service of the dominion of Newfoundland. The radio service was founded in 1939 by the Commission of Government). The BCN's first station was acquired when the government purchased VONF (640 kHz) from the Dominion Broadcasting Company and refurbished for the use of station, VONF.
When the National Convention was convened, many Members were under the mistaken impression that they were to serve as members of a new Newfoundland responsible government. Some delegates attempted to organize a National Government, and demanded the accounting books from the Commission. However, Governor MacDonald would explain that delegates were not the Government of Newfoundland, but were convened to debate what kind of government Newfoundland should have. The National Convention adjourned for the summer in 1946, intending to reconvene in the fall.
In 1946, many of the Members believed Newfoundland should return to Responsible Government and Self-Determination. Delegates sympathetic to political union with Canada were in a minority in the National Convention until October 28 October 28 is the 301st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 64 days remaining until the end of the year, 1946 Year 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, when Joseph R. Smallwood moved that a delegation be sent to Ottawa to discuss a union with Canada. More motions and amendments were passed in the days following, when on October 30 October 30 is the 303rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 62 days remaining until the end of the year Kenneth M. Brown, the delegate from Bonavista South, collapsed on the floor of the chamber. Tragedy struck again when on November 16 November 16 is the 320th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 45 days remaining until the end of the year, Judge Fox suffered a heart attack and died suddenly. The Convention adjourned on December 13 December 13 is the 347th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 18 days remaining until the end of the year for the Christmas break which saw a movement develop organized by St. John’s businessman F.M. O’Leary, the Responsible Government League.
The Ottawa Delegation
The 1947 Newfoundland delegation.The Newfoundland National Convention dispatched two delegations, one to the United Kingdom (the "London Delegation") and one to Canada (the "Ottawa Delegation"). The London Delegation was unsuccessful in its attempt to get the promise of continued financial aid if Newfoundland were to resume Responsible Government. The Ottawa Delegation negotiated terms of union for Confederation between Newfoundland and Canada in 1947.
On June 19 June 19 is the 170th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 195 days remaining until the end of the year, 1947 Year 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar a delegation of six representatives was sent to Ottawa Ottawa ( ˈɒtəwə or sometimes /ˈɒtəwɑː/) is the capital of Canada and a municipality within the Province of Ontario. Located in the Ottawa Valley in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario, the city lies on the southern banks of the Ottawa River, a major waterway forming the local boundary between the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec. The 20 to discuss Terms of Union between Newfoundland and Canada. The Ottawa Delegation was supposed to return to Newfoundland after week of negotiating. Each delegate was given a travelling subsidy of $25 per day. The members (With their districts) were:
- T.G.W. Ashbourne (Twillingate)
- F.G. Bradley (Bonavista South)
- Charles Ballram Charles H. Ballam union leader, officeholder and delegate at Newfoundland National Convention, born Curling, Newfoundland, Canada, son of Alice and Manoah Ballam (Humber)
- Lester Burry (Labrador)
- P.W. Crummey (Bay de Verde)
- Joey Smallwood Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into Confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland. Smallwood remains a controversial figure in Newfoundland, both for his role in ending its independent status and his acts while serving as its premier. He would dub himself "the last (Bonavista Centre)
The negotiations were largely a one way affair, because any union between the Dominions of Newfoundland and Canada would be dictated by the provisions of the British North America Act The British North America Acts 1867–1975 are the original names of a series of Acts at the core of the constitution of Canada. They were enacted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Parliament of Canada. In Canada, some of the Acts were amended or repealed by the Constitution Act, 1982; the rest were renamed the Constitution Acts. In (BNA), under which Canada had come into being in 1867. Because the economy of Crummey's district was almost exclusively fishery-oriented, he was assigned to negotiate fishery issues. Crummey quickly discovered that after Confederation, Newfoundland would lose control of the Grand Banks because the BNA designated fisheries as under federal jurisdiction. Crummey also sensed that the federal negotiators intended to draw out the negotiations.
Other motions were discussed at the Newfoundland Legislature, such as those of Robert Job who suggested economic union with the United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its forty-eight contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the capital district, lie between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, bordered by Canada to the north and Mexico to the. On April 11 April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 264 days remaining until the end of the year, 1947 Year 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, D.I. Jackman moved that a delegation be sent to Washington, DC Washington, D.C. , formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States, founded on July 16, 1790. The City of Washington was originally a separate municipality within the Territory of Columbia until an act of Congress in 1871 effectively merged the City and the to seek terms of union but his motion was not passed by the assembly. Thus, union with the United States was effectively taken off the table.
A motion to place Confederation with Canada on the ballot was defeated 29 to 16. Joey Smallwood felt slighted by what he called 'Twenty-Nine Dictators'. Smallwood and his Confederates took the matter public. Newfoundland's Governor A governor is a governing official, usually the executive (at least nominally, to different degrees also politically and administratively) of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state. In federations, a governor may be the title of each appointed or elected politician who governs a constituent state, Gordon Macdonald Gordon Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald of Gwaenysgor, PC was a British politician and Newfoundland's final British governor as well as the last chairman of the Commission of Government serving from 1946 until the colony joined confederation in 1949 and became a province of Canada would announce on March 11 March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 295 days remaining until the end of the year, 1948 Year 1948 was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar that Confederation with Canada would be on a national referendum ballot along with Dominion government and the Commission.
The Referendums
On June 3 June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 211 days remaining until the end of the year, 1948, the first of two Newfoundland referendums was held on the advice of the Convention. Voters had three options:
- A return to dominion status
- Commission of Government, the status quo
- Confederation with Canada
| Votes | Perc. | |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Status | 69,400 | 44.6% |
| Confederation | 64,066 | 41.1% |
| Commission | 22,311 | 14.3% |
The option for responsible government won a plurality, but not an absolute majority. The Governor and Commissioners called for a second National Referendum, one between Confederation and Dominion status. Anti-Confederates wanted the second National Referendum options limited to "Responsible Government" and "Commission of Government", believing that if Responsible Government won, it would be in a position to negotiate better terms with Canada.
On July 22 July 22 is the 203rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 162 days remaining until the end of the year, 1948 A second National Referendum was held. In the second referendum only two options appeared:
- Dominion status
- Confederation
| Votes | Perc. | |
|---|---|---|
| Confederation | 78,323 | 52.3% |
| Dominion status | 71,334 | 47.7% |
The confederation option won, and Newfoundland would become Canada's tenth province the following year.
External links
- The Newfoundland National Convention, 1946-1948 Heritage Newfoundland
- Commission of Government 1934-1949
- Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada pdf file.
Categories: History of Newfoundland and Labrador
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