Commission of Government Politics of Newfoundland and Labrador

the riot @ colonial building in 1932

as result of great depression, newfoundland s economy deteriorated. resulted in famous episode in 1932 when large riot erupted @ colonial building , prime minister richard squires narrowly escaped. dominion assembly approved recommendations of amulree commission following year , voted out of existence in order replaced appointed commission of government. commission appointed council british governor , 6 commissioners both britain , newfoundland. commission oversaw slow growth during beginning of reign, newfoundland began thrive during world war ii.

the 1948 referendums


joey smallwood signs document bringing newfoundland confederation

it shortly after second world war newfoundland national convention created in order deliberate constitutional future of newfoundland. 2 referendums initiated in year 1948. in first, newfoundlanders asked vote on whether join canada province, return independent dominion responsible government, or continue appointed commission. in second referendum, newfoundlanders asked choose between responsible government , confederation canada. movement responsible government tended weaker, less organized in rural areas, , had divisions stemming many of members supporting special economic union united states. newfoundland s voters narrowly voted in favour of confederation , in 1949 newfoundland joined canada tenth province.

the second referendum divisive 1 , still day source of contention among newfoundlanders , labradorians. during referendum, joey smallwood campaigned confederate association , peter cashin campaigned responsible government league (rgl). confederate cause drew of support protestants, poor fishermen , rural newfoundlanders particularly outside avalon peninsula. likewise, rgl depended on support of catholics , voters avalon peninsula.

religion served important determinant in voter s decision. roman catholic establishment, centered in st. john s, feared loss of power , possible elimination of role in denominational education after confederation. confederation seen plot join loyalist, predominantly english canada (conversely rgl supporters feared joining french canada ).

this trend not universal since, example, catholics western newfoundland tended vote confederation rather against it. did bring crack in liberal/catholic , conservative/protestant alignment of newfoundland s voters. after confederation, rgl elected form progressive conservative party of newfoundland , labrador, while smallwood, newfoundland s first premier after confederation liberal.

finally economic issues quite salient in referendum on confederation. confederate cause received of support rural protestant communities, won on confederate side promises of child allowance ( baby bonus ), better health care, full employment, higher incomes , other social reforms. these measures newfoundland migrants canada , united states accustomed, not promised avalon peninsula-based, affluent leaders of rgl.