Newfoundland History

Newfoundland

[For the source of this document, see the end of the text.]

The decision of Mr. Chesley A. Crosbie, one of the most respected businessmen of Newfoundland, not to associate himself with the terms of the union with Canada as they have been drafted, is unfortunate. Mr. Crosbie, though opposed to the form of the referendum and a leader of the anti-confederate party, showed himself a true friend of Newfoundland when he agreed to be one of the delegation into whose charges were placed the final negotiations. Now he has retired, because he is unable to agree.

 

There should be no criticism of Mr. Crosbie for this. He has acted in accord with the principles which have marked his conduct all through the long and bitter referendum campaign. During all this time, he stood his ground without descending to any level of personal abuse and angry partisanship. His stature is in no way impaired because today he finds himself unable to agree to what has been decided by his colleagues and the representatives of the Canadian government.

 

All that can be hoped is that in this instance Mr. Crosbie is not right. It is difficult to see how he can be, for neither party to the negotiations would attempt a settlement in which the island was left with an over-all deficit in the first years of entry into confederation as Mr. Crosbie fears.

 

Nor are those on the Newfoundland side who are taking part likely to sign away their country's independence on such terms. The whole hope of the confederation is that through it the people of Newfoundland will gain in material benefits and general well-being. This, we can be certain, is the spirit in which the negotiations have been carried on and the spirit in which union will be consummated.

 

Source: Winnipeg Free Press, December 14, 1948 , p. A17. Article transcribed by Jonathan Kusek. Revision by Claude Bélanger.