Legislative Assembly

area what it is, and I can assure you that it is a great honour to represent the people of the Fourth District.

Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to congratulate the Premier for the able manner in which he has conducted his many responsibilities since he assumed office about six months ago—se'ren months ago. I know that his excellent leadership is appreciated by all our people. I know the members of the Cabinet have been very co-operative and helpful, with a desire at all times in every department to serve the best interests of our people. Premier Campbell deserves congratulations and thanks of every Islander for his outstanding success at the Federal-Provincial Conference last fall. (Applause) Because of his able presentation, he was able to obtain a special Prince Edward Island grant of three and one half million dollars, (Applause) as well as one point seven million dollars for educational grants. During the election campaign our Leader told the people of this province that he could obtain better re- sults from our friends in the Federal Liberal government than the Leader of the Opposition and his ministers. The result of last fall’s conference confirms Premier Campbell’s position beyond any shadow of a doubt. (Applause) It is probably the first time that a province was given a special grant by a federal government at a Federal-Provincial Conference. Besides this there have been numerous other exam- ples proving that Islanders made a wise choice when they elected a Liberal Govern- ment that would work on friendly terms with a friendly Liberal government at 0t-

tawa. (Applause)

Mr. Speaker. the Speech from the Throne outlines many worthwhile pieces of Legislation designed to benefit economy and the business life of our province. It is not possible for me to mention all the matters I would like to deal with, or the work of the Government. The Speech is an outline of the legislation that the government in- tends for the House during this Session. It contains a great deal of useful and ne- cessary legislation which will bring benefits to our province and the people of the province. In order to give this program the necessary attention in the House we will all have to give serious attention and work together for the good of all. I think that this Throne Speech contains much of the program and policies which our leader and candidate presented to the people of the province in the general election of last spring and summer, and which the people of the Island endorsed by electing a Liberal gov- ernment. Of course, our program is a program for a government which normally has four years to effect this program. So we shall not expect that everything con- tained in this Speech can be done in this first year.

It is generally understood fact that the basic industry in Prince Edward Island is agriculture. It has always been our greatest source of income. Therefore, it would be only natural to expect that a great amount of legislation that we will have to contend with in this House would be concerned with the advancement and the de- velopment of this all-important industry. Farmers should be encouraged to produce to the maximum in as economically way as possible. It is regrettable that our dairy industry has declined in production in the last few years. Every effort should be made to encourage farmers to increase their dairy herds and to endeavour to estab- lish larger records than ever before, as the surplus of dairy products, chiefly butter, in Canada is now a thing of the past. We are facing the fact that we may have to import butter. As the Maritime provinces are a deficiency area, we, in Prince Edward Island, ship large quantities of butter and cheese to Maritime centres which is a great boost to the economy of our province. But much more is needed by way of finance for dairy barns, silos, and other equipment so this valuable industry can expand. With trends to larger units, more cows and greater production per cow, I believe that our Department of Agriculture should give special consideration to this all-important industry which means so much by way of income to the great majority of our farmers.

The beef industry is showing considerable improvement but it has a long way to go before we get the desired results The demand is still strong for better grades and it is up to the farmers to improve and upgrade their beef herds.

Mr. Speaker, Prince Edward Island grows and markets the highest percentage of Grade “A" hogs of any province in Canada, but the fact is that much of our feed is imported from Western Canada. I maintain much more could be grown here and this would give farmers a greater profit and improve the economy of our province.

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