Thursday, March 16, 1967
I laid down, along with my friends in the Cabinet and in consultation with all our members, seven years ago a policy and under that policy our province went forward toward greater opportunity and economic emancipation. I have not changed my mind. I still stand on that policy and I am convinced that our future prospects, our homes and our happiness are dependent on that policy. I offer my full support and that of my fellow members to the Government in building on the basis of a sound industrial plan that will involve greater opportunity for business, for labour, and investment, and which will preserve the future of our farm people in reasonable security on their farms, large and small.
(Applause). Robert E. Campbell: A short seven days!
Hon. Alexander B. Campbell (Fifth Prince) Premier, and Attorney and Advo cate General:
Mr. Speaker, I hardly expected the privilege of addressing this Assembly this evening in view of the forecasts which we were able to read in the news- papers of two weeks ago. It would seem that the seven days have become seven hours. But in any event, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity at this time to make several preliminary remarks with respect to the speech which I propose to make in reply to the Throne Speech and my first words will be words of congratulations to you, Sir, for the way that you have conducted this Assembly thus far, and we trust that in the ensuing days with the co-operation from members on both sides of this House that we will be able to proceed with the work that this Assembly must tackle in this Session, and deal with it in a businesslike manner with due dispatch.
I wish, as well, to extend words of welcome to the new members of this As- sembly and to offer my congratulations to the Mover and the Seconder of the Speech from the Throne. It 1s particularly refreshing to hear from the Mover of the Draft Address, in both French and English, in his maiden speech in this House, such a splendid account of himself. His delivery was excellent, and the message was re- freshing and it was no surprise to us, Mr. Speaker, that the Seconder of the Address from the banner District of Fourth Prince also excelled himself at this time. This was no surprise to us, of .oourse, because we have had the opportunity of hearing this member on various occasions discussing in the House matters pertaining not only to agriculture but other aspects of our Island life.
I was very disappointed, Mr. Speaker, with the display that occurred on the second day, the second sitting of this House. When, during Government Motions, n Opposition member rose and stressed the emergency of a situation and urged is House to consider the need for emergency debate on the matter of Georgetown. bviously this member, with the advice of his colleagues, knew he was rising during vernment motions, and obviously he knew that he was out of order and would be lled out of order. Because the performance of the Opposition since then has con-' rmed this and they have perpetrated an outrageous mockery and introduced petty artisan politics to the conduct of this House. The principle of an emergency debate, r. Speaker, is that when there is no other opportunity under the Rules of the ouse to debate a matter of national or provincial emergency, then in those circum- tances special procedures of Parliament allow the debate to be set aside and the tter of urgency to be considered immediately.
The Throne Speech was proceeded with forty-five minutes after that Resolu- 'on was proposed to this House and as members all realize, during the Throne Speech ebste members have the latitude which they wish to exercise in speaking on any atter. Lo and behold, Mr. Speaker, when the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader f the Opposition Party rose in this House he completely ignored the matter which is Party pounded the desks of the Opposite Side in demanding an immediate hear- g. Forty-five minutes after that Resolution was introduced in this House he was on his feet and able to speak on any subject. He was unable to pick a more pressing subject than to criticize my colleague, who has the honour to be the Dominion Presi- ent of the Curling Association, for being at the MacDonald Brier representing this province in that across-Canada recognized National Championship, and went on to other matters of very little importance. I was very sorry to see that happen.
And then early this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, when members of the Opposition _43_..