Friday, March 17, 1967

six-month old government in 1960, when the announcement was made. “Four broken down bulldozers, end $80,000.00, of bills receivable.” One of the members of that House and a former leader of that party joined in the chorus and called for a Royal Commission to investigate this whole matter of the $60,000, and find out whether they are collectable, and whether there was value given for services performed.

Walter R. Shaw: What about the $35,000 you gave away at that time? Some Member: (Remark inaudible).

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: You’ve got some answering to do Sir, because we will turn to the passage which is to be found. . . .

Walter R. Shaw: What is it you are talking about now? (Laughter).

Several Members: (Remarks inaudible).

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Which will be found in this book, Mr. Speaker, on pages 411, etc., commencing at verse two.

Walter R. Shaw: Is that from Revelation?

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Here beginneth the lesson. Actually I am missing about forty pages — he was wound up that day — and he really got on. He was talking about the debt, and he was talking about a lot of things. I could read that speech as my own Throne Speeech, Mr. Speaker.

Robert E. Campbell: Must have taken seven days.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: It would make great reading, I don’t think I would ever duplicate it.

Walter R. Shaw: Read it again, it is good stuff.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: But there are some special passages that are close to my heart and I believe that the members opposite should be reminded of the wisdom of these words as they applied in 1960. The Leader of the Opposition is giving a very lame defence for the wretched financial records of which his party is responsible by mentioning a number of buildings that have been brought forward as an asset. I believe there was a ten or twenty thousand dollar building in the province that was brought forward as an asset, and the Leader, the then Premier in 1980, was criticizing the former administration for showing that as an asset. While in the

public accounts today in this province, Mr. Speaker, there are millions, and millions, and millions of dollars of buildings shown as assets to reflect a more favourable, if that is possible, financial position of this province.

Now he got unto the debt. My gracious! they were adamant on this point. Chapter two, page 412. The net debt by the way was $28,715,000. Think of it, he said. “Is not that a disgraceful record, it was the most unjustifiable orgy of careless ex- penditure that was ever experienced in this province." (Hear, hear).

Robert E. Campbell: You’re getting it.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: That is the story, that is the irrefutable story, the indefensible story, Mr. Speaker; what a statement! $28,000,000, and where are we today after a few short years of administration?

The figures were in the paper today; we know where we are. Walter R. Shaw: Do we? Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: We think we do. Walter R. Shaw: Tell us about Georgetown. Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: We will get to that in due course, Sir. Walter R. Shaw: You got to it already. —51--