Legislative Assembly

is an area where this province can move effectively and that is in the field of minimum security. I am not at all happy about people being thrown in these dark dungeons, or the dark cells, for thirty days on drunk charges, or for six months on this or that. It is not doing them any good; it is not doing the province any good, and we feel an area of great need here. There is the case, Mr. Speaker, of a Warrant of the Lieutenant-Covernor-in-Council respecting Andrew A. Arsenau‘t. He is in the charge of the government of Prince Edward Island under very carefully guarded powers and prerogatives of Government where a paper can be signed restricting the freedom of a man. Arrangements have been made, Mr. Speaker. to transfer Andrew Arsenault from the Queens County jail to the centre at Boscoville where more appro-

riate treatment can be provided for this young man because our jail system is not

D helping him.

The RCMP have requested, and have received approval for the addition of five new members to their staff here in Prince Edward Island which will bring the total number of RCMP officers to fifty-six in the province. Of this number two will be

allocated to Montague and Alberton.

We would hope that the Queen's County Magistrates Court will be located in the Provincial Annex, across the street from the Court House, before too long.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I believe that there is a lot of work ahead for this Assem- bly. I have left the matter of higher education to the Minister of Education. I have left the matter of Confederation Centre for another time. I have left a great number of matters which have been referred to in the Speech for special attention during the Session. There is a lot of work to be done, Mr. Speaker; there are many matters which are of importance to this province that want to be given examination and debate here in this Assembly this year. I realize the concern, Mr. Speaker, of mem- bers opposite, as I realize the concern of members on this side as well, for the we]- fare of the employees who have lost their jobs at the Gulf Garden Foods plant. It has been said that the number is five hundred; I believe that it is in the vicinity of one-hundred and fifty. But these, of course. with their salaries reflect improved situations for others as well. I can say, Mr. Speaker. that this Government is doing everything they can and if that is not enough then it is unfortunate. But we see an answer for the problem and we are working on it. The solution of the Georgetown problem, Mr. Speaker. is not going to be solved by partisan debate in this House. (Applause) Just as the solution of the low price of potatoes today in the province is not going to be solved by partisan debate in this House (Applause) It will be solved by constructive examination, negotiation, and discussion with people who want to open it. And there are people who want to open the Gulf Garden Plant and the Gulf Garden plant is going to be opened! (Applause) And all the time that this House spends on the problem is not going to effect the opening date by one hour. It is going to be opened as soon as it is possible to be opened. We have decided, Mr. Speaker, rightly or wrongly that the considerations of this matter can be more ef- fectiver searched. investigated, inquired, and considered by a Royal Commission. A Royal Commission, Mr. Speaker. composed of a Judge and former lawyer. a Royal Commission including a lawyer who is chairman of the Atlantic Development Board. and whose experience as solicitor to Nova Scotia’s Industrial Enterprises Limited gives him a wide insight, and a deep insight into industrial problems. Composed as well of a man who has forty years’ experience in the accounting field. We feel that the Royal Commission will give exhaustive study to the problem: the Royal Com- mission may in its wisdom submit an interim report if one is required, but everyone will have a say. The Government is going to pay the legal services, the reasonable legal services of a man for the Opposition so that they will be able to give evidence, give their story, ask their questions, demand explanations in front of this inquiry. I don’t know whether the Commission will decide to have open or closed hearings, but I know that it is likely and we have suggested perhaps that the hearings take place in the public utilities area in the Dominion Building, if those facilities are available, where the spoken word can be recorded and where every man can have a say and where, in a proper and cool headed spirit using reason, the story can be told and where the facts can be examined and where recommendations can come forward rather from thoughtful consideration than what I am afraid might develop

in this House as a result of discussion on this subject.

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