Legislative Assembly

Wednesday, March 29, 1967

Frank Myers: Mr. Speaker, rising to resume the Debate I see I haven’t got very much time and I don’t wish to indulge your patience too long, Sir, but before I begin I would like to take this opportunity for just a moment to remind ourselves of the uncertainty of life. Just sixteen years ago back in 1951, looking around the present Assembly there are only three of us here today that were here then. But after the Session wore on during that period of time 1951 to 1955 another member, through a by-election, was elected to this Assembly. So therefore, it leaves me on this side of the House what you call the Dean, in other words the oldest sitting member. (Applause) Therefore, now I don’t mean it that way, but however I feel and this may surprise you, Sir, it is not my intention at this time to criticize the Government. It is a new Government but I feel it is a responsibility on my part, Sir, to try in a very humble manner to help the new Premier because he made so many promises, and I feel that perhaps he didn't expect to be elected but the point is, Sir, he is elected. So I would like to go back a little — in other words reminisce for a few moments. Let us look at his biography. “Alex B. Campbell is a vigorous and able young man,” which is true, “who will bring new energy, new ideas. a better deal for all Islanders.” Let us remember those words for a short while. But what was the first thing he did, Sir, I know you wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t do it. Sometimes when I was on the farm. I am not there any more, I would have a hired man and perhaps in your career, Sir. you have had a hired man on different occasions to help you out. But the very first day when he was made Premier he appointed a hired man himself. but you and I sir would nay them ourselves. But what did he do? He appointed this hired man and he is asking you and I along with all of the taxpayers of the province of Prince Edward Island to pay this hired man six thousand dollars a year! If he was old and slowed down in life it would be somewhat different, but here we have it in his own words. “A very vigorous young man indeed.” But what did he do the same day? I will have to go back in order to bring out this point and I think it is a very serious point. Let us turn our thoughts back to the last war when a young chap who was our supervisor in the First District of Queens received a letter saying his services were required. During the Second World War he went overseas, Mr. Speaker, did he go overseas as a Liberal? No. Did he go overseas as a Conservative? No. He went overseas, Mr. Speaker, as a Canadian, as a true Prince Edward Island and was fortunate enough to come back. broken somewhat in health. He was given a job under the former administration, in other words a Liberal gov- ernment. In 1955 I was defeated -— now I am trying to lead up to this point — I don’t want anyone to take any offense at it indeed it is very serious. In 1955 as I said a moment ago I was defeated by a very fine man indeed who at one time had the honour to occupy the Chair which you have the pleasure of sitting in at the present time, Sir. In our own church he sits just across the aisle from me, we are verv close friends. But it became my duty to be chosen by our party to run that by-election and this young man, I went to him, he is a personal friend of mine, and I asked in a very kind manner if he could see his way clear to give me just one vote. The other election I kept clear of him because I knew it would be no use although we are great friends. But on this one occasion I felt — at that time there were 26 Liberal members and only 3 Conservative members in the House at that time, and one vacancy. So I went to him, he was driving a bulldozer at the time and I solicited his support in a very kind manner. Well he said, “Frank, I would like to but you know I have a government job." He never made or any other Liberal mem- ber ever made a speech against me during that byelection, and I appreciated this. So, therefore, he considered for awhile. Well he said, “Since there is no Government at stake I will give you one vote.” I thanked him most sincerely. I realized the position he was in, in fact I should not have gone near him at all, but anyway he went back to work the next day and what did he find? Somehow or another the word got out, I have no idea how it slipped out what he had done. He did nothing wrong, if I knew he was doing anything wrong I wouldn't have asked him in the first place. But things were so unpleasant for him that day he just quit his job, just like that. So then time went on: as I said a moment ago. his health wasn’t too good and he wasn’t drawing a pension. Now this is the point. this is the point, Mr. Speaker. He was laid off, his services were no longer required which was all right, he was a first class machine operator. Take no back seat to anyone. He immediately went on with a private construction company and he was told by the supervisor of the Fourth

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