Wednesday, Mmk », VMfl Frank Myers : I didn't think you were that religious, Sir, Fourth Prince . But anyway be that as it may, I think we would have a different situation at the present time. There is no man better qualified, no more highly qualified than Mr. Willis , if he had been sent out as an ambassador to hunt up the markets — even as an am¬ bassador of good-will — because there are so many people starving and this was brought out in Ottawa by one of the members from one of the underdeveloped coun¬ tries when he said, "A third to one-half of humanity is hungry and suffering from malnutrition." Perhaps it would be too far away to send our potatoes there but I feel our farmers are in a vary difficult situation when they are faced with a potato situation which we have at the present time. And another reason why I feel, while I know he is no good as a Minister of Agriculture everything according to him here looking out over the horizon sees Prince Edward Island moving ahead. What happened when the present Minister took over the portfolio of Agriculture. Everything started moving backwards. Two thousand less dairy cows in this province. Honourable Daniel J. MaeDonaM : Would you permit a question, Sir? Frank Myers : Tes, Sir. Honourable Daniel J. MaeDonaM : Mr. Speaker , I would like to ask the speaker when this report of the two thousand less dairy cows became known, what month of the year was that? Honourable Robert E. Campbell : He doesnt know, dont ask him. Honourable Daniel J. MaeDonaM : You can answer it, Sir . When was K... Frank Myers . Well everything was so... .(Laughter and applause). Walter R. Shaw : Five thousand less now, though. Frank Myers : Mr. Speaker , if I would have had the opportunity I would have explained it. True it was in June, but everything in June was all mixed up so much the people became dissatisfied with the current events and our good agricultural Minister we had was defeated and that is what happened. Some Member : Like the Minister of Highways. Frank Myers : Now what do we... .did I say Highways? No, no the former Minister of Agriculture. Some Member : That's what you said, the Minister of Highways. Frank Myers : Oh, no, you keep quiet; you are getting me mixed up and you might just do that. What do we find here? Even the Premier and you spoke at the Dairymen's Banquet; I Just simply forget about H. I would have been there; I always look forward to going to those banquets. What was revealed that evening? Six million seven hundred and eighteen thousand pounds less milk produced last year which was a good year. Three hundred and eighty three less cream producers, six hundred and eighty thousand less pounds of butter produced last year. Now there is no one else to blame it on but the present Minister of Agriculture. (Laughter) And just a year ago over on this side of the House the wonderful Opposition members who are now on the Government side criticised, and very bitterly indeed, the former Minister of Agriculture. Let us go back to 1966 and what do we find? The appro¬ priations for agriculture, $662,480.00. Last year, and still they were growling, I think the passant Minister of Agriculture was growling at him too for not spending enough money with an appropriation of $1,494,000. Just imagine! And then they were not tiafied. I think agriculture was pretty well looked after at that time. If you have been just a little more interested in agriculture I dont think the farmers would be in the difficulty they are at the present time. I am very sorry to have to say that. You recall, Mr. Speaker , perhaps you dont, but I do. Our Premier was out speaking in First Queens one night and I dont know what he came out there for. Pretty fine people out there but I think he was well listened to anyway and he predicted, and this is another point against the present Minister, and I dont know whether the Premier meant it or not but I take it this way, my interpretation was he predicted there would be five thousand less farmers here to Prince Edward Island . No wait now, perhaps in Canada : I dont know.... —81—