Legislative Assembly

out because I am interested in this. I said to him, “You are here alone why don’t you slip away there is nobody watching you.” Well he said, “I am doing eighteen months now, and if I am caught I will have to do eighteen more.” I said to him, “Do you have to do this 1'” “Oh no, I am enjoying it." So if those boys were given an opportunity. Now here is the point that I would like to stress, Mr. Speaker, and it is this. In all sincerity we have the best farm — I complain about this year after year especially when I am on the Opposition — the best farm in Prince Edward Island called “Falconwood Farm” out here. Last year it went behind $3,446.00, and my idea is this. Why couldn’t we turn that Falconwood Farm into a jail farm and it would be something worth having, transfer them all out there and let them live out there. Not only that they could make their own living because what does it cost ltere in Prince Edward Island for just the food alone. It is over 822.000.00. Nenty two thousand seven hundred and some odd dollars. Just imagine if they were made to earn their own living see what money it would save the taxpayers of this province and at the same time grow vegetables for our institutions. I think that is something that should be looked into and looked into right away. Both Wardens asked me how many prisoners we would have in connection with a jail farm and I told him and they both agreed that it might be a little too costly to have a jail farm set up for such a few number of prisoners. But small as it may be I am still looking forward and hoping that in the not too distant future something like that can become a reality.

Now I wonder what else perhaps I should be through. Oh it is only five o’clock. Now, Mr. Speaker, I don't wish to take too much of the time but this is something very serious here — yes it is and confusing to me — and that is those pensions. We all realize there was a lot of promises made during the election. He is smiling here for a change and very happy about it too because he at that time made an elderly couple happy but what are they today. I am afraid they are very disgruntled today. The second last weekend when I went home there was a lot of those here, I call them “death warrents" sent out. The means test paper already had been sent from Ottawa and filled out by those elderly people and now comes along from the provincial Department of Welfare. I see the Minister is not in his seat at the present time, but he assured this House the other day he was a wonderful Minister of Wei- fare. Well he is a nice man but that is as far as I can go. I am awfully sorry to have to admit that, but that I am afraid is a case. . . .

Some Member: He’s a good Doctor.

Frank Myers: Yes, oh yes; oh I don’t know about that. but he is a good fellow but not a very good Minister of Welfare because he doesn’t live up to what he says. “Immediately on election the Liberal government will pay all Old Age Pensioners $100.00 a month.” Mr. Campbell stated — I guess that’s himself is it? “The pro- vincial Government will accept full responsibility for the $25.00 increase and it will be granted without resource to any means test.” Without any means test. Let us just for a few moments analyze that. I wonder what is meant by it? Without a means test. I don’t know I wish someone would explain it.

L. George Dewar: Double talk.

Frank Myers. It looks to me as if this Government realizing the difficulties they are in at the present time now with no guarantee, no assurance from Ottawa about them going to pay this they are trying desperately hard to get Ottawa. poor dear Ottawa. to take the Minister off the hook. The Minister and I guess the Premier as well because those were his words. But however, Mr. Speaker. this letter was cir- culated on Thursday and I went home during the second last weekend and the elderly people were quite confused, and I was confused. (Applause) I was called to a house and he said “Frank I am 98 years old perhaps it is hardly worth my while filling out this paper." And he said. “What do you think I should do ?” He said, “I know the Premier’s father. I have done business with him in the past and he was an honest man.” Well I said. “I also think the present Premier is an honest man too, but he is just in a little difficulty which he didn’t expect to get in." Now that is the best way I had to smooth it over. I wasn’t going to say he is no good, no.

Honourable Alexander 8. Campbell: Did you help him make out the form, Sir? Frank Myers: Well I told him afterwards. He said, “No I guess it is hardly .34—