Wednesday, March 29, 1967 Honourable Gordon L. Bennett (Fifth Queens) — Minister of Education and President of Executive Council. Mr. Speaker , in making my maiden speech in this Legislature, I cannot help recalling earlier times when from a different vantage point I watched proceedings in thia historic Chamber , and without actually giving my age, Mr. Speaker , I can say that my memory takes me back to the days of the late A. C. Saunders , the late W. M. Lea , the late J. D. Stewart and the late W. J. P. MacMillan when they served as Premiers of this province. And then more recently I recall the leadership provided by the Honourable Thane A. Campbell , the late Walter Jones , A. W. Matheson and the present Leader of the Opposition, Walter R. Shaw . I recognize, Mr. Speaker , that each of these Premiers in his own way and under circumstances that prevailed at the time directed the affairs of this province in an excellent manner. I say to all these gentlemen, and in reference to all these gentle¬ men that we owe a great debt of gratitude to them for the energies and the abilities that they devoted to the service of this province. (Applause). It is rather interesting to note, Mr. Speaker , that the term of office of Premiers in recent years has been considerably longer than that of the days when governmental representation was first established. My records tell me that since 19 S 6 this pro- vine* has had only five premiers, while in the first thirty years of our existence then were nine different premiers and governments. No doubt historians and re¬ search workers would have some very good explanation for this changing pattern. I am sure that I speak for all members on thia side of the House when I say that we hope that this trend will continue and that this province will enjoy the leadership of ear present Premier for a long, long period of time. (Applause) Mr. Speaker , I regard it as a very great honour and privilege to be seated inside the rail and alongside of the man who, in my opinion, is destined to become the greatest Premier that we have ever had. (Applause) His abOtar, his concern for Island people, and for Island problems and the gnat de¬ dication which he has already demonstrated I think augur well for a long period of excellent leadership under the guiding hand of Honourable A. B. Campbell . I would be very remiss in my duty, Mr. Speaker , if I did not extend to you my sincere congratulations on your elevation to the high position which you occupy in this House. It is, I am sure, particularly pleasing to the French A radians of this province, as well as to us who an members of the teaching profession, to see you placed in this very high position in the Legislature. I wish to join in the congratulations already well expressed by the various speakers to the Mover and the Seconder in the Address in the Reply to the Speech from the Throne. The Mover, through his fluency in both English and French, and the Seconder, through his sincerity of purpose, have established a very high standard for further debate on this Speech . I hope that all of us will recognize the respon¬ sibility which we have, as elected representatives of the citizens of this province, and try to maintain all debates at the high level which has been set by the previous speakers. I am not suggesting, Mr. Speaker , that we as a Government should not be subject to some criticism for some of the actions which we have carried out since we teok office on July 28th. Somebody has said, "Criticism is something you can avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing." Mr. Sneaker , we don't want to be labelled as a "nothing" government and consequently we have adopted a serious attitude toward the responsibilities that we accepted late in the summer and have carried on an intense period of activity which I know will lead to some questioning and to some criticism. The questioning was pretty evident in the mara¬ thon session we had hen this afternoon. I am sun, however, that our friends on the opposite side of the House will want to be constructive and helpful in their cri¬ ticisms and certainly this is the type that we solicit from them. A well known English cirtic, Mr. Speaker , after listening to a parliamentary speech one time said, "It contained a great deal that was true, and a great deal that was new, but that which was true was not new, and that which was new was not true." Now, I hope, Mr. Speaker , that the same comment wont be made follow¬ ing the remarks which I hope to continue at a later date when I report on the De¬ partment over which I have the privilege to preside. And with your permission, Mr. Speaker , I would ask for the adjournment of this Debate. (Applause). —37—