Legislative AinmMy_____________________ leur permettra de prendre une part beaucoup plus active aux affaires ici et a l'&ranger. L 'Acadien est fier de ses traditions, de sa culture, et de sa langue En meme temps, il desire ardemment s'unir a ses concitoyens de cette province et du Canada pour etablir un pays uni et prospere d'un ocean a l'autre. Je resents une certaine fierte lorsque j'ai l'occasion de dire, que je suis descendant de ces valeureux pionniers de l'ancienne De St . Jean. J 'espere pouvoir representer dignement et honorablement les Acadiens au gouvernement de cette province. (Applause) The Acadian people of this province are the descendants of some thirty families who returned to the province after, or who survived, the Deportation of 1758. At the present time, they number over 17,000 persons representing: about one-sixth of the population. Left in miserable poverty, without leaders or support, the Acadians have gradually emerged and are making: their contribution to the social, cultural, religious and economic life of this Province. With the financial aid for education given by the St . Thomas Aquinas Society and the Assumption Society, young Acadians are getting better educated in greater numbers and will, in the future, take an increasingly greater part in the various spheres of community activity, both here and abroad. The Acadian is proud of his tradition, his culture and his language. At the same time, he is eager to join with the other citizens of the province and Canada in building a united and prosperous province and country. I am proud that I am a descendant of these hardy pioneers of the Island of St. John. (Applause) I hope that I will represent the Acadian people in the Gov ¬ ernment of this province with dignity and honour. I would like also to extend my personal congratulations to the Senior Member from Fourth Queens who was elected Deputy Speaker . This veteran of the political field will ably carry on the traditions of this high office if, and when, called upon. (Applause) i J would like to join also with the preceding speakers in offering congratula¬ tions to the Mover and Seconder in the Reply to the Speech from the Throne. The Junior Member from First Kings has, in the past election, and in the deliberations of,this; House, proven his ability as an orator, and this, along with his many other abilities and his business-experience, stamps-him as a man to watch in the future political life of this province. His discourse in the French language took this House completely by surprise and I congratulate him on this outstanding achievement. The Senior Member from Fourth Prince, the Seconder of the Motion, also made an excellent address. He is noted as a staunch supporter of the farming inter¬ ests of this province, as well as an efficient representative of his politicaldiatrict. Again,, gentlemen, my congratulations to you both. I would like at this time, Mr. Speaker , to draw attention to the very high honour that has been conferred on our Premier on being appointed a Privy Coun¬ cillor. (Applause) This is a high honour for him, and to this province, to be appointed to the highest Council of the land. He will now be entitled to add the initials "P.C." after his name, but I hope this will not lead our many supporters to think that he has taken out a membership in the P.C. Party (Laughter and Applause) Honourable Robert E. Campbell : That would be terrible wouldn't it? Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard : Canada , Mr. Speaker , has lost its foremost citixen in the person of the late Governor - General Vanier . I had the honour of spending several hours with the late Governor - General and his gracious wife in 1964 —214—