Tuesday,__Avpril 25, 19_6:?_

ing that copies of all agreements and contracts between the Government, and parties, to whom loans or guarantees of any nature would be arranged, were to be forwarded promptly to the office of the Provincial Treasurer, and the Deputy Provincial Secre- tary.

I was rather amazed a few days ago, that your office has not compiled with these instructions. I have no doubt this is due to some unfortunate neglect in your internal administration. I am therefore bringing this error to your attention and ask that copies of all agreements and arrangements e promptly delivered to the Departments indi- cated without delay.

I would further indicate that there are unfortunate rumours prevalent regarding our association with the Georgetown projects. I do know that the Leader of the Opposition is now conducting a thorough investigation of our association with these developments, and intends to present a searching inquiry during the legislature into the whole situation. You will remember that under a casual attack during the last session, our faces were pretty red, because we had no answers to legitimate enquiries.

Full information regarding the various steps undertaken must be available. In this connection, the inctiiries of the Industrial Board now on your desk must receive immediate attention. T ese questions should require no delay. Who are the Directors behind these two companies Surely there must be a list of Directors available, and wiltlendwhom negotiations have been conducted. These are the questions that are being as .

It was my understanding that such a grog: of directors, representative of strong financial stability were organized and provid our guarantees and expenditures with ample security.

Unless we have this detailed information fully authenticated, we will be like sitting ducks under Matheson Investigations. This is a situation that will undoubtedly come up at our next Council meeting and I would therefore request that detailed in- formation be prepared immediately covering this situation. I think you quite realize that this Government, could be brought into disre ute and trouble from its good record position, if we are not able to provide not only ful and complete answers, but also own- ers that will indicate that our agreements and guarantees are supported by ample security.

There is another matter which should be clarified. It was our understanding that Bathurst Marine were to girovide sufficient machinery and equipment to take care of their financial portion of t 's project. I would ask that an inventory of this equipment be repared at once, and copies be provided to each Council member. In this connection andp indeed in all Phases of construction developments and expenditures now provided by Mr. MacNeill, believe from a public standpoint it would strengthen our position, if a Public Works man of experience were provided to collaborate with Mr. MacNeill from now on, and conduct the services indicated.

These are matters in which I am deeply concerned, and for the best interests of the Government, its Ministers and the public I would ask that immediate attention be given to the suggestions herewith advanced.

(signed)

W. R. Shaw,

Premier." WRS / aec

Honourable Cecil A. Miller: There have been a great many things wrong with the previous Government’s handling of this great opportunity in Georgetown. Time has now well proven that some of these bunglings have had disastrous consequences. Let me cite one case which should be a classic of what not to do in the handling of any contract involvi substantial amounts of public money. This example presents an indefencable dere iction of ublic responsibility. It is incredible that any public official entrusted with the responsi ility of handling public monies should have discharged this responsibility in such a fashion. Now, Mr. Speaker, this involves the contract of Jan- uary 20th, 1966; not so long ago. On January 17th, of 1966 there was supposed a new contract drawn up for an additional three trawlers to be built at Bathurst and all of a sudden somebody came barging in and said, “it’s nine." The officials of the Department

433—