Tuesday, April 25, 1967

They were signed by seven of the foremen. Certified copies were sent to Walter R. Shaw, Cecil Miller, Leo Rossiter, and George Ferguson.

Then we come to the second communication from the same group of people.

“Honourable Alex B. Campbell, Premier,

Province of Prince Edward Island, Charlottet0wn,

Prince Edward Island.

Honourable Sir,

In view of the repercussions our letter of the 4th April 1967 has caused in the

House we wish to record herewith our protest at the political interpretation given this letter.

We would point out that the sole purpose of the letter was a very natural concern of each and every one of us for our future at Georgetown to which we have as yet had no reply. We would also like to make it quite clear that none of us have a political axe to grind one way or the other. Further, we strongly refute the im- plication that there is unrest between us and Management at Georgetown and would

in fact state that relations are very good.

We trust that this letter will also receive a hearing in the House in order to avoid any further misinterpretations.”

This was signed by six of them.

These men, interested in their own future and in the future of the whole de- velopment and the community, have faith in the assurance of this Government as expressed by the Premier on April 7th, by telegram.

“Plant foreman, Bathurst Marine Limited, Georgetown, P.E.I.

Gentlemen I have received your letter of April fourth in which you state that you understand that all Government contracts have been cancelled from Hull 18 onward. The contract is still in effect between owner and the Fishermen's Loan Board. The Fishermen’s Loan Board under clause nine of that contract has assumed Bathurst Marines obligation to construct the Hulls referred to in the contract. The Government is working to determine ways and means of assuring long range working committments for the yard both as to repairs and new constructions. Shipbui ding will thrive in Georgetown through the cooperation of all concerned.

Alexander B. Campbell, Premier.” (Applause)

Now, Mr. Speaker, we had a meeting shortly after we came into office with the Bathurst Marine and the Gulf Garden principles, who are in charge of the organization down there. We started at half-past two in the afternoon and we finished about half-past seven. We had no coffee breaks and no cakes. It was strictly business. There were questions by the Chairman of the Fishermen’s Loan Board, there were questions by the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, there were questions from both sides, but the sum and substances of the whole thing was, if these men were told, they were pleading for money. They were told that they should go back home and stick to shipbuilding and never mind these fanciful ideas of running a ship-repair yard. Mr. Sanderson, who was President of the Bathurst Marine at that time, absolutely flew right off the handle and he absolutely denied that any such intent was in their line. He was questioned and he denied absolutely that he was never interested in it until I produced the letter that I had received three days before from him outlining a plan for the ex nditure of $900,000 for the repair yard at the Bathurst Marine. He asked me to ta e it in front of the Cabinet and have it approved. Now, how can you deal with people like that. It's impossible.

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