Wednesday, May 10, 1967

the $800.00, according to the report of the Higher Education Commission, and they suggested a $300.00 to start. We started on that basis and that was never intended to be the minimum; it would be increased as time goes on. Because as you know higher education cannot possibly exist in this province on the amount of money that you have submitted to them.

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: Carry on you’re doing a grand job.

M. Alban Farmer: Now there is provision there for consolidation of elemen- tary schools and that has received considerable attention in this House and it is not necessary to go into that, it has been very well debated. There is also a fear in the minds of many people of this province that there is going to be some drastic con- solidations of High Schools. Now the High School system which was inaugurated, brought to a successful, I would say successful completion by the former government is one of the best things that has happened in this province probably in its history.

Now the Elementary Schools will need some consolidation but I submit that the people will not stand for any “monkeying” with the High School System as we have it at this time. It may need some minor adjustments in certain areas, but on a general principle that system has been developed with the goodwill and with the co-operation of the people of this province. They have set up the schools and those schools have become community centres for culture, athletics and everything else in respect to that particular area. I would warn the Minister of Education. I would

warn the Government not to put their fingers too deeply into that “pie” because the people of this province will not stand for it.

Let us go to Industry and Natural Resources. We find an Estimate of $260,000.00. Now if the government will only do for industry what is provided for by this slight increase then it would appear that this all important feature, this item of our economy which is so important and so necessary for the develo ment of our

province then, I am sorry to think that our economy is being advanc by the gov- ernment.

Municipal Affairs. When we were making up the figures for the Continuing Committee for presentation to the Tax Structure Committee we examined and pro- vided to the Continuing Committee and the Tax Structure Committee figures for all the taxes, Municipal and provincial. These settlements which were reached in No- vember were intended to include an allowance for the Municipalities of this province. The compilations were all done and the results were forwarded to the proper Com- mittee in Ottawa. This was practically all completed before we left office and it was understood that they would be related to the agreements which were signed. The peo 1e of the municipalities have a right to consideration in these agreements and a s are in the settlement. The former government made available substantial in- creases and per capita allowance to the municipalities, and in addition to this a study was made not only to the province, but to the towns and the City of Charlottetown. In addition, we initiated a study to deal with the situation which we have in Char- lottetown. I am sure the results of that study are available to the Provincial Treas- urer in his department. This was to form a basis whereby the government of this province could deal with the City of Charlottetown with respect to the taxes which are claimed b the City on Municipal property located in Charlottetown. I am sure that the mem ers of the government remember the presentation which was made by the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the City of Charlottetown, and this would also apply to some extent with respect to the Town of Summerside, and the other Incorporated Towns if they have any provincial property located in them. But in any case, nothing has been done, nothing has been provided for the City of Char- lottetown or for the Town of Summerside or those other towns. As is known by all people here, the main source of taxation in the City of Charlottetown is on the real property. Now that is not a proper base for taxes and it is not a base for taxes which will permit an increase, periodical increase or a yearly increase because it hits at the very foundation of the life of the place to tax the homes of the people. When this was initiated, when this was started years, and years, and years, and years ago there were very few responsibilities of such municipalities. They had very limited responsibility and at that time the tax was probably not burdensome. Since then the services the municipalities have to provide have been increased in many ways. All kinds of new ideas have come out; even today you find that the City of Charlottetown and probably the other towns in Prince Edward Island have to provide

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