” ,, f ,, ,, Tuesday, February 27, 1968

service. This question has been asked on a number of occa has been advanced that salaries are not high enough to ke What absolute nonsense! Salaries on Prince Edward Island with salaries for similar positions in every other province 0 sible exception of very high positions in the big interests. offered the ianort millsit ,be much higher than they command p oyment or t ey wou nt come here. I do know that, in at l

salary of $1,250 per month was paid one of these men doing thegsstargireektizcslehfthat 13; he’s domg here on a part time basis, and he came to Prince Edward Island andwlfg’s given over‘ $1,800 per month. Yes it is terrible and I hope you realize that and our own men, Just as good are being tossed to one side. Our qualified citizens of course needn’t apply. 'Last year we protested to this House the appointment of a, Nova Sco: tian to a position in charge of our trawlers when competent Islanders were available here and overlooked. The appointment as Island representative at Expo of a party who a very few even knew when many excellent parties were available in this Prov- ince. Recently: a New Brunswick man has been appointed to represent this Province on transportation problems. Why? Is he conversant with Island conditions and with our interests? A non—Islander was appointed on the water pollution investigation and made Deputy Minister in addition while there was another man belonging to this Province fully capable to assume this responsibility. A number of other cases could be named. Now we have the Economic Corporation and heaven knows how many there are of this group, although I expect to find out, and no Islanders need apply There are no Islanders on there. I blush with shame to think that that situation applied. We do not know why our own qualified men are completely passed. I don’t know why this is done. General Alexander used the Foreign Legion in his campaign in North Africa. Premier Alexander has established a foreign legion in this Province on his way to the economic salvation of this Province. That’s it, we have a foreign legion here. I don’t know why this is done. I wish to make it very clear at this time that I do not attach one bit of blame to any of these employees from outside this Province. They may be very excellent men. I do not question their ability to do a job in the particular category to which they have been trained and fitted but I am not convinced that they are completely fitted for the job that is to be done here and I do protest the attitude of the Government in ignoring our own men who are possessed of high qualifications for this particular field and this particular task. Again, these appointments are not made under civil service regulations. No one seems to know how these officials are tested and qualified. The Government and the Premier will possibly let us know. I’ve been associated for many years with econo- mists. agriculturalists. trade specialists, experts and have some serious reservations regarding sound practical experience and opinion. I am told that now we have econo- mists, sociologists, doctors of philosophy. One fellow told me that they had astrono— mers and astrologers in there. The strange fact remains that this corporation which effects to become another self-contained government department in full charge of money expenditure and powers of action have been operating for almost eighteen months or more devising what is known as the comprehensive plan. When placed in operation it is supposed to guarantee the economic salvation of the people of this Province. The plan was supposed to be completed last spring but I have yet to find anyone in Government circles or anywhere else inside or outside who can tell this House and the people of this country what it is. I have listened to the broadcast known as “What’s Up". After having listened I think it should be called, “Thumbs Down.” In any event it doesn’t throw any light on the situation. I have questioned others and they are in darkness. I am told that the corporation that has taken charge of the Provincial Building are struggling valiantly with the incomprehensive com- prehensive plan. Apparently, the qualifications of these men, and I do not question their wisdom, but I feel they are unknown to many of our conditions evidencing little knowledge of our industries, particularly the farm conditions or fishermen and our business men without at least a mixture of local talent. I would like to quote from a recent article from one of Canada’s leading agriculturists and. mind. this does not apply to this group of men here but it does apply to the suitability of men to devise plans for farm people and this is an outstanding man. A man whom I know very well through his opinions of very high regarded and I quote, “Royal Commis- sions economic studies, business consultants, many of these names are rather....

sions and the question ep our own men here.

compare very favorably f Canada with the pos-

Assuredly the salaries ed in their former em-

Honourable Alexnder B. Campbell: Do you know what he’s quoting from, Mr. Speaker? Walter R. Shaw: I beg your pardon?

”a7—