7 Legislative iAssembly

ing. This crossing is of great concern to everyone on Prince Edward Island as this nine mile crossing adds greatly to the burden of our farmers and fishermen because of the increased cost of transportation of their products to market. If the causeway was across this strait, nine miles, it would mean that truckmen would not have to wait at Borden or Tormentine for great long periods and increase the cost of the transportation. The cost of this transportation is tremendous when you think that a truck must wait, the company that owns the truck must be prepared in their cost, to make this allowance for the long wait at the piers and this truck cost adds greatly to the cost of the products going on the market. This must be paid by the producer, paid by the producer. Now, Mr. Speaker, “My Government,” Item No. twenty-nine, “has increased the rates schedule being paid to truckmen employed in work under government contracts.” Why should they not have been, Mr. Speaker, when we find today that we pay an extra tax, Mr. Speaker. An average of $6.00 per person on our car registry and license this year, Mr. Speaker. Probably some- one will say that this is not true, Mr. Speaker, but here it is in plain facts, Mr. Speaker. We are collecting two years drivers licence which is an extra $2.00. This revenue will go into the treasury this year, Mr. Speaker, but we hope not to have to pay our license next so we’ll be that much short and our car registration has gone up $3.00 to $4.00 per car. This, Mr. Speaker, amounts to a lot of money and they say they will not increase taxes but this is an increased tax. This is the only way you can explain it, Mr. Speaker, this is the only way I can explain. We pay $6.00 extra this year, Mr. Speaker, and why they say then that they increased the schedule paid to truckmen on Government contracts, why not, when they get busy in this amount of money, Mr. Speaker. There is no reason why the truckmen shouldn’t get more because their costs have gone up day by day and this is one way we must pay. During the fishing season we see how much of an increase in the income of the fisheries, we must have a greater increase every year because th cost of the fishing industry to the fishermen is going up and up and up each year. We must take in more money for the fishermen to earn a fair living. Crab fishing, now, we know this is a new industry in this Province, Mr. Speaker, but we just hope that it will carry on and not fall by the wayside as it is very expensive, a very, very expensive operation. The trucks alone cost a tremendous amount each and if we do not get enough to overcome the cost of the operation we will have to pay for it ourselves. But we hope that this is not only an experiment but will lead to great things in the years to come. New regulations which were drawn up with respect to Fishermen’s Loan Board. The Dominion subsidy has been greatly reduced, Mr. Speak- er, on boats and we only hope that the Ministers will have success with this under- taking because the cost of labor and material to build those boats has increased greatly in the past years. Now, here’s another in thirty-three, Mr. Speaker, of one of those “expects”, another of those “expects” like we had before. “Expects” are no good, Mr. Speaker, unless we can come up with the real thing. We cannot expect the Agricultural industry will receive substantial assistance from the Fund for Re- gional Economic Development. “Expects” are not going to put any money in any- body’s pocket. We must get it or. “Inaugurated program to improve the production capabilities of the poultry industry.” Now, Mr. Speaker, this is ridiculous.

Unknown Voice: Ten o’clock.

Preston D. MacLure: That’s good. We’ll leave the rest of it until tomorrow. I just wanted to say a few words on this poultry production. I was talking to a young man yesterday that had taken over his father’s farm fifteen years ago. He said this is the worst year he has struck in the past fifteen years. I said, “Yes, prices are low”, I said, “Prices are low”. I said, “I expect eggs are down to 3%, grade A eggs”. “Oh”, he said, “It’s worse than that. They’re 27c.” I said, “Are they really?” He said, “If you don’t believe me I’ll bring you the slips”. We will call it ten o’clock, Mr. Speaker. (Applause)

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