ThursdayL March 1, 1968

all these seventeen different groups. Now when I am all through and if you want to get up and contradict you can, but here is the proof.

Now, Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot about the farmers, one Doctor said 65% were bankrupt. Probably the reason why some of them are bankrupt is that the Doctor’s put up their fees 28% to 30% this year. But it is all right for them to get and condemn the hard times. They are being looked after, sure, and when I say that I know that we have a Doctor in this side too, but he doesn’t do that. (Laughter) A poor man comes in his office and he doesn’t even charge them.

(Applause)

Now, Mr. Speaker, I am still on the hard times. Yesterday when we met The Federation and they presented us with a brief, and I think all the members on the opposite side have this brief, it says, “If there is any question on the down— ward trend of agriculture in this Province figures recently released which show that in 1958 the total net worth of farm operation in this Province was $102,000,000, and in 1964 just $92,000,000. (Applause) Who had the government then? It wasn’t our side that had it in 1964.

Keith Harrington: Pearson.

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: And then We hear about the taxes. We hear about all the things that the Liberal Government is doing wrong. Who put on the sales tax? Who promised to pay the teachers’ supplements? And never did. Who put up the school taxes? In 1958 I paid $39.00 on my property, today I am paying $197.50. Who put up the school taxes? It wasn’t Alex Campbell. We hear about the terrible, terrible prices of potatoes, and I know they are not good. I had 55 acres last year of my own and I know they are not good. But we take the bitter with the .sweet. In 1960, June, they were $3.00, a high of $3.20 per bag, and a low in August of $1.00 per bag. In 1961 in August they were $1.40 per bag, that is a 75 1b. bag, and in November they were 55 cents, and I sold half my crop for fifty— five cents. It was fifty five cents that the D.B.S. gave but if it came from some of the dealers on the other side it would have been thirty-five cents. In August 1962 they were $1.60 per bag and in April they were 60 cents. Now today up in my part of the country they are paying $80.00 for graded potatoes.

Keith S. Harrington: A good price.

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: My friend over there from our Third District he

is shaking his head because he is only probably paying 65 cents a bushel today, I don’t know.

Keith Harrington: Mr. Speaker, would the honourable member permit a question?

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: Yes, Sir, yes I will permit a question.

Keith S. Harrington: Do you still mean that the potatoes are worth $80.00 a bag?

Honourable Robert E. Campbell: Eighty cents a bag. (Laughter) Keith S. Harrington: Oh pardon me.

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: Oh, I got my figures twisted there a bit. In 1963, June, they were $1.60 per bag and in October they were 65 cents. I wonder who had the government in 1960, 1963, and 1964? It wasn’t Alex Campbell that had it. In 1965 in July when potatoes were all shipped they were $5.55 a bag, and in September they were $1.15. I sold potatoes last fall for $1.25 a bag, and in 1966 of April — that was just before the election on May 30th, Mr. Speaker -— the time when some of the ones thought I wouldn’t be back, they are not even here themselves. (Laughter) (Applause) In December of 1966 they were 85 cents. Alex had the Government then. In 1967 they were $1.45 in August, and in April they were 65 cents.

Now we have heard also about the terrible poor prices that the farmers are

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