Legislative Assembly itiT the family farm was the thins that was the backbone of our economy in this Province, it was self-sustaining in both production and consumption and at that time we were the second richest province in Canada . The days of the shipbuilding, and the early days of the fox industry, but now we pay $4,000,000 extra freight 'rates to get our potatoes to the markets in Central Canada . $4,000,000, that is $4,000,000 we are out and I would certainly not overestimate the fact that we could idd ano¬ ther $4,000,000, and this is only a fraction of what I think it would cost the province, and it is only a guess, for the cost of bringing goods into this province. (Applause) So we are $8,000,000 worse off every year an account of our geographic position. Hon . T. Earle Hickey , Provincial Treasurer and Provincial Secretary (Fifth Prince): Monsieur L 'Orateur, nous sommes certes tres heureux que vous prcsidiez la session de cette legislature. Au contraire de 1'opinion exprime par mon honorable ami de Pre¬ miere Queens, M. Myers, j'ai l'espoir que vous occuperes votre poste pour encore plusieurs annees. Votre tache n'est guere facile mais j'ai confiance que votre savoir faire, votre experience et votre entrainement rendront vos decisions agreables a tous. Mr. Speaker , it gives me great pleasure to take my small part in this Debate. I would like to indicate that our Premier has had a very strenuous and frustrating time since he took office. His performances on the occasions when he represented this Province are well known and his abilities have been recognized across the coun¬ try. (Applause) I am confident that they will also be recognized by our friends opposite before too long. The problems he carries are many and weighty, but will be successfully resolved by proper planning, with the co-operation of our people, and the financial assistance of the Government of Canada . To the Leader of the Opposition who has just withdrawn, I would like to express my desire that he continue in good health. He appears to be ageless; he had a wonderful trip to Uganda and gave an excellent report on it, and I wish for him many more years of good health and happiness in his retirement. (Applause) I would like also to compliment the Mover and the Seconder, as previous speakers have, on the excellent job they made in making their addresses. I would like to take a few moments to review the divisions under the Depart¬ ment of Provincial Secretary. Centennial Year is now just a memory, and when John Fisher was appointed as the Commissioner for Canada to make plans for Centennial Year , he indicated that it would only be successful to the extent that there was involvement of people. In Prince Edward Island we can be quite happy with the effects of Centennial Year as far as involvement is concerned. Many of our Prince Edward Islanders were involved and to that we owe the success of Centennial Year . First, I would like to express appreciation to the Commission members who were associated with me on the Commission. Honourable Gordon Bennett and Hon ¬ ourable Lome Bonnell , my colleagues. And Mr. A. Walthen Gaudet, Brigadier Reid , Charles Hogan , Summerside , Dr. Ings from Montague, Mrs. Mulligan from Kinkora , and my Deputy , G. Lome Monkley , Executive officer. There was a planning Committee of twenty-nine members who planned the different events throughout the year and acted as liaison between different organi¬ zations. Thirty communities were organized during the Centennial Year , all with chair¬ men, and all with Committees, who did an excellent job in preparing for celebrations connected with their centennial year. The Director of Planning, Mr. Don Ross , and Events Co-ordinator, Mr. Mac - Intyre did a tremendous amount of work in the planning and carrying out of the —218—