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all able-bodied persons from the welfare roll, and place them in service for this Province rather than on hand-outs. If the regional economic disparity, of which we rather reluctantly admit we are a part, is not to continue forever, and if Prince Edward Island is to continue to make in the next one hundred years a contribution equal to that which has been made in the past to Canada’s greatness. then. Mr. Speaker. I say more and more priority and attention must be given to education.

I am confident that all members of this Legislature sincerely interested in the

advancement of this province through the education of its young people will support our efforts.

Thank you. (Applause)

L. George Dewar: I would like to make a few comments on the Budget presented by the PrOVincial Treasurer the other evening. I don’t know just how to characterirle it. I think he was hoping that we would call it the Santa Claus Budget as I see, mentioned there something about that honorable gentleman. I think that would be, quite an exaggeration to use that expression considering some of the implications of the Budget. I think it should more properly be called the “giant despair” Budget because there certainly is a tone of frustration and despair coming through that docu- ment. I said, and I haven’t forgotten, that a year ago I made a sort. of a promise to the Provincial Tresurer with respect to his presentation this year and I know that he is waiting for me to fulfill my part of the deal. (Applause) Now. I coul’ln’t think of anybody else in this House who I would rather apologize to than to the Provincial Treasurer. I think that probably I should make a type of apology with some reservations for the following reasons, Mr. Speaker. I will point those out. The Provincial Treasurer, I think. apologized for the Government all through his address and I think that is one reason why he should deserve consideration from this side of the House too. He actually had a deficit of over $5,000,000 when it’s figured up. He actually had. He actually expended over $5.000,000 more than he took in and for that reason I think that my statement should be somewhat qualified.

M. Alban Farmer: Than he budgeted for.

L. George Dewar: He had 1.7 more millions of dollars revenue than he expected which I am commending him for though I can’t commend him for underestimat- ing his revenues a year ago. However, he was in this happy position of having extra money. He, of course expended two million more than he expected to which sort of nullified that happy situation and so for what I said last year I will only be too happy to fulfill my part of the bargain on the premise that, in some respects, the Pro- vincial Treasurer did exceed my expectations in the presentation this year. Still, I do not think that he can take too much credit for the condition of affairs because he actually did expend $5,153,513 more than he took in.

M. Alban armer: Than he budgeted for.

L. George Dewar: Than he budgeted for, but the expenditures were that much more so; actually, my statement was, that if he didn’t have $5,000,000 of a deficit on excess revenue, then I would apologize to the Provincial Treasurer. I’ll have to make an apology with reservations and I’ll give him a certain amount of credit for doing a bit better than he was expected to do under the circumstances. But I don’t think he can take any credit for the fact that in the twenty-one months that he was in charge of affairs in this Province. or in his two presentations to this House. that he has caused the net debt of the Province to increase $15,000,000. Now, I submit, Mr. Speaker, that no other Provincial Treasurer in the history of this Province ever had to present such a deplorable picture to the Members of this Legislature. (Applause)

Walter R. Shaw: Pretty bad. That’s a terrible one.

L. George Dewar: It is not much wonder that the theme of his speech was somewhat as follows. He was demanding restraint in Provincial financial policy. He said there would be no unbridled enthusiasm for new taxes and that is correct, certainly not. He said he was approaching a difficult situation with realism, that’s a good intention and he said it was the responsibility of the Government to carry out its commitments and he suggested that these were fully and effectually accepted but I submit that

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