New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-02
CONFEDERATION IN NEWFOUNDLAND.
THE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO TIE MEAsUBE-UNIoN
WITH THE NEW DOMINION NOT TO THEIR AID

THE PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THE MEAsUBE-UNIoN
WITH THE NEW DOMINION NOT TO THEIR AID
VANTAGE
To the EditOr OF The Tribune.
SIR am informed that the people of New
foundland have entered gravely the question of
Confederation the scheme which in their regard was
almost unanimously rejected at the general election of
November 1869. The measure assumes additional i'm
portance in OF the recent and quite unexpected
change in the politics OF Prince Edward Island 1t was
the general belief of this people that neither
local nor Canadian influence could shake the
steadfast anti-Confederate feeling which had
40 long prevailed in the Island Of the Cult But she has
gone and spite the wishes OF her people, she has been
battered II not coercedint the Dominion like New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, which now so manfestly
deplore the loss OF responsible government Onaccount
OF the approaching general elections In the coony-the
most important Of all her electionst will not be out Of
placei TO give you in substance the views prominent
coonst impaired to who remembers how hardt was
to wrench the mother country the Blooms Of self rule
and local taxation which far easily sacrificed
by colonies He has remained since the scheme
OF Union first mooted persistent opponent OF Con-
federation Among his simplest objections to the new
form Of government that Canada is remote from the
island much apactated by her embarraSs
ments guarantee TO Newfoundland Just e0mpen-
satiOn for the sacrifices which the island would
scheme OF union proposed Newfoundland the colony
IA allowed only eight members to represent IL In the Do
allowance of moneynot quite half tho amount OF the
revenues the island for the last fiscal year. while the
cess OF the present local taxation OF Newfoundland.
That the Confederation scheme was bungled ana is
consequently failure every additional experience OF
1t seems to show clearly Were any stronger
proof wanted than what was brought OUT Ia the discus
it now several times repeated. Nearly all the conted
Grated PrOyinces-those, In TACT, win Ony TWO
crying out against Il. and demanding that its
conditions be improved IN their favor; MAI
wants the remission OF portion of her revenue, be-
cause their local exchequer does not suffice for their
wants. and New Brunswick, as IL well Known Is Just
now urging her with all the pressure she can bring
TO bear the Government because, as she SAYS hcr
her condition at once improved or have re-
10 direct taxation. The condition OF Nova
TeST not much better Rn that OF her sister province
were that her Provincial Government 30 carefully
ZION of the subsidy secuted by ths better terms ar
rangement. forced from the Dominion Government by
apsed and Nova Scotia Will be IN no better condition
financially than NewBrunswick This Is the case with
SGys sGH as % Tovne DO o T'H rea T c5
fruits from Confederation Ontario aud quebec
have Their Golfers ta they are IN se ~ q
And 1t is not II this were the case with them before
the union. Theu they found II difficult 10 make both
ends meet. Then bankruptcy Threatened them. That
the happy change WHICH has come over them is NOT the
result OF the municipal system established among them
is evident for that system has been IN use III the
colonies for many years IL Is evident that their pros
In view OF these two facts alone-tDe lON financial
condition OF the maritime provinces and the nourishing
state OF the finances OF Ontario ana Quebec-the
sty for revision OF the whole Confederation scheme
very clear. The men who were engaged originally
IN working IL out either not nj Tor che Office
took pains 10 do their work properly Ii IL common
opinion throughout the maritime provinces that De.
Topper aud Adams Archibald were as little prepared
aud suited 10 devise and carry tout "a scheme
OF Confederation either Of them 10 be
Prime Minister Of Great Britain. The two provinces
OF New-Brunswck ana Nova scotia stand ON exactly
the footing far their relation 10 Confedcr0
ton Is concerned What The Western provinces gain
they must lose IN common. small differences OF detail
Will not amount 10 much. In ue IL Is ndlsputaDle that
revision of the whole scheme must take place II those
two provinces receive anything like either justice
satisfaction In Newfoundland the people prude ntly
accept the condition OF Nova Scotia and New
brunswick as warning against sulJeotmg
themselves 10 Government whose results IN
these provinces are baokwardness, disappointment and
hopeless future. have fear for tue integrity or
Newoundanders In adopting whatever course Is most
conducive TO the welfare OF their colony To defeat the
disastrous again issue here they once rose
as one and overthrow one OF the MOST powerful
political parties organized in the country And 50
will II be, IN my opinion, IN tho coming election lna
country will never, OF her own accord, beeone suoeot
10 Canada Coercion alone w cause the confederation
OF Newfoundland with the New Dominion. X ~ d.
BTO0kIyI, ". A., July a.. 1873.