Evening star., 1947-12-21
Bv WiIIiom A. MiIIen

WQlle I1lOSU AIIlGIlCdIlS al tllllih-
ink about Alaska, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico as possible new stars In
Old Glory, there is a movement
afoot to place Newfoundland in the
United States fold.
What most Americans do not fully
realize is that Newfoundland is not
| Just an island east of Maine, but is
also a sizable strip of land east
of the Province of Quebec, Canada.
along the Atlantic seaboard. The
population of newfoundland is 324,-
900. @.s
+ Whatever, happens to Newfound-
Hands future, it seems due Tor a
change in status. A referendum,
this coming spring appears likely.
Since 1894, due to financial dit-
ficulties, Newfoundland has lacked
parliament and is ruled by a ma
tional convention, under English
auspices. Newfoundland, unable to
meet its obligations, called on Lon
don for aid. The national conven-
ton. on which Newfoundlanders
are represented, was the result.
| Canada States Terms
A commission, named by the ma
tional convention, has been seeking
to chart Newfoundlands future. 1t
recently has been dickering with
Canada to see what kind OF deal
can be made if Newfoundland wants
to become part of the Dominion. 1t
has conferred with high ranking
officials in Ottawa, cabinet authori-
ties and others that might aid in
making an intelligent decision.
The terms on which Canada would
agree to Newfoundland becoming
its 10th province have just recently
become known. In June, the con-
yention delegation went to Ottawa.
It returned to Newfoundland early
in October.
Prime Minister w. L. Mackenzie
King of Canada recently advised Sir
Gordon Macdonald, Governor OF
Newfoundland that Canada has
gone as far in financial proposals
with Newfoundland as it can. In
matters primarily of provincial con-
ern, such as education, Canada
would not wish to set down any
rigid conditions, the Premier ad-
vised the Governor.
The Prime Minister wrote: ut Is
our understanding that the national
convention is intrusted with the re-
sponsibility of making recommended
tions to the United Kingdom gov
ernment regarding future forms OF
government to be submitted to the
people of Newfoundland in a ma
tional referendum. The government
of Canada would not wish in any
way to influence the national con-
vention or the decision of the people,
should they be requested to decide
the issue of confederation. Should
the people of New wfoundland indi-
cate clearly and beyond all posi-
bility of misunderstanding their will
that Newfoundland should become
province of Canada on the basis
of the proposed arrangements, the
Canadian government, subject to
the approval of Parliament, would
for its part be prepared to take the
necessary constitutional steps to
make the union effective at the
earliest practicable date"
What the Plan Provides
Under the proposed arrangements
for the entry of Newfoundland into
confederation with Canada the plan
calls for: Newfoundland including
the territory of Labrador, public
services provided for its people gen.
orally to be extended to Newfound-
land, welfare services to include
family allowances, old age and other
pensions, unemployment insurance,
sick mariners benefits, aid for
housing.
Canada would take over public
services, such as postal and publicly
owned telegraph services, civil avi-
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