[The Secretary read the following communication]
The Right Honourable the Secretary of
State for Dominion Affairs has informed His
Excellency the Governor in Commission that
he will be glad to receive a delegation of the
Convention consisting, as proposed, of its
Chairman and six of its members, in order to
provide them with an opportunity for raising
certain questions with the United Kingdom
Government on behalf of the Convention.
As a convenient date, Tuesday, April 29,
and the following days is suggested.
Regarding the subjects set out in the
resolution on which the delegation wish to
seek information, the Secretary of State
would be glad if the precise questions which
the delegation propose to ask under these
heads can be formulated and forwarded to
him at the earliest possible date in order to
allow time for them to be fully considered
before the meeting with the delegation take
March 1947 NATIONAL CONVENTION 369
place. The questions should be supported by
explanatory memoranda.
Government House,
St. John's,
18 March, 1947.
[On the suggestion of the Chairman it was moved by Mr. Jackman, seconded by Mr. Cashin
and carried that the Convention resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider
the communication, and elect by secret ballot a delegation to proceed to England pursuant
to Mr. Hollett's resolution of February 28[1]]
Mr. Chairman The most expeditious way to conduct this election will be in the manner in which
we conducted it some time ago, There will be no nominations, but each member will
vote for six members of this Convention, whomever he chooses, and the six that stand
at the top of the list will constitute the delegation.
Mr. Job We elect six men, but there is always a possibility of one of those not being available
when the time comes to go. Would it be possible to elect a couple to act as alternates?
Mr. Chairman That is a matter for the Convention to consider. Of course we could always meet again
if anyone was ill or otherwise unable to attend.
Mr. Bailey I wonder if the next two highest on the list could not be taken automatically? We
could keep count of them, and one would automatically step into the place of the other
man if anyone fell out.
Mr. Chairman The only objection I see to the suggestion would be that it is necessary to keep
a record of votes cast, and it is usual to destroy the ballots immediately after the
count has taken place. It is not usual to disclose the number of votes polled by each
member of the Convention. Perhaps some members may not care to have the vote they
polled disclosed. I can understand that.
Mr. Hickman Well, you just have the first eight recorded in the order of the total number of
votes each had. The ballots could be destroyed but the records could be kept of the
eight.
Mr. Chairman We can do that if someone will make a motion to that effect.
Mr. Chairman The motion is that the first eight names on the ballot be recorded, the last two
to
serve as alternates to be used only if one or two of the first six cannot proceed
on the delegation. Those in favour please say "aye", contrary "nay" — motion carried.
Mr. Hillier It is generally understood that those who are not prepared to go on that delegation
will be excused.
Mr. Chairman If there are any members who feel that they do not care to have their names submitted
to the ballot i would like them to take seats at some other part of the House. Perhaps
you could sit at the table, you might be useful here in a few minutes time.
Mr. Hillier I would like to have those men stand and have their names recorded.
Mr. Chairman We will record them, but we want to separate them so that there will be no confusion.
Mr. Hannon Mr. Chairman, will these candidates have the privilege of voting?
Mr. Job There are some members absent.
Mr. Chairman I propose to draw attention to that. Mr. Crosbie, Mr. Higgins, Mr. Butt, Mr. Vardy
and Mr. Goodridge are absent. I don't know anything of these gentlemen's whereabouts,
except Mr. Crosbie and Mr. Higgins. I knew these two would not be here, so I got in
touch with them and they are satisfied to have their names go on nomination. Mr. Butt
is also satisfied that his name should be voted upon. As to the other gentlemen I
can't offer any explanation as I expected them here today. Will one of the attendants
go outside and find out if there are any members in the other rooms?
Mr. Smallwood Would it be a good idea to have those declining sit in one row?
Mr. Chairman I am going to try to have them around the table. Some of you gentlemen who can't
get seats around the table might be accommodated in those easy chairs at the end of
the chamber.
Only those members who are in their regular places are to be voted for. All members
who are not in their regular places will not be voted for, but all the members of
this House have the right to vote for six, and six only, or you may vote for five,
or one; but if you vote for seven you lose
370 NATIONAL CONVENTION March 1947
your whole vote, and if there is any indication on
your ballot as to who you may be, your ballot will
be discarded.
Mr. Newell Will handwriting indicate such a
thing?
Mr. Chairman No, I don't think it is sufficiently well known. In any case members have the
right to disguise their handwriting.
Mr. MacDonald Before we vote, is it understood that the members going to the United
Kingdom will also be the members of the delegation going to Ottawa?
Mr. Smallwood The delegation to Ottawa is
sitting around the table.
Mr. Hillier Are you voting for the men to go
both to England and Ottawa?
Mr. Chairman I don't know. I am not dealing
with the Ottawa delegation at the moment. Now
will the Secretary read the names of the members
to be voted upon?
[The roll was called by the Secretary: 37 members present]
Mr. Vardy I take it that a member that is absent
can be nominated?
Mr. Chairman Yes, unless you know he is not
willing to be nominated. I have informed the
Convention that Mr. Crosbie and Mr. Higgins
have been contacted and you are perfectly at
liberty to vote for them. Mr. Butt has since arrived.
[The Secretary made a list of nominees. Total,
24]
Mr. Ryan I think Mr. Dawe would like to have
his name on the list.
Mr. Chairman Have you been speaking to him
and is he satisfied?
Mr. Chairman Very well, there are 25, of
whom three are not here present. Now 22 from
37 leaves 15, according to my reckoning.
The secretaries will distribute the ballots. and
you will vote on six of the 25 who have been
named. The Secretary will call these names again
in a minute as soon as the ballots have been
distributed. If there are any of you here who
might feel disposed to vote for me don't do it, it's
unnecessary.
Mr. Ryan Are these proceedings going over the
radio?
Mr. Ryan Why are the people outside not allowed to hear?
Mr. Chairman Because there is a great deal of
disorder here, and the proceedings over the radio
will be in more orderly fashion. and the people of
St. John's will hear them equally tonight with the
people of Newfoundland. I think the people of
Newfoundland should hear these proceedings.
I am going to ask the two secretaries to take
charge of the serutinising of the ballots, and Mr.
Ashboume, Mr. Smallwood and Mr. Hannon will
assist them. Now gentlemen, here are the names:
Messrs. Watton, Hollett, Starkes, Jones, Fudge,
Ballam, Reddy, Vincent, Crummey, Burry,
Miller, Ryan, Fowler, Roberts, Keough, Butt,
MacCormack, Bailey, Harrington, Cashin, Job,
Hickman, Crosbie, Higgins, Dawe. Vote for six
of these and no more. Just write their names,
please, on the sheet of paper which has been
handed to you. If any member of the Convention
desires the names to be read again at any time
before the ballots are collected the Secretary will
read them.
Mr. Fogwill, are you willing that your name
should be submitted to the ballot for the delegation to England?
Mr. Chairman Gentlemen you will add Mr.
Fogwill's name to that list.
[The ballot took place]
Mr. Chairman The result of the election is as
follows: Messrs. Cashin, Crosbie, Butt. Hollett,
Fudge, Keough constitute the delegation. In the
event of any of these being unable to proceed to
England the following two gentlemen, in the
order of names, will take their places: Messrs. Job
and Crummey. The motion is to adopt this count.
Will somebody move it?
Mr. Chairman It has been moved and seconded
that this poll as declared by the scrutinisers be
adopted. Carried.
[The committee of the whole rose. The Convention adopted its report and adjourned]
