Newfoundland Royal Commission 1933. Report. Presented by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to Parliament by Command of His Majesty, November 1933.
London. Printed and Published by His Majesty’s Stationery Office. 1933. 8vo., 24,5cm, vi,283., appendices, with 6 colour folding maps in rear pocket, in the original blue wrappers, printed on both covers and the spine, together with 3 supplement papers loosely inserted, 8, 7, & 11pp., in plain self wraps, all are in fine condition, very rare, not auction records, catalogue or online listings located. 1,500.00
O’Dea 2091 does not mention supplements. “Lord Amulree, Chairman. To examine into the future of Newfoundland and in particular to report on the financial situation and prospects therein. The recommendations of this commission led to the creation of the Commission of Government in 1934”. Note: this important document is one of the few books in O’dea. P358/359.
As a small country which relied primarily upon the export of fish, paper, and minerals, Newfoundland was hit hard by the Great Depression. Economic frustration combined with anger over government corruption led to a general dissatisfaction with democratic government. On 5 April 1932, a crowd of 10,000 people marched on the Colonial Building (seat of the House of Assembly) and forced Prime Minister Squires to flee. Squires lost an election held later in 1932. The next government, led once more by Alderdice, called upon the British government to take direct control until Newfoundland could become self-sustaining. The United Kingdom, concerned over Newfoundland's likelihood of defaulting on its war-debt payments, established the Newfoundland Royal Commission, headed by a Scottish peer, Lord Amulree. Its report, released in 1933, assessed Newfoundland's political culture as intrinsically corrupt and its economic prospects as bleak, and advocated the abolition of responsible government and its replacement by a Commission of the British Government. Acting on the report's recommendations, Alderdice's government voted itself out of existence in December 1933.
In 1934, the British Parliament passed the Newfoundland Act, 1933 which suspended Newfoundland's Legislature and established the Commission of Government.[23] Letters patent passed under the act provided that Newfoundland was ruled by the governor, who reported to the Colonial Secretary in London, and the commission, appointed by the British government. Newfoundland remained a dominion in name only. The Newfoundland Supreme Court held that the surrender of responsible government and the establishment of the commission of government "... reduces the Island to the status of a pure Crown colony" fine. Item #43999
Price: $1,500.00