Debates released on self-government surrender

An important piece of Newfoundland history has returned to print, after it was believed to be missing for many years.

The political debates that preceded Newfoundland's voluntary surrender of self-government in 1934 have now been published, and were launched at a ceremony at Government House in St. John's Monday.

Historian Jim Hiller, who edited the two-volume set, said although many people think corruption led to the failure of self-government, it was instead the burden of an enormous public debt that ultimately forced the decision.

"Generally speaking, there's a mood of a kind of resignation, and of thinking this had to happen," Hiller said.

The debates follow the period after an infamous 1932 riot at Colonial Building in St. John's, the seat of government, and through the appointment of the Amulree Royal Commission.

That report paved the way in late 1933 to a vote that suspended democracy, and led totheunelected commission of government that ruled Newfoundland until Confederation with Canada in 1949.

The period was notable because of the confluence of overwhelming circumstances, including the Great Depression and the government's decision to honour its commitment to fighting in the First World War. Newfoundland was one of the few countries to pay its share.

"We paid three times for our World War I experience," said historian John FitzGerald.

"We paid in the loss of life. We paid in $40 million, and we paid in the loss of democracy."