Newfoundland's Future
Newfoundland: Economic, Diplomatic and Strategic Studio:* Edited by R. A. Mackay, under the auspices of The Royal Institutenf " International Affairs. (Oxford University Press. 30s.) THERE are few books on modem Newfoundland. A serious study of: its problems, particularly in the economic sphere is therefOre welcome. A national convention has been elected and is to meet
the near future to consider the best form of government for the island. The economic background, which is hilly and ably dealt With in these studies will profoundly affect these discussions. Its
made very dear that, the present period of world food-shortaies ends, Newfoundland will find it very difficult to provide her people With the services which other Anglo-Saxon peoples have come :to think of as essential. Nothing is said, however, as to what New- inundland ought to do in- field of politics to ,deal with this difficult situation. it is a pity-that this book has been so long delayid in publication. Most of the studies were completed before the of- the war. A few footnotes adding later information are not':"4 skisfactory way of bringing the text up to -date. A full account:Of this Labrador boundary-cl:spute with Canada. is given, but surprising4 there is no attempt to assess the future possibilities of economic development in Labrador.. Recent concessions-to an American paper cOmpany may lead to the "building of a large paper-mill near Gook, and the large iron deposits in the interior may also be developed. The hiStOricat stifdiesnr. the French -shore' -and the • Fislierit' Negotiations with the U.S.A. tell the story of fascinating episodes of .commonwealth history, which are little known in thin country,: save as cauSing isolated'diplomatic disputes. The Struggle which Newfoundlanders had to become masters of their country explains the' strong local patriotism which has so far insisted on Newfoundland's remaining outside the Dominion of Canada and which looked with some doubts at the granting of bases to Canada and U.S.A. even in the common interest of the defence of North America as a whole. The sorry story, of earlier attempts to bring Newfoundland Within the Canadian Federation show, the pitfalls to be avoided, by any politicians who regard d confederation" as the best way of meeting the country's &flunk position. The report on the financial and economic position of Newfound-.. - land which was issued in June last by the Dominions Office and the recent census returns give far more up-to-date information jti small compass than this large tome. The report provides a far better, account of the achievements of the Commission of Government since it took over in ¶933, and is especially informative on the reconstrud. tion programme which is being carried through. Both the book and the report show the advantages of a "planned economy" even in North America in trying to raise the standard of life of a backward people. If the volume of studies is read in conjunction with the, report a good picture is provided of Newfoundland's problems.
JOHN PARKER.
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