The Globe and Mail
The Special Newfoundland Edition
Newfoundland - The Globe Special Report
Welcome to a Special Edition of the Globe and Mail, the Newfounland Special Edition. We are going to explore Newfoundland, one of the last remaining UK Colonies, and one of the last remaining Colonies in North America. Newfoundland is a harsh place to live, and has a long and rich history. It was probably first discovered by the Vikings, who came to these lands many years ago, and built a settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows.
Then it was a quite period, until the settlers from Europe came, the British, the French. Then it was settled, and claimed by John Cabot, who landed at Bonavista in 1497, and was claimed as England's first overseas colony. The French nearly conquered Newfoundland in the 1690s, but the British drove them off. In 1832, Newfoundland got their Colonial Assembly, and effectively became a Democratic Colony. In 1869, Newfoundland rejected Confederation with Canada. In 1907, Newfoundland, along with New Zealand, became Dominions, and became a seperate country. During World War I, Newfoundland formed its very own Regiment, to fight with the allies against the Germans. That regiment was mostly wiped out in the first Battle of the Somme, and Newfoundland incurred a massive debt for war costs. In 1934, during the Great Depression, when things were at their bleakest for Newfoundland, it became a colony of the UK again, giving up its Dominion Status. To this day, it remains a Colony of the UK.
Map of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland is a fairly large colony, but with few resources. They have timber, and fish, but little else. It is a rocky, desolate place, but with friendly, hardy people. As Canada goes through its process of patriating its Constitution, some in Canada are wondering if Newfoundland should become Part of Canada. After all, they say, Newfoundland has been a colony of the UK for many years, perhaps the opinions of Newfoundlanders has changed. But the Canadian Government does not seem eager to pursue the idea. The Globe has asked several politicians, and Ministers in the Diefenbacker Government, and they seem to be saying the same thing - Newfoundland is a colony of the UK, and Canada will not work to change that. Opinion polls in Newfoundland indicate that the people there are split on the idea of joining Canada, and the person who is championing the cause of Confederation with Canada is Joey Smallwood, the popularist politician. Mr. Smallwood has been trying to inspire Newfoundlanders to decide their history, which, as he says, belongs with Canada. He has gone through Canada, and made some speeches to try and inspire the Canadian Public to support the Newfoundland Confederation casue, but not with a whole lot of success. The United Kingdom has fairly adamantly rejected calls for Newfoundland to split, and become a part of Canada, with Mr Mosely's Government saying that Newfoundland is a Colony of the UK, and they don't see that as changing anytime soon.
Charismatic and popular Newfoundlander Joey Smallwood
According to public opinion polls, 76% of Canadians support Newfoundland becoming part of Canada, but most seem to realize that the chances of that happening are slim to none. 34% of Newfoundlanders want Confederation with Canada, 23% wish to become Independent, 10% wish to join with the UK, and the resst wish to maintain the status quo. But, with 90% of Britons wanting Newfoundland to remain colony of the UK, it sems extremely unlikely that Newfoundland will be made Independent.
Some more statistics have come out regarding the Canadian Constitution, and they show about 84% of Britons are against the UK patriating the Canadian Constitution, saying it will "bring the downfall of the British Empire". This is probably worrying to the Canadian Government, says analyst Peter Johnson. "People in the UK, with their new Fascist Government, are becoming very Nationalistic. They want the glorious days of the British Empire to return, and, by giving Canada her Constitution, that is working, they feel, contrary to that goal. Even more worrisome, we know that 54% of people in the UK want Mosely to edit Canada's Constitution to make Canada more of a colony, or to exert more British dominance over Canada. If Mosely does that, then the Canadian Public will be outraged, and we will see riots unless Diefenbacker tries to change it to be more acceptable to Canada. If he did that, then that would be seeing as Canada declaring Independence, and would possibly result in war. A war between Canada and the UK might go global, and would be devastating. Would we win? I don't know, and wouldn't want to find out. Regarding Newfoundland, anybody who thinks that the UK is going to give up Newfoundland is, quite frankly daft. It's not happening, unless incredible events take place. No, for the forseeable future, Newfoundland is firmly a colony of the UK."
And then, of course, Canadian Politics come into the foray. Of the 4 parties, the Communists have been beating the war drums the loudest, declaring the Liberals as "weak and wimpy", and will "erode the rights of Canadians to be free of the Fascists". numerous motions proposed by the Communists condemning the UK have been rejected in the House of Commons. The Communists are also demanding that Canada "confront the UK, and reclaim Newfoundland as the rightful 10th province of Canada". Again, the Liberals have said that is "absurd, Newfoundland is a colony of the UK, and my Government will not work to change that. The status of Newfoundland, frankly, is not something that the Canadian Government has, nor wishes to have, any control over."
And that ends this Special Edition of the Globe and Mail. We will keep you updated on this and other stories as they unfold.
To the UK,
From Canada,
For the record, Newfoundland is a colony of the UK. Canada will not work to change that. Frankly, Newfoundland is none of our business, since it is your Colony. Please be assured that Canada is not working to make Newfoundland a Canadian Province, at this time.
Yours Truly,
John Diefenbacker,
Prime Minister of Canada.
