Chapter 450 Preparing for the Referendum

Although Britain has never thought that a great and impressive country has already stood in the east.

But after all, it is true that it cannot do whatever it wants like in the colonial era. New Delhi has communicated with London about the situation in Kashmir and recognizes Britain's special interests in the subcontinent. There is only one drama left on its side.

Of course, the peacekeeping force proposal was not without success. The United States and the Soviet Union unanimously expressed interest in this proposal.

He said that although the world is generally peaceful at present, it is necessary for the United Nations to play a greater role to avoid repeating the old path of the two world wars.

Of course, all of this has nothing to do with Alan Wilson. Although he did do some things that were conducive to openness and transparency through some internal friendships among civil servants, in the end, whether it is India and Pakistan, or Arabs and Israel, the destiny must be controlled by oneself. of.

The major event before us is the long-decided referendum in Newfoundland. No matter what plans the United States, the Soviet Union, and Britain have at the United Nations General Assembly, it has nothing to do with Newfoundland's status.

Crown Prince Elizabeth is currently visiting Canada, and everywhere she goes is naturally praised. The crown prince and his wife are surrounded by praise and are touring the territory of the future Queen of Canada.

Canada also issued commemorative stamps for Crown Prince Elizabeth to commemorate the Crown Prince's visit to Canada.

Generally speaking, Crown Prince Elizabeth's visit to Canada this time is unprecedented. According to the schedule, the crown prince and his wife are scheduled to visit South Africa because the United States is holding an election.

While the Crown Prince and his wife were leaving Canada, Alan Wilson was discussing the referendum with Newfoundland Governor Smallwood, "Dear Joey, I believe you have been waiting for this day for a long time, right?"

"Oh, Alan, the matter that determines the future of Newfoundland is what every citizen of Newfoundland looks forward to." Smallwood responded calmly, "It will have to be done sooner or later, isn't it?"

"Yes, sooner or later such a day will come." Alan Wilson nodded, indicating that he was mentally prepared.

In fact, the Newfoundland referendum is nothing more than the relationship between Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

After World War II, the United Kingdom continued to reduce its budget for Newfoundland, hoping that Newfoundland would join the Canadian federation and end the dispatch of government.

Initially Newfoundland turned to Canada for help in the hope of restoring responsible government. But Canada responded coldly, saying it had no interest in helping Newfoundland economically.

Unless Newfoundland chooses to join the Canadian Confederation.

Although the proposal to join the United States was strongly opposed in Newfoundland, both Britain and Canada believed that Newfoundland would eventually choose to join the United States, especially if Newfoundland once again fell into economic difficulties. The British could not tolerate the British North American colonies joining the United States, and were worried that Newfoundland's joining the United States would intensify the Labrador border dispute.

Canada believes that Newfoundland's joining the Canadian Confederation will not be beneficial to its economy, and if Newfoundland joins the United States, Canada will be almost surrounded by American territory. Eventually the British government banned Newfoundland from holding a vote on whether to join the United States.

This was the situation before Alan Wilson set out for London. There was only one real bottom line for London, and that was to do everything possible to prevent Newfoundland from approaching the United States, even if it meant giving Newfoundland to Canada.

Before Alan Wilson's departure, Newfoundland sent two delegations to London and Ottawa to negotiate and discuss Newfoundland's future. The official delegation went to London and the private delegation went to Ottawa.

This shows that among the middle and upper classes in Newfoundland, the opposition to the merger with Canada is even more overwhelming.

Alan Wilson can see from the historical referendum results that the opposition to the merger with Canada is not the middle and upper class's desire to protect their own interests, but indeed represents a large part of Newfoundland's public opinion.

Newfoundland eventually became part of Canada, a result of British pressure. The delegation to Ottawa also received a cold reception from Canada because it did not have an official character.

This was the backdrop to Alan Wilson's arrival in Newfoundland, after the better part of a year's work and delaying tactics. Anyway, so far, Newfoundland is developing very well.

The current crown prince and his wife had just left Newfoundland. Alan Wilson felt that time was almost up, so he discussed with Smallwood whether they could discuss it openly to decide the future of Newfoundland.

After the two reached an agreement, Alan Wilson spread the news about discussing the future of Newfoundland. It was scheduled for October 2nd to be discussed in the Newfoundland Parliament Building. At the same time, it would be heard by all Newfoundland citizens through current affairs radio. .

After Smallwood left the Governor's Mansion, Alan Wilson first confirmed the news during the evening broadcast.

Like a pebble in a calm pond, the broadcast had an immediate impact in the capital, St. John's. Then it spread throughout Newfoundland and became a hot topic in the streets of Newfoundland citizens.

On October 2, 1948, many residents of Newfoundland were waiting at home, instead of going out or fishing as usual, waiting for the announcement on the radio to sound.

At this time, in the Newfoundland Parliament Building, members of the Newfoundland Committee sat down one after another. Including Smallwood, there were a total of forty-five Newfoundland representatives, plus Justice Fox, and he, the Chief Executive , providing forty-seven people.

"Dear representatives, time flies really fast, we meet again." Alan Wilson first said hello, "This discussion will be spread to the ears of Newfoundland citizens at the same time. After all, we have to pay tribute to the great Newfoundland citizens need to be transparent so that we can have a transparent government."

In a different environment, Alan Wilson would no longer say, you can be transparent, or you can have a government.

"At this moment, there are still places in the world that are in the flames of war, such as East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. What we are going to discuss today is to use a peaceful attitude and use the most reasonable and well-founded remarks to solemnly Talking about the future of Newfoundland, Newfoundland has left a deep impression on me since I took office, and the working experience here will become a valuable asset in my life."

Seeing the representatives arriving at the Parliament building nodding, Alan Wilson changed the topic and began to express that Newfoundland is too powerful. As the chief executive appointed by the British Empire, Alan Wilson finished talking about Newfoundland's local economy improving for more than half a year. After that, he began to wait for representatives from all parties to state their opinions, and at the same time reminded, "Pay attention to the tone of your speech. I believe many Newfoundland citizens are listening."

"Since the chief executive has made it very clear, I will express my thoughts. I think Newfoundland should join the Canadian federation. Currently, Canada has established a social security system that covers the whole society." Smallwood started. He said, "The advantage of joining Canada is that all Newfoundland citizens will have a guarantee."

"Mr. Joy is right, but the price is that the sovereignty of Newfoundland's fishing grounds will be owned by Canada in the future." As soon as Smallwood finished speaking, other representatives immediately refuted, "At this meeting, someone is planning to Newfoundland betrayed to Canada.”

The sound was so loud that many Newfoundland citizens listening to the radio heard the harsh busy tone.

"Well, this is indeed the case." Alan Wilson was already happy when he saw the tit-for-tat scene at the beginning. On the surface, he still wanted to maintain an objective and neutral appearance, frowning and said, "Of course I'm talking about the sovereignty of Newfoundland's fisheries and not other issues."

"And from the perspective of social security, Newfoundland is fully capable of establishing a similar system. Judging from Newfoundland's population and industry comparison, in fact, per capita resource possession, this is not a big problem. Of course, Newfoundland does not have it. All conditions for independence.”

Alan Wilson said eloquently, "The key lies in how to prevent cross-border fishing. Newfoundland does not have the manpower to build a basic small fleet to conduct regular patrols in the waters under its jurisdiction."

Seeing the forty-five committee members nodding their heads to express their approval of the words of the London-appointed chief executive, I felt that it was very neutral and objective.

Alan Wilson continued, "In fact, there is another problem, and that is that the current capital inflow into Newfoundland has a huge relationship with corporate tax. This is only possible in Newfoundland's current special form. In the case of corporate tax In terms of issues, Newfoundland is completely different from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Its position at the intersection of the three has resulted in huge fiscal surpluses in the past few months. If this neutrality is lost? It may not be a good thing. "

"Strong forestry resources is another thing I said. In fact, judging from the correspondence between Canada, Australia and the United States, it is much easier to make the same money in Canada and Australia than in the United States. Because there is no social security in the United States Furthermore, the U.S. population is too large, and it is unrealistic to rely entirely on the state to guarantee all expenditures. Furthermore, the U.S. is not a government that wants to establish a social security system. This conflicts with the American philosophy."

Although Alan Wilson only analyzed it objectively, he actually blocked the road in Canada from the perspective of fisheries. At the same time, from the perspective of social security, the United States is excluded.

Smallwood hesitated to speak, but when he saw that most of the Newfoundland representatives agreed with these words, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Should we give up the inflow of funds on corporate tax issues? Or special treatment for the import of European raw materials? It depends on the ideas of Newfoundland citizens. In fact, the main question is whether Newfoundland can become a place for everyone in the future. A high-level area that everyone envies, this is the most important issue.”