Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/386

 334 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — NEWFOUNDLAND, ETC.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR.

Newfoundland was discovered by John Cabot in 1497 ; it was formally acquired by Great Britain in 1583 ; exclusive sovereignty over the island was ceded by France in 1713 by the Treaty of Utrecht, confirmed by treaties of 1763 and 1783.

The coast is rugged, especially on the south-west, where the coast range reaches an elevation of nearly 2,000 feet. The hills attain their summit within a few miles of the salt water, and then spread out into an undulating country, consisting largely of barrens and marshes, and inter- sected by numerous rivers and lakes. On the borders of the lakes and water- courses good land is generally found, and in some cases, as about the Exploits, the Gander and the Humber, it is heavily timbered. Area, 42,734 square miles. Population, December 31, 1919, 260,922 (133,035 males and 127,877 females). Dependent on Newfoundland is Labrador, the most easterly part of the American continent, with an area of 120,000 square miles, and population (1919) of 3,647. Of the total Newfoundland population in 1911, 67,040 were engaged- in the fisheries, 2,915 were farmers, 5,376 mechanics, 2,260 miners. Capital, St. John's, 34,045 inhabitants (1918) ; other towns being Harbour Grace, 4,279(1911) ; Bonavista, 3,911 ; Carbonear, 3,540; Twillingate, 3,348. The birth rate in 1917 was 2685, and the death rate 1777 per 1,000. Immigrants (1919), 14,550 ; emigrants, 12,260.

The government is administered by a Governor, assisted by an Executive Council (not exceeding 9 members), a Legislative Council (not exceeding 24 members), and an elected House of Assembly consisting of 36 repre- sentatives. Members of the Legislative Council receive 250 dollars per session; members of the Legislative Assembly receive 1,000 dollars per session. For electoral purposes the whole colony is divided into 18 districts or constituencies. Women are not (February, 1921) enfranchised.

After the general election of November 1919, the Government supporters in the House of Assembly numbered 23, and the opposition 13.

Governor and Commander- in- Chief. — Sir C. A. Harris, K.C.M.G. C.B., C.V.O., appointed October, 1917 ; salary 15,000 dollars, with travel- ling allowance of 3,000 dollars.

The Ministry in November, 1919, is as follows : —

Prime Minister and Colonial Secretary. — Hon. It. A. Squires, K.C.

Minister of Jicstice and Alio i )i( [i -General. — Hon. \V. R. Warren, K.C.

Minister of Finance and Customs. — Hon. II. J. Broxcnrigg.

Minister of Agriculture and Mines. — Hon. A. Campbell, M.D.

Minister of Marine and Fisheries. — Hon. AV. F. Conker.

Minister of Posts and Telegraphs. — Hon. W. VV. Halfyard.

Minister of Education,. — Hon. Arthur Barnes, Pd.D.

Ministers without Portfolios.— Hon. S. J. Foote and Hon. Geo. Shea.

Not in the Cabinet :

Minister of Shipping. — W. H. Cave, Esq.

Minister of Public Works. — W. B. Jennings, Esq.

The ministers with departments receive salarits of 4,000 dollars each.

High Commissioner xn London. — Sir Ed^ar R. Boivring, 58, Victoria Street, S.W.

Of the total population in 1911, 78,616 belonged to the Church of England, 81,177 were Roman Catholics, 68,042 Methodists, 1,876 Presbyterians, 10,141 Salvation Army, 2,767 other denominations. At the colleges of the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Methodist bodies,