HOUSE OF KEYS. Douglas, Tuesday, January 4, 1944. Present: The Speaker (Mr J. D. Qual- Have you received any information con- trough, J.P.), Messrs T. A. Quayle, J. cerning the appointment of a commis- Clinton, J. Callister, T. Q. Cannell, F. H. sion to inquire into the fishing industry, Crowe, A. J. Cottier, J. W. Brew, T. G. which was requested by Tynwald on the Bridson, J. L. Quine, J. H. L. Cowin, T. 19th October. 1943? Up to now I have Clucas, E. W. Fargher, Richard Kneen, heard nothing of a commission being W. A. Kelly, J. J. McArd, G. H. Moore, appointed, and I wondered whether you W. H. Alcock, R. Q. Hampton, A. J. had heard. Time is getting on, and we Teare. J. Kelly, and W. C. Craine, with should like to see something done. Mr R. G. Johnson, Acting Secretary. The Speaker: I haven't personally Mr Kitto was unwell and had asked heard anything. Neither the House nor for leave of absence. the Speaker is informed when commis- sions are appointed; the first news they receive, usually, is a communication GREETINGS FROM MAJOR W. H. through the Press, or sometimes a com- CAIN, M.C. munication comes from Government The Speaker: I should like to announce Office and is circulated to all members. to the House that I have received a Mr Moore: I realise that Tynwald is Christmas card from Ofiag 9 A/H Ger- the place in.which to raise this question, many, with the following message:— but we do not know when there will be "Best wishes for the Christmas sea- a sitting of Tynwald, and time is get- son, 1943, and best wishes for the New ting on, Year, 1944. Best wishes to all.—Prisoner of War Major W. H. Cain, R.A." REFORMS IN THE MANX CONSTITU- I am sure the House would like to say TION—CONSIDERATION OF to Major Cain how much they appreciate DRAFT PETITION. his kind thoughts, and I feel sure you The House considered a draft petition would like me to write back and send to the Home Secretary, submitted by a him our . best wishes for 1944, and an committee appointed on 16th November. early return to his native land. 1943, on the question of the Constitution Agreed. of the Isle of Man. Mr Craine: I move, Mr Speaker, that GREETINGS FROM MAJOR you take charge of the resolution that FAF,RANT. the report of the committee which sub- The Speaker: I have received the fol- mits the draft petition, and that the lowing telegram from the hon. member hon. member for South Douglas, Mr for Ayre, Major Farrant:— Teare, who after you is the senior mem- " Regret inability attend Tuesday. In ber -of the House, take the chair in temporary command. Sincere greetings your place.. to all members. Good luck in the fight; The Speaker: Is that the wish of the keep together, ignore minor issues." House? Agreed. PROPOSED APPOINTMENT OF FISH- Mr Teare then took the chair. ERIES COMMISSION—QUESTION The Acting-Speaker: The first business BY MR. MOORE. is the consideration of the report of the Mr Moore: I have a question to ask committee appointed to draw up a you, Mr Speaker, which is of great im- memorandum to the Home Secretary, portance to the constituency I represent. following the report upon the Conslitu- Greetings from Major W. H. Cain, M.C.—Greetings from Major Farrant.— Proposed Appointment of Fisheries Commission—Question by Mr. Moore.- ' Reforms in the Manx Constitution—Consideration of Draft Petition. HOUSE OF KEYS. JANUARY 4, 1944. 141 tion of the Isle of Man. I will ask Mr mittee considered their report at very Speaker to move the adoption of the considerable length, spending a full and committee's report. I am bound to say a very happy day, Mr Qualtrough: I beg to move:— when all aspects of the case were dis- That the report, dated 14th December, 1943, cused very fully and frankly. I think of the committee appointed to prepare a the House will forgive me if I begin my petition to His Majeet.y's Principal Secretary remarks this Morning by asking mem- of State for Home Affairs on Constitutional bers to keep in mind the main, essential Reform, he adopted. thing that it is sought to secure—in The report is in the hands of members, other words, to put first things first. and it will have been seen that it is on Nobody living in the Isle of Man could all fours with the report of the original fail to be impressed by the exposure of committee. There is an alternative on a the limited powers of the House of Keys matter of detail, with regard to the and of Tynwald which has taken place method of electing the executive com- even in very recent weeks, in the ap- mittee of Tynwald. In the original re- pointment, without any consultation port it was suggested that the executive with us, of the principal officer who committee should be elected annually, administers and is in charge of practic- by Tynwald. There was some criticism ally the whole Government of the Island of this, on the floor of the House and —under the Governor—and also the in the Press, and the second committee appointment of an assistant to him with- has recommended that a different sys- out any reference to this House—indeed, tem be adopted—that is to say, that the an appointment which the House has committee should be appointed for three declared to be irregular. Without in- years, not one, and that they should tending to use any strong or violent retire ini the order of three, two, and language, it is obvious that the House two, so that you would always secure a has been ignored; indeed, it may be said certain amount of continuity. But the that the House has been regarded as first election would not take place until having no say in these questions, these after the committee had been in exist- most important questions, which affect ence for two years, so as to give the the very life of politics in the Isle of first appointed committee a chance to Man, We have an object lesson of the get properly into the saddle, and get fact that we are controlled from outside matters in order for those who come the Island. We are controlled through after. That is an alteration, an amend- and from a body in which we have no ment, which in my opinion strengthens representation. The Lieutenant-Gover- the report. The House will remember nor is sent here; he is not appointed by that at the last sitting, when we had us, he is not responsible to us. He is the discussed the first report, three members head of the executive, he is the head of were added to the original committee, the police, he is the Chancellor of the making nine in all—Messrs Bridson, Exchequer, with control of finance and Crowe, and Hampton. The House will a complete veto over .any proposals that remember that owing to the transfer of may come before us; he is the head of Mr Crellin to the Legislative Council, the the Civil Service; he may take our original committee had been reduced advice or he may not. He may ask for from seven to six. The second com- it, and after he has had it he may not mittee has presented its report on the be guided by it. In these high posts in lines I have set out, with a minority re- the Government of the .Island, I think it port by two members, Mr Cowin and Mr is obvious to-day that "no Manxman Bridson, who wish to include in the need apply"—not because they are not petition two items—first, that the Deem- capable of doing the work,' not because sters should no longer be members of the Isle of Man cannot produce men who the Legislative Council and Tynwald, are capable, but because they are Manx, and second, that the majority of the and in the opinion of those who make Legislative Council should be elected by the appointment, a Manxman is not a the direct vote of the people. I under- suitable person to be responsible for the stand that it is the intention of these Government of the Island. We are, in two hon. members to move amendments other words, treated as a conquered to that effect. I may say that the corn- country—a country which, if not gov- Reforms in the Manx Constitution—Consideration of Draft Petition, 142 HOUSE OF KEYS, JANUARY 4, 1944, ----- • - erned by .a strong hand from outside, they do not clash with the opinion and might cause trouble or might rebel at policy of the conquering country. That, any moment. The Imperial Government roughly, is the Constitution of the Isle holds itself responsible for law and of Man; we are governed from outside, order and good government in the Isle and it is just as well to tear away the of Man. A few weeks ago, the hon. veil that has lain over our Home Rule member for Middle gave 'the names of all these years, and look at the thing as men who were in his opinion capable of we actually find it. It may be all right becoming Government Secretary and for us as a conquered State, or a State Assistant Government Secretary, men that is subject to another; but I feel very whom I think most of us agree were strongly that the position to-day is not .