Effects of Transition to Confederation on Public Administration in Newfoundland
By J. G. Channing
ISBN 0-919400-89-2. Pp. 107
This book provides an original chronicle of the union of Newfoundland with Canada from the civil servant's point of view. The author was one of the few Canadian civil servants with personal and detailed experience in the basic process of Confederation and one whose 44 years of public service spanned a major part of the period discussed. The late Mr. Channing began his career as assistant to the secretary of Commission of Government and, as deputy minister of the Office of the Premier, ended it as Newfoundland's chief public servant.
After briefly reviewing the situation in Newfoundland during the 1855-1934 era, Mr. Channing discusses the nature of public administration from 1934 to 1949 under Commission of Government, then relates the problems and difficulties of adapting the Newfoundland public service to Canadian governmental patterns after Confederation. In particular, he discusses the role of civil servants such as himself in negotiating union with Canada, the restructuring after Confederation of the public service and the latter's role in provincial development. The final chapter considers the question of Canadian unity from the perspective of a civil servant involved in unions.
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