Convening The National Convention
The National Convention was convened on September 11, 1946. Judge Cyril J. Fox, a Supreme Court of Newfoundland Justice, chaired the proceedings until his untimely death. He was succeeded as Chairman by Convention Member Gordon Bradley for most of the rest of the Convention's life, but after Bradley's resignation the lawyer J.B. McEvoy served in the chair. The Commissioner of Home Affairs issued pay cheques to delegates: $15 a day, with a travelling stipend of $10 per day.
Not only were observers allowed in the gallery but the general public could listen to the debates on radio stations VOCM, VOAR and the state-run Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland station, VONF.
Some delegates who were critical of the Commission of Government used the opportunity to demand Commissioners justify to the Convention some of their policies. However, Governor MacDonald would explain that delegates were not the Government of Newfoundland, but were convened to debate the constitutional options which would appear on a ballot in a forthcoming referendum.
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