Stagg Editorial- October 1995

PUSHING ASIDE THE SHIRTS AND TIES

It is going towards 25 years since the surging young baby boomers rose up in Newoundland in 1971 and 1972 and threw out the 'Ancien Regime' of Joe Smallwood. Some assessment of the new order is historically appropriate at this stage.

One criticism of the years following the demise of the old order is that too little in the way of economic growth has happened while too many unnecessary white collars have sprouted and spread across the province. The land is full of consultants and advisers and people generally making a living off spending other people's money. The land is also rich with well-to-do government-paid professionals who covet their pensions and long for the reins of power.

There are many young retirees in Newfoundland now, particularly from the ranks of teachers. The province would have been better served if it had produced as many wealthy tradesmen as it has produced well-pensioned teachers. Somehow the concept of a Newfoundland full of wealthy fishermen, plumbers and ironworkers seems much stronger and more worthwhile than a place where prosperity lies in the pension cheques of retired "employment counsellors " and "curriculum co-ordinators".

Hurray for the promise of rough, vulgar wealth from Hibernia and the oil field potential of Port au Port. May these resources blow like a hurricane of prosperity through the smug sub-divisions full of "J.Alfred Prufrocks". Wealth with grease on its hands is such a welcome sight.

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