Newfoundland Royal Commission

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The Newfoundland Royal Commission, also known as the Amulree Commission, was set up on February 17, 1933 by the British government to study Newfoundland’s future and its finances during the Great Depression. Newfoundland faced a serious economic crisis. Canadian banks loaned money to the colony, but on harsh terms. A riot on April 5, 1932 in St. John’s helped bring down the local government. By November 1932 the Alderdice government warned it would default on about $100 million of debt, worrying Britain and Canada about impacts on already fragile markets. They agreed to provide short-term help while the commission examined the situation. The British chairman was Lord Amulree, the Canadian member was Charles Alexander Magrath, and Newfoundland’s representative was Sir William Ewen Stavert, a Canadian financial adviser.

The commission’s report was generally well received. In November 1933 the Newfoundland legislature debated and asked the Crown to suspend the ordinary constitution. The Newfoundland Act 1933, passed by Parliament, gave direct rule from London and received royal assent on December 21, 1933. The Commission of Government then took control on February 16, 1934 and remained in power until March 31, 1949.