Item AAAB4475 - William Murray interview

CALL NUMBER: T3881:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Background and early interest in Social Credit RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-09-23 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Murray describes Prince Rupert in the 1920s and '30s: boardwalks for streets, no improvements due to Depressions; then WW II influx of 22,000 U.S. military, so highway built. Social life in 1930s: indoor sports prominent; Chinese restaurants; Native Indians numerous during fishing season; Japanese residents. Discusses federal government policy to establish schools on reserves. Mr. Murray describes his own education and work in fish plants during summer. Fishing industry in 1930s. Local Liberal Association and patronage. Mr. Murray outlines RCN career in WW II. Coalition government as a response to rise of C.C.F., but not appropriate due to internal quarrels. TRACK 2: W.A.C. Bennett crosses floor due to Coalition problems and Health Insurance mess. 1952 election upset due to dissatisfaction with Coalition government. Murray impressed with energy of Social Credit minority government. Art Murray was builder of local Social Credit Party- he was an attractive personality. Social Credit had no bloc vote. Prince Rupert not easy to win because of strong unions which support C.C.F. Long discussion about why new parties form. Social Credit organization approaches Mr. Murray because he was well-known through work in Legion, hotel business and sports- he had broad appeal. Veteran's associations were a focus of social life in community. Former C.C.F. MLA, Bill Brett, a well-known Legion member. CALL NUMBER: T3881:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early days as the MLA for Prince Rupert in Socred government RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-10-21 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Murray discusses: importance of political candidates being well-known; appeal of C.C.F.; geographic description of Prince Rupert constituency. Transportation was major requirement and highway construction was highest priority of W.A.C. Bennett's government. Efforts of "Hallelujah Chorus for Highway 16". Roads built on Queen Charlotte Islands and cannery road. Growth of coastal surface traffic. Pressure from U.S. Kelsey Bay ferry link. Prince Rupert incorporated into Alaska run. Digby Island airport and ferry service. Restoration of winter services on B.C. Ferry. "Gateway to Alaska;" success. TRACK 2: Little freight on ferries. Murray works to promote Rupert as second Pacific port. Provincial government provides infrastructure. Thoughts about B.C. government taking over CN trackage from Prince George. Port development spurred by pressure from Prairie grain growers and Japanese coal interests. Lessens impact on Lower Mainland. Prince Rupert lacks flat land for industry. Chamber of Commerce attitude towards politics. Social Credit achievements on transportation, education. Disappointed at loss of regional college to Terrace. Regional hospital built in Prince Rupert. CALL NUMBER: T3881:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): MLA for Prince Rupert: dealing with Natives, canneries, health care RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-10-29 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Description of problems due to discriminatory liquor laws regarding Native Indians. Riot in summer 1958. Liquor laws eventually change but time is required for people to develop a respect for alcohol. Federal Indian Act applied unevenly: Skidegate an example of an advanced Native community. Murray disapproves of different status for Natives: he encouraged integrating Natives into provincial school system. Health service extended to communities along with better transportation. TRACK 2: Regional hospital provides higher levels of care. Closing of small canneries inevitable. Murray smoothes way for start of Port Simpson cannery. Discussion of Indian participation in politics: influence of band councils, bloc voting, distrust. Effect of First Citizens Fund. Discussion of MLA salary and expenses, often paid out of own pocket. Importance of knowing senior government officials in order to serve constituents. MLA position was a part-time job "in name only", rather year round responsibility. Today more attractive job due to better support. Improvements under Socreds and NDP. Howard Harding an "excellent government agent". CALL NUMBER: T3881:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): MLA for Prince Rupert: discussion of job of MLA and defeat in 1972 PERIOD COVERED: [no date]-1972 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1981-12-08 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Murray recalls "hairy" flying trip to Klemtu. Observations on changing expectations of constituents. Opinion of whether or not MLA should be a full time job. Constituency Association helps with campaign expenses. Art Murray provided effective leadership. Description of campaign style, main stops, use of media. Socred Association was broadly based, many union members supported Murray's candidacy. Leaders of unions most strong supporters of C.C.F. TRACK 2: Governments must be prepared to act for what it perceives to be the public good. Some labour legislation fought by organized labour. Discussion of circumstances of resignation of Art Murray in 1969. Socred Association has many new members. NDP Association very dedicated. Liberal machine wanes. NDP today appeals to white collar employees. Mr. Murray foresees two-party system in Canada. 1972 defeat part of province-wide trend. No personal animosities. NDP has strong organization. Organization is increasingly important to electoral success. CALL NUMBER: T3881:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): MLA for Prince Rupert: Speaker of the House, 1964-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1963-1972 RECORDED: Victoria (B.C.), 1982-01-14 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Murray about to leave public life when 1963 election called. Subsequently asked by W.A.C. Bennett to be Speaker. Murray only MLA with experience as helped Shantz, and on good terms with Opposition. Main role of Speaker to keep order. Clerks-of-House are backbone but preparation necessary. Able to foresee procedural issues. Impartiality cannot be over-stressed. B.C. an adversary system. Difficult to demonstrate impartiality because Speaker belongs to a party. Agreed with Strachan on need for Hansard. 1970 Hansard step in right direction but could have had more latitude. Question period; keeps government on toes. Not Speaker's role to initiate changes. W.A.C. Bennett not favourable to Hansard, but Opposition successful in tactics- New Westminster session. Best debaters: Ken Kiernan, Bob Bonner, Ran Harding, Bob Strachan, Cyril Shelford. Frustrated as Speaker, not being able to speak out. Sessions not longer though budget grows. Administration not difficult, comptroller assists money needs. Commonwealth conventions and Speakers conferences worthwhile. (End of interview)