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Crosbie and his followers believed that the best way to make . Its economic ideas, though popular with the St. John's business community, failed to generate interest in the general population. {Link without Title}

The division of the Anti-Confederation forces into two parties caused problems for the campaign and resulted in tensions between the EUP and the RGL and a split in resources {Link without Title} . Conversely, the Confederate Association was well-funded and organized across the island.

The responsible government forces won the most votes in the first referendum, held on June 3 1948 but with only 44.6% support compared to 41.1% support for Confederation and 14.3% support for continuing the Commission Of Government , the results were considered inconclusive, and a second referendum was scheduled for July 22 with only Confederation and Responsible Government on the ballot.

The Economic Union Party decided to unite its efforts with the Responsible Government League for the second referendum, but morale was poor and the campaign was disorganized in the face of Smallwood's well-run machine {Link without Title}

With the EUP working in league with the RGL, Smallwood and his supporters attacked the EUP and responsible government accusing it of being Republic an, disloyal and anti-British while Confederation was put forward as "pro-British" and promoted as "British Union". {Link without Title} . The second referendum resulted in 52.3% support for Confederation and only 47.7% for responsible government.

The EUP disbanded following the referendum defeat.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Karl McNeil Earle, "Cousins of a Kind: The Newfoundland and Labrador Relationship with the United States" ''American Review of Canadian Studies,'' Vol. 28, 1998


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