Malcolm Mercer Hollett facts for kids

Malcolm Mercer Hollett (born December 9, 1891 – died September 23, 1985) was an important person from Newfoundland. He worked as a magistrate (a type of judge), a politician, and later became a Canadian Senator.

Early Life and Education

Malcolm Hollett was born in a place called Great Burin. His parents were Henry and Mary Hollett. He went to school in his hometown and then at the Methodist College in St. John's.

In 1915, he earned a special scholarship called a Rhodes Scholarship. This scholarship would let him study at the famous University of Oxford in England. But instead of going right away, he decided to join the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to fight in World War I. After the war ended, he went to Oxford and studied economics, finishing in 1921.

Helping His Community

When Malcolm Hollett came back to Newfoundland, he became a magistrate. This meant he was a public official who could enforce laws and act as a judge in smaller cases.

In 1929, a huge underwater earthquake happened near Newfoundland. This caused a giant wave, called a tsunami, which hit the communities on the Burin Peninsula. Malcolm Hollett lived there and played a big part in leading the efforts to help people after this terrible disaster.

Political Journey: Opposing Confederation

Malcolm Hollett was involved in important discussions about Newfoundland's future. He was a member of the Newfoundland National Convention, a group that talked about whether Newfoundland should join Canada. He also went to London in 1947 as part of a delegation from the colony.

He did not want Newfoundland to join Canadian confederation (become part of Canada). Instead, he believed Newfoundland should go back to having its own responsible government. This meant Newfoundland would govern itself more fully. During the referendums in 1948 (when people voted on Newfoundland's future), Hollett was a main leader of the Responsible Government League. This group actively campaigned against joining Canada.

Becoming a Political Leader

In 1952, Malcolm Hollett ran for election and won a seat in the House of Assembly. He represented the area of St. John's West as a member of the Progressive Conservative party.

The very next year, he became the leader of the Progressive Conservative party. This also made him the Leader of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition is the head of the main party that is not in power. Their job is to challenge the government and offer different ideas.

Challenges in Leadership

Malcolm Hollett led his party in the 1956 election. However, they were not able to win more than four seats in the House of Assembly.

Before the 1959 election, some members of his own party disagreed with him. Two of his MHAs (Members of the House of Assembly) left to start a new party. This new party, unlike Hollett's Conservatives, wanted Newfoundland to keep getting money from the Canadian federal government.

During the 1959 election, the Premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood, decided to run against Hollett in his own area. Smallwood won, and the Progressive Conservatives ended up with only three seats. After this, Malcolm Hollett resigned as the party leader. Smallwood decided to challenge Hollett because Hollett had opposed a government plan to criticize the federal government led by John Diefenbaker.

Serving as a Senator

In 1961, John Diefenbaker appointed Malcolm Hollett to the Senate. The Senate is the upper house of Canada's Parliament. He served as a Progressive Conservative Senator.

He retired from the Senate in 1971 when he was 80 years old and moved back to Newfoundland. Malcolm Hollett passed away in 1985 at the age of 94.