The history of the Newfoundland National Convention is of key importance for understanding how Newfoundland became a Canadian province in 1949. In 1946 forty-five convention delegates were elected to consider the condition and prospects of Newfoundland and Labrador, and make recommendations to the British government concerning the forms of government that should be put before the electorate in a referendum. The debates and committee reports were not published after the Convention's dissolution in 1948; they are now brought together in an accessible form for the first time.

Delegates to the convention examined Newfoundland's economy and society, and debated the merits of returning to responsible government (suspended in 1934) or joining the Canadian confederation. A number of public figures of the 1950s and 1960s came into prominence during the convention, most notably Joseph R. Smallwood, leader of the confederate group.

This unique and remarkable historical document is a must for Commonwealth and Canadian specialists and research libraries.