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_- THE_ CUARDIAN. ‘CHARLOTTETOWN

_ JANUARY 22, "r194,

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Tl-l E G UAR DilAN

Morning Dally lfputulod In IIII) Mithnriud in eleminil Cline Mull. Pun Offlaa Dqrnrtnrone, Ottawa.

The Inland Guardian Publishing Co. ldllur and Managing Director. J ll. Burnett. Anni-late Editor. Frank Waller.

"The Strangest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest |nk."

CHARLOTTETUWN. SATURDAY, JAN. fl. i549

Aids And hindrances

From Ottawa have come reports of the per- fection of a radio direction finder for installa- tion in small dories so that the boats of o fish- ing fleet can maintain contact with the mother ship even in the worst weather. Other fishery scientists have been working on new types of boats which will keep fish fresh and enable the seafood to be landed without spoilage and ready for market.

Similarly, at the Pacific Fisheries Experi- mental Station at Vancouver, B. C., a mechanic- ally-refrigerated railway car has been built and is ready to undergo severe tests. Fish fresh from the ship will be loaded into the cars and rushed across Canada. A recent three-day test of the car with a shipment of 24,500 pounds of frozen packaged food took place when average outside temperatures were 32 degrees above zero. This temperature was not conductive to a real test of the car's refrigeration possibilities. Nev- ertheless, rhe station scientists revealed that the results indicated the equipment has the capacity expected and that it will operate under railway service. Merely by flipping a switch, the cooling unit of the experimental car can be made to act as a heating unit, and further road tests for both the heating and cooling perform- ances are planned. The equipment, of course, should prove equally serviceable to fishermen on the Atlantic Coast.

While science is thus laboring to put money in our fishermen's pockets and to establish the industry on a more stable basis, the recent ex- orbitant 40 percent increase in express rates on all fresh fish shipments by the Canadian railways is having quite the contrary effect. Our tartoonist has amusingly illustrated the incon- sistency of this policy in today's Guardian, but this is only to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. This is a matter on which our Mari- time representatives should be prepared to speak out strongly and unitedly at Ottawa when Parliament convenes.

Review 0t Trade

The year has begun with a "mixed bag" of

portents as regards demand, production and prices, comments the Bonk of Montreal in its latest monthly Business Review. lt can no longer be assumed that all trends are uniformly favour- ably, the Review stresses, but to date there are relatively few indications of rnaior recessive tendencies and certainly no signs of an over-all contraction sufficient to bring about a setback of depression proportions. _

Uncertainties of external trade are occasion- ed by weakness in overseas markets where both U. S. and Canadian dollars are scarce curren- IjlQS. While an increase in Canadian exports to the United States more than sufficed to offset the contraction of shipments to other areas dur- ing i948, this large and rapid shift in the pat- tern of trade has had diverse effects as between different industries.

The review notes that, to a considerable ex- tent, Canadian exports to England and Europe have been supported by off-shore purchases un- der E. R. P. It is significant, however, that Ca- nada's role in this regard has been mainly that of a supplier of bread grains and other food- stuffs. The possibility must be faced, that as European recovery progresses, requirements of E.R.P.-financed foodstuffs from Canada. may tend to diminish without a corresponding in- crease in Canadian shipm_ents of industrial equipment and other goods coming Within the scope of the recovery program. Thus, the steady improvement in Canada's U. S. dollar reserves during the past year, welcome as it has been. serves to emphasize the predominant influence of American prosperity and policy on this_ coun- try's trade. Canadian interest attaches also to legislation being sought by the President of the United States for completion of the St. Low- rence Seaway and for extension of the Admin- istration's power to enter into reciprocal trade agreements. _

Turning to the main sources of domestic de- mand, the Bank of Montreal comments that it seems only reasonable to expect that the rate of new capital expansion may be reduced in some directions from the record levels of the past two years. But in view of the still consid- able need for housing, public utility and munici- pal services and the possibility of additional de- fence outlays, capital expenditure should con- tinue as an important sustaining influence.

Latest reports show no signs of a down- turn in the trend of employee earnings, the re- view points out, and aggregate personal buying power will be bolstered by the repayment in March of some $250 millions of compulsory war- time savings, by retroactive pay increases re- cently authorized to the armed forces and the Federal civil service and probably by further retroactive payments to Western wheat farm- ers under the Government pooling arrangement. it appears however that, for a growing number of consumer goods, supply is coming abreast of demand. Reflection of this trend is seen in on abahment in the general rise of prices and in the appearance of some specific soft spots in the price structure. Moreover, the growing pro- portion of sales on credit undoubtedly indicates that for many persons the accumulated back- log of readily spandable funds has become sharply diminished. Under such circumstances, consumer attitudes and decisions may in the coming months exert o much more important

A Distinguished Islander

A distinguished Prince Edward Islander passed away recently in the person of Colonel James Alexander Macphail, C.M.G., 0.5.0,, re. tired’ head of the department of engineering in McGill University and a brother of the late Sir Andrew Macphail. A native of Orwell, Col- onel Macphail graduated from Prince of Wales College before proceeding to McGill, where he specialized in civil and mechanical engineering. Colonel Macphail commanded the First Divisional Engineers of the Canadian Corps in World War l, after having organized the Queen's University unit of Engineers which he commanded for a time in France. He was de- corated for his war services, which were of outstanding value, particularly in the closing campaign of i918, when his men were engaged ifn the building of bridges under constant enemy ire.

Colonel Macphail also served for one ses- sion in the Legislature as Conservative repre- sentative for Belfast.

His record, bolli as a soldier and edu- cationalist. placed him in the front rank of Ca- nadian citizens. He was an Islander of whom we should all feel proud,

1L EDITORIAL NOTES Z

Tomorrow, third Sunday after Epiphany. Hon. Horace Wright, Bedeque, is being mentioned as a prospective Senator.

.. f With a bit of luck wb may see the har- bour and rivers frozen in suitable condition for ice boating and other sports. lf so, the boats with steering rudder forward will again run away from the older stern-steering types. i II l’

Sir Alon Herbert has named Winston Churchill as "the first humorist of the age." There are few who would question "A. P.'s" qua- lifications to make the award, but Churchill, after turning down a peerage is not likely to assume this infinitely more onerous distinction. ‘i N I

There is going to be a lot of skinning done in Toronto on January 26th. The C. P. reports that I70 members of the Ontario Trappers As- sociation are each asked to bring a dead beaver to their convention for the purpose of a skinning competition. Q I fi

Farmers have had a great innings this past week or so with feasts of reason and flow of soul from specialists and scientific instructors. Soon the practical dirt farmer will be heard from in the organization annual meetings. Af- ter that the Legislature will have the oppor- tunity of dotting the "i's" and stroking the "t's" of the suggestions mooted and submitted for its consideration.

a 5w "s.

There are two sides to proposals for legis- lative reform. The New York Times forecasts that some i0,000 bills will be introduced during the lifetime of the 81st. Congress, and that around l,30O will.become law. A streamlining of the procedure in committee joint conference of the two chambers, might have the disastrous effect of bringing the output of laws in line with the fantastic number of bills introduced.

British-American military ctr-operation is not a new development. The Restoration of the Royal Marines Memorial to its site on the Mall, St. James Park, Landon reminds the London Daily Telegraph of an odd event depicted on one of its faces. During the Boxer rebellion a party of Royal Marines was led by the Ameri- can officer in command of the United States guard at Peking. He took command when all the British officers had been wounded.

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An improvement in the demand for and price of silver fox pelts is appreciated by those ranchers who held on to their stock in spite of depressing and discouraging business in the immediate post-war period. Those in the know claim there is certain to be an encouraging comeback as soon as the European political situation clears up. Silver fox fiirs are a luxury which the discriminating wearer appreciates, as they may be worn all the year round giving a dressy and finished touch to any costume.

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Queen Victoria the Good died this date i901. She had a long and glorious reign from i837, during which the British Empire was de- veloped and solidified by acts providing self governments for the dominions, and semi-indo- pendent administrations for colonies. Several major wars were fought and won, the last of which was the Boer or South African war. More was done for spreading the gospel of peace under her regime than in all the preceding reigns, and at her death the civilized and uncivilized worlds mourned her as a saint or goddess: "Oh, that peace may camel" Her Maiesty exclaimed, af- ter the relief of Ladysmith, by General Butler in Feb. i900.

U I I

How is this for a tall one quoted by Saint John Telegraph-Journal: One of the best racon- teurs is Mr. Cornelius lmhoff, veteran naturalist, who lives near Bathurst. There was the time, for example, that he accompanied an Ameri- can moose hunter across o lake in one of those collapsible rubber boats that you blow up when you need to use it. After the hunter‘ bagged his moose, they hung the carcass up on a tre to call back for it later, and they carefully put the moose head in the boat so that the antlers would not poke through the rubber. Than they paddled homeward across the lake. lt_ seamed ta be extremely hard going, and they had to strain to reach finally tho oppoiifl. shore. Cor- nelius stepped out and — swoosh! — the boat and tho hunter and the moose head zipped back in an instant to the side of the lake they

w PUBLIC FORUM

This ooluiuu Is open to the dllouuulon by wrreopondouta of question: of Interact. The Guardian doe: not uooeuur- Ily endorse the opinion of correspondents.

APPRECIATION

Slr,-On behalf of the Prince Ed- ward Island Junior Farmers‘ Feder- ation l would like to express to our daily papers our very sincere gratitude. Your co-operutlan and consideration of our humble efforts toward enhancing the standardrof activity among the young people In our rural districts has been widely recognized. Commendation has been heard not only from the Jun- Ior Farmers themselves but from farm people in general who appre ciata a fair presentation of their problems and endeavours. \\'e realize that during our pro- vincial conference and short course more publicity and assistance front the press was received than per- haps our activities warranted. How- ever. the Interest and enthusiasm shown by the public and the press. not in any Individual or local group but ln the general cause. need and possibilities of the Junior Farmers movement, is certainly en- couraglng. With your support we shall strive to ll\'e up to our ideals and to what is expected of us lri fu- lure. We hope to expand on a solid and intelligent basis. improve our awn lot and develop among the young farm people of the Province a_ splrlt that will merit your con- tinued attention. I am. Sir. etc. LLOYD MARTIN.

President P. E. I. Junior Farmers Federation. Cherry Valley. P. E. I.

A SUGGESTION

Sin-l presume that the owners of several of the dwelling houses in the block which is Ia be taken over for ‘a Federal office building will obtain the privilege of rcmov- lng their dwellings to some other location. I think that such pro- cedure would be desirable end I would like to suggest to several of such owners that they should make application to the Clfy Cnun. cil _for the privilege of moving their dwellings to the eastern end of Connuught Square. This location would take care of five or 'slx dwelling houses and would improve the appearance of that. part of the CID’- Tlie old Jail was formerly Ia- caled there, and if the site could how be used as is residential area ithvould help out. materially and bring in revenue to the city. Not. more than 100 feet of the eastern end of the Square would b1’ required. so that ample space would bc loft as a play-ground, etc. The land could be sold at a reasonable ralc and under regula- tions approved by the Council. with prohibitions against any of the lnnd beingwjised for any but r951. dential purposes. The application to the Council could be made by one gr mom or the interested property owners, but. ii. would be well ‘to have five own- ers sign and have a supporting petition signed by other citizens. The necessary legislation would be required from the Provincial iSegis- Iature representing the Crown and granting the Council the right. to dispose of the land as lirdlcated and io convey a title in "fee simple" to the purchasers. _ ' I trust the above suggestion may be considered sound and that. no delay will occur in taking the in- itial steps to make the scheme effective. I am, Sir, etc.

» J-. F. W.

FREIGHT RATE INCREASE

Sir; 'I‘lie contention of the President- and directors of the Canadian Pacific Railway cam-

pany that thelr railway requires an increase in freight rates equal- ly with that, of Lhe Canadian Na- tional Railway is, no doubt, caus- ing much surprise to those Canad- ians old enough to remember the EXCBPdIHZIy liberal terms granted to the original promoters of the Canadian Pacific about. seventy years ago. The enormous territory of the Hudson Bay Company had just been purchased by Canada. at. a. price that. gave the Impres- sloii that. an acre of Pralrle land had cost the Dominion so little lhrri. the Government. could u. ford to grant lhe C, P. R. g, par. maneni. right of sale of u consid- erable portion of every section of that. land. During the last half century. while millions of acres have been granted free to lmml- grants and Canadians who soft-led on the hnd. many of these settlers have purchased acres udiolnlng tltelr free land from the Canad- Ian Pacific Railway at prices nun- ed by the latter company which I am under the Impression were not. limited In the terms of the original deal with tlw congdlgn Government. _

In addition to the farm land section there were many districts of woodland. especially In British Columbia and In sections of the Rocky Mountains. that. the orlglnl a1 promoters demanded and re- ceived as a necessary set-off to the huge risk that. they were bak- ing In finding the money neces- sary to build and equip the rall- way from Port Arthur to Win- nipeg; u section full of quagrnlres. loom Wlnnlpqx to Calgary u. wonderfully level district of Prairie land and from Calgary to Vancouver. traversing what. was then an unknown and unsurvey- ed country of Immense peaks. dense valleys wllii huge lakes and fast. running rivers.

The whole world has, for lonl, been surprised at. the ten par cent. annual dividend paid on O. P. R. shares. The company. on the other hand, for many year's displayed u remarkable ability In the promotion of new antler-print including the disposal of all tho city lots and harbor: of Vancouver and other placer now well estab- lished. Not. only vwu there no du- flculty In paying the dlvldendo on

Invest. In promising undertakings. According to Canadian Press news the Provinces of the Domin- lon plan to show that. the C. P. R does not. require, as the C. N. does, to increase their Income by charging, In future. higher freight. rates on merchandise carried. Such an undertaking would call for many months’ services of a. whole army of chartered accountants. Not. only that. but such an undertak- ing, to be successful would depend upon the willingness of the rall- way authorities Io divulge the re- quired Information.

In my oplnlon. the above ls not

the best means of solving our freight. controversy, and with your consent I shall deal with

smother phase of the matter in a separate letter.

I am, Sir. etc-

Charlottetown. Jan. 21.

H. K. S. HEMMING

MENTAL CASES-WHY '3

Sir,~I wander if you are laugh- ing with me aver the item "Da- mlnlon Health Department worried about. Mental Ailments"? 56,000 cases: more than the total for can- cer, ‘RB. and infantile paralysis! Unless the cast. of living comes down immediately. the accumulat- ed strain of the past six years is going to show up In 100.000 cases ln the next. year or two. \'.'li:it else is to be expected? Everyone ro- sporislble for financing a home is awake hours every night. wonder- ing haw next. payday} check can be stretched- not for luxuries. just necessities. Yet every column you

etc" stresses: “Don't. worry-worry ls Immediate cause of cancer, etc." Is it not also the cause of mental ailments?

If milk was put back to a 10 ct. per ,quart. basis land It could be If the city were zoned for deliver- ies; In many cases now three or four vendors deliver fa one apart-

print of advice re care of the body. ,

merit. house. For anyone who didn't. like the milk delivered in his zone, what's the matter wllh his getting it at a store In a nearby zoneYI; if meat. prices were cut In half: it‘ buffer or margarine sold at 45 cents per lb.. then the baby bonus total could be extended where It. would really benefit-ma the chIlrl- ren In food. and not. as now In many cases to the vendor's or Io bingo halls. etc. Those who are us- ing the bonus properly, would liken be able to save It.

There was a time in my llfe and that. of my children. when a slice of bread was of Interest only as u support for a thick slice of but- ter. with brawn sugar on top lf "Mam“ wasn't looking. I'd like to see that tlrne come back again for nil children. When the baby bonus Is really used as it was Intended to be, u lowering of prices an even these three commodities would re- sult in the same amount approxi- mately; It would afford an appor- tunlty to the thrifty lo put away a few dollars each month for edu- cation. for emergencies, for old age. There would be an Incentive Io work and save. Under present con- dltlons. the more you work thr- moro drones you support.

Now our Federal Government Is "sittlng- pretty" with an Incredible surplus from direct and indirect taxes, and they are dolelng back’ to us in health programmes and baby bon sec and old age pensions the rnone’ which has been squeez- ed from us at the expense of luck of care to bodies and minds which are now causing concern to the Health Department! Why not let ua~ get back to a self-respecting basil where we can take care of what minds and bodies we have left to us, and where at least. the crushing burden could be lifted” There would not. be the tremend- ouo payroll for administration of courle; but. on the other hand. If the thousands of young. active mind: and bodies now taken cure of’by that payroll were turned loose Into productive fields. we would not- be having a "sitar-Iago of production of consumer goods" u one cause of the high con of living.