_ 977%. That ‘your, however, imports of pota-

“ a TH E GUARDIAN

Morning Dally (Founded in i881) Authorlred an tier-unit Clan hlnll, Post Office Department, Ottawa.

Tho Inland (iuurrlinn Puhlluhing Co. Editor and hlnnaglng Director, J. ls. Burnett. Aanorinfc Editor, Frank Walker.

"The Strangest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink"

CHARLOTTETOWN, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1949

Glvic Pensions Fund ll

The city employees’ pension scheme was passed by the City Council last night, with very

little further dis ussion and with all present vot- .

ing for it, including Coun. Johnstone who had shown, in a letter in yesterday's Guardian, haw in the course of years the scheme would work to the disadvantage of the taxpayers. A statement from an unnamed city employee disputing Coun. Johnstone’: figures was read, without eliciting any comment. The operation of the Federal Civil Service scheme was explained to the Coun- cil, but no account of the Provincial scheme, to which the bill had been compared at the previous Council meeting, appears to have been asked for or affcred. At the previous meeting some of the Councillors expressed the view that a scheme which was good enough for the Province ought to be good enough for the City. Of course, the dif- ference lies in the fact that the Provincial Gov- ernment has means of revenue beyond taxation, whereas the City would have to foot the bill en- tirely out of the revenue collected from the tax- payers.

ln the interests both of the City employees and taxpayers, fuller discussion on this bill be- fora it passed was expected. Some inquiry at least could have been made as to the man- ner in which the Provincial teachers’ superan- nuation fund is working out. ln the Legis- lature in i947 attention was called to the fact that this fund was unsound — tl-at according to the Provincial Treasurer it would take $900,-

_ 000 to make it solvent, and the Government had

been asked to contribute $500,000 to this end. The Teachers Federation, in a resolution passed at that time, complained that a survey had shown that the fund was not actuarially sound and recommended certain proposals which were not incorporated in the bill subsequently passed. lf Provincial or Federal legislation is to be a guide in civic affairs, the defects as well as ad- vantages of Government schemes should be studied carefully. Perhaps our City Councillors have done this, and are now completely satis- fied as to the soundness of the civic scheme. But the taxpayers would appreciate a little more light on the subject. It is unfortunate that no attempt appears to have been made to perform this necessary function at last night's meeting.

Forestry Congress

A proposal has been made by the Canadian Forestry Association for the holding of a national forestry congress, The congress would be a pub- lic forum for full discussion of the nation's for- estry problems. A continuing national conserva- tion; committee might be set up to examine all data and conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations to the authorities. These con- gress meetings should then be repeated regular- ly. The last Canadian forestry cong-ress was call- ed by Sir Wilfrid Laurier in i906.

The Association warns that much of the present accessible forest is being unnecessarily overcut, or is being cut before maturity. This could be curbed by a proper national forestry plan. Logging operations and sawmills waste about 900 million cubic fcet of. timber a year. Fire, insects and disease waste nearly as much.

The Canadian Forestry Association has long advocated a national forest appraisal to deter- mine accurately the rates at which timber can be cut without depleting future supply. lts idea is that a system of national bookkeeping should rbe the basis of forest management, and the gauge of how much should annually be spent on protection and improvement.

Mutually Arlvantageous

Ccmmendable examples of ca-operation by Canada in improving trade relations with the United States are cited in the current issue of The Country Guide, published in Winnipeg. One such example deals with the United States po- tato problem. The writer recalls that when the record U. S. potato yield of i948 resulted in the government supporting the potato price, Canad- rian potatoes were attracted across the border. This had the effect of extending the price um- brella aver Canadian potatoes. Although the problem was the United States’ own domestic ‘problem, Canada agreed in November, at the United States request, to embargo the further shipment to that country of all table stock po- tatoes and also to limit the export of seed pota- toes to areas and dates agreed upon, so that Canadian potatoes could be used in the United States only as seed. This voluntary co-operation by Canada was helpful in protecting for the fu- ture the valuable two-way potato trade.

"For this potato trade," notes the Country Guide writer, "is very much two-way. It is a strik- ink illustration of the inter-dependence, agricul- turally, of the two countries. It should be of spec- ial interest to any local groups who do not sec beyond their own commodity in this matter of total, two-way trade.

"United States potato farmers like to ‘buy seed potatoes from Canada. In some arcas they depend on Canadian seed potatoes to a consid- erable extent. lmports of these potatoes for the past five years, 1944-48, totalled $lB,900,W0. Since United States’ farmers bought these seed potatoes, it could be reasoned that they bene- fited by these imports.

"As for tabla stack potatoes for the con- sumer, that is something else. The United States ships early potatoes to Canada, and Canada ships potatoes later in the season to the United States. In i948, United States imports of table stock potatoes from Canada totalled $3 million, and United States exports to Canada were only

1

/

i i l 1 l

I l I l i

toes were subject to quota under the Emergency Elwhflngc Conservation Act. An importer was al- lowed 50 per cent of the total value of his im- ports of items in the fresh fruit and vegetable category (Potatoes, onions, apples, citrus fruit, and citrus juices) during the period July l, i946 to June 30, I947. This quota could be used to buy any _of the items within the category. In October, I948, the quota was increased to 70 per cent, and on April I, i949, it was further in- creased to 80 per cent. The year before, i947, the United States imported from Canada four million dollars worth of these potatoes and in return sent Canada i.2 million dollars worth. But the year before that, I946, United States imports from Canada‘of table stock potatoes were only $180,000, compared with exports to Canada of 6.2 million dollars. The year before that, i945, the value of United States imports from across the border was 4.6 million dollars and that of United States exports to Canada was 4.7 million dollars.”

EDITORIAL NOTES

The Provincial plowing match and horse

show at Dundas today. i I I

This Province is almost unique in that the changes in the value of currencies benefits it materially, both as regards exports and imports.

U I U Summerside welcomes, on behalf of all the lsland, the naval, military and air attaches of Argentine, Brazil, China, France, ltaly, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the U. S. A. as well as of the United Kingdom and of South Africa. i‘ i it

The very moderate devaluation of the Can- adian dollar announced by Finance Minister Ab- bott should serve both to encourage exports to the United States and imports from the Old Country.

I I I

The people who will suffer most by the de- valuation of the pound are those who draw pen- sions or receive remittances from sterling countries, and those immigrants who arc still having their money transferred by instal- ments in accordance with British emigration regu- lotions.

I I I

The decision of Progressive-Conservative Leader George Drew nat to move an amendment la the draft address marks a graceful acceptance of the verdict of the electorate on the Govern- ment’s record. lt also servcs the useful purpose of saving time for close examination of proposed legislation.

I I I

The Directors of the Bank of Canada were to be on tour of the Maritimes this week, but were held up on account of the devaluation crisis and got no farther than Montreal. lt is noted Charlottetown was not included in their itinerary though Sackville was. ls this on account of our losing the branch of the Bank due to lack of accommodation?

i’ I I

Members of the boards of referees under the Excess Profits Tax Act, Mr. Justice J. D. Hynd- man, T. Noel Kirby and Alex Gray of Ottawa, are due to arrive tomorrow to begin a sitting here. The chairman of the board, Mr. Justice J.,D. Hyndman was delayed arriving at Saint John due to indisposition but plans to be here and at Halifax. The referees are accompanied by Mr. Edward Oakes, secretary of the board.

I I I

The International financial crisis which set European financiers by the ears saw two hundred eminent bankers from 35 countries take part in a summer school at Oxford University recently. The gathering was organised by the British In- stitute of Bankers. The school lasted ten days. During that time most aspects of world trade and finance were discussed, preparatory to Sir Stafford Cripps’ visit-to‘ Washington.

I I

The announcement of Veterans Affairs Min- ister Gregg that the task is already completed of determining what decorations servicemen are entitled is cause for congratulation. His fears of an undue strain being placed upon the Post Office, however, are probably unfounded. Brit- ain discovered that ex-servicernen were so slaw in applying for their medals tha_t thc principal problem is that of storage.‘

I I

Sir Walter Scott, Scottish novelist, poet and man of letters, died this date i832. His master pen vivified scenes, out-door’ and indoor, High- land and Lowland; characters heroic and lowly, humorous and pathetic; history and romance; the Middle Ages and Nineteenth Century. He exalt- ed and purified the novel, and made Scotland known throughout tho world.

"Just at the age betwixt bay and youth, When thought is speech, and speech is truth."

C I I

Claiming to be the only woman in the world knowing the secret of inducing ants to live and work under the public gaze between two panes of glass, 63-year-old Mrs. May Briant of Bedford, England, is sending her "ant palaces" overseas to bring in foreign currency for Britain. Forty- five years ago, her husband, g lecturing ento- mologist, after years of research, produced a soil in which the Amber Meadow ant will work. When he died in l9i9 shc began to sell "ant palaces" in order to educate-her children. Into a wooden framc_Mrs. Iriant fits two shuts of B x 8" glass, i-Sth of an inch apart; and Into this space shc puts one queen ant and about 200 workers with some of the secretly processed soil. Herc they live through tho whole cycle of their hard working and autocratic regime. The queen ant is waited upon by her train of per- sonal‘ attendants; her eggs change to larvae, cocoons, and finally hatch into ants which, in turn, begin their ccasclesfwork until finally they die. But there are always new citizens being born and the community life goes on indefinitely. Not until a friend took an ant palace to America and found a market did Mrs. lriant think obout overseas export. lndocd, she refused to consider the matter for some time. lat now ants are likely to be Britain's latest airport Industry.

Thin column Ia open to the discussion by correspondents of question: of lnterclt. The Guardian docs not ncuaasu lly endorse tho opinion at correspondents.

i¢0’$->fr0<e'§{€<Q_'E~.o -... » COUN. JOHNSTONES norm i

l

Sir, - The anonymous authority; who prepared the statement sub-- miffed at last night's City Council meeting and read by Councillor Lowther, endeavours to show the figures quoted 1n my letter in yes-i terday's Guardian are misleading by ‘pointing out that $5,880.00 paid in monthly installments for a per- lod of 20 years wlll amount to $8.l14.40.

Just what bearing this has on the fact. that. $5,880.00 ls $2,408.00 short. of the amount necessary t-o purchase a $60.00 monthly income for life (Dominion Govt. figures) it ls difficult to sec, but seemingly the Mayor and Council were duly impressed. \Vhy not spread the 1n- stnllments aver 30 years and have a surplus?

l’ am. Slr. etc. EDWIN C. JOHNSTONE,

74. 7oefi6mm

rm: rnouannrnrv l

lie behind the straight plough l stands

stalwart. firm shafts in flrm hands.

Naught he l naught

For the fierce disease of thought.

cares for wars nnd

Only for the Win05. the sheer Naked impulse of the year.

Only for the soil which stares Clean into God's face he cares.

In the stark might of his deed There ls more than art or creed:

in his ivrist. more strength l: hldl Than li'l the monstrous Pyramid;

Stouncher than stern Everest, Be the muscles of his breast;

Not the Atlantic sweeps a flood Patent as the ploughmaws blood.

He. his horse, his ploughshare. these Ahe the only verltles.

Dawn to dusk with God ‘he stands. The Earth poised on his broad hands.

l —Louls Goldlngl

NFJ>QO<QOO§Q hOld Charlottetown

(And P. l. l.)

EARLY PLOUGIIING MATCH

"On Tuesday inst a Ploughlng lifntch tank place under the dir- action of the Central Agricultural Society, at Nance Villa, the pro-

I-lis Excellency the Lieutenant, Governor, accompanied by Miss F111 ROY. and scvcral gentlemen on' horseback, were present at thel Cflmmvncvment and termination of’ the match. Eight plough; startedl together. and finished nearly at the some time. The prizes were awarded as follows: 1st. John. Ferguson, St. Peter's Road; 2nd.‘ Thomas Ncwhcrry, Royalty; 3rd. Mlchncl Bryentan, Union Road. A donation of five shillings was made to each of the other plough- men. viz: George Ncwberry, John Chandler, John Crokcr, Manoah Rowe rind Jnmos Rdgcrson.

~-Colonlnl Herald, October S. 1839.

Britain's Chancellor Sums Up Situation

_Fnllowiniz ls an excerpt from‘ Sir Stafford Cripps‘ broadcashl Sept. l8. in announcing the devalu- ation of the British pound ster. ling:

"This step that I have announc-l ed is the most serious that the Government could possibly take. and we are taking it_bgcau5e our present pound sterling dollar dif- ficulties are, we believe, otherwise insoluble,

They demand immediate and drastic treatment if we are to preserve the stability of sterling and to increase our dollar earning power. It is an absolutely essential requirement for our future pros- parity.

"We have decided upon their lteps because ‘we are deterrnilod not to try and solve our problem at the cost of heavy unemployment or by attacking the social services that have been expanded over the last few years. This drastic chango| is the only alternative and it of-, fers us the chance of n great suc- ces, but only lf we all play the gnmc and do not try to take Id- vantage of one another. If we take fair shares of our difficulties u: well as of our benefits, these steps that we have decided upon will be supplemented by than agreed in Washington ln tho moot frank and co-operatlve talks that I have ever taken part in. Out American and Canadian frlendl. _who have already given us such great temporny hclp. have express- ed themselves as ready to work with us for the permanent strengthening and stabilisation at sterling which they recognize as a most important currency.

"They are willing. too. to make their contribution towards the ln- crease ln dollar earnings which is the essential basis for a high level of trade by the sterling and other areas. This ls a great encourage- ment both to u: and to all the free democracies of the world. It gives us a convincing hope with our own efforts thus made effec- flve that we shall finally emerge successfully out of our post-war

economic difficulties.

"We than start upon mother

.¢-'ll1S85. is taken care comprehensive scheme. Under

party of Charles Braddock, Esq. a 011018

fir"? aunnfifl; emnorrerorvn '

l g PUBLIC FORUM

World Physlca

ls-‘lsihldli-lnet‘

aft’ Cllfwtvt/ son‘- ‘f

' l

9| Der Cent Of Britain's Disabled Found Work

(United Kingdom Information

ffice)

In Britain the finding of work for all disabled workers. whether injured in the war or by other of ln one an Act passed by the United Kingdom Parliament in 1944. a public 50,-. notation was set up to provide facilitics for the rehabilitation. training and employment of the disabled.

The public corporation. former- ly known as. “The Disabled Per- sons Employmenf Corporation Ltd.“ has just changed its name to “Ifcmplay Ltd." xvhich epitomizes lts aims. “Rcmploy" 1s the name given to spacial factories estab- lished in different parts of the country. to give employment to people whose disability is so ser- ious as to prevent them from ob- taining employment under normal industrial conditions.

To make it quite clear who was entitled to spacial hrlp in getting employment. the 1944 Act provid- ed for a special register on which any disabled pcrsnn could record his name if he wished. Nearly a million people are now included in the list. As wcll as providing specially sheltered urork for the seriously disabled. the 1944 Act also provides that evcry employer of 20 or more workers. takes on of registered disabled

persons. The Minister of Labor ls cm- powcrcd by the Act to specify

such jobs as he thinks are spec- ially suitable for disabled persons.

An employer who fails to pro- vide employmcnt for his quota of disabled persons. can not take on other workers without the Minis- tcr‘s permission. Ncithcr can an employer discharge a disabled person without reasonable cause.

stage in the magnificent struggle of our people to overcome the crushing difficulties imposed upon them by their sacrifices in the world war. We have so far splen- diclly succeeded and lt ls no time now la falter or hold back. in the light of the renewed promises of co-opcratlon from the members of the Commonwealth. from the U5. and from our friends in west- ern Europe. we have 0n your be- half accepted the challenge of the times for fresh and decisive action. convinced that it will bring us still nearer to our goal of happiness and prosperity for our people."

2

The Age-Old Story

The righteous also shall hold an his wry. and he that hath clean hands shall ho stronger and stronger.

SHIPBUILDING CENTRES

The cfnque ports -_ flvc seaports on the southeast coast of England - were used in early times to fur- nish shipping for the state.

if such dismissal would ,bring the employer below his quota. Over 93 per cent of the registered dis- abled persons. who are capable of work under ordinary conditions. have found jobs.

Those whose disability ls so serious that they cannot work un- dcr normal conditions. can work in one of the 56 “Romploy" fac- tories in operation. staffed. equip- pcd and carried on by the Cor- poration solely for the employ- ment of the seriously disabled. These factories are producing a wide variety of products. includ- ing furniture, domestic waodware. industrial lcathcrwork. orthopedic footwear and cardboard boxes.

Some of the “Remploy“ factor- ies are reserved for tuberculous persons. and 600 persons —- almost all cases of tuberculosis — are in about half a dozen village set- tlements. where besides gelling treatment. they are trained for and employed in a variety of occupa- lions.

Vocational training courses are available, for all the disabled who need training to become compet- ent in suitable skilled work. and urho have a good chance if train- ed of getting. and holding a job under normal working conditions. At the main Government training confers courses are given ln a great variety of trades: building and civil engineering. clerical oc- cupations. commercial art, gar- mcnt-making. watch and clock re- pairing, typewriter mechanics. dental mechanics. optical lens grinding. surgical instrumeni mak- ing. hair-dressing. dressmaking, and so on. Training courses for skilled occupations vary in length from 2B weeks upwards. and arc of such an intensive character that they are accepted as equivalent to a three years‘ apprenticeship.

Government residential rehabili- tation centres are also provided, where both men and women who might otherwise remain unemploy- ed by reason of their disability are restored to health. or helped to recover from injury, and given vocational guidance.

O I I

Britain's blind are particularly well’ cared for. Over one-fifth of the money spent on them comes from voluntary donations. and the rest from public funds. Mapy of the workshops stlll being used by them have been blind persons‘ WJTKSTIOPS since before 1850.