PAGEJ-‘oulz __ . Author-wort. alkyd ‘bahid-si-i: on“. Dnpulmous, Oiilvll-

The Island fiuurdilss Publishing Co. Illtrnr and Managing Dirac-tor. J- 3- BMW“- Auoiaaiato Editor. Frank Waller. "The Strongest Memory is Vzooktr Th" tho Weakest Ink.

oumconessiwmsnuunnv. IlIARCH 12. 1949 Reduced Taxation Probable

According to the usually well-informed cor- respondent of The Gazette there is prospect of considerable tax reduction. Characteristic of the high-pressure campaign now being waged by Liberal M.P.'s, are speeches delivered Ill _the Commons by Mr. Leonard Tremblay (L-Dor- chester) and Mr. Jean Lesage (l-—M0fllmfl9")l- L'lslet). Mr. Lesage, one of the Government's junior lieutenants in Quebec, declared that during 1949,. the government should so arrange its new tax policies in the forthcoming budget as to leave an additional $300,000,000 in the pockets of the small taxpayer. As for Mr. Trem- bla-y, who is also the Liberal Quebec whip in the Commons, an equally impressive list of propos- sd tax reductions was submitted for Mr. Ab- bott's edification. ,

He urged a flat exemption of S400 for all dependent children up to university leaving age; boostingothe-exemption for single persons from $750 to $1,000 and that of married persons from $1,500 to $2,000. He was disposed to go as for as a $3,000-exemption for heads of families.

The proposals of Mr. Tremblay and Mr. Lesage, similar in many respects, are typical of tax suggestions contain-ed in addresses of a great many Liberal M. P.'s during this-though not last—session.

But tho evidence in favor of substantial tax reductions rests on a much sounder founda- tion than the utterances of M.P.'s,' despite the traditional secrecy surrounding tax policies.

Last fall, during the Algoma by-election. Revenue Minister McCann unburdened himself on the general subject of tax cuts.

"None of us likes to pay taxes," lie l5 FB- ported to have told the electors in that con- stituency, "and we all look forward to the day when taxes will be lower, which, l promise you, will be in the not-toa-distant future."

A short time later Dr. McCann discovered that he had been misquoted on that occasion. He explained that he had only expressed the pious hope that such tax cuts would be forth- coming.

Dr. McCann, by the way, possesses a some- what questionable record as a tax prophet. In March, 1946, he predicted a slash of "some 50 per cent" which failed to arrive.

Finance Minister Abbott himself has told a Montreal audience that taxes wou-ld be reduced as soon as circumstances justified such a move.

Speaking in Nicolet during the by-election campaign, Solicitor-General Joseph Jean —Que- bec organizer for the Federal Liberals —is re- ported to have "promised electors of the dis- trict reduction in income taxes and readjustment of the present family allowance scale.”

Ho has never denied the report.

Prime Minister St. Laurent has tried his hand at tax reduction predictions. He is record- ed is having stated in a radio address several months ago, significantly perhaps, that "most of us hope to see a cut in present income tax rates."

lt ls not unknown, of course, that Prime Ministers have a great deal to say in the final determination of tax policies.

Even Defence Minister Claxton, who has de- voted relatively little time to philosophical dis- cussions on future tax levels, has entered the forecasting field.

On Feb. 23, in an address at Owen Sound, he told his doubtless delighted audience that: "ln consequence of the policies we haye adopted during a period of buoyant revenues, it shall, we trust, be possible and proper for us to decrease taxation."

No member of the cabinet has tho case more clearly.

Sask. Wants capitalists

Hon. C. M. Fines, thd Finance Minister in the C.C.F. Cabinet-in Saskatchewan, says The Gazette, has joined his premier, Hon. T. C. Douglas in inviting private capital and private enterprise to come to Saskatchewan. It is now said to be quite untrue that private capital and enterprise are not wanted in that province. On the contrary, Mr. Fines says that they org want- ed very much. What Mr. Fines really means, is that they oro wanted very bodly.

"The fact would seem to be that the C.C.F. Government in Saskatchewan has built up its taxes to a point where they have become top- heavy. Mr. Douglas has admitted that the satura- tion point has been reached in the Govern- ment's social services. More services will need more taxes to support them. But this raises the important question of where the money is to come from. /

"Evidontlyit is unlikely to come from the profits that the C.C.F. Government will make in nationalized industries. After nearly five Yours in office, tho fruits of nationalization are, like the curate‘; egg, excellent only in parts. Mr. Fines has reported that all the Crown Corpora-

yet~ stated

tions put together have earned a surplus of

hi?” ' the

last year. This is a moderate sum in government finance, especially when nationalized industries have included ill! oportition of such fundamental services as tele- phones and-power. In fact when the telephone and tho power are taken away, it will be found that nothing remains but $400,000 for all the ol-h ,__ _ Cdrporollons combined.

' Premier Deg!‘ has expressed a particular desire-tor private-capital and enterprise to do- “ p“ In ‘this mpsct ' i “ ' striking contrast botwssn its» neighbor‘ Albsrfo- ll Alr sharpen‘. hsdsvolepod tho oil

s i

r

ent time Alberta is obtaining taxes from oil de- velopment that probably amount to about $15,000 a day and are always increasing. Speak- ing recently in the House of Commons Mr. D. S. Harkness, member for Calgary East, said: 'lf this development continues, as it seems certain it will, I am convinced that soon the province will be in the happy position of having so much revenue from oil that it will be unnecessary to impose any taxes if it does not wish to do so. The lvay in which these oil revenues are mounting and are likely to mount is simply stupenda .'

"lt seems probable that as much oil may lie under the soil of Saskatchewan as under that of Alberta. But the call from a C.C.F. Govern- ment to free enterprise to 'come over and help us’ is one that will hardly evoke a full response. For free enterprise is in effect being invited to provide, more tax money for socialist endeavors. And, if the projects of free enterprise reach a point that makes nationalization attractive, they may be condemned as 'capitalistic' and taken over by the Government."

'1 EDITORIAL ~01r2s'/

Feast of St. Gregory. i i I

Tomorrow, second Sunday in Lent.

a a a

Russian Revolution broke out this date 1917. i I I

Canada and Sweden are negotiating for the abolition of tourists’ visas for the other's na- tionals. Perhaps the day isn't so for away when one will be able to go pnywhere by merely pack- ing one's things and buying a ticket.

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The prospect of ended clothes rationing holds little cheer for the average Briton accord- ing to a Reuters dispatch. The impression is that prices are now too high to allow any buy- ing spree by the public.

I U U

Saint John, New Brunswick, has been un- derstandably jubilant over the commencement of its new freight service with South Africa provided by the South Africa Marine Corporation. ‘The service also opens up the prospects of new mar- kets for Island products.

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Agriculture Minister Gardiner told the House of Commons the Government is consider- ing legislation increasing the compensation for farmers whose cattle are found to be infected with tuberculosis. He said the present maximum payments are $100 for pure-bred cattle and $60 for other animals.

a w

Bishop Berkeley, Irish philosopher, born this date i685; was a friend of Steele, Swift, Addi- son, etc. He wrote on economics anticipating Adam Smith. ln his Treatise on the Principles of Human Knowledge he advanced the theory that the activity of the seen world depends on its being perceived and that this involves the as- sumption of ci-eative Eternal Reason.

I I I

ln the course of a recent decision the Ex- chequer Court made an observation which may have Lieutenant-Governors seeking Income Tax rebates. The court held, in part, that $10,000 a year paid to an administrator acting as Lieu- tenant-Governor of Quebec was not so much salary as an indemnity to cover expenses in the administration of his duties. i I i

Unlike this Province, Ontario is evidently not getting better very fast. Five thousand more persons were sentenced to Ontario reform insti- tutions in 1948 than in the previous year. In its annual report, tabled in the Ontario Legislature the Department of Reform institutions reported 36,598 persons were committed for trial and 30,613 sentenced. YHighest number ever sentenc- ed before was in 1938 when 34,914 persons were committed and 27,926 sentenced. Of the prison- ers in reform institutions, 3,878 were described as intemperate drinkers, 1,830 as temperate drinkers and 977 total abstainers. Seventy-nine prisoners were drug addicts.‘

The death oi a young man in Fredericton and the narrow escape of two others in Mon- tague should make us more watchful for the danger of carbon monoxide. Many instances of death due to this poisoning have been noted while the victims were in parked cars and citi- zens are more or less conscious of the danger, but in one of the reports yesterday morning the car was in motion when the victims were over- come. Cars travelling over the bad roads at this time of year often damage the exhaust system allowing the deadly fumes to enter through the floor. While death does not always result there may be numerous cases in which the persons tra- velling lry auto have been partially poisoned by the fumes and totally unaware of what had affected them. '

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‘The Law Courts and the Federal Govern- ment are at loggerheads over Income Tax en- forcement. ln Montreal Mr. Justice Louis Boyer of the Bankruptcy Court in a written judgment explained his move lgst week in declaring in- come tax officials in contempt of court for re- fusing to testify in a court case. He said he was com/raced that no official of the Department of Revenue—not even a deputy minister — had a legal- right to instructiother members of the department not to testify at a court hearing where they will be asked information they secur- ed in the course of their duties. lt is the busi- ness of the judge to interpret the law, His Lord- ship said, and not of government departmental officials. Mr. Arthur Gilmour, director of income tax and succession duties and Dominic Vincelli, assessor in the income Tax Department, the two officials in question, had refused togivo infor- mation becauso of their oaths of secrecy by which they said they were bound as regards all income tax matters. They wars also instructed by tho Deputy Minister ofillovonuo to take that position if and when they were called to the wit- nossstand. Income Tax Department attorneys say_. that tho. Department of Justice had ordered the appeal against Mr. Justice Boysr's decision ti:

llolortlons. At the pros- be inscribed,

THE» GUARDIQN._U11QRL01TEIQWN__,_,__.._. - . .. .. -1

The King's Right-Hand Man

(Lord Chamberlain is head of the “Above Stairs" Staff at Buckin- liam Palace, Censor of Plays. an the Convener of Court. Events).

By Arthur Nettleron

A busy figure behind the royal scenes just now is the Ioard Chutn- bcrlaln. The King's illness entail- ed Considerable revision of the count programme for months ahead,’ and upon the Earl of Clarendon, who occuple; the post just mentioned. has fallen the task of making these alterations. ,

Next i0 the Kingblmself. he has the lust word on matters affecting court functions. He is the leading rlignitary of the royal court, and he arranges all these events. They include levees, the presentation of debutanies, royal garden parties, and drawing rooms. He ls also head of the “above stairs" staff at Buckingham Palace which means that he appoints the King's Grooms-- ln-Waltlng and Lords-ln-Waltlng.

Bu! his duties extend tar beyond the royal circle. They affect the activities of mast of Britain's popu- lation, and they have a bearing on the commercial world. '

Royal (lo-Between

If you wanted to present a new play to the public in the United Kingdom. you would first have lo get it sanctioned by the Lard Chamberlain. If you wished to’ supply goods to the royal house- hold, you would have to apply to him for the contract. His approval is also required when new theatres are ta be opened in certain towns.

The chief duty of the King's right-hand man, however. is to act as an intermediary between His Majesty and t‘he people. He is the people's_--,--‘ r- and ‘ ilv, at any rate, he ls the only person entitled to introduce individuals to the Sovereign.

His office is a relic from those distant days when monarchs often feared for their lives. A trusted go-between was therefore appoint- ed, to ensure that nobody intent an harming the King should‘ have dircct access to him.

One of the Lord Chamberlain's symbols ls still a key, signifying that. he alone ln olden days held the right of direct approach to the Sovereign and was responsible for his safely.

Today. this duly has developed into purely a social and Ceremonial OllG.

The Lord Chamberlain has to examine the credentials of ell who apply for presentation at court. In tact, he- stands beslde the dais when the affairs take place and announces the name of each debutante 'com- ing forward for royal recognition.

Further, he is the arbiter of the dress worn at these functions. From hlm come the instructions as to the

length of the train to be warp by

ladies being presented, and for their guidance he has sketches of typical court dress.

The King's Doctors

Appointing the King's physicians is another of his responsibilities. He has therefore been concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of His Majesty's illness.

That firms supplying goods fa the royal households should be ap- pointed by a responsible. high offl- clal ls self-evident. But how does it. come about. that the Lord» Cham- berlain ls Britain's censor of plays?

Lending playwrights have to bow to his decisions-Shaw's Pygmallon was banned from public presenta- tion for many years. because the author would not agree to the de. letlon of one word. The Lord Chamberlain's censorship also ex- tends to operas. musical comedies, and reviews-but not to music-hall shows. these being licensed by local authorities. -

You have in this royal custom another example of a souvenir from earlier centuries. It is a throw- back to the days when the Stage and all connected with it were re- garded somewhat askance by "the right people!"

Indeed, only in recent decades have actors and actresses become eligible for some royal honours!

So the Lord Chamberlain. as the representative of the Sovereign. was given the job of keeping the theatre clean.

Nowadays, the interpretation of his task is modified from time to time. He keeps abreast of public opinion ln Britain. and the play which he banned yesterday may be sanctioned tomorrow.

No Dictator

Further, he ls always prepared to discuss a ben in a reasonable way. and is open to be convinced that his objections are lllfounded or can be overcome.

He does not read plays submitted himself, unless a highly controver- sial issue is involved. but employs “readers" who repdrt to hlm. But the final decision does rest with hlm. His jurisdiction ol/er new theatres in royal boroughs (such an Wind- sor) arises from the same old idea that the stage was not quite "the thing." So. lmplaces even remote- ly connected with the royal house- hold. the Klngb right-hand man was entrusted with the job af lic- ensing new playhousee.

His other duties include instruct- ing the Master of the King's Muslck and the Poet Laureate whenever they are required to compose ape- clal music or write a poem for some regal occasion.

He is responsible for the care of l-ils Majesty's works of art. though he delegates the task to exports. The Royal Bergemnster, the Keep- er of Virginia Water (the lake in Windsor Greet Park). and the Keeper of the King's Swans are under his jurisdiction, foo. '

Then there's the Gentleman Ush- er of the BlackRod. another of his "employees"; who is the official messenger between the I-Ioulo of Lords and the House of Commons.

The Lord Chamberlain gets £2,000 a year for his manifold jobs-mot exactly a princely salary when you

onsldor’ his varied responsibilities. Bus his post ts regarded as a high honour and is invariably occupied by o senior member of tho peerage.

Lord Ciarehdon has occupied the office for ton years. ‘His predeces- sor. Lorri Cromar. was Lord Chem-

berlaln for sixteen years. Ho serv- od in that capacity durlnl I_

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' Y 4- . Th3 Paul Flqlnq Sea!“ has boon "mmploqed ‘faking priveilo isolated Individuals to their destinations...“

oo-QooQoo-Q-oo-tfoptv PUBLIC' FURUM

This column is open to The discussion by correspondents of " of interest. The Guardian does not necessar- ily end the opinion of

i l correspondents.

li-Qss-t-eo-Q-co-Q-oo-too-a TODAY'S MAIL TODAY

Sir. - This should be the slogan of Montague, Cardigan, George- town and all rural malls that K0 out from those centres, and of which are served by the George- tmm train. There are several sys- tems which to my mind ‘will fill this long felt want vlz., 1st... l! mill truck _to leave Charlottetown post office around 9 o‘cloolc' and deliver some to the different post. offices along the route to Georgetown by noon, 1n time for our rural mall carriers to deliver malls the some day and it would eliminate the expense of some one meeting the train to carry the malls to and from it. 2nd, Give us a jltney ser- vice to leave Charlottetown by fill to carry passengers, express and malls, 3rd. Reverse the present train to leave town in the mom- ing instead of afternoon so as to arrive ln Georgetown around 12 noon, and return the some day as we have buses and other 1119mm of getting to town for passengers. Now let Kings County folks dig out their old quill pens and let us hear from you. Probably some clay we'll be modem enough to have‘ a fountain pen and did anyone say rural electricity?

\ I am. Sir, etc. . PERCY JOHNSTON

Silent and frozen. the lakes and the rivers. '

Snow-drifts are sweeping the plains white and cold.

While murmur-lug sadly the pine- tree shivers.

Waiting for Springtime its buds lo unfold.

Wlten shall the robin, mating and

singing.

in his branches with wings

unfurled?

When will Summer. breath clinging.

Spread her green mantle all over the world?

Sadly I muse at the wild Wind's weeping!

Fete bids me watch till the months flee away.

Always in winter Nature lies sleep-

Rest

with warm

lng. Ever cold breezes Bprlngb dawn- lng delay. When will the south-wind. laughing and blowing. Coll back the song-birds as Winter must close? When will the Summer. with joy

overflowm Nurse in her rn the tulip and rose? _

-l". H. MacArthur Oomwall. P. E. I.

rowan ruin- cunnaes amps

TORONTO, Morph 11 - (oer- The Ontario Hydro Commission today announced the purchase oi the Kamlnlstlquls power. comwfll‘ at Fort William. Ont... for $5.000,- 000. The plant, approximately lll miles west of Fort Willlm with s peak generating capacity at $860 horsepower. was bought from the Abltltéll Power and Paper Camp- any, ydro chairman Robert. H. Saunders unfimlfktld. .

FARMERS BUN‘! WOLVIS . 8T. HILAIRI, Qua, Mos-eh 11 - (OP) -- Former-s of ans floltvtllo County district M miles out of Montreal filled up their guns inlay to hunt down wolves which bur been proyltrs on dogs and tsrm animals throughout the winter. About so moss are exorcise lo loin tomorrow in tho hunt. I

than half the relgyi of king George.

EXPECTATION l

V, as well as during the lost part of our orpsent lovorsls s rein.

Old Charlottetown (And r. s. r.)

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MICMACS’ CAPTIVL

In the early part of 1887. jn the western section of Prince County, an old man died. whose story brought vividly before the mind the difficulties and dangers which the early settlers had to encounter. The following account is from his obitu- ary in the local press:

"Peter Brundage, as he wes.cal- led (though his real name was Charles Brundege) was about eighty years of age at the time of his death. When is child of three or four, living with his parents in New Brunswick, he was carried away by the Indians, who at that. time were still numerous and often- times troublesome. Al! search for the boy proved fruitless, and as the years passed his family almost ceas- ed to look for him. His brothers and sisters married and settled ln New Brunswick, others on this Is- land.

"One day a strolling party of Mlcmacs came to the house of am; of Peter's sisters, whose attention was attracted by u youth who, though dressed as en Indian and talking their tongue, was unmistak- ably of while parentage. The sister at length recognized her long-lost brother. We have not been able to learn why it was that he was not at. once taken from his captors; it may be that in the then thinly sot- tled state of the country he could not be rescued. Certain it is that he remained with the Indians; but the boy had now found out his real condition and race. and was rle- slrous of making his escape. But this the Indians effectually pre- vented. Several times he ran away from them but was as often pur- sued and recaptured.