l FAG!-Z'pF()UR . THE GUARDIAN

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' UlIUllI.A l'lIIN foul City tone ..s ............. 8.183 Rlllll Trading long ....................... 3.051 All Others .. .. 8213 Total Net hid ........................ ..... .... l3.tMo

Editor MN Managing Director. J. I durnclt Auoclato tftllwr, lfrunb Wuhan. "The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink"

cuA-nf.o'r'ru'ruwN skrvn-ET!-'-an. 17. 1951. Pulling line's Weight

The number of Canadian servicemen on active duty is still small compared with wartime strength but for that very reason it is important that the high morale of our fighting men be maintained.

During the Second World War it was found that one of the greatest influences on the serviceman was the letters, or lack of letters, from home. Men who were reg- ularly assured that all was well on the home front could devote themselves cheer- fully to the task on hand.

On the other hand, long periods of si- lence as to what was happening at home, or depressing news about troubles which they were powerless to do anything about. served only to make the unfortunate sold- ier, sailor or airman wish with all his heart and soul to be quit of campaigning. His own efficiency dropped and he became a bad influence on his unit, in some cases a deserter.

It is a vital duty of the "folks at home" to cheerfully shoulder their added difficulties and responsibilities and to as- sure those who are fighting for them that they are not being let down.

Auditor's Nightmare

Auditor-General Watson Sellar is a painstaking and conscientious officer of the Crown. He is required by law each year to report to Parliament any and all irregular- ities, errors, omissions and evasions that occur in the public accounts of Canada. His report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1950, is not without the usual list of doings which he, and a good many other Cana- dians, regard as strange in the handling of the public purse.

"Cost-plus" contracts are one thing which comes under Mr. Sellar's eagle eye. Especially the cost of the High Commis- sioner's residence in London. The External Affairs Department, it seems, paid 22,000 pounds for the lease of premises until the year 1982. Estimated cost of alterations and repairs was 3365.000. Already upwards of 3295.000 has been spent on the building and the end is not in sight.

Biggest single offender in the Auditor- Generalls eye is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Some of the interdepart- mental accounting between the CBC and its International Service in respect of the four million dollar transaction for the old Ford Hotel provide material for an aud- itor's nightmare.

The principle that Parliament shall control the purse is constantly violated by the practice of a number of departments of government of holding over monies not spent or returned during the fiscal year. This device gives the departments in quest- ion a nice "kitty" to meet expenditures which have not been included in current - estimates. But it undermines the principle

that all public expenditures must be ap- proved by Parliament. Mr. Sellar takes a very dim view of this sort of bookkeeping.

The Canadian Family

Changes in the number and average size of Canadian families will be revealed by the 9th Decennial Census of Canada, to be taken in June this year. During the ten years from 1931 to 1941 the average number of children per family decreased. Since 1941 the number of families has risen far more than during the 1930's, but it is probable that the average number of chil- dren per family has decreased further in spite of a marked increase in the birth rate. Exactly how much each has changed will be shown by the 1951 Census.

The 1931 Census enumerated 2,149,000 families, while at the 1941 Census 2,525,- 000 were recorded, an increase of 17.5 per cent. Judging by estimates for years since 1941, the 1951 -Census will show a still larger proportionate, as well as numerical, increase over 1941. The estimated number agzggmmes in June, 1949. the latest date for which such an estimate is available, was 3.187,00& an increase of over 26 per -1 1.

l the factors in family forms-

'In 1941 the numberiwasi-up to 5,200,000,

but the average per family was down to 2.1 .

children. The reduced 1941 average re- fleets the lower birth rate of the 1930's, the average birth rate for this period being 20.9 per 1,000 of the population as com- pared with 24.1 per 1,000 over the period 1926-30.

Since the 1930's the birth rate has risen; for the period 1941-48 the yearly average was 24.9 per 1,000. However, the increase in the 1940's was due largely to the increase in marriages and, consequently, in first and second births, and not to a relative increase in the birth, say, of fourth, fifth and later children. Accordingly, while the 1951 Census will show a considerably larger number of both children in families and of families with children, the average number of children per family is not likely to ex- ceed the average for 1941.

EDH URIAI. NUI ES

Tomorrow, 2nd Sunday in Lent. O O O The Senate provides a convenient plat- form from which to publicize grievances. O O 0 Premier Jones is scheduled to address the newly-formed Prince Edward Island Club at Halifax today. 0 O Evidently some of the Liberals and Con- servatives in the British Parliament do not want a general election-hence the increase in the Government majority on the third vote of censure moved by Mr. Churchill. O V I Rural school districts are proud of their accomplishment in the inauguration of new, up-to-date school accommodation. It will not be long before the old red school house will be but a memory. G O O "In target areas such as Prince Ed- ward Island, the Canadian Legion is doing a great deal in training civilian defence workers." 30 Major General F. F. Worth- ington told an Ottawa gathering. Target area indeed! The Co-ordinator of Civil De- fence for Canada has been keeping things from us.

The United States, or at any rate State Secretary Dean Acheson, has advised all communists to revolt against the domina- tion of Moscow. The example of Marshal Tito and, more recently of Italian com- munists gives some grounds for thinking that communism and Russia may no long- er be synonymous.

O C

It is hard to see what the Canadian Mayors can accomplish on their visit to Ottawa re housing shortage. The Govern- ment is closing down on building material except for specific purposes in specific areas. If the Mayors could have submit- ted a clear-cut programme for house erect- ion in each province according to needs. they might have got somewhere, but a general discussion on the problem gets them practically nowhere.

O

. Moliere (pseudonym of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin), French dramatist, died this date 1673. He brought originality into play- acting by studying his characters at first hand. He took nothing for granted, sitting even in market squares to see how people behaved, and then pictured them accord- ingly. His numerous works were produced in fifteen years, during which he had to be author, actor and stage manager: yet he will always rank among the world's great- est writers.

0 I In 1900, we had 1,038 dairy cattle for each 1,000 of population, but in 1950, we had only 650 head of dairy cattle for each 1,000 people. In some areas milk product- ion declined as much as 20 per cent last year. A careful survey in an area not far from Ottawa showed that the average farmer faced loss of 5174.50 on his milk production, and that, after he had charged only 50 cents per hour for his labour. Pro- ducers have continued to operate because they could see no alternative. This is changed now. With veal calves selling at 35 cents per pound, live weight, or cows at 22, to 25 cents per pound, they have a way out and many are taking it.

Describing the one-time popular do- mestic industry of rag rug making, Wind- sor Star says: The old ragrcarpets lack- ed something of the softness and comfort of "modern rugs. But they served their day,.and served it well. There may be a few of them around the country still. In the past few years there hgmbecn a trend by women back to these handicrafts of earlier days. There still are some women,

' now eldcriyfwhoipoueas the know-bow.

In Windsor there Are a few. who

very nice hooked run. It in u

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ETI-IE" -c:uARnIAN.,

PUBLIC FUR UM

This column In opcn' to the ii II

I . "' of question of Interest: no Gunllu does not censur- ily canons the opinion of correspondents.

THE POTATO LICVY

Sir.-It must be rather amusing for the farmers of this Island In read from your paper the view: of the potato dealers of Prince County in regard to the 1 ct. per 100 lbs. levy on potatoes shipped by them. together with the fact that some Io-called shlpperl, bet.- fer known to us farmers as speculators. no doubt would like to have a free hand in paying the farmer as small a price as they can get his product for, In turn selling the same for as much as they can get. with no consideration for the farmer with whom they are dealing, nor tho industry or the country in gen- eral. all of which are of vital importance to the farmers of this country. We farmers can get along very nicely without the speculstor. but I am very doubt- ful lf the speculator can 10! along so well without the farm- ers.

As far as this 1 ct. per 100 lbs. levy is concerned. I am told that some dealers will pay so much for the potatoes and then deduct the levy from the amount that they were paying the farmer, and my confidence has gm rather shattered in this Way 0i doing business. It. is quite within the realm of possibility that the 1 Ct- levy remains with the dealer to be used later if the going gets tough. nr to buy a new car or some other convenience; some- li1ing'that lhn farmer will never be able to enjoy just ns 101112 '45 he is selling 30 ct. potatoes or depending on some interested party to look after the market- ing of the product of his labors.

My advice to the farmers is to hold what they have gained and try for more.

I am. Sir. etc. W. B. McLELLAN. Alma, P.E.I.

MARKETING BOARDS '”

Sir,-Kindly permit me some space in your fine paper to.sdd my expression of opinion on recent newspaper reports re Marketing Boards. As a small dealer with some experience I have followed the proceedings of the last year cr so in the potato industry with mixed sentiments of distrust. dis- gust. muaomant and amazement.

The whole situation very appar- ently needs a thorough string so that the producers and the public in general will fully realize just what is going on. There is no doubt but that it would reveal a trend towards bureaucracy by I few who are tainted with the sloppy Social- fstic thinking of Saskatchewan and Cape Breton-such as we do not. want here. Furthermcrc the local and Federal Govefnmentis have shown an insufficient interest and responsibility in the potato pro- ducera' problems this year. They are all too willing to have Boards act as 3. buffer and shoulder their problems-and especially when there is an opportunity to provide Jobs for their friends whether qualified or not.

The Marketing Board was set up here when this form of marketing was being turned down by the pro- ducers in Nova scotla and the trend was away from it by the potato producers in the ilnlted states and Upper Canada. The sys- tem as applied to wheat was and is being very strongly criticized in the Canadian western Provinces, as it had been the cause of losing millions of dollars fer the primary producers. Wholesale complaints were being made about the Apple Marketing Board in Nova Scotia. Recently it's status was question- ed. declared illegal. and it prob- ably will be scrapped shortly.

It is amusing to hear peanle argue for or advocate a Marketing Board for pctatoes here such as that functioning in British Colum- bia. That Beard handle: I 9594: local market whereas ours is ab.-iut 9695- export to many different and distant countries in competition -with various heavy producing areas. Any one with a. meagre knowledge of competitive marketing will up- preciatc the vast difference be- tween the two and the danger of falling for such a comparison.

Last year's plebiscite on this problem was something which is open to considerable criticism. "steam-roller the thing through fast" seemed to be the idea. and "promise the producers that this in the answer to their price problems." What a cruel awakening with prices the lowest in years and the Board completely helpless and useless to do anything about -0.! Those who must. have known bet- ter deliberately played down the irrevocable law of supply and dc- msnd which in I dominating fac- tor in marketing. Many people voted in-the plebinclu who were not registered growers and in at last some instances where there was little response I houlc-to- house canvas was made. The only proper and reocgnibcd way for such 5 plebiscite to be held, when Provincial Government. legislation is concerned. is by the Government itself. '

It was stated that such I Board was necessary to handle price sup- port. largo shipments. etc. No price support bu been given even though the potato producer had bosnfomd to work well below the ocst of production and no largo contracuhnvo becnirnngod. Both these matters have been vc oil- ily 'hnndled before -wlthou tho costly machinery of a permanent board. and harm than I! would be hon , under the present shop. I refer to the British contact. and the price support pxovtdodjwo

Ito. The

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toulcllllfa THE IICENT QIBSTIOO-i IMQRTATION f'

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ll Old Charlottetown - :2 (Am! F. E. I.)

X TAVERN LICENSEE l

Tavern licenses, which were freely granted in early colonial days in Charlottetown, became subjected to close: scrutiny as temperance sentiment developed. This is apparent from the follow- ing report of a. meeting of the City Council, held on Nov. 7. 1868, at. which application was made by one Henry Green for a license to open a. tavern in his premises on Prince street.

"Mr. councillor Allen said he would oppose the application, not indeed on account of the appli- cant's character. concerning which he was not aware of any damaging facts. but solely on account of proximity of the premises. which he sought; to have licensed. to two places of public worship. ' "Mr. Councillor MacNeill thought. that, were the applicant-who had bought a piece of ground and built a house thereon, for the purpose of therein carrying on a lawful business. and who had, besides. duly fulfilled all the requirements of the law. with a view of obtain- ing a license so to carry on that busincss- be denied a -license merely on account of the proxim- ity of his premises to places of worship, he would have reason to think ,hlmself rather hardly dealt with. He (Mr. MacNeill) was by no means desirous to see tav- erns opened in the immediate neighborhood of places of worship --very far from it indeed; but .he could not but think it a great pity that. with reference to the site in question, the members of one or the other. or of both the churches in its immediate vicinity, had not the wisdom to buy the ground at the time it. was put up at public auction, especially as some of them wage present. at the nuction. and knew for what. purpose it was in tended by Green, should it be ob- tained by him. 1 "It would have been well indeed. he thought. if, like the Bishop of Charlottetown, who had bought. the sites of two or three taverns which, for the best of reason, he de- sired to have closed; and as also. for similar reasons, had, in two or three cases. been done in Halifax; one or other, or both, of the relig- ious bodlea in question had com- bined to purchase the parcel ,of ground on which Green's house now stands, and so have had it completely in their power to pre- vent. its being employed for any pur- pose of which they conscientiously disapproved. He thought the parties more immediately interested in the question ' ”, by such time- ly and prudent action as he had indicated. have prevented Green from sinking his little capital for a purpose, the accomplirunmt of which would be felt by them as a very serious grievance."

The subiolned communication was then read by the Clerk, the whole Board acqulescing in the propriety of the remonstrance: "we, the undersigned r U A. 01 ward No. 2. having been informed that it is the intention of some person or persons to open a Tav- ern in the house now being flnlgh-

workable and disastrous before and will do so again. For the good of the producers I hope the attempts of these, possibly well meaning to lead them up the bridle path, will he nipped in the bud before it is too late. The suggestion of the dealers to scrap the Board is u very wise move and for the best. lntcrest of the potato industry. I am, sir, etc,,

Meeting those The palings

dead,

ask

Vrn -.

SNOW IN THE SUBUIIBS

Every branch big with it,

Bent every twig with it;

Every fork like a white web-foot; Every street and pavement mute: Some flakes have lost their way. ' upward.

and grope back when

like a wall,

And there is no waft. of wind with

the fleecy fall.

A sparrow enters the tree, Whereon immediately A snow-lump thrice his own slight

0 Descends on him and showers his

head and eyes.

And overturns him. And near inurns him, And lights on n nether twig. when

its brush

Starts off a volley of other lodging

lumps with a rush.

The steps are a blanched slope. Up which. with feeble hope. A black out comes. wide-eyed and

thin; And we take him in. -Thomas Hardy. .r.'in'.'h'-5'?-l'H.FJ

ifhe Age-Old Story

A"-'

Let no man deceive you with wall: u-ords...And have no fellowship with the unfrnltful works of dark- ness, but rather reprove them... Wherefore he saith. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the give thee

and Christ shall lght.

ed, adjoining the Bible Christian parsonage, and opposite the Wes- leyan Church. would respectfully that no such License be granted. as there already are too many rum-shops in that vicinity." signed-John Chspplc, R-av. F. W. Moore. John Baptist Ministcc. Bertram Moore, James Davison. Thomas Henry Pope, Jr.. Wesleyan Minis- ter. Donald Cameron. w. B. Well- ner. William W. Wellner. Charles Dea- '.V""c-vi C. Desbrisay, John Henry "Nil ':owui-. John ':3'.'ra.n. John Quirk.

ll H. J. Oundail. Charles

n. Wm. Cundall,

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4 J. P. Maciiharson &iSoIl""

Men's Clothing That Fits

; i 151 qmmv s'r.

COMPLETE VISUAL IlEFRA(fPI()N and

ANALYSIS

(5. F. HUTCHESON 8: SON '

Optometrists 58 Grafton SI.

. FAIR DEALER. Charlottetown.

meandering down they turn and descend again are glued together

B. C. M.. Davis.

Davy.

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- if The Hon. A

I have been privileged. during. and even before. ',my political career. to meet many of the lead- ing summon of Canada. I have met Sir John A. Mncdomld. though 1 clone: say I know him very well. He came to Prince Edward Island seven) times. I heard him addreu a public mut- ing in Charlottetown. but my" knowledge of him has been gain- ed more from my reading about him than from personal contact. I-Ila outstanding quality as a Itatclman was his vision. He took a long view of Confederation. He did not look for any (teat im- mediate benefits but saw the ad- Vlnllles which would result from in united Canada.

As an example of his vision. I was told by u , member of the House of Common: who had it from A member of Sir John's Cab- inet. that. when the Parliament Buildings were under construct- ion. he urged the purchase of all adjoining ilands because he felt that such land: would be needed for the building of Government offices within a relatively few yearl. The Cabinet pooh-poohed the suggestion wlth'results that are only too well known today: the scattering of Government of- fices all over the City of Ottawa. Sir John had a great sense of humour. On one occasion. upon A visit to Charlottetown. he visited the Chamber where he had not us a delellte to the Confederation conference in 1884. On this, his second visit. he was asked to sign the vlsitoi-5' book. He wrote his name and address and. pausing to consider what 'he should put down for his occupation, turned to his secretary, Joseph Pope, and laid. "Joe. what shall I put down u my occupation?" With- out waiting for an answer. he wrote "cabinet maker." His lig- nsture and the words. "cabinet maker" can be clearly read today. They had good ink .In those days.