PAGE FOUR THE GUARDIAN

Morning Daily (Founded in 1881'» J Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Department, Ottawa.

President, lan A. Burnett; Vice-President, Wm. R.

Burnett; SQCL-TIBHL, G. M. Burnett; Editor and

Managing Director. J. it. Burnett; Associate Editor. Frank Walker.

"The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest lnk."

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CHARLOTTIJTOWN, MONDAY. across-m. 2'1. 1947 Election Rumors

Persistent rumors of a Provincial general election have been current for some time, and it now reported unofficially that the date has been set for Thursday, December ll. This will take us well into the winter, when highway traf- fic conditions are at their worst. From the stand- point of the general public, av less convenient date could hardly have been fiXed "P°"~ Bl" politicians are proverbiolly indifferenhto such matters when tiny advantage, or imagined ad- vqniqge, ‘is to be gained. lnthis case the Gov. einment may have been Wfllllllg l°" ll‘,°,"‘°'d “Ho” “om Qgmwq, which in turn was waiting to iee how the Federal by-election in ,.Yark-Sun- bury turned out. In any event, with the treasury fuller than it has been for some time as agresult of the Dominion-Provincial tax agreement, it was expected that the Government would seek an gqrly opportunity of going to the polls.

One pre-election precaution which the Gov- ernment has reportedly token should meet with nothing but condemnation. That is the holding up of the old age pensions increase of $5.00 per month. lt was announced on July 3i that‘ an agreement granting this increase had been sign- ed by the Dominion and Provincial Governments, and that the increase was to be made retro- active to May i.

The Guardian is informed that this very mod- est pensions increase has not yet been paid. The responsibility rests, we understand, with the _De- partment of Public Health and Welfare. This is not the first-time that old age pension! lid" bee" exploited politically in this Province, but one had hoped that the present Government was above such shabby practises. To play iiiwii the fears and anxieties of our aged and needy citizens is something which no decent supporter of either party should tolerate. Let the Gov- ernment pay these pensioners what is coining to them at once, and free itself from the odiurii of any further suspicion in this matter.

Bonds 0f Tradition

Over the Minch and up the Clyde, south from Sutherland and north fromitha Lothians, the Gaels of Scotland came recently in their thous- ands to Perth—ancient Barr Tatho, "the height on the Tay"—for the 44th Annual Mod of An Comunn Gaidhealacli.

The Edinburgh Scotsman of recent date tells all about the great gathering" of the Clans, at which a Mr. Donald MacLean, of the Parish of Snizort in the Isle of Skye, was crowned Bard. We have many MacLean descendants of the Skye pioneers in this Province, and it is not at all unlikely that this Mr. MacLean has relatives here. At all events he won the Bardic Crown-— a coveted honour-for his poem "Cronan" (Milf- mur of a Brook). _

Another item of news in the some issue of The Scotsman is about Flora, Mrs. Macleod of Macleod, Chief of the Clan and tenant of Dun- vegan Castle, Skye, "believed to be the oldest in- habited keep in Britain." Chief Flora is rally- ing members of the Clan for a big occasion in London on Hallowe'en night, October 3i, when she is to address them on the subject of her rec- ent visit to "Scotland Across the Seas"-Nova Scotia. She could have told them about Prince Edward lsland too had she been able to occeot the invitation of our Caledonian Club to be their guest at a dinner here in Charlottetown; but un- fortunately that was not to be.

"Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia," says The Scotsman, "are numbered by the thousands and are believed to be more numerous than those at home. The Chief of the Macleods, by he: visit, maintained the bonds of tradition that link the Dominion with the Auld Country. She will report on her tour at the gathering, which will ‘ake the form of a welcome-home to her."

Socialized Banking

Banks here and elsewhere will watch dc- velopmcnts in Australia with much interest dur- ing the next few weeks of hot debate updn the Australian Government's melasure to socialize the private banks of the Commonwealth. The pro- posal to be explained has provoked a storm of protest couched in strong terms by the private banks that are to be seized, apparently for no better reason than the fact that the Common- wealth Bauk, the Government institution, can- not successfully compete with them tor certain types of business. Although the Australian Labor Government always hos favored nationalizing the private banks, apparently the issue was allowed to lie dormant until the Australian High Court recently declared unconstitutional that section of the Australian banking law that compizlled muni- cipulities and other political subdivisions ta transfer their bank accounts 'to the Government bank.‘ lt would seem from this distance that the Australian Government was sufficiently piqued by the ruling to deprive Australians at‘ freeilom of choice in the matter of where they should do their banking.

iiostly Food

Great Britain is putting on a drive to pro- duce more of her food needs at home as she did during the war when German U-boats threat- ened the life line bringing food from North Am- erica and other parts of the world. The new drive is to save dollars which Britain must now spend for imported food. As a result of the renewed effort Britain has asked for e niillion

more acres of home grown wheat for which the farmer will be paid prices around $2.40 a bushel together with an acreage subsidy.

Now it has been announced that Britain will seek to produce as much of her sugar needs as possible, and will this year pay producers I02 to l04 shillings per long ton. At the present ratc- of exchange that works out to be about $18.30 per ton of 2,000 pounds. Which compares with about $12 to $l3 which farmers in South Alberta will receive for their beets this year.

Food production is much more costly in Britain than it is in Canada for a wide variety of reuons, chief of which is th_at we have larger acreciges and more mechanization which go to cutting down costs. Britain's post-war agricultural policy would have provided for growing more of the so-called pro- tective foods at home —- meats, dairy and poul- try products, vegetablcs and fruit — buying more of the non-perisliable staple products like wheat and sugar from exporting countries. But the lock of dollars has dictated the revival of the war pol- icy of growing as much as possible of food re- quirements at home. -

- barium/u NOTES _ A December election gives promise of a bountiful Santa Claus. ' Even if we do not have an election this year, i947 is likely to be remembered as the windy

year.

o a w v.

We are being advised of better markets for potatoes, fish and pork, which is all to the good if, and when realized in whole or in part.

Ottawa seems to have decided that Can- ada cannot afford to lend more abroad. lt would probably be nearer the truth to say that we cannot afford to stop lending just now.

_ Boy Scouts Apple Day was splendidly organ- ized and carried out, going over the top satis- factorily. There is a great bunch of enthusi- astic Scouters this year giving of their best» for the sake of their Packs, Troops and Movement. fl I i R

The proposal to assemble parliament in December instead of January is o prudent one. Among other things discussion of measures de- signed to speed up parliamentary business i; likely to prolong the ‘coming session.

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A plan brought forward by the London Cham- ber of Commerce seems remarkably like Aber- hart Social Credit applied to international trade. The basic idea is that countries having a favor.

it had been expected thatl

Trip “GUARDIAN, CIjIARLOTTETOWN

y iiotee By Tito tlay

The Windsor family can afford a trousseau. The Princess herself gets a monthly allowance of $2,000 and her credit will be even better when she mantel. Indeed, the Board of Trade had promised her all the coupons she needs. Her mother en- joyed e trousseau in 1-923. iiwiiiih a "very simple one." But. her par- ents, after due consideration of the proprieties. have decreed that any special privilege for royalty would be out. of place in the recent Spar- tan conditions of English life. No wonder most of their loyal subjects who still like a bit of pomp and circumstance with their royal wed- aings, are disappointed and gripe a little. Never before since the days of the original Elizabeth has a British Princess been deprived of her trousseau. and the great. Queen herself lacked one only because she chose to keerp her maiden state. — New York ‘Times.

Plain inaulin lowers the sugar content of the blood for only six hours, relates a New York Times science writer. so that in a severe case of diabetes hypodermic injec- tians must be taken at. intervals of [our to six hours. Drs. Richard G. Roberts, Doris M. gl-Illker and Adrian Gaslor Russisl 0i the Chi- cago Medical School new come e- long with a new insulin compound which has lowered the blood-sugar level in rabbits for M hours with a single injection. The 24-hour in- sulin is prepared with hemln, part of the hemoglobin which gives blood its red color and which car- ries most of the oxygen needed by the body. Besides hemln the new compound also contains liquid sm- monia and hollne, a chemical which enableskthe body to burn up fat. Now the doctors are working on a similar compound which will remain effective 48 hours.

Canada had a record crop of new babies in 194d. There were 325.805 of them. This raised the birth rate away above all previous rates for 45 years. Also in 1916 there were 134,078 marriages in the Domin- ion, far more than in any year since the war began, and indicat- ing that. more heavy crops of bab- ies may be looked for when the records for this and succeeding years are made up. This is the kind of immigration Canadians prefer over all others. That the "natural increase" of population is high is a matter for gratification. If the trend were the other way that. would be a cause for worry. But, from the standpoint of public pal-

able trade balance must make use of the sur- plusexchange within the "agreed life” of such credits or they would be wiped out,

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Edward Lyon Berihon, English Church clergy- man and inventor died this date i899. He was P Siieflt oarsmon at Oxford and continued his illlemi“ "ll "llwifigfiiid boating throughout his ife. ln the Eighties he invented the two-blad- ed propeller and collapsible boats, first used successfully by General Gordon on the Nile and then by Frederick Courtney. Selous, D.S.O., Eng- lish soldier, explorer and big game hunter, who organized in i909 and accompanied Theodore Roosevelt's expedition to British East Africa, where six years later he was killed in action in Great War l.

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The Atomic Scientists’ Association, with the cooperation of Britain's Ministry of Supply, is f-irgiiiillirig a travelling train Exhibition on Atomic Energy which will start at the beginning it‘ Niiveiiibii. touring 26_towns in England, Scot- and and Vales. The aim of the exhibition will be to give the public the basic facts of atomic energy and explain-its implications; its desfruc. tiylilt and‘ constructive purposes. The exhibifign w: be fitted in two coaches. Scientists will be in attendance to answer any questions and to g've additional explanations. lt is planned to organize at the some time Atomic Energy Weeks in each town visited, when lectures and film shows will take place. There will be, in m]. laboration with various local organizations pub- lic meetings, "brain trusts" and conducted par- ties for schools.

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_ Six years ago, on October 27, 194i, the British troapship "Awntea", carrying a Canadian Expeditionary Force of almost 2,000 men under Brigadier J. K. Lawson, sailed from Vancouver for Hong Kong. The force was comprised of two battalions of infantry—the lst Bn_ win. nipeg Grcnadiers, and the Royal Rifles of Can. ada—-and a brigade heddquarters. Officially known as "C" Force, the contingent arrived in Hong Kong on November i6. Three weeks later, on December 8th, the Canadians found them- selves with the rest of the Hong Kong gorrigon engaged in a, full scale war. The Canadians pcirtsculorly distinguished themselves during the bittzr two-day baltlc of Wengneichong Gap and suffered heavy casualties. Practically the whole of the BrigadeHQ staff, including Brigadier Law- son, were killed and one company of ,the Win- nipeq Grenadiers suffered 80 per cent casual- ties. By the 22nd the position was all but hope- less Members of the garrison, after two weeks ot continuous battle, were desperately tired, and the supply situotiori,_especia|ly the water sup- ply, had becom: critical as the chief reservoirs had fallen into Japanese hands. On the 23rd, one day's supply was all that remained, but the defenders continued to cling to their positions through the 23rd and 24th. Op Christmas Day, witii all hope of warding off disaster gone, the valinnt Hong Kong garrison surrendered. Of the, Canadians taken prisoner, I37 died through mal- nutr‘tion and other causes in Jap prisoner-of-war camps, bringing the total of Canadian dead lii defence of Hong Kong to 555. In editorial tri- bute to Canada's dead, the Hong Kong Post, last Dominion Day, had the following to say: "They (the Canadian troops on arrival at Kowloon) were probably not happy here. They would have been entitled to question why they were sent, to be tra ped in this doomed fortress. In the words of their own poet, they come to keep a rendez-

lcy_ this "flood" of babies involves a responsibility. More families mean that more homes must be provid- ed. Since landlords generally pre- fa‘ couples who have no children, the increase of babies means that more occupant-owned houses are needed. many thousands of them. _Ennonton Bulletin.

Pigeons in Boston have been frightened away from Beacon Hill by the device of hanging green wooden snakes on the roofs 0f the homes they frequented, and we suppose that from this simple fact will be drawn a variety of scientific conjecture, all of it. inimlcal to the pigeons. Behind it will be the un- warranted assumption that the pig- eons flew away because they sup- posed the greenery to be real snakes and were terrified. Pigeons are not. so stupid as all that-Boston pig- eons least of all. 'We remember. : few years back, when the possi- bility that an electric sign advertis- ing an automobile would be erect- ed where it could glower down an Boston Common was enough to make half the residents of Beacon Hill threaten to move away. Was ii. because they thought the sign was a real automobile which might run them down as they stepped from their homes Not at all. It. was because they didn't fancy the idea of Beacon Hill with electric signs. Well. the pigeons don't fancy Bea- con Hlll with green wooden snakes, and we should say they were well within their rights. We will wager that those pigeons can be found right now on the mall, swooping past the ears of frightened pedes- trians, unterrlfied and defiant. New York Herald-Tribune.

California's vast. vineyards this year are producing more grapes than United States consumers want. to swallow. Nat. for years has there been such a wide gap between sup- ply and demand. The grape har- vest, just. getting under way, will set a new record-an estimated three million tons. Growers are frantically searching for a way to avoid a surplus of 600.000 to 700.- 000 tons. nearly a fourth of their production. Furthermore. California may have an even greater surfeii. of grapes in the next. few years. During the last three years_ when demand was high, 47.000 acres of new vineyards were planted. The first of these will start. producing next year. That will add nearly l0 per cent to the state's half million acres of grapes, and will boost pro- duetlon at least 300.000 tons e year unless older vineyards are allowed to die out. A natural consequence of this distort/ion. of course, is 10w- er prices. The vines which last year yielded $260 million‘. to make grapes California's leading cash farm crop. this year may return less than $100 million. Prices w lch averaged around $100 s ton in are like- 1y to be nearer 830 this season. The chief reason for this change in fortune is that the nation appar- ently is collated with wine. This satiety is reflected by vintners in curbed production this season. Lost year they crushed 1.7 million tons of grapes, about B0 per cent of the total grape harvest. But this year only about one million tons will g0 into wine. All over the country wine sales ere lag- glnl. -Wsll Street. Journal.

DIVORCE MADE EASY Under Burmese Buddhist law,

divorce can usually be obtained by mutual consent and the parties

vous with death: they kept it faithfully."

openly Living apart.

ocironen 25-, m,

Palestine

(Britain's U. N. Statement)

The following is the text of the speech made by Rt. Hon. Arthur Creech-Jones. United Kingdom Col- onisl Secretary, at the meeting oi the Palestine Committee of the United Nations, on October 18th, 1M7:

Before the general discussion concludes and the Committee ex- amines suggestions which have emerged for resolving the Pales- tine problem, I desire to make some observations though in some respects 1t. will be necessary for ,me to reiterate some of the points in my earlier statement.

It was to be expected that in the public discussion of the prob- lem. which Palestine presents, certain harsh and lilaccurate state- ments should be made regarding the policy oi’ the Mandatory Gov- ernment and the work of the Brit- ish authority in Palestine. We do not complain of fair and disin- terested crltlclsm. It. has been easy enough for those without re- sponsibility _ for those with their own interests to promote - to Lraduce my Government.

But my silence must not be in- terpreted to mean that I endorse in accuracies and prejudices and that. there is no answer to the criticisms; rattler. ti. should be understood that whatever the temptation to me to reply, my delegation feel that in present; circumstances mo purpose is serv- ed by recrimlnatory talk when the Palestine problem is so diffi- cult. and grave as it is. It. de- mands from all of us understand. 1H8. and as little prejudice as pos- sible.

Britain's Undertaking

H18 Mfllefliyh Government is now surrendering the mandate over Palestine with, I note, ggn. eral approval. The United King- dom set out 30 years ago to estab- lish a. National Home for the Jew. ish people and undertook to do nothing which might. prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine. It undertook. with international endorsement, to fac- ilitate Jewish immigration under suitable conditions and to encour- aue close settlement by Jews on the land while ensuring that. the rights and position of other see- tions of the population are nct» prejudiced.

It has proved a thankless, and ultimately an impracticable, re- sponslbllity for, in the nature of things. neither Jews nor Arabs have been satisfied that their rights and claims have been fully ac- knowledged by the mandatory; neither have felt able to assume genuine responsibility 1n govern- ment or administration and neither have been prepared to acknowledge differences and find some mutual accommodation. In the circumstan- ces, the mandate has proved self contradictory and to a great extent. unworkable.

Nevertheless. the National Home has been established, a Jewish com- munity of over 600.000 has been built up_ the Arab population has doubled, social standards have im- proved and economic activities have increased to the advantage of everyone. The services of the modern state have been created. This is not. only our judgment of the situation but ls confirmed by the report of the United Nations Special Committee from wlilch I quote the following extracts:

“The present difficult circum- stances should not distort the per- cpective of solid achievement aris- lilg from the joint efforts of the Jewish community and the admin- istration‘ in laying the foundations of the National Home." (Paragraph 93 on page 23.)

"One may find in the record of the Palestine administration evi- dence of persistent; effort to effect gradual improvements in the econ- omic and social condition of the Arab population." (Paragraph 97 on page 24.)

Efforts Failed-

Britatn which has played some part in saving liberty against. tyran- ny in two world wars. which con- trlbuted something to the making of the new Arab nations, which has given slielt. in the United Kingdom since t e end of the war ta over 300.000 individuals who would otherwise have been in the displacedpersons camps on the continent and has found homes slnee 1933 for some 70.000 Jewish refugees, and which by its struggle ln war and its administration l-reiped to make the Notional Home possible, will he judged before the bar of history in due course.

I want only to say that; in spite of tho revolts and the terrorism. Palestine has built. up its services and still. enjoys economic prosper- ity; the machinery of administra- tion has worked -- a great tribute to the Palestine authorities and the Government servants who under great strain and risk have been employed there.

("h be oniinued)

BEEF EATING PEOPLE Beet is the favorite meat. of