PAGE IUUK

T-HE CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN

4 .

APRIL 12, 19-17

WE BIIARLOTTETUWN GUARDIAN

Mo ‘ _ Daily (Founded in i881) Authorised u‘Second Class Mail. Post Office Department, Ottawa.

President, Ian A. Burnett; Vice-President, Wm. R. Burnett; Secy.-Treas., G. M. Burnett; Editor and Managing Director, J. R. Burnett; Associate Editor, Frank Walker.

“Tho Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink.”

SAITUESF XPlt-ILYIZZ,‘ i517

"A Political Budget I

r

The Budget delivered in the Legislature yes- terday by Hon. William Hughes, Provincial Treasurer, contains increases for teachers, hos- pitals and other deserving bodies with which no one, surely, will cavil. lt also shows a surplus of some $96,000 on current account for the year ending March 31 last, and an estimated surplus of $663,916 for the current year ending March 31, i948. This is very good so far as it goes, but itiscarcely gives a true picture of Jones Government financing, even with the aid, such ll it is, of the tax agreement with Ottawa.

The first thing which strikes one in connec- tion with the budget is why, with an estimated surplus of over half o million dollars, the Gov- ernment should find it necessary to impose an extra provincial gasoline tax of three cents a gallon,—not even rcbating it for the benefit of our farmers and fishermen? Why not refrain from adding this and other burdens on the al-

ready overburdened taxpayeip if itlwas not necessary? Again, the estimated surplus for 1948

does not take into account any expenditures that may be made in implementing the Govern- ment's promise to introduce Regional High Schools. For this programme, outlined in the Speech from the Throne, only "a sum sufficient" is montioned,—which may mean much, little or nothing, but which in any case is not included in the Minister's figures.

For Rural Electrification, another big plank in the Jones Government platform four years ago, there appears to be no provision at all.

The Government has been so far out with its previous predictions, either of surpluses or de- ficits, that its estimate this year may he dis- counted. But what of the $60,000 surplus claim- ed by Mr. Hughes for the year ending March 3i last? Would indeed that he were right! The true picture unfortunately is quite different, when all the figures are taken into account.

Here is the record:

Ordinary Revenue .... . . . . . . . . . . $3,945,237 Capital Revenue . . .. . . . . .... 203,215

$4,148,453 Ordinary Expenditure ... . . . . . .. . . . $3,848,771 Capital Expenditure . . . . . . . ........ 878,468 Total Expenditure .... . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,727,239 Total Revenue .. . . . . . . . . “$4,143,453 Gross Deficit . .. . . . . . . 578,756 Less Sinking Fund 330,000

Total increase in liability for 1947.. $248,786

Mr. Hughes made some comparisons between ‘expenditures for other years, under both party governments; but surely 1111,15 the’ last man 1n the House to put any confidence llllSiiCll argu- ments. He very effectively demolished them himself in 1938,_when as a Liberal back-bencher he got after Hon. J. P. McIntyre, Minister of Public Works, for employing such pu,er1le_ tac- fin, Mr. Hughes said Mr. Mclntyriss figures might be all right, "but l think he is working from an entirely wrong basis. I do not think the idea is ‘Did we do a little better or.a lot better than the Conservatives.’ Theauestion I5, ‘Did we do whot we undertook, 0i‘ did We d° "5 well as we could?’ l don't think it matters, oxcept from a political standpoint, whlat his fig- ures show if they do not show that. I

Judged by this proper standard, Y°5i°id°Y5 Budget was extremely disappointing. lt mode no reference whatever to the tax reductions promised in the Speech from the Throne; a fatal omission more than oftsettingr-EXCEN, 95,01’- Hughes says, "from a political standpoint ,- all the fine figures he quoted.

Totailty Unreliable

According lo a report oi the Dominion Bureau of Statistics issued at the end of last week, Canada's cost of living index for March 1, stood at 128.9, as against 127.8 one moritn previously. The advance of_1.1 points during February is attributed by the Bureau to the re- moval of price controls on a number of goods and servipes during January. lf this be so, the reflex was barely observable and the case for decontrol is definitely strengthened on the record. _ _

Ono feels like agreeing with the _ Post-Record, however, when it says that it doubtful if any informed person in thecountry takes seriously the Bureau's cost of. living fig- ures, particularly the ratios it persists in put- ting forward by way of comparison between pre- war and post-war living costs. _ g

In tho lost year, the report now bolus "fed says, tho ind-ox has risen 8.8 points, this being computed on the base that 1935-1939 equals 1M. Tho absurdity of tho contention that liv- ing costs today ore only 29 per cent higher than Qhoy won in 1939 will be recognized by every- ono. Any householder whose experience in doniostic budgeting extends back to 1939 knows loo woll that tho cbst of living today is ony- whoro from 60 to 75 por cent higher than it was lhon. And yot tho Bureau says that foods, Wllidi have contributed a niaior port of ill! W" °f living increase, rose from 147 for February 1, to 148.7 for March 1, 1947. That is, foods oro oow only about 49 per cont higher in price than thoy vroro sight years ago. This is annoYiNQ, tootoliziog nonoom. Moots, fruits and vogo-

Sydney is

tables certainly cost more than double Joday whot they did in 1939.

But to go farther into the Bureau's cal- culations. lt announces gravely that clothing advanced from 131.9 in February to 133.1 in March of this year; that home furnishings and services rose from 130.9 to 133.6 in the same 28 days, and that miscellaneous items advanced from 115.5 to 116. Fuel and light, it reports, had remained unchanged at 109.1, and rentals at 113.4. The Dominion Bureau of Statistics will have considerable difficulty in persuading the users of coal that the price of that. com-

yeors ago, or the tenant of a house or apart- ment that the rent he pays is only 13.4 per cent in advance of i939 levels. The Bureau's records may be accurately kept, but there is something very screwy about its mathematical calculations.

!- EDITORIA-L NOTES ,-

President Franklin D. Roosevelt died this date 1945. His works do follow him.

i’ * fi A‘ Practically a million-and-a-half Govern. merit deficit in one year's operations is going some, even for the Jones-Hughes combination.

i i I I Thahis an excellent move on the part of the Premierto appoint a committee of the Legislature to cooperate, with the Provincial Planning Board and the City Council to can. sider the sanitary_ and other conditions in the vicinity of the City. Something must be done to regulate and supervise the steady extension of the City, practifally on all sides.

IE i‘ *

What the representative delegation to the Government on a suggested Regional High School for Charlottetown meant was the estab- lishment of a composite academic and techni- cal college. ln addition to book-learning and the study of theory, practical demonstration and experience would be obtained in handling tools and applying technique. A full staffed insti- tution of this description will cost plenty money, and certainly increased taxation. i 1r i ‘i

There seems to be some misunderstanding with regard to the Act to regulate and license inns and restaurants throughout the Province. This is a Government bill, and the Government and not the innkeepers or restaurateurs is re- sponsible for bringing it before the Legislature. That responsibility extends to all the fees, re- strictions and penalties imposed, just as much as to any other pievce ‘of ‘Government. legislation.

Henry Clay, American statesman and ora- tor, born this date i777; a lawyer by profession, "8 entered the Kentucky legislature, and after- wards U_. S. Senate; he trimmed his sails on the slavery issue, and wosdistrusted both by slave holders and abalitionists; he helped to urge on the war with Britain, and essayed to play the part of mediator between North and South, be- ing known in the North as "The Great Pacifi- cater," but was unsuccessful in his subsequent attempts to become President. "l would rather be right than be President."

i’ A‘ ‘k f

Two years ago next week, on April i3, 1945, an American force cleared Jena, the U. S. Ninth Army reached the Elbe at Stendal and establish- ed a bridgehead south of Madgeburg. Simultane- ously, the U. S. Third Army reached Chemnitz. Russian forces were active, too, and that day their spectacular capture of Vienna netted them 130,000 prisoners. On April i5, the First Canadian Army reached the Dutch coast near Leeuwarden and took Zwolle. Arnhem was clear- ed and Polish troops captured lmola, Italy. A French force launched an assault in the Bor- deaux area. On April 16, 1945, the First Canadian Army occupied Leeuwarden and Gro- iiingen and launched an assault on Applcdoorn, Holland. . The Axis forces were now in seri- cus trouble on all fronts and on the 18th, in the face of terrific Allied pressure, all resistance in the Ruhr ended. Liepzig fell, as did Nurem- berg and Hallo the next day. That day, too, Russian forces continuing their victorious drive were within 2O miles of Berlin.

.. . . .

After a generation of inspired abuse (says Marketing), margarine would have a fight to make good in some quarters. There will al- ways be those to whom butter is a sacred cow. Advertising can take car-e of this problem as it has long taken care of others more difficult. lt cculd remove in one year most of the odium created by a generation of coniumely. If mar- garine were advertised nationally, butter would have to look to its laurels. With the exception of retail promotion, butter advertising is con- spicuous by its infrequency. The spur of mar- garine advertising could not fail to have a healthy reaction upon the dairy industry. Given a vigorous rival, butter would have to spread itself. A spirit-ed contest would see the fats in the fire. lt would be a stirring spectacle to watch and one fruitful in good all-around re- suits."

I I I I

Good news for shore farmers. All along the U. S. Atlantic coast, says Time, the eel- grass (Zostera marina) is flourishing again, which is cheering news to U. S. Fish and Wild- life people. Until 1931, eelgrass was the pillar cf salt-water mudflat society. Under its wav- ing, tape-tliin leaves, young and weak creatures sought shelter--and the hungry and stron sought food. But in 1931 and 1932, the eel- grass meadows vanished leaving flats of barren mud as far north as Nova Scoiia. A micro- scopic fungus (Lobyrinthula) streaked the eel- grass leaves with brown, killing them to the roots. The scallop business was hardest hit;

many Americans almost forgot what little bay scallops tasted like. Ducks, geese and brant were sufferers too (they eat eelgrass shoots). Tho disappearance of the eelgrass upset the entire balanco of eastern shoreline life. The fungus become less virulent around 1940;'patchos of eelgrass appeared and grow bigger. This yoar

the eelgrass is-almost back to normal. Lite among tlio seafood lo almost normal too.

modity is only 9.1 per cent higher than eightl

g every dollar of

liiotes By 111s Play

_ It's old-fashioned to suueat giv- ing this country baak to the In. mans. The mod-em plan 1a to let ‘the War Assets Corpomtion sell it back 1o them at 20 per cam dis. i-o11m1. - Petevborough Examiner.

It ‘doesn't help very muglg__ ‘especially at this time o.f the year -—1o recall that when Canada first imposed the imcome tax, 1i: wag to ‘be o Dlllfely temporary measure. - lBroc-kville Recorder and Timee.

l 1

As we understand these hockey playoffs. the teams battle until one proves it's the best of the lot. than some oihe bunch gels a chance to show 1's a little better than the best. - Windsor Star.

Attraction of a comfortable home has solved the problem of New South Wales fAusti-allai subsidized medical services in small country lo-avns. Before the Wa-r many at lllese towns had been without per- manent doctors. Today. the fact that. a. house is found with the country appointment has proved irresistible bait. All posts are filled. ~Australian News.

Renders unfamiliar with Scottish practice may have been slightly disconcericd to leam that Hector Nit-Neil described as “timeous" President. '1‘1’t1n1ai1‘s c-ffer of help lo Greece and Turkey. says The lvlanchester Guardian. The use of ihLs word for "timely" Ls obsolete in England. It seems that, the last Englishman of repute to use it was Lord Bacon, but he spelled it nmnmlsh ‘

There or ernany indications that divorce 1s one of the symptoms of the current social unrest. The rlsing divorce rate is a. barometer of economic and emotional strains to which all. and married couples in 11212110111131‘. are being subjected. The housing shortage. rising llv- frog costs and decreasing buying power, fear of insecurity and frustrations of i-ill sorts are some of the pressurea of family life. — 'l‘oronto star.

It la at least satisfactory to learn that, the govemment have no 1n- tentloii- 0i’ herding over their powers and obligatims under paramountcy in any government of British India. But apparently paraimouhrcy L; to disappear. when the transfer- of power takes place. It would obvious- ly be difficult for a Britain with- out any authority in British India a, protect; the princess. Presumably they are to be left to look after themselves. Edinburgh Scots- men.

Trainre pilots at o, flying school inear Sydney, Australia, shoot wi-Lh the bow for relaxation. Hundreds of rabbits emerge each evening from warren: along 1h; nearby river-bani: and provide targets for the pilots. A rabbit will sit; un- perturbed with a dozen arrows araunrl him. probably became an arrow ls noiseleiu and doesn't roll, instructor at the school explains like o, stone. after; flight. The chief mstructor at. tihe school explains that archery helps fliers. Earl-y lin~ World War I. British warr- pilots were iauxht to use the bow and arrow because the co-ordizxatioai of eye and muscle required 1n archery is nkin to 1hr coordination- requlred ‘in flying. - Australian News.

Need for o, standard international lahgungc is becoming {increasingly acute. During the war it, was meow- sary i0 work out a common air radio lingo 1'01" hriiish and Aremi- cari military pilots-even though boih spoke the some tongue-before adequate radio communication was possible. New. expanding internat- icmnq aviation has a communication Wcblciii vnmplicaied by the use of many lzisigiznzes. English is the best. bet. {is the inici-i-aiiciinl air language. because bulk of the pilots flyhg iiiici-ziatioiially my. Etnzllsh-speak- lng. either by birth m- as a result of uviiriinip rcrvicr‘ with the RAF r11‘ AAF. tiii-zi because hiilk or ziir- \v:1_vs €Cllillli‘i‘.ll(‘i‘illqlls fwilllles still RIT- iiinvrit-d hv Eiialisli-epenkiirg personnel. - Aviatim News.

Exciting iicw careers for women 211'»? forecast in a statement. node i111 1110 United Kliizdcm House of Commons m1 Monday by the Air Minister. M1". Philip Noel-Baker. For the first time they will be enrolled in the Royal Air Force in a non- ronibaiacu czpaciij‘ as pllOiS. navigators. radio officers im-d flight engineers. Tllis revolutimary ad- vancc ls part cf a rilrn 1o integrate the WOInl“ti's Auxilinvv Air Force permanently into the R. A. F. for service lli home and abroad. The R. A. F‘. Reserve Oipanization will v.15,» have a ivomenl; flying branch i-‘i which ihr-y will fly their own plniies in their own squadrons. Re- cruits will be mainly women who nlrcarly hold pilot. licences. and those who flew in the ferry P001 n1‘ 11n- Air Transport Auxiliary nur- hia the war — UK Information Office.

So much emphasis in being pat 11:1 poo-budget discussion on relief for “lower bracket." incomes that mimy people are likely to be sorely disappointed in- ihe new tax plans. Here's an inescapable fact. Take taxable income away from everybody who earns more than 010.000 a Your and yo“ draft wen make r1. small dint on the job of meeting Canada's re- venue nerds. The total income of all oVPT llle 310.000 income flames ls less than $350 mliiiicvns and our Dominica: expenditures will be about. $2.000 millions. Tho bhmt reality then is that "looking the rich" plans do vefl, very little in eosifll the tax burden. The cost of govern- ment must be shred by the ro- cailed "lower brackets", tf for no other reason. beouuag tlio molar proportion of the notional income

goes to people in thooa "lower brackets.” - Toronto Fmaciol Poet.

PUBLIC FORUM

Thin ooiumn lo open to tho discussion by corra- opoadenta of quoatlono a! interest. The Charlottetown Guardian does not necessar- ily o ’ the opinion of correspondents. g,

PROFIT VB. HUNGER’

$l12~ In a. recent "Guardian" there was an excellcizx-L yeport of p, 511mb by your Premier (J. Walter Jones) 1n the Legislature. I was specially interested in the speak- ers Teleftlnt-‘Qe to your famous po- "WBS 861191111)’, but particularly with ‘IEEB-rd to the anouooo-busiioi orderfi-om Great. Britain. and 11w assertion “the price of $1.65 per 190 P01111415 at ship side 15 a, price nvhlch may be lll01'6.l5Ed, because there i5 a iendexucy for the llflCfi g4!) potatoes to advance. . . ." (March Evm 1n that same "issue I ob- served a news-story from London;- intimating that “British farmers estimated tonight that f-lood damage already had cost them 130,000,000 ($43,000,000) iin drowived cattle and sheep, but it will be livo wceks be- fore damoze can be calculated on the field mops." It Ls very evident to me that. there is a growing emergency along the food from in a group of Eur- opean countries. In ivartiiiic, the 911llfB,lO0d-pl‘()dliCllC(i energies of Jack Oanuck were harnessed to the Gommmi- cause of V...--ove:' evcrgv foe (external or intemali elthci: in the fonn at the AXlS powers or of unfriendly weather. In those days, as you know. help was quickly siphoned where it was most needed and likely to do the most good Food. was, lirvdeed, a iveapoin of vic- tory—one of the most potent of the ‘munitions’ made available to the people of the United Nations. To- day, alias, too marny of Us have re- treated into 0m- respeciive corn- ors in the market-place; while cold amd hunger ravage folks who march- ed with us and whose blood mingled with ours. 1n the high cause of Freedom! I am not familiar with today's potato 511115110111. nor the jviicsent statue of the processing plants; but the hllngec" is sure enough? Not n pound of food or fiber should be wartpd. So far as I am concerned, 1.! airryone talks of food today, in terms of l "surplus", it is noiilier creditable to his knowledge nor his humanity? I am. Sir, ole, A CO-OPERATOR

NOT A MINUTE TO LOSE

Din-If Profesoo James W. Rob- ertson or Welter M. Lea could see u: howl This Garden of the Gulf, this milllion acre farm selling dairy and other agricultural pro-ducts at less than cost, of production. Cheese arid butter factories that. were once a credit to our cooperative enter- prise clasi-ng down or languishing for the want: of patronage. A pra- vlhoo which could' supply not only our own needs but that. could pro- vide the other Maritime Provinces with all the additional products they require forced to.suhslsi. on, half-rations in order to fit into thl new system of mismanagement coir, ed government control.

If only governments could leer the gentle art of governing r111: leave farming and the ciiliiiniio of the soil in the hands of the ox perts, the men who know the busi- ness, the farmers themselves.

It is i-dle to blame tho point growers or the turnip growers to the decline in farm income last yen . If every branch of production showrl» ed the same skill, the same in genui-ty, the some agricultural asur men as the Potato Growers Associnr lion there would be a different sic-r r to Lcil. There is just one law lllPl the potato szvoivers have not boci able lo circumvenh-ihe law r1 survey and demand.

What this province iiccils fllflf“. now ls an aver-all agricultural dq- veio-pmcnt policy, a policy that would give every branch of iigril- culture due consideration rmrl ivorl: out a five n1" tori year plan of pra- rluclion and CllSll‘il‘illl1lYI‘l that would make out of this province the most, productive- mixed m‘ diver- sified farm area in North America.

For the successful carrying out n[ this plan a Prince Edward Is- land Agricultural D(‘\‘L‘l1)|illltl11 Board might ha set up. Of agricul- tural associations we have abun- dance, There ivvill be a. iicw one added this summer-the Cucumber Growers Association. Each (organica- tion has its president, secretary- treasurer anrl executive committee. and meets at least once a year, lis- tens to the president's address, secs tho financial statement a1. a r1!!- tance, passes a few resolutions and acljoui-ns for another year. If the officers of these different nsso-fin- lions were brought together zinri charged with the duty of reorganiz- ing our agricultural economy, ris- signing to each branch of develop- merit its full share of responsibility it. is quite within the range of pra- babllity that the income derived from the cultivation of the soil might. be doubled in ihc I188! twenty ‘five years. Certainly ‘there