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‘THE .GUARDIAN-

Canada, there seems lno reason why they iiould I101’ be patronized 100 per cent. Certainly, it.

Moraine nails (rouiieoe 1n 1am. but! ' ‘ an Second Ciaea Mail, Poet Office Department. Ottawa.

Pleilhqt. Ills A. B “. Vice-President, ‘Wm. B.- Iurnctt; Beep-Tron. G. M. Burnett; Editor and “; Associate Editor. ._ l-‘rank Walker.

_ I "The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink."

OHARLOTTETOWN SATURDAY. JAN. 31. 19418‘

\ Blvlc Finances

As will be seen from the figures submitted It last night's annual meeting of the City Coun- cil, another very substantial reduction in the City's net debt has been effected, leaving us $107,320 better off in this respect than‘ we were two years ago.

The auditor reports tax collections to have been "veryi satisfactory” last year with the ex- ception of poll taxes.‘ The reserve for uncal- lcctdrie taxes--now standing at $I52,29S—is found to be more than adequate, and no further increase is recommended at this time. The net debt of the City—that is debentures outstand- big,- bank overdrafts,‘ accounts payable, etc., less sinking fund investments, cash in hand and at hanks-is reported as follows:

December 31, I946 .. . . . . .. $1,867,177.23 December 31, I947 1,805,691.08

Decrease $ 61,486.15

Housing accounts are riot included in the above figures by the auditor, "as they are sup- posed to be self liquidating."

Current revenue and expenditure have more than balanced, leaving a surplus of some $9,174. After adding a previous surplus and profit on the sale of motor trucks and deducting adjust- ments of previous year, the surplus as at Dec- ember 31, 1947 was actually over $19,255.

The amount received from the Provincial Government in respect of the Dominion-Provin- cial Agreement was larger than in previous years and in addition the Provincial Government made a special per capita grant to the City of $14,- 821. In addition, an amount of $4,500 was re- ceived during the year from the sale of land. Ac- cordingly the City was able to transfer $30,000 from current account for the purpose of retir- ing debentures over and above the actual re- quirement. This action the auditor commends as being "very sound and very commendable.”

Th? evidence of economy in the financial report is reflected in the other reports submit- ted and is a matter on which His Worship Mayor MacDonald, Finance Chairman LePage and every member of the Council are- to be warmly commended.

Gandhi Iissassiiiatsd

"Thank God the assassin was not a MosIem!" was the exclamation of a British Government official on hearing that Gandhi had been shot to death at New Delhi. This will be the general reoction. Gandhi was a tremendous political and qiiritual force, but there is no doubt that in some quarters he was hated as strongly as in other: he was revered and almost worshipped. Hie death by an assassin's bullets is, in view of It! possible consequence, a matter of world con- gern. He had yust concluded his threatened

fast sin-to death" on condition that the bloody lommunal warfare between his countrymen-—- Moslems on the one side and Hindus and Sikh; on the ethnic-should cease. His seven-point programme which he proposed as a formula for peace in India required that Hindus should fralt- crni_ze with Moslems on the next Mohammedan festival; that mosques which had been convened into Hindutemples or dwelling places be returned to their original uses; that Moslems be \made to feel ‘as safe as they had before India's bloody nabs, ‘that those Moslems who fled to Pakistan P‘ "W194 1° "0""; that Moslems be guaranteed loflty aboard trains; that social boycotts of lMoslems be abandoned, and that Moslems be given the right to live wherever they chose. N?“ llleuQrellt little apostle of "truth and non-violence in India is gone, and almost any- thing may happen. Will his influence and exam- p10 survive, and even grow more potent by 59999" 9f 1'15 mmlYidom? Such a consummation is devoutly -to be wished.

Island thick Hatcheries

It is generally agreed that the economy of this ‘Province suffers from tho lack of industries. In. this connection it is pleasing to note the very satisfactory progress mode in one branch of act- fVIPY. lgsociated with our poultry industry. With I view to retaining within the Province tin,- money which formerly was sent out for the pur- chose of baby chicks and to supply much needed employment, a number of our people have sup. plied the necessary capital and erected ciii¢k hotchories throughout the Province. These

hatoheries contain the most modern equipment,

and operate rind-er Government control. The raw frightful-hatching eggs-lore purchased in the

e1 " Province, over 100 approved flock owners sup-

v

plying the eggs. Last year these hatcheries re- turnedto Island poultrymen almost $50000, This figure, we are advised, can be increbsed considerably with the fuller lllpparf or |,|¢,,d chick purchasers. The hatcheries paid out $10,- flll for labour lost year, Sllpplyljlg work (o; seventy-five heads of households for the _ five {months of the‘ year in which they operated. l , . 101947 island pauitrymen expended'$|5g,. ,_000Y $50,000 of this amoun-t be- fn Qent arr chicks imported from other Prov- ' Obviously, fuller support of the Iowl . would more profitable to all con- _ p We now have an 31111105111 capable of llll. Oll our P145101’ chick requirements, as ‘h! IMFQMI likely to occur for,some _ Island hatcheries have met the liglhglnt requirements of the Department, Iillflcka supplying hatching eggs are better quality thcnrthe average ‘in

'2‘

is ' trying to establish or strengthen ,any local industry if it cannot be assured, first of all, of a full measure_of local support.

- EDITORIAL NOTES ~5-

Tomiorrow, 4th ‘Sunday after Epiphany.

_ Dickens "Nicholas Nickleby" at the \Prince Edward Theatre is well worth seeing, i i I‘ i f

Tomorrow we enter the shortest month, this year of 29 days; also the proverbially snowy month. ‘

I I W I

As U. 5. A. is turning out airplanes at the rate of 75,000 to 100,000 per, annum, naturally she is concerned about maintaining an oil sup- ply adequate to the additional demand.

i ll it I

One downtrodden group in Britain has little hope of assistance from the Labour government. Peeresses in their own right have for years been cl-aiming the rig-ht to sit and vote in the House of Lords but so far without success.

It I i 1r

One of the most pressing needs of the rzicdern world is an efficient, Lightweight, sturdy, storage battery. One, for instance, that could drive an electric car all d-ay, yet be readily part- able and capable of being charged in a short time.

i 9r "I l

A Provincial Archives and Museum build- ing is long overdue in this Province. Numerous persons have pointed out the need and made sug- gestions as to what form it should take but to no avail. Time is passing and the scattered records of Island history are being lost for want of a central building in which to house them.

I i I I

Tho Canadian Construction Association has urged Dominion-Provincial accord on problems including low rental housing. The Association refrained from indicating their respective re- sponsibilities but the matter is one for the prov- lnce to deal with and, under our present finan- cial set-up, to be paid for in part by the Domin- ion.

I i i I I

it is refreshing to have a Senator come out forthrightly in defence of the upper house. The Senate has too long been the obiect of uni- formed sneers, and the greatest fault of its mom- berslay in not keeping the public informed of their activity. lit is the fault of the government of the day that the upper chamber is not util- ized to the full.

' Q I I Q

The ladies of the Queen Mary Needlework Guild are to be warmly congratulated on their success in staging a shower of infants’ and ohiI- dren's clothing for the Canadian Save the Chil- dren Fund for destitute European children. Com- ing on the eve of the Dominion-wide drive for the Save the Children Fund, the Guild's example is well worthy of emulation.

I k I I

Guy Fawkes, of the Gun-powder Plot, execut- ed this date, 1606; acting as the agent of the Spanish party in England, he fought for Spain in the Netherlands, returning to England at Catesby's invitation to assist in blowing up West- minster; was arrested in the cellar of Parlia- ment House on November 4th, was tortured un- til he revealed the othei- conspirators’ names, then hanged.

I a n a

The Government Radio in the year ending March 31st,'1947, spent $5,878,000 on domestic operations, plus $890,000 on internationaI- short- wave; raised $3,910,000 in radio licenses, and $1,- 786,000 from commercial programs; ran $70,- 000 short of paying its way, without providing for interest on Government capital, continuing expansion of capital facilities, depreciation, or obolescence. No private enterprise could sur- vive such a record.

I I I

Australian wheat farms differ greatly in size. Cultivation has become more intensive of late years with smaller properties, more skilful use of science and machinery, denser populations and higher land values. One giant farm still prospering like the huge wheat farms of Aus- tralia's early days is the 50,000 acre Liebe pro- perty, at Waddy Forest in Western Australia with 4,500 acres under wheatthis year. Experi- merits go‘ on tirelessly at Australian State re- searc_h farms to determine best rotation of crops, use of fallow and soil fertilization. In the State of Victoria the average farm of about 640 acres has about 200 acres kept in bore fallow, 200 acres sown with wheat, 100 acres sown with oats for hay and groin and the rest left to natural grass. Sheep have proved successful in con- junction with wheat. Mixed wheat and sheep farming is common. The sheep use up rough- age, keep the follows clean and add to farm income.

I I i I

Mrs. Ada Holman, widow of W. A. Holman, who was Premier of New South Wales from I912 until 1920, has written‘ a sprightly book that might have caused a sensation had it been pub- Iished a few years ago. Mr. Holman was one of the most colourful of the labour leaders and/ his wife went everywhere with him, in Australiafland abroad, meeting politicians, celebrities and gov- ernors and seeing life behind the political scene. She has set down her experiences in a book col- led "Memoirs of a Premier's Wife," published by Angus and Robertson, Sydney. Much of what she has to say will shock the middle-aged, for she has- many anecdotes to tell about people who were well-known and respected in their day She tells‘ stories of the world famous Australian singer, Madame Melba, for instance; ‘how she tofu...) to attend a party if other women were present; liow she refused to sing at a vern- menhhouse reception until the walls of the re- ception room had been pointed yellow, and then complained that it was the wrong yellow, and had tho governor hurriedly send ‘an aide‘ to buy

our imiiim.

.... ..s__...¢.w. - .~--.<..

There la nothing no humbling as overbearing a neighbor's opinion of one’: children's behavior. - Sault Ste. Marie Star.

A eblld always wants more than his share. Even at his tender uge you can see the man cropping out of him. -Braiidon Sun.

Somo- who feed the birds during the early part. of the winter be. come forgetful of their feathered friends when the time of real need rolls along. After they have thus encouraged birds to remain 1n their neighborhood. it. becomes n real duty in see that. the work of keep- ing them supplied with food is kept. up. — Owen sound Bun-Times.

'We see where a lad of 23. accused of marrying eight. women 1n five years, had 19 cents 1o his. name when the police finally caught up with him. With present prices and anyfiyearb wives what they are, anyI-men whohae even 19 cents after eight wives have gone through his pockets 1s no mere bigumlst. He's u financial genlil. -Kit.chener-Waterloo Record.

You won't eat as much meat in’ 194B as you ate 1n 1947. That is certain, 1f what has been happen- lng 1n the nation's feed lots and on the cattle range 1s any indica- tion, states The Minneapolis Star. The nation's butchers W111 have roughly 1,500,000,000 fewer pounds of meat. to sell In 19413 than they had In 1947. That means that the average per capita consumption, at a record 155 pounds lost year, will fall to about. 145 pounds 1n 1M8.

We've always thought of bank- ing es s. precise and dignified in- dustry, but. apparently it. has its mad moments. The Bonk of America reports 11ml; recently three separate business men appiled for loans and offered as collateral: (1) gcarload of dried flies; (2) a. ship- ment of horses’ tails <3) a load of old false teeth. The flies were in- tanded for bird food and the horses‘ tells foa the hair line 1n gumlghta. Nobody was able to figure out. a possible use for the second-hand false teeth. The a01- lateral was turned down on the ground: "Marketabliitry too limit- ed." -’I‘ti1s Week.

Hybrid corn seed, which has In- creased yields by more than one- flfth 1n some areas of the United States, is being sent to Europe for experiments sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAQ). Some 28 bushels oif hybrid corn seed. FAO says here, will be sent. 1n time for spring maize planting to Austria. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Italy, Poland arid Yugoslavia for field test-s. Scientists trained at FAQ's Oorn Demonstration school at Bergamo, Italy’, lasvsummer will observe the growth of the seed in Europe 1n an attempt to increase European production of the grain. Maize production in Europe 1s cou- centrated 1n the Danube countries and Italy. —UN News Features.

In the cellar of a lonely Exmoor farmhouse there rested all through the war years a large quantity of priceless church plate removed for safety from Landon. At a somerset school twenty-nine furniture vans arrived and left, "for the duration," valuable church furniture. These are some of the facts 101d 1n the tenth report of the Central Couri- all for the Care of Churches. Nor was provision made in London n- lone. The eanbpieci alzallsdrom Lan- caster Priory Church were stored In the base of the Keep of Lan- caster Castle. Much stained gloss was removed with the result char. serious losses were few. Now the glass 1s being replaced. In rrtany places, notably York Minster, an- cient glass, which previously was a complete Jumble, is to be re-ar» ranged correctly. — London Dally Mail.

A oarp, still alive after a journey by air from Yugoslavia 1n a. crate with others, found itsclfiln the aquarium at the Zoological Gar- dens instead of on o fishmoiige-"s slab 1n Edgware road, reports The London Times. Carp, of which Izaak Walton wrote, "a stately, a good and a very subtle fish,” arc now being imported as food. Mr. Edwards, manager of n flshmong» er‘s shop, noticed that. one flsii iii n crate sent. by air from Yugoslavia was still alive. He put 1i; 1n a buc- ket, where 1t began to lwlm, and he "had not. the heart. 1o kill 1t.." and asked if the zoo would like it. The offer was accepted, and tire "carp 1s now.1ri one of the reserve tanks of the aquarium -a remark- able instance of survival. for 1t must have been packed tight a- mong other fish, without water. for at. "least 24 and, perhaps, 48 hours.

In a certain Jltld-WQIEGIII court a mun was suing the local traction company for injuries allegedly re»- celved in ‘is atrct. r accident. The truth of the matter was that. he had actually received his bruises when his auto collided with a tele- graph post. And this had happen- ed a full mile from the street-car line. The plaintiffs witnesses swore to the facts of the accident. and things were going very nicely for him, when one of their number wee suddenly beset with en attack of conscience and during a recess repaired to the judge's chamb s and confessed to the frame-up. This Judge rushed beak Into the court.- room with fire in his eye, deter mined to make an Immediate pub~ Iio revelation of the perjurers. Put "tie was brought up short 1n his resolution when the traction com- pany! attnrheyfluddeniy produced three vvitnellel prepared to swear that the plaintiff was drunk when he boarded the street cart- Wat. arrest ‘Journal. . i

In? Ila

c PUBLIC FORUM

This column Ia open 1o

the dilator: by corro-

epoiirlente of. aiseatloaa er g Infinit- The Olllrlotfetoirr , Guardian doea not nrseeQr- .:| ti; endorse the. opinion at eorreaponilenu.

IIHPUMVhHhY NORTH RUSTICO NEGLICTID

Sin-An item appearing 1n your New Glasgow news on January 21 states that. a Government em- ployee was "making a good job of ploughing the road from Hun fer River and Rustlco, w ‘gh should help the folks nearer the shore line feel that they are not. so badly negloctedofter all." -

If these are his best. efforts, ae- llver me from his Indifferent ouesl I suppose he did good work from Hunter River to New Glasgow, but, alas! on the North Rustico Road we are still. after two weeks, with mountains of snow, (and s storm In the offing.)

We are lucky to have Paul's Flying service at. our command, and Mr. Sharpe 1s always ready to oblige 1n any way he can, from flying stranded villagers to feed- ing the birds; but I would dislike very much to ask him to fly the Ilfillfflil O11 truck here with the fuel so badly needed to heat our homes and other buildings, ai- though In this day and age any- thing 1s possible,—except, of course, keeping the road to North Rustler; ploughed. And even that. rould be done 1f our "efficient" ploughman would use his head“

I am, Sh‘, etc. (STILL) SNOWBOUND.

lézreil

0f?

FROM: T!!! POPPY- In the

The sleep-flower sways wheat. at its bead. Heavy with dreams, as that with bread;

The goodly grain and the eun- flushed sleeper

The reaper reaps, and Time the reaper.

1 hang mid men my needles head, And my fruit. 1s dreams, as theirs 1s breed; The goodly men and the sun-hazed sleeper 'I‘1me shall reap. but. after the

reaper The world shall glean of me, me the sleeper! ‘

Isovelfuove! your flower of wither-

ed dream

In leaved rhyme lies safe, I deem,

Sheltered and shut 1n a nook of rhyme

From the reaper men, and his reaper Time.

Love! I fall into the claws of time; But lasts within a leaved rhyme A11 that the world of me esteems- My withered dreams, my withered dreams. -Fraric1s Thompson.

‘ Old Charlottetown I (And r. c. i.)

_-__.

DISASTRQU FIR!

One of the _mosl: disastrous fires iviiicti ever visited this city, brake out. a1. nu early hour on Wednesday morning ln- the shop owned by James MacDonald. near Mr, Devl- soifs grocery stare, north-east cor- ner of Kent and Great George Streets. Before the engines a aehed the spot the fire had made rapid progress; the houses, all of wood, were very dry, and there was a strong breeze from the southwest, which continued to fan the flames The progress of the fire was stop- ped on Kent. Street after Mr. Davi- son‘s store, Mr. MacDonald's build- ings, Mrs. Jury‘s house and store and Capt. Stewart's bakery were destroyed. It, however, rapidly, swept up Great. George Street, to Fitzroy street, destroying ever,’ building on the north side of the street, including the residence of councillor Crabbe, Mr. Pearson's buildings including the Royalty House, Mr. Holmarfs, and others.

Reaching the oorner of Great. George and Fitzroy Streets, the flames quickly rolled up the latter street, towards Prince, sweeping everything before them until they had reached the residence of Mn. Crosby, near the Prince Street. cor- ner, where they were stayed. Some seven or eight buildings were de- stroyed on Ifitu-oy street, including four owned by‘M.r. Ru Russell, of The Examiner office, two large double houses, the former belong- ing to Hon. D. Ferguson, the letter the property of Mr. M, Kelly, and occupied uyms. R. B. Stewart. and the Misses Mayne.

About the time the flames wore got under control 1t. was discovered that. the tower of the Baptist Church, on‘ the north aide sf Prince Street, was on fire. It. ll supposed that sparks had entered through a broken pane 1n the tow~ er, and soon the woodwork finish- lngs. on the inside near the top. were 1a a blaze. The height was so great. that’ none of the engines could throw water on 1t. Access to the top of the tower was, however.- gained from the inside. and after an earneet. struggle the fire was subdued, after considerable denier had been done. It. was near alx o clock ‘when all danger was over, and during the four hours that the fire raged it 1s estimated that. 860.- 000 worth of property was con- sumed. with Iese than 010,000 of insurance "on It. ,