, DECEMBER 15. 1-251 . x -A.

PAGE SIXTEEN , H THE GUARDIAN

THE GUARDIAN. (IHARl.()TTF.T()WN

Lessons From Europe I

productive work, would be unwise to dis- courage this attitude. Yet so far the best the official mind can do for the new pension

. the alternative, a more appealing popular

i ii.”-

Authurised as Second Class Mail Post Office Department. Ottawa. The Island Guardian Publishing Co CIRCULATION

Total City Zone .1... 8.765

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Associate Editor, Frank Walker.

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

CIlARLUTTE'I.'0WN. SATURDAY, DEC. 15. 1051

l

The Christmas-Qit

The Christmas spirit is in the air, and it is hoped that all our readers, young and old, will find something of special interest in todays pre-Christmas issue. It is not necessary to go into the authenticity of Santa Claus to enjoy the stories about him, or to accept the fact that somehow, at this season, he turns up in a hundred places at once, and will shortly be calling at the same time at a million Canadian homes. Although there are more Canadian homes and more children to receive presents each year, he seems to get around with no more difficulty than in the past. Indeed, the gift- giving spirit represented by the plump, jolly old gentleman is more in evidence than ever, and there is little prospect of his being able to retire on an old age pension.

Over-eomniercialization of Christmas has rightly been censured, but on the other hand its observance without the customary exchange of gifts and salutations would be less cheerful indeed. The greeting card history reminds us that Saint Nicholas, fore- f runner of Santa, has been reliably traced to the person of the Bishop of Myra, in Ly-l

t

tirement" and "security" tentious, and anyway -even at, 70 fewer people in the future will be ready to retire. "Universal pension" is a term the govern- ment has used from time to time, perhaps hopefully, and "federal" or "national" pen- ,.sions are being heard.

is to call it "old age assistance."

For the payments at 70, "old age pen-

sion" inherits a disagreeable connotation from its means test background. It is the term used in the United States, Britain, Denmark, and Australia. a. "superannuation benefit" and Sweden a President and Associate Editor, In A. Burnett. "universal" pension.

New Zealand has

Adjectives like "re- would be pre-

I:DI IURIAL NUII:S

Tomorrow, the third Sunday in Advent. i o o 0

Peace and goodwill descend upon Ot- awa-as Parliament draws to a close.

O O I

Higher prices and lower quantities of

potatoes means that the problem of trans-

portation is made less difficult, both as to

costs and the supply it

of cars. is i

The complete 27th Brigade is' in Europe,

or on its way-Canada's answer to a plea for mutual security, as earlier expeditions were a contribution to mutual defence.

O 9 I v

Maritime Central Airways has been re-.

ceiving congratulation on ten years of ex- pansion and service. resting on its laurels

It is not, however, but seeking new

ields to Conquer. 0 O C

An increase of practically &37,000,000 in

cia, Asia Minor, famed for his piety, zeal,

unsclfishness, and finally miracle working powers. He lived in the Fourth Century, A.D. During his lifetime he was the sub- ject of considerable persecution at the hands of the Roman emperors when he de- nied their divine right to niistreat citizens. He is for us but a symbol, however, of the deeper, more sacred aspects of the season, which commemorates the birth of Jesus and the eternal promise of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men. Without that central core of truth, Christmas folklore would have. gone the way of other myths, and have no meaning for us today.

Today, as in the past, it is the spirit behind the gift giving that counts. We must see to it that that aspect of the an- niversary is retained, and in so doing we cannot fail to he reminded of its true sig- nifica ncc.

S17,825,000 last year. Farming here prospering these days, though not to the same extent as in Ontario and the apart from Saskatchewan.

this year's crops is predicted for the Prov- ince, the figures being S24,098,000, against is

West

0 t 0

Izaak Walton, Ehglish author, died this

date 1683. He produced a number of vol- umes of biography and some poetry while engaged in his trade of ironmonger in Lon- don, but is revered by fishermen everywhere as the author of "The Compleat Angler, or the Contemplative Manls Recreation."

It is to the credit of this country and

the United States as well as Britain that the United Kingdom is able to meet the first installments on post-war loans. The funds could only become available by the willingness of the Western nations to buy

- .LL.&.L..e British goods and services. I

They Keep out of Accidents

Champion truck driver of Ontario is Mr. B. H. Lehigh of Cobourg. In 16 years and 400,000 miles of driving for an oil company he never has had an accident. Runner-up is Mr. George Cummings of Lon- don. I-le is tractor-trailer champion be- cause in four years of driving for a brew- ery, covering 160,000 miles, his record is accident-free. ,

"We may be certain," says the Ottawal .lournal, "these two men many times in their experience have confronted situations in which accidents were averted only by their skill, their competence, their vigilance.

"Accidents do not just happen; they are caused. Neither do such records as those of Mr. Lchigh and Mr. Cummings happen. They come from faithful performance of sound driving practices and an intense and constant concentration on safety.

"Among these sound driving practic-'.-s', courtesy of the road extended to other dri- vers probably had a very prominent place".

in Search of A iiame

According to-the Ottawa Citizen, re- sponsibility for naming the new pension plans for older citizens has weighed heav- ily on Hon. Paul Martin and his Depart- ment of National Health and Welfare. Two different systems create is complication- federal-provincial pensions at 65 for those who need them, and a federal pension for virtually all Canadians at 70. Ideally, the official designations would berso right that the public would accept them joyfully. In

invention will win the day.

"Family allowances" seemed a proper, appropriate, and unexceptionable term, but it was soon being crowded out by "the baby bonus". The popular choice may lack el- egance, and 'teen-agers might complain that it is not even accurate. Nevertheless, it haspaptness, simplicity, and the charm of alliteration.

"The old age pension" is an obvious and well-established name that is likely to stick. Unfortunately. it is more likely to stick to pensions at 65, where it will me do- creasingly appropriate, than to on at 70. Half Canada's baby boys of today will live tio70atloIlt..lndhalfthegirlst.o75. More people are refusing to be classed as and society, needing them at

Looking ahead. Mr. MacNaught is

causing the Federal Transport Department to make preparation to avoid of potatoes being held up by frozen harbours; while members of the Innkeepers Associa- tion are arranging to let people know what a desirable place this is in which

our export

abroad

to spend the summer months. Good for business in both .instances. 0 O 0 Congratulations are in order for Wing Commander Morris Macl(innon, (son of

that distinguished veteran Col. D. A. Mac-

Kinnon, D.S.O.), who has gone to Paris to join the staff of General Eisenhower for

the defense of Western civilization. The Wing Commander has himself had a dis- tinguished career following in the military footsteps of his now venerable but still active father. O I I

It will interest most people in the Scout Movement to learn that Mr. John A. Stiles, for long Canadian Commissioner, is engaged on the history of the first ten years of Scouting in Canada. None is in a better position, or better able, to produce such a volume than Mr. Stiles, who was the right hand man and successor of the first great Commissioner, Dr. Robertson. the father of the dairy industry in this Province.

0 O O -

The death of Mr. Fred Morris re- moves another of our old time business leaders in the city, and also a musician of outstanding ability. Mr. Morris was never prominent in public affairs, but was keen-

ly interested in the maintenance and de- velopment of local industries. As a mu- sician he gave much time to the entertain- ment of his friends in their social relax- ation. He will be greatly missed. I O O

Nationalizing of doctors may have dis-

advantages to patients probably never con- templated. British doctors in the socialized

medicine program may ask the Government

for permission to fine patients who call them out on frivolous complaints or who refuse to follow doctor's orders. one of 30 proposals aimed at reforming the nationalized health service and improv- ing relations between doctor and patient. Under the state-run service, doctors can be fined for breaches of contract-such as fall- ure-to attend to patients-so they feel the patients should also be made to toe the line.

Thlsis

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PUBLIC FORUM

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

EXORBITANT TAXES .L.s.

Sir, - 'Iihe Canadian Govern- ment has been legally stealing the people's money - calling it taxa- tion. It can at best be described as ridiculous and at worst as the big- gest wholesale robbery in our his- tory. It enrages the taxpayer more when the Government doesn't need the fabulous riches. In the first five months of this year the Gov- ernment collected s500 million over and above what it needed for ex- pcnditures. In other words, it. half billion dollar surplus in five months.

The man on the street cries out. "What a campaign fund"! A man or woman who smokes a package of cigarettes per .day pays Ottawa si00 per year in this tax alone - a nice life insurance policy. of the four dollars one might pay for a bottle of rye, the distiller re- ceives 84 cents and the Federal and Provincial Governments get the re- maining 53.16. In 1939 a low priced standard model automobile carried 9. direct tax of s55.oo. In 1951 the sales tax on this same car includes it direct tax of s525.0ll. Income tax has driven people to commit suicide and this tax is the daily conversa- tion at every fireside in the Do- minion.

People have been afraid to com- plain too much for fear of being considered unpatriotlc. but the facs is, a very small portion of this tax is used for National Defence. We taxpayers would like to build in- ('.usti-ies and keep the young people home. would it not be better to build up our home towns rather than send our money to build :1 new Ottawa? We have R land of rich opportunity but if taxes con- tinue as they are, we are sure to go into a tailspin of some kind.

These taxes tell a sad story. Be- l-inri the figures are hundreds or f.csh and blood people. small rc- taliers who are at their wits” end to know how to stave off business failure: men and women Vi'liD5e uliole livelihood is threatened as a result of unreasonable taxes.

I am. Sir, etc.. MRS. GETSON

Alberton.

.:.;

MR. McISAAC'S OPINIONS CHALLENGED

Sir, - Like many others, I have been able to stand it up until now but, can withhold my pen no long- er. Suggesting compulsory educa- tion or "citizenship" training or wlialever you like to call it. is not string to help the peonlc of Prince l'.'.'lward Island. It would only make second-class citizens out of many of our people. Hitler did it; Stalin is doing it today and how can we afford to pay any more taxes than we are paying now? This Mr. Mc- Issac is about the greatest. dreamer mid most unrealistic writer I ever ieiid. Proof of the fact that our educational system is good is the great number of prominent. Is- landers abroad. They have been successful in iill walks of life. And many of them are wealthy and highly respected stalwarts who re- 'ceIved their education from that very effective college, "the school of experience.”

As for our Co-operatives. the tax- payers of this Province are pll,VIl'i'l for a Government iarsnt of some 39.500 per year for their inspection They seem to be doing very well now and will likely continue to do so until they run their course iis did our old Agricultural Institutes. Co-op dairies, telephone companies and other similar groups. Perhaps clurer Government inspection of co-operatives is necessary but why the unworkable idea of having this done on s Maritime basis? This Is Iust mother instance of spreading out the worn so radical elements can creep in. '

His report states that we must have more regulations. controls, re- strictions, etc. Why? Are we not going to be free people much ion"-

er? Marketing boards. traffic lights. parking meters, etc, no oil , .

x I

E:

In High Wycombe. public officials are weighed when they take office and again before they quit it. The. theory, dating back to 1280. was a man who weighed more at t.he.1a.st than at the first hadn't. worked very hard. Or, perhaps, that he had lived too well at the public trough. The idea. has some merit, provided it weren't. carried to extremes so as to work injustices. some men are by nature fat. and inclined to grow fatter with the years. They can't help developing "aldermaiiic abdomens," whether they be in private or public life. "Let me have men about me that. are fat."

added obstacles to freedom and all cost the little man more money. Has Mr. McIsaac studied the tre- mendous successes of free enter- prise and the contributions of suc- cessful free people to society? He apparently has travelled in the Un- lied States too.- How was the econ- omy of this nation built but on the basis of free and open competition and private initiative?

Even your editorial, Sir, comment- ed on this program for electoral re- form. Can Mr. McIsaac tell me how taking the rightful share of repre- sentation away from King's Coun- ty and giving it to Queens and in- creasing the total number of rep- resentatives from thirty to thirty- ciie would improve conditions? This suggestion is utter nonsense. Our people should turn back and re- read this appraisal of legislative rep- resentation before becoming too ex- cited about it. Our present system of electoral representation is all rigiit if the property valuation was raised to 31,000 or sl,500 instead of the old 3325. -

Many taxpayers would like to know, Sir, who spent the money on sending this Mr. McIsaac to Europe. Was it the Provincial or Dominion Government or the Federation of Agriculture? Whoever it was should curb the distribution of his radical rcnoi-t before it gets too far afield.

Many people, including myself. were very pleased with the pres- lentation of the first part of the lreport describing present day coli- lr-itions and items of interest in .Europe. but if those impressions were as cock-eyed as his ideas of improving conditions at home. then they cannot be relied upon too for.

I am, Sir. etc... OLD TIMER Mount Stewart R.R..

(As stated at the outset of his articles, Mr. McIsaac's views are his own and his study tour of Great Britain 'and Western Europe was made on 9. scholarship awarded him by the Canadian Association of Adult Education. - Ed G.)

LUDLOE HALL

Sir,-Ludloc Hall was meant to be a union enterprise, between the Presbyteririns and Methodists of the district but it turned out not so to he. The Hall was built near the junction of the Gran- ville, Wigmore and Fountain Roads. where the Found's grist and saw mills used to be located. For about thirty years the Meth- odists of the community hold meetings there every Sunday and Wednesday evenings. George Mal- leit was their leader. a tall raw- boned man, with a fine Christian face, a good farmer and the owner of is saw mill. For over twenty- iive years. twice ii week. Mr. Mallett walked two miles across the fields. to Ludloe Hail to con- duct meetings, without any ms- terlal reward, whatsoever. except the joy of doing it. I saw much of George one full: I served him as chore boy and in all respects. I found him one of the finest of men.

In those meetings he was in- sisted by five or six Methodist men who were the salt pf the Church. I bed the. privilege of working with each "one of them. They were farmers. except "Jim- my" who.wu s blacksmith. a famous horse-shoer. One day T. 3. came walking five miles with a powerful; six-yesi-old more. that had never been shod and no one had ever dared to ride her. with ropesthey threw her on the shop

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With Just A Note, O'f.Caution'

f. Notes By The Way '1.

England, wrote Shakespeare. warning

By Lou P Part Three iAll Rights

The following suggestions are perhaps more directly concerned with governments but it is up to the people through their organiza- tions to see that something is done about them soon. our three most urgent needs on Prince Edward Island are (1) an effective mark- - cling policy, (2) overall electrific- . anion, and (3) improved made. However, there are other policies that are relative and necessary if these three are to be put. into ef- fect successfully.

Marketing

Direct government interest in straightening out our marketing legislation is needed so that the h annual cry for subsidies and the subsequent upset of marketing conditions will be relieve. The governments of the four arltlme Provinces should take a direct hand in making it complete inves- tigation of the Maritime marketing situation and possibilities and by providing the producers with the necessary permissive legislation and other help to effect an orderly sys- tem of distributing food products therein.

Electricity

Government control and immed- iate --.. ' of electricity as a public utility to the most. remote v corners of the Province is urgent. In order to accomplish this, would it not be possible to set up is Maritime Power and Hydro Com- mission similar to that in Ontario which could investigate, in the in-

th E -teresis of the people, some of the

In Common

Dt1'JDle's- 'own

get established on the land.

ity Progress

as I

. McIsa.ac' (continued) Reserved)

011:.-j-AP'1'l':R.'XyII oi-:Ni:'ii7i. POLICIES , .

credit unions Which ' are H", organizations, and

which have a pr tective loan lil-

surance policy, co id be an effect.

lve. and very simple way of h I both native sons and imm.;X,?,i Tl returns from additional prospcrii? would more than offset the annu,,';

expenditure.

Thlsimay not be the conipleig answer, but by making such s pm. vision, the Provincial (iovernmen; uould be taking the lead and 9,0, vlding a fair measure of he-lp Through Credit Union loan lnsur. lines the risks of loss-not to men. tlon the usual high overhead cm, of special Government sdminisim. tion-would be eliminated. i

In other words, the people we-an be responsible themselves, tn;-our-,, their own local organizations thi- the distribution. insuring snd'coi. leetlng of these land settlement loans. An interest charge of 3 pg; cent would pay for the costs oi administration and loan iiisui-a:ice- and by lending on the monthly of quarterly re-payment plan, rm money would soon become s size. able revolving fund for financing land settlement. As the local 3... sets of some or all of the credit unions increase, "the Govemmem could call in the original loan, re. pay it, or transfer the funds to some other Area where they In needed.

0 O 0

Although there may not 1,. ,, detailed precedent for this plan the reader is referred to thre-.limd settlement schemes near ham:

danger of men with a "lean and hungry look." A Dlrlikmeniw 01' council of lean men might be less preferable than one of fat men. Lean men might want to get fat: fat man have no ambition to get. fatter. But. if we had ll. council or parliament composed of fat. self- satisfied men, when all their con- stituents were lean and dissatisfi- ed. that definitely would denote something wrong. Windsor Daily Star. .

Of the nine Conservative sens- tors, one was appointed by sir Robert Borden, one by Rt. Hon. Arthur Mleighen. and seven by Viscount: Bennett, when he was prime minister and before he be- came a. peer. of the nine, four re- present Saskatchewan. which means that. the Conservatives have only five senators spread across the nine provinces. -Wlnd- sor Star.

F

Since one mallow doesn't. make

hidden resources

for generating which are similar in many :9.

electricity? A zood start in this direction would be the immediate publication of a report. made some years ago, on the natural-gas sup- plies below the TnntramarMarshes in the Amherst-Sackvllle area. Un- official reports at the time of the survey indicated that there were tremendous possibilities of chess power available there. and that if harnessed it would be possible to clectrify much of eastern New Brunswick, central Nova scotla and Prince Edward Island at greatly reduced rates. But the rtport of the survey has never been made public; expansion of electric services have not been ad- equate and rates have gradually risen.