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THE GUARDIAN

\ blaming Duly ilfonnilou la uum Authorized in rloi-uml Clan IlnlL Peas Offlan Dltplrllllufll, Ounvvn. ' The loliuul llnnrdl uulollohlng Co. ldltur and llnnnglng ll occur. J. B. Bnrpolf. Annotate Editor, Frank Wnller.

‘Tho Strongest Memory is Weaker Than tho Weakest |nk."

DHARLOTTETUWN, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2B, 1949

llaw lliinservativo Candidate

ln nominating Brigadier J. H. Price, M.C., 0.3.5., as their standard bearer in the next Federal election, the Progressive Conservatives of Prince County have chosen a gentleman with an outstanding record as a soldier and business leader, and one who will undoubtedly prove on aggressive and able representative. lt is not known when the Liberal Government at Ottawa will decide to "take the plunge"; but while it has constitutional power to ca-rry on until next year, the likelihood is that it will go to the counry after the present parliament- ary session. ln any event, it is well to be pre- pared, and with a candidate of the calibre of Brigadier Price the Conservatives have good rea- son to foel confident.

The convention went on record as con- demning the present Federal taxes on farmers and wage earners, as well as the recent exorbit- ant increase in express rates, which is particu- larly detrimental to the interests of our lsland farmers and fishermen. Brigadier Price also dealt with a number of local matters in his address, indicating that he has already acquired a firm grasp of the needs of the constituency.

EncouriTglng Farm Figures

Sharing in the Canada-wide record cash returns from the sale of their products during the first nine months of 1948, our lsland farmers received $15,948,000 as against $11,341.00‘) l0!’ the nine months of 1947. The figures are from tho Bureau of Statistics, which show an in- crease of more than 37 percent in total cash returns for all Canadian farmers. The general level of farm product prices was approximately 20 pecent higher than for the corresponding per- iod a year earlier. '

While the Western farmers benefited par- ticularly from the generally higher prices for grains and increased marketings of wheat and flaxseed, they also were fortunate in receiving a total of $115,820,000 in supplementary cash payments under the Prairie Farm Assistance Act, the Wheat Acreage Reduction Act and the Prairie Farm Income Act, bringing their cash receipts to $1,778 millions against $1,292 mil- lions for the some period of 1947. This is some- thing for our Maritime members at Ottawa to note in the event of criticism being voiced at the modest expenditure involved in providing a support price to our potato growers who have been shut out of the American market.

Worth noting, also, in the Bureau of Statis- tics report is the statement that "the sale of dairy products was the top contributor to the 1948 total, followed by wheat and cattle and calves." lt is against our vitally important dairy industry that the margarine campaign is being directed.

Freight llato Hearings

lln a recent address Premier Jones referred to the representations of the seven Provinces ob- jecting to freight rate increases, intimating that argument is still proceeding before the Board of Transport Commissioners, at joint_ provin- cial expense. This long-drawn-out inquiry costs money, but the cost is more than offset by con- cessions already obtained, which the Premier estimates has saved shippers millions of dollars. Ontario and Quebec, enjoying highly competitive rates, have taken no part in this agitation; but the other Provinces are continuing to press for more equitable consideration, and the outcome is of special importance to this Province where the railway has practically a monopoly on freight transportation. _

The determining factor in fixing rates is C. P. R. operational costs, and for this reason the Provinces submitted a motion to the Board of Transport Commissioners to obtain further particulars from the C. P. R. in order to _de- termine the apportionment to be made between railway earnings and other income of‘ _fixed chm-gas, depreciation, income taxes, dividends and surplus. The motion for particulars _was directed to the securing of balance sheets, pro- fit and loss or operating statements of each C. P. R. subsidiary. The Board directed that this information bo produced witliin sixtoon days from the date of judgment (Jan. 4). This de- cision is of great importance, as it will enable counsel for the Maritime Transportation Cam- mission and accountants for the Provinces to prepare a case of what should be, in their opin- ion, a proper apportionment. This _work is pro- ceeding with the object of submitting evidence at the earliest possible date following the sub- mission of the railways in justification for .a 20 per cent increase.

The regular hearings in the 20 per cent ap- plication opened on Jan. ll, when the railways submitted that they should bo granted an in- toriiii increase. The question arose whether the appoal for tho review of the 21 per cent increase already granted should take precedence over tho interim appligation, and hether the anus of tho review was on tho Pro iices or tho rail- wayJ. Tho Provinces received favorable decis- ions to tho effect that the interim application would not be considered, that the review and the 20 par cent application would run concurrently, and that tho onus in the review was on tho rail- ways.

Aftor meeting and odjoiirning yesterday tho Commission will rs-conveno on February l. As mottm stand at prosont, it looks as if tlis

' hearings in tho 20 per cont caso will be conclud-

oil boforo tho end of Fobruory or tho first weok iii March, allowing for adjournment so that

counsel may have time for tho preparation of argument.

While there are many intricate matters to be considered, one of the most interesting phases of the case will undoubtedly be the development of evidence in connection with the apportionment of railway earnings above men- tioned.

lt is not known to what extent argument will be considered on the question of applying increases, should these be found justifiable. It is proposed to argue against straight horizontal percentage increases as requested by the rail- ways in their submission, on the grounds that such a method is unjust and unreasonable. This matter is included in the petition of complaint against the Board's previous ruling, which al- leges that the Board erred in authorizing such increases in all rates, as well as in failing to limit the authorized increase to flat maximum amounts. »

ln the meantime, much interest centres an the programme of the recently appointed Royal Commission on Transportation, which has wide powers of inquiry. This Commission will hold regioonal hearings, at which the special as well as general claims of this Province will be present- ed. lt is not known when these hearings will be held. In any case the intervening time could be used to good advantage in preparatory work along the lines suggested in these columns a few days agol

f EDITORIAL NOTES I,

The president's report of the Summerside Board of Trade evidences the progressiveness of that town. Less satisfactory is the returning of Mayor uiid Councillors by acclamation.

i ‘X ‘k

Only King's County now remains to nomin- ate party candidates for Federal election. Per- haps decision in the case of the vacant seats in the Senate would facilitate matters.

R i‘ i Q

Picture patrons who have not yet seen the outstandingly popular film, "The Best Years Of Our Lives", will appreciate the action of the Prince Edward Theatre management in holding it aver for the balance of the week.

I I I

The campaign in China is ending on the pattern established by Germany where no gov- ernment remained to negotiate a peace. The cities of Peiping and Nanking have made their own terms with the enemy, and the central gov-i ernment is rapidly disintegrating.

‘I i Q

The British Parliament has just agreed to spend. £1,000,000 ($4,000,000) for a "national theatre" where Shakespeare, Shaw and other playwrights will reign supreme for as little as sixpence (10c) a seat. A bill containing the project passed its decisive second reading with- out a vote. '

Marshal Francois Certain Canroberi of France died this date 1895. He saw much for- eign service, commanding a division at Alma, afterwards becoming commander-in-chief of the‘ French Army. He distinguished himself at Magenta and Solferino, wafterwards at Worth and Travelotte.

The most significant indication that a gen- eral election is in the offing is the proposed re- moval of the restriction on family bonuses af-. ter the fourth child. If the amendment is adopt- ed every child, even if there be a dozen or more, will receive the same consideration and remun- eration.

The annual report of a Provincial insur- ance company indicates that about 60 per cent of its fire losses could have been'avoided by periodic inspection of the buildings -and heat- ing equipment and the correction of potential fire hazards. An occasional check on one's pre- mises is neither difficult nor costly, and may well avert a disastrous fire.

is u v

The Hansard Society and others interested in public affairs would like to see the practice of reading parliamentary debates become more widespread. One factor which works against such interest is the practice of membe s "correcting" the official reports by changing or even expung- ing passages of which they are not proud. The standing rules forbid such doctoiing of the record but it is up to the House itself to enforce them.

I I I

Mr. Speaight, the adjudicator in Regional Drama Festival, was frank and outspoken in his comments and suggestions at the performances Wednesday evening. He is a professional, and judges from a, professional standpoint and ex- perience. lt is safe to say that on the whole his recommendations will be taken to heart, and possibly put into force as time goes on. What our amateurs want is to be mistaken for pro- fessionals when they appear on the boards and in order to accomplish this they must have com- petent training and direction.

s. n- i:

Prime Minister Attloe has made an appeal to Britons to support the government's defence program and help to bring "freedom from fear." "After both wars," he said "we tried to establish a lbsting peace and to lift the burden of arma- ments from the backs of the _people, first through the League of Nations and‘ now through the United Nations. The first attempt failed. We a're doing all we can to make the second effective but success has not yet come. We shall continue to strive for peace, but we cannot ignore the possibility of another war. Wo must therefore do our part with tho others by maintaining such forces as will deter any would-be aggressor. We also have commitments to tho mt of thoCom- monweaith and to our friends and allies which we must be ready to fulfill." Britain, ho con- tinued, will nud "comparatively small but high- ly skilled regular forces and behind thoni trained rosorvos by which they can bl greatly and rlipidly expanded."

PUBLIC FORUM

This column is open lo tho dloouulon by correspondents of qneptlonn of lntorolt. Th0 Gnnrdlnn does not nooennr- lly endorse tho 09111-100 "l correspondent!-

9Q%OO%C FARMERS‘ INVESTMENT g

Sin-Among recent paragraphs in your "Editorial Notes" I clipped the follaviring. and would appreciate the privilege of submlttlnl m"? reader's comment: "If there ever was a time when it was possible to farm without capital, it has now gone entirely. Today farmers are using more equipment than ever before and ll goes hard with those who cannot. afford to make use of modern methods." (Guardian. D"-

11>.

If this ruralite desired to use the modern slanguage I mlihl "flux myself with 8334081 "And hm”! But I prefer to by-pass these sur- face cliches and l0 remind "l? average urban reader that the cap- ital investment in Canadian airl- culture today ls officially estimat- ed at not less than $5.750.000.000— or the equivalent of almost $3.- 500 for each of the 600.000 commer- cially productive farms from coast to coast; excluding the 125.000 holdings ln various provinces. which operate at the subsistence level and make a minimum use of the market-place.

that the following ltem In my farm journal interested me and may cause some surprise fa Canadians ln the urban centres: "The net Canadian farm income fbr the year 1947 was 51.260.000.000 accordlrii 1° the Federal Bureau of Statistics. As there are approximately 730,000 farm families ln Canada, this gives an average income of $1,726 per farm. Allowing 3 per cent return on the invested capital brings ,the net income per farm dawn to $1,- 516. or around $5 a day for 300 days."

It seems a modest return, In days when every reasonably alert 'l.een-age office worker wins a somewhat similar income.

I am, Sir. etc. “FAIR DEAL".

‘ Notes From Another lsland

By "Anson"

LONDON, England:

The New Year has got well un- der way virlth the sari: of send-off by the elements which probably sands more visitors from overseas home in a hurry than any other aspect of the English scene.

Alter a few days of P188511!"- mildness we suddenly wake up one morning to find the windows rat- fling ominously ln the wind, rain clrliring 1n through anything that even looks like a crack. and the whole outside world looking so dark and sombre Chat. one's first instinct. ls ta get back under the blankets. thinking it can't possibly be morning yet. But. lt. usually ls, and we are quite ready to believe the radio announcer when he be- gins the morning ‘weather fore- cast with e "warning of gales in operation around all coats." You don't have to go to the coast. ta know all about. it.

I O I

So the wind howls, and with It con-res rain. and n blt of hall, and an occasional flurry of snow; ow comes a little fog, or a su den frost, and even a sudden blaze of sunshine for a few minutes. by way of e taunt. to dazzle our watering eyes. lt didn't cause us much surprise to learn about a football game somewhere or other which at one stage had a blinding ruin- storm ni. one end of the field, and almost equally blinding sunshine at the other. simultaneously: We have long slnoe learned to ap- preciate the significance of the remark made by one lugubrious Englishman who, asked by is stranger about. the English clim- ate. replied: "We don't have any climate-we only have weather!"

Mast of us, however. are forti- fied against it to a certain extent.- malnly from custom and-at this time of year-Jrom the memory of the feed we had at Christmas. And there's almost certain to be a Christmas pudding left over for fortification later. It seems to be an old English custom always to make more puddings than will be needed for the holiday feast, so that. there will be one or two left. to be eaten "later on." How much later on ls a matter of family choice-ll. may be months after Christmas. but it is cure to come ln useful to help warm up the family on one of those bitterly cold days of the English summer!

I O O

However, for the time being. summer ls along way off, the year ls still young, and people In the know are still taking the op- portunity of forecasting what ls likely to happen before the next. New Year. . .

The political commentators are telling us what. in ln store for III ln their particular field. without having ii great deal of effect on their hearers, who ollli prefer to ivalt. and see. in the good old tro- dltlonel English way.

The Sunday newspapers nearly all have a forecaster who works op the stars to tell u: what/o ltl store foi- us nll ln a general way. They give n more specialised oer- vloe. too. with l-ilnu on tho future far every Zodiac sign. I may be wrong. but. I don't reme bar any of that ln Canadian p: rs. There ostrologlslr of our: are juat. now getting buck some of their roll- oonfldenee; they got n severe jolt in i000, when the war mhrtod wit-bout. any of them having fore- told lt. The shock put molt of them right out of favour. and It took them quite a time rig look their public h: ttio ‘crystal ngnln.

The racing and football foro-

aoatars, of c0iIfIl,_ are

It ls against the above back-drop .

Maize GAS sues For: Sellvic! STATION Msil. Gov/Earl- MEN‘! ‘mczs TAX.

auov COMMUNICATION - Oltwuil cAl-Dkivric AND THE MAN IN Moos: av ‘m: sips OF THE ROAD.

OPEN ISLAND ROADS BENEFIT ALL.’

Old Charlottetown (And P. l. I.)

-__.-

QUIT RENTS PETITION

"To the King's Most Excellent Majesty . . .

“We your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects the Members of your Majesty's Council and House of Representatives of Prince Edward Island. in our Legislative capacity assembled, ardently ut- tached to your Royal Person, and to the Constitution under which we have the satisfaction to live, are encouraged to make known the present distress of this Colony. re- lying on your Majesty's parental kindness and sympathy for relief.

"We have learned with dismay that your Majesty has been advised to order the collection and the nrrearsof Quit Rent. due by this lsland. from the first day of Janu- ary. 1823.

"While we acknowledge the jus- tice of your Majesty's claim. which we would mast cheerfully discharge did our ability correspond with our inclination, we are constrained 1o declare (humiliating as the confes- sion ls) that the whole circulating medium of the Colony would be in- adequate to meet one fourth part of this large and accumulated sum. Under those circumstances. were your Majesty's present order en- forced. the distress which must in- evitably ensue would prove most calamitous ta flie Colony, and in- volve in utter ruin a large portion of its deserving and ‘ndusfrlous population.

one

"Many causes have combined la impede the advancement of this Colony. fa repress its energies, nml to prevent ifs arriving at fhnl state of prosperity which, under more f a v,o r a b I e circumstances. might have been confidently an- ticipated. Among the most. pra- minent of these causes, we beg leave humbly to represent to your Majesty, was the unhappy system adopted of granting the whole of the lands of this lsland, in Lois of twenty thousand acres each, to individuals r e s l d e n t elsewhere; which sygtem has continued to im- paverish the Colony. by abstracting those resources for rent which would otherwise have been expend- ed in its improvement. This uii- forlunate disposition of the lends has also had n direct tendency to drive from our shares emigrants possessing capital and agricultural experience. who have preferred settling in the less fertile neigh- boring Colonies. where they could obtain grants of Crown lands on payment of trifling fees: the con- sequence hns been, that the great- er number of our settlers cam- menced an ieaoehalderr under the large proprietors. and HIE iii this day sinking under the pressure of accumulated rents which they are unable to pay.

I O O

"The stagnation in the timber trade and ship-building. which for a series of yearn engrossed a verv considerable part of the activities of this among other: of your Majesty's North American Colonies. has in- creased the difficulties with which we were before contending. as. r2- lylng an a steady demand. consid- erable dc-bts were contracted to the merchants of the Mother Coun- try for British manufactures, which the depression in those branches of commercial enterprise ha: de- prived III of the means of dia- charging.

"Lille sumo of money are annu- ally expended In our sister Colou- lel. by your Majesty's Government. iri the construction of fortifica- tions. canola. and other national Wvrlil. and from their being ex- tensive Military and Naval Sta. tlonr: whilst this your Majesty's C010"! l! wholly dependent upon the limited return! made by the exportation of lfa surplus produce for a circulating medium; so that "w Ibllrlvtlnr from the Colony of

llny time. New Year or not. ‘fhey give o lervlco. bo it. good or bud. that. millions use ln the hope U! good fortune In a practical way. 8o 1940 ll chulllng along. The Mimic bozo their various esti- mates on whatever is their choice -hisldo information. the stars. commonsense. or just. a rpln stuck aorenaom in the llli. ofrunnors. Ifosi. people will lot it run its “will. lmowlfll that; bcrrlm oo- cldonu. ll for u they oro con-

earned ll‘. won't be much dlffdreul

“nannies. -v"’

even the accruing Quit Rent cannot fall to effect its total ruin.

"We also beg leave humbly to represent to your Majesty, that the former partial enforcement of the Quit Rent. during the administra- tlon of the late Lleuf. Governor (Smith). was attended with the most disastrous consequence to the Colony, without In the smallest de- gree benefiting your Majesty's tren- sury: as was distinctly proved at the Bur of the House of Assembly, in 1825, by the late Acting Receiv- er General. the costs of collection absorbing nearly the whole of the sum received. In many instances (extraordinary as the fact. may ap- peari, expenses have been incurred. equal in amount to eighty times the sums claimed.

I O

"We humbly submit to your Mej- esty, that we have no Episcopal Church ln Charlotte-Town; that we have only one dilapidated Jail throughout the Colony; that. we are without a Government House: that there are no Public Buildings of any description in the County Towns of King's and Prince Coun- ties: that we have not .\n Hospital or House of Industry in the whale Colony; and that our whale revenue on an average ln the lost. twenty years has not exceeded two thou- sand pounds sterling per annum; a sum so limited as la be inade- quate to meet the cost. of making roads and bridges. and defray the contingent expenses of the Local Government.