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i rm: GUARDIAN, CHARLOTTETOWN

DECEMBER 1o, 194;

THE GUARDIAN

Morning Daily (Founded in i891) Authorized in rim-uni] Cliun lluli, Poul Offlom Dlpllfllilrlll.‘ Ottawa.

The Inland (iuigpiliun Publishing Co. lditor and Managing Dlreator. J. B. Bumeti Anociute Editor, Frank Walker.

'_'The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink.“

DHABLOTTETOWN, THURSDAY, DEC. l6, 194s

Margarine Ban Lifted

There is little question _ industry will be adversely affected by the lift- ing of the ban on manufacture and sale of mar- garine. The decision of the Supreme Court is based on the assumption that the action taken in prohibiting sale and manufacture was "beyond the powers of Parliament," and thus is null and void. The Court has decided, however, that the prohibition on importation is intra vires, and this part of the ban remains in force. lt comes as a surprise to the layman to discover that Parliamentary authority can thus be curtailed bv a Court order. What becomes of the dema- cratic principle of the supremacy of Parliament ln this case is unvbcdyk guess.

As pointed out by Mr. H. H. Hannam, presi- dent of the Canadian Federation, the Court judgment confuses the situation because it di- rides authority for the butter substitute between the Dominion aiid the Provinces. The Federa- tion is considering the possibility of appealing the decision, presumably to the imperial Privy Council. ln the meantime, it is anticipated that sale of margarine will result in a reduction of our cattle population, and that eventually the soil will suffer from lack of manure.

Another factor in the situation is that while margarine prices may be considerably lower than butter at the outset, there is no guarantee to consumers that this low rate will continue. if it succeeds in affecting dairy production adverse- ly and gains control of the market, the price will undoubtedly go up, and'we may reach a po- sition where our dairy industry will have been gone irretrieyably, and we shall be in the hands of foreign margarine monopolists with branch plants operating here.

Benjamin Franklin once told about his youth- ful experience in buying a whistle. He thought he wanted the whistle badly, and paid an exorbitanl price to obtain it. Eventually his ardor for the whistle cooled, and he found that he had lost both his money and his enthusiasm for his too- dear purchase. In view of the importance ‘of our dairy industry to our whole agricultural economy, there is grave ground for doubt as to whether we are not paying too dearly for our butter substitute whistle.

Bread Grain in Europe

it was estimated a short time ago .that bread grains production in the i9 European coun- tries participating in the European recovery plan would amount to approximately i.i billion bush- els or approximately four to five per cent moic than in i947. This might mean a reduction in the import requirements of these countries of 1,200,000 tons. Of the imported amount an ad- ditional million tons may be obtainable from eastern Europe, instead of from the Western Hemisphere, which would mean a reduction in import from the Western Hemisphere of some- thing over two million tons or about 80 million bushels.

In 1947-48, western Europe apparently con- sumed 38.3 million tons of wheat, of which i7.3 million tons was imported. This year western Europe will probably consume about 46 million tans. This will still not be sufficient for free bread‘ consumption. One reason is that the European population has increased by at least l5 per cent since i938, and this year's Europ- ean production is still about i7 per cent short of the prewar average.

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Labrador

The Atlantic Guardian, a Newfoundland maga zine, has a timely article in its current issue on Labrador, the as yet untapped source of vast mineral wealth which may contribute in an un- dreamed way to the future of Canada. For centuries alter the Norsemen visited Labrador in A. D. 986, it was supposed lo be part of Green- land, until Henry Hudson followed its cast coast into Hudson's Bay, and completed a true picture of the great peninsula. Covering an area of more than half-a-million square miles, Lab- rador has wrongly been considered part of the northern terminus of the great Appalachian range of mountains that forms the eastern back- bone of the North American continent.

The main rocks of the peninsula — oldest

~ in the world, according to the Atlantic Guardian —are now known to include remnants of young- er rocks which are a continuation of’ those all across Canada that contain vast deposits of valuable minerals. Thus there is every likeli- hood of similar valuable deposits being found in Labrador when they can be prospected. lron in the interior in the form of magnetite is known to exist over vast areas. Discoveries of gold and silver, nickel and cobalt, lead, zinc and copper, besides other mineral deposits sug- gest that the rock formations, similar to those found to the west in Ontario and Manitoba, and to the east in Newfoundland, contain vast poten- tial wealth awaiting eveiopment. Eminent au- thorities assert that an:ido's mineral areas have as yet scarcely been scratched, and the lame holds true in even greater measure with respect to Labrador. Bnt exploration of the peninsula has already been sufficiently advanc- ed to prompt further activities on the part of en- terprises capable of entering this heretofore bar- ren regibn and uncovering its wealth for the benefit of mankind. When the Newfoundland Govzrnmerl: in

but that the dairy

new boundaries of Labrador, they probably had little idea of the tremendous significance it would hold two decades later in i948. Another stamp in this series, the 30c denomination, pic- tures the Grand Foils of Labrador, a magnifi- cent and little known falls, which are on the Hamilton River, 250 miles inland. Discovered iii i839 by John MacLeon, a Scotsman employ- ed by the Hudson’s Bay Co., the Falls have a drop of 300 feet. Thus two of the i928 postal pictorial stamps commemorate the historical Privy Council decision which enlarged Newfound- land enormously, and granted to her an area of mineral deposits which may prove to be her richest dowei-y on her entry, at this time, into the bonds of political matrimony with the Dominion of Canada.

EDITURIAL NOTES

The Boston Tea Party this date i773. I I I I

Christmas carols are heard everywhere just now, and it seems that the older they are the more pleasantly they strike the ear.

I I I I

Prince Charles of Edinburg-h will retain that title till he comes of age or in the event of the

demise of the King, he automatically becomes

Prince of Wales and heir apparent. I I I

The melodious bells of St. Paul's are daily

delighting the ears of citizens with Christmas

music putting them into a seasonable frame of

mind.

i i

The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Pot is again with us, moneys donated to be used for Christmas cheer baskets, institutional treats and winter relief.

I i

Sincere sympathy is extended to Mr. F‘. G. Spencer, Saint John, head of the Spencer chain of theatres, and family on the death of Mrs. Spencer, which took place suddenly at their home on Tuesday.

I I

U U I U Today in Washington is being held a hear- ing to consider a proposal to revive the Quoddy power project. Harnessing the tides of Passa- maquoddy Bay would have for reaching effects on the economy of the'Maritimes. I I I I

On the side of the angels. Premier Duples- sis asked for his view on the question of a char- ter of human rights, replied: "No human insti- tution can better define the rights of man than the Bible."

I I

Canadian health authorities, already wor- ried about declining milk consumption, will have more to worry about when margarine competi- tion makes it uneconomic to supply cream for buttermaking. Without that stabilizing influ- ence the fluid milk supply seems likely to con- tract so that winter milk famines may be ex- pected.

I ‘k I

Treaties and conventions seem to be made to be broken, or at any rate evaded, and the U. N. has learned that musical agreements are no exception. Austria has complained that music- ians everywhere keep trying to raise the world's absolute pitch, according to which "A" is stan-

agreement.

IIII

tributable largely to improfement

greater than the I947 production. I i‘ I I

to prohibit interprovincial free trade. Both j ments affect materially the interests of

particular province. I

I W

way of contrast, to lay on the table is a

the table."

vi I i

withstanding competition from Quebec

study a suggestion by

in the name of Canada's oldest

off."

I I I

that there will be fewer eggs bought

i928 issued a ic green map stamp showing the

the market down,

dardized at 435 cycles per second by an i885 -

The Dominion Bureau of Statistics reports that world wheat production for i948 now pro- mises to show an unexpectedly large increase over that of last year. This betterment is at- in Europe. The latest estimate of the world total is 6,285 million bushels, about 35 million bushels above the September forecast, and 470 million bushels

Two important judgments have been issued this week affecting governments and legislatures. The Supreme Court of this Province has ruled that a Government cannot legislate or aniiul legislation, by order-in-Council; while the Su- preme Court at Ottawa has emphasized that it is not within the prerogative of Parliament udg- this

A new clerk's table of quartered white oak is to be the gift of Canada for the British House of Commons. in London, Ottawa and Charlotte- town "to table" a question is to bring it for- ward for discussion. ln American procedure, by

of postponing discussion. In our own Legislature in i825, an obnoxious petition was shelved by the Attorney General moving "that it do not lie on the table but that it be thrown under

After all, the City of Saint John has de- cided to stick by its saintly appellation, not- and Newfoundland. The Common Council has gone on record to that effect. The Saint John Board of Trade recently appointed a committee to a board member that the name be changed to avoid confusion. Var- ious organizations have protested any change incorporated city and the Common Council has called "hands

Letter Review of November ist., pointed out that the British Government is issuing warnings from Canada. A competent informant points out that per coput egg supply in i947 was 56; it is ex- pected that there may bo 80 or 90 eggs per caput for i948. ,This is an inadequate supply, and Britain still needs to get all the Canadian eggs that can be obtained. However, as with wheat, British propaganda will he very actively employed to show that there is not any acute shortage of eggs, in the hope that this will keep

I.

STATIC KILLS RADIO RECEPTION, PREVENT- ING LISTENERS BENE- FITTING FROM BROAD- CASTS‘.

_.__c_.\

6

or ‘rue SAME curnusmsm ‘ro ruck- RADIO INTERFERENCE.’

DOWN

y. PUBLIC FORUM

Thin column ll open to the ililouulon by eimenpondeata of question of interelt. The Guardian does not neoeuiu- ily endorse the opinion iif correepondentl.

AN ISLAND CENTENARIAN

Slr,--I clipped enclosed item from today's "Post Intelligencer", our morning paper here, thinking that it might be of interest to some of your readers. The lady referred to, Mrs. Agatha Hamill, was born an P. E. Island ln 1846. We get. our Saturday Guardian quite regularly and always turn to Ellen's Diary first. It's interest- ing and a refreshing breath from the ‘old sod.’ With the season's greetings.

I am, Sir, etc,

E. L. CROSBY. 8.54 E. 69th Seattle, Wash. Dec. 9, 1948. (The item enclosed appears on page 5 of lodays issue-Ed. G.)

WEST ITOINT FERRY SERVICE

Sin-l notice an editorial In yours of the 9th. quoting a Mono- ton paper, which refers to the re- quest for uri auxiliary ferry be- tween Borden and Tormentine and also to the West Point-Buctouclie project. It states that this was more of a frelghtlng service than for trucks and autos. This was ii mis- understanding as the boat that was available on which the Company liad an option was certified to carry fifty-two autos and a pro- portionate number of trucks, or 750 passengers, under her U. S. certi- ficate. As to the effect on the pro- posed project. lt should strengthen our claim, for. If in addition to the two ferries now at Borden another ls necessary, surely the West la en- titled to one, especially since they were pioneers ln the movement. This letter ls ln no way trying to belittle the move for better ser- vice, but to clear up any mis- conception regarcllng the purpose for which our Company was form- ed and intends to work. We are, Sir, etc. WEST POINT FERRIES LTD. Per, Sanford Phillips, Pres. O'I.eury, P. E. I.

Gum

DREAM PEDLARY

If there were dreams to sell, What. would you buy?

Some cost. a passing bell; Some a light. sigh,

Only is rose-leaf down. if there were dreecns to sell, Merry and saa to tell, And the crler rung the bell- What would you buy?

A cottage lone and still, Wlth-bowers nlgh, Shadowy. my woes to still, Until l die.

Fain would I shake me down. were dreams to have at. wlll, This would best. heel my ill, This would I buy.

But. there were dreams to sell Ill dldst. thou buy;

Life ls a dream, they tell, Waking, to die.

Dreaming a. dream to prize Is wlehlng ghosts to rliie; And, l! I had the spell

To call the buried well, Whloh one would l?

—'I‘hoe. Lovell Beddoee (1003-10).

That shakes from Life's fresh crown

Such pearl from Life's fresh crown

Old Christmas Customs In Britain

(United Igngdom Information

ulletln)

Every your, on Christmas Eve. a bell (known as the Devil's Knoll) is rung ln Dewsbury, Yorkshire, England. But. for World War Two. when lt was rung twice only, the bell has been rung every you for 700 years. Legend says that. the custom began ln the 13th century by a local baron, who as penance for killing his servant gave a bell to the parish church and ordered that. lt should be rung every Christmas Eve to remind him of his crime. By tolling the bell once for every year since the birth of Christ. the final stroke being timed to ring exactly at the hour of midnight. local people believed that the devil would be kept away from the parish for the next l2 months.

Special carol services are held ll'l churches all over England on Christmas Eve, particularly Ln the north of England, In many places Nativity plays are acted, based on the New Testament story of what

happened in Bethlehem nearly 2.000 years ago.

The Scottish village of Klllln, Perfhshlre, has a Christmas custom which ls unknown elsewhere. Every Yuletide the villagers go to a near- by stream and gather rushes, which are pulled instead of being out. These rushes are then used as a temporary resting-place for a num- ber of stones taken from the gables of an old corn-mill; they are stories with a. history. The villagers will tell you that their patron saint St. Fllllan. used them centuries ago to cure the agile, sprains and other all ems and injuries. He simply ru bed the affected llmb with one of the stones, and a complete cure followed. Nowadays, the stones are brought out each Christmas. laid cn their bed of rushes, and later returned to the gables of the mlll. In this way Killian both celebrates Christmas and perpetuates the memory of its patron saint.

I I O

Christmas Day itself ls a great home festival. Christmas dinner, with its turkey and plum pudding (when available) ls the tradltlonal meal of the year. And in many places there are Christmas Day cus- toms with centre round the fes- tlve b0 -—I.n Queen's College. Oxford University. for example Here the custom ls known as the Boar's Head Feast.

The mythical origin of the Feast. ls the stray of a student of Queen's lCollege. who was attacked by a ‘wild boar when he was studying Aristotle during n. walk some 500 y-oara ago. His book was his only means of defence, so he tlirimt. tl-id volume down the animal's throat excliilmlng Graeoum est. Unable to digest so much Greek the boar died, and the student. carried lt home ln triumph! From that time the Boar's Head became e muln ceremonial Christmas dish In Ema- land and. served on a gold or sliver plate. surmounted by a. crown u-reuthed with golden sprays of laurel and bay, mistletoe and rose- mary, lt was brought into the hall heralded by tgrumpeters.

o

Another magnificent Christmas dish in those daye was the pea- cock. no skin strlPPfii. its plumage retained. it was roasted. When it had cooled slightly, its leathers were sewn on again, and its beak glided. Stuffed with spices, sweet herbs and the yolks of eggs. it wee served with rich gravy. To the ee- componlment of music it was car- slea into the dining-hall by the most. beautiful woman or the one of the highest yank, followed by a bevy of lovely girls. Sometlmee the 0o eoul peacock was served ln a e, and over the plumed crest which appeared above the crust. knlilit-errinte aware they would undertake perilous enter- prises during the comlng year.

After dinner the guests, ln their

\ v

“£6 Old Charlottetown (m r. n. l)

A ROSS-SHIRE FAMILY

Reference was made in this col- umn recently to some of the early British settlers ln the Rustlco dis- trict, including the Mathesone — Roderick, Murdoch and John-who come here in 1806. Another Ross- shlre family which played an lm- portant part ln the settlement \.i few years later was that of John MacRae and his ten children. They left their home in Scotland, taking passage in an emigrant ship bound for Montreal, intending to go to Glengisrry, Ontario, where friends had preceded them. The slilp en- countered stormy weather, and their voyage across the Atlantic lasted seven weeks. For some reis- son tlve captain put ln to Plcfou, Novu Sratiis. The Mac-Rees were so sick of the horrors of the long sea voyage that they landed there, and found their way to Prince Ed- ward Island. They settled on :i farm at the head of Wheatley Riv- er. the place known of late years as the Winsloe Farm; but at that time it was ln the vlrgln wilder- ness, and a considerable distance from the Mathesons, whose neigh- borii they had been in the old land.

A few years later, e young men named Kennel MacKenzle came on a visit to the Mafheson family, who were relatives. Hie Intention had been to return to Scotland when his vlslt was over; but, in. stead of dolnl lo. he married a daughter of John Macllae, and took a farm near hlm. He dled a com- paratlvely young man, leaving ll family of eight. His descendants are now scattered} some still living ln the Island, some in other parts of Canada. and others ln the United States.

About 1825. Roderick Mathesan’: 5°“! bu“! l! Brill mill on a stream running lhrwxh their land. About this time also Jame: Crislwell built another at Anglo-Rustlco, near Reel. cot‘: old home. There wan no rest. dient clergyman of any denomlnu. you ‘at that time, but Bishop Mc-

ntyie made v aslonal vlslis to the settlement. The Rose-shire peo- ple were Presbyterlans of strong a?“ ‘lefldfm Principles. but. they '1 WHY! spoke with loving revel-enu- of the xood bishop.

About this time occurred a very sad event. Alexander Ross with q dflllkhler of John MncRae be... an horseback to Charlottetown m be mmTlfll- TINY were accompanied by e party of friend]. On the re. £2218 lWfMY a violent rainstorm

"P. and. owing to (lie long ex. lzggugelgfldbllle laborious travelling r e ecem , next day‘ t! Ill. and died 1h,

-—From an artlc zle in the Prlncele bit-Emil Magazine, Mgr-ch, 190.;

The Age-Old Story

1h will lave thee, and bleu tiiee ""1 miilfliilv thee; Ile will n» ble- the fruit of the womb.