i

PAGE FOUR .

THF. GUARDIAN

Morning ‘lolly (Founded in 1381.. lutnoriaed as Second Clare llail. Post Offiee Department. Ottawa.

The Island Guardian Pabliaisng bu. President. tan A. Burnett; Vice-President. Wm- B Burnett: HGCL-TIOIL, G. M. Burnett; Editor nna Managing Dlrector. J. B, Burnett; Associate Editor Frank Walker.

"The Sfrorigest Memory is Weaker Than ' the Weakest ink.“

OHARLOTTETOWN. WEDNESDAY. APRIL 35-1911

Revealing Figures

Prince Edward island received s1,sss,1e9 from Ottawa for the year ending March 3i last under the new tax‘ agreement. This is in addi- tion to our statutory subsidies amounting to $656,932, or a tptal of .$2,292,l2l. These fig- ures, announced officially on Monday, will ‘prove sorely disappointing to Premier Jones. The Pre- mier, at the last session of the Legislature, ex- pressed his satisfaction that the estimated Do- minion grant of $2,285,000 would be increased this year, as a result of the rise in gross national production, by an amount of about $80,000. In- stead, it has been increased by only $7,l2l.

To this loss of anticipated revenue of nearly seventy-five thousand dollars must be added the loss to the Province in railway freight and ex- press rate increases which the Premier had no means of anticipating at the time of his budget speech but which he has since estimated at little less than a million dollars. This is a serious blow indeed unless the Dominion Government can be persuaded to have these rate increases discon- tinued pending a Royal Commission inquiry.

The Ottawa figures show that in return for $1,635,189, the Dominion collected from us in taxes on personal income, corporation income, excess profits and succession duty the sum of $2,306,8l8--more, dctually, than we received even with the addition of our statutory subsidies which were allegedly not to be taken into ac- count in the tax negotiations. Had we collected these tax revenues,as we were entitled to do under the British North America Act we would obviouslyhavo been much better off, for we could not in any case have been deprived of our $656,932 special subsidies voted us by Parlia- merit.

We point this out in no spirit of criticism of the Jonas Government, for it was apparent that the less wealthy Provinces were forced into the tax deal at Ottawa, the Dominion Govern- ment holding the whip hand because it could have imposed a system of dual taxation which would have been ruinous to us with our limited resources. The figures simply show that the deal was not the wonderful bargain fer this Prov- ince that it was represented to be, and the Op- position prediction that "time will tell" is al- ready being fulfilled.

The Dominion Government, of course, takes othcrrevenues from us, notably in soles tax, which must run into many hundreds of thous- ands of dollars although exact figures are un- obtainable. With an anticipated surplus of some 750 millions this year, Finance Minister Abbott may see his way to reduce this tax or wipe it out altogether, but in the meantime it falls‘ with special severity on the low-income groups, which means practically everyone in an agricultural Province such as Prince Edward Island.

Maritime Opportunities

There is matter for hopeful speculation in the publicity recently given by the Financial Post (Toronto) to an article on Maritime industrial op- porunitios by Mr. L. Richter, director of the In- stituhe of Public Affairs at Dalhousie University.

Mr. Richter points out that at the'time of Confederation the Maritimes ranked as one of the most important industrial sections of the new Dominion. lt was only towards the and of the 1870's and in the l880’s that a situation de- veloped which relegated the Maritimes to a sec- ondary role.

All efforts to bring about a change remained fruitless even when, after the turn of the century, thecamp of the tariff opponents was strength- ened by the primary producers of the Western Provinces. By that time the trend towards cen- tralization in Ontario and Quebec had become

T irresistible The presence of a greatnpmber of

f well-established tariff-sheltered industries at-

, tracted “subsidiary and auxiliary plants, firms supplying the raw material and utilizing the-fin- ished product, wholesale houses, insurance com-

’ parties and all the cther/ satellites of large-scale

. industry. By the some token, it became less and

-less attractive for new enterprises to establish themselves in the eastern and western sections of the country.

The war years further aggravated this dc- velopment. Worplonts had to be set up where

.' equipment and skilled manpower were readily available. Strategic considerations militated against the establishment ofwar factories along

' seaboard. While these considerations may f-haie been valid and even compelling, they had

‘ Aha unfortunate effect that the Maritimes did

[notreven add even a share of new war in-

‘. éy-duslvtrles proportional to their population.

. .. bn Nov. 17, 1941, however, tho Dominion = Government inaugurated a new economic policy aiming ‘or greater self-sufficiency. In details wi _ ovate be worked out in the next few months m market will, it js generally agma, h. greater attention than in the pest one will are to be supplied to a greater extent hv

r ptoducers with commodities previously other cou tales. While in some ' v p ant capacity m be iltllillet of new plants-will ‘befits:- wlll they be located? It epln n that the new policy pio- " g eorrectlngthe present

, no various regions liv vlletlee ORlIICIIUI and by

when they can make the best use of the existing labor force. . '

"The success of special depreciation pro- visions for industrial reconversion," says Mr Richter, "would seem to justify the op imism of those who feel that the risk of estobishing a plant on the Atlantic or Pacific Coast or in the Prairie Provinces is greatly overrated by certain industries, and that the error can be corrected by a carefully worked out tax policy. Another ,.otent incentive might be furnished by appropri- ate provisions in the tariff. lt should not prove impossible to allow reduced tariff rates for com- modities when the manufacturing plant using them rs situated in a "privileged" area. ln the case of the Maritimes and British Columbia such arrangements might be further facilitated by establishingfree port zones in the main harbors of the region. Firms interested in expanding the overseas trade would thus be encouraged to erect plants in the coastal areas."

Even a slight differential in tariff rates might, in the case of some commodities, have far-reaching effects. Similar principles might be applied to the allocation of scarce raw ma- terials or of foreign exchange if the present tepv- porary controls should have to be continued over a longer period. Finally, government participa- tion in providing the initial capital for new plants might be corfidered, a device that has been used in Britain for more than ten years in the so- called development areas.

lt goes without saying that the methods suggested for encouraging decentralization of industry can only be successful if they are ac- companied by strong efforts of the areas concern- ed to improve their situation and to create fav- orable conditions for newcomers. ’

- EDIIURIAL NUHZS —

Snow shovels were put away a little too soon this year; and now it's left to nature to do the trick. I I I I Premier Jones has evidently swung into line with the Federal Liberal members, leaving the other six Provincial Ministers to paddle their own canoe. I I I I' Our new C. N. R.‘ regional manager, Mr. Robinson, arrived at a good time ta.get first- hand ex-perience of some of our transportation difficulties. I I I I Mussolini, Italian dictator, executed this date i945. He began as a reformer, then be- came o consolidator, next an imperial expansion- ist, and ultimately attained the position of ab- solute dictator, leading his country into war and disaster. ‘I i W I > lt seems that well equipped waiting rooms at Borden and Cape Tormentine are soon to be a reality. Such facilities for the traveller are essential for any locality-that attempts to cater' to the tourist trade. I I I I

While Mr. St. Laurent occupies the lime- light as Prime Minister King's likely successor to the Liberal leadership, there are some wel-I in- formed party men who believe Mr. llsley may turn out to be a safer horse to bet on.

I 1r

The transferable vote is the fairest way for the election of a member of parliament though political parties, as a rule, do not approve of it. It means simply this, that a voter can indicate his first, second, third, etc., preference on the ballot, and these will be considered‘ in providing a successful candidate with more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.

I I I

lt will never be a pleasure to pay taxes, but the Federal Government does its best to make, it painless. Farmers who, this year are struggling with inadequate records will find their task eas- ier next time due to the farm accounting booklet provided by the Department.

I R I I,

More attractive than ever are the’ prizes offered this year through the Rural Beautifica- tion Society in connection with the home and school improvement competition. Our merch- ants and others have come forward generouglv with prize contributions, supplementing the grants by the‘ Prdvincial wGovernment.

When our Governor General returns he will be one of 25 of the most distinguished order in the world, Order of the Garter. The three recent appointments bring the number of Knight Com- panions to twenty-two,‘ three short of the full number of twenty-five. By the original, 600-year- old constitution, the Knights were limited to this number, exclusive of the sovereign, agd were to assemble ylearly on the eve of St. George's Day in Si’. Georges Chapel, where each was assigned a stall. The Order of the Garter was founded in honour of the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, St. George of Cappadocia, and St. Edward the Con- fessor, but St. George was always uu-Ollflféd its especial patron; and, indeed, the order has some- times been called the "Order of St. George." Historians scoff at the story--still often cited- that the garter of this order had its origin in o garter worn by the Countess of Salisbury, drop- ped by her when dancing with the lring,'ond picked" up by him. At the time when Edward Ill instituted the order, he had been partially successful in a campaign in France, and, medi- tating a second expedition, resolved to create an order in knighthood in honour of his successes, and ,as a means of rlviifiding some of his most distinguished comrades in arms. The motto, Honi soit qui ma! y pense ("Dishonourod be he who thinks ill of it"), was considered appropriate, whether it applied totllo expedition or to the order. Nevertheless, the order is unlike all others in having fer lrr principal emblem neither chain nor badge, but a garter, new of dark-blue velvet, with rho motto in gold letters. it is worn on the left leg, a little below the knee: when the sev- ereign‘ ls a uoen, she ween it on the left arm, above the e ow. Today, the fraternity of the

spot-new pleats iaaieas

ovewaucpmuorfirsiufi”

l1’

People of this border community now find it difficult. to sneak across the border e chocolate bar or I stick of gum. - Wlndsor Star.

-KeoDllI8ado'g-iuaoltyhel ways o difficult matter; a dog, so

terrain in which to roam. But. there is no reason whatever why peiple who do not keep dogs should suf- fer inconvenience in order to make things easier for clog-owners. —l’et- erborough Examiner.

Old-time cevairylnen who eon- tlnue to deplore mechanization Will be delighted lo learn that. ln 01c part. of the world at. least. the horse ls still considered of military value Two hundred stallions and more: for the Ethiopian cavalry are being bought in Australia. - Brockvlrlc Recorder and Times.

A preacher whose congregation regularly spum seats in the front of the church was surprised to see one men, e stranger in the very‘ first row. After the sermon. the pastor asked the men why he sat. down in front. The man replied that, being a bus driver, he wanted to find out. how the preacher got. people to move to the rear. —Prst.h- finder.

The lowly enrdLne can now look down its nose. even at. the oyster. A Manitoba woman has found a

Thtnkwf the significance. Pearls available now in May, June, July and August. It seems doubcful. however, whether it could happen anywhere but in a place called Fllrs Flori. — Windsor Star. v

In a very short. time, household- ers will face the task of putting up screens. It will not be made easier by the remembrance that they must. take them down again when Autumn comes '- with storm wln- dows co be put up shortly after- ward. And just to pile it. on. there's a bit of wlndow-washinl l0 b9 contemplated on both occasions.- Klngston Whig-Standard.

A foreign correspondent brought us this G. B. Show story, which we never heard before: The bearded plays-might. had ’sent Winston Churchill e. pelr or tickets w his latest play. enclosing a typical caustic message: "Here are open lag-night. seats for you and e. friend -- lf you have one." Church- ill replied promptly, returning the tickets. “Sorry I'm unable to use these tickets for the opening night; o; yquf play," he wrote. "But l’; appreciate tickets for the second night; -*if there ls one." — This Week. *

It is nearer the longest day of the year than we think. About. two months will do it. now, although tne/ memory of the Big Snow has hard- ly cllmmed. But people now seek nae sun wherever they can find it. in the peeks, on the ferries and along the sidewalks in residential streets. Where low business blocks chance to have a wail not. used for entrances there are lines of moth- ers watching aver baby-carriages and lifting their faces to the sun. Nor ls the light. too strong for ba- bies themselves. Itfls an airy gold cu medicine. It. is free. ll. is for ml. -New York Timeo-

Now at this wondrous season when the rablns are back and the skies are blue, when trees are bud- ding green and bursting whit/e and pink, nobody would wish to sound a sour note. But. it would be in- teresting to know, now, how maly of springs gardeners will still be at. it when the hot. days of J=1~y and August roll around. ‘Thai. is when the test, of the true gardener comes. So, just. a. word of warning to all those people who are‘ grub- blng in the earth these days -- make up your minds tostlck to l‘. for six months. If you don't all your efforts will be wasted. —Vul\- couver News-Herald.

Dr. J. Hardy Geddes took occa- sion to warn Imsclon Klwanlans that: ln his oplglon: “Exercise all- dlcts have a. streak of the Purl- tan in them that. makes them thmk comfort is immoral.” It. W88 the good doctor-‘s reply to the positive urglugs of another Kiwnnlan. Charles Martin, that. the members brisk up a blt and flex their mus- cles. He suggested sprinting. long- dlstance running and hurdllng. The other members. however, felt no shame in admlttlr; that. ease and comfort were more in their line. and when Dr. Cleddes took the stand on their behalf they felt. much relieved. So d0 Wo- Kiwi!!!“ Martin ls‘ an energetic hot gospeller for the vigorous life and we re- spect him for it, but. we are gla-i his intolerable motion was defeat.

ed. Why run when you can walk? Why w llcwhen you con sit? fills 1g 5p g. - Inndon Free Press.

My friend Anne MaeTuistr trained his dog’ in the ways of true Scottish ‘Thrift. ‘That. fact. came home to me when he_ left him-in my core while ‘so went on a busi- rrcu trip. Now '. knew t i. AM"! always gave his dog s NW morning so that. hirbeloyed 900th could buy himself e bun oi. tire nearby llokefy c1109- Nllilflll! .1 could do nothing lees. when I- I!" the dOI-Ml-flflb-palifli- ill-fill?!“ it up in his mouth and trotted out through my front door. I new! through my ointsiae to-wstcla him mo, forth to the belsery shoe- Qui- rmggq," w my proforma disgust

“It!!! lllltil .

be MP9)’. demands a very wide r

pearl in the mouth of a sardine. “can this rtfllluhfiibllll-y 110W b9

‘ o-o-oooooooo-oo-ooo-oo-o-ooooo. VUUI ll.‘ HJRUM '

eponaufale of auction: er intercol- Ille Uuarsovnowu. Guardian doee not neoeIrsr try endorse‘ the opinion ‘o1 correspondent '

MAPLE HILLS TBNANN

Sin-It would be interesting m know how the Provincial Govern- ment can justify its statement that an opportunity would be given to the tenants of Maple Hills to pur- chase thelr own homes should they desire to dl0 so. frhey do not seem awareof the type of tenant they have; people who have an Income just sufficient to meet their cur- rent. monthly experlses. 1f We were m s. financial position to purchase our own homes we would not have to take advantage of the Emerg- ency Houslng Project.

With no stretch of the imagin- atlon can 1 see ‘how 20 families

and second floors of n large two- storled building could “purchase their homes should they so desire" as suggested by Mr. Connolly ‘there are four such buildings.

Isn't the Provincial Government going to feel rather guilty about the 100 families. (mostly veterans. as has been pointed out before) and estimated 400 children. being homeless in September. They as- sumed this responsibility in 1946;

shelved? After apartment hunting for three years, along with many other tenants it is obvious to me that. we are not going " to find homes by September. Perhaps someone would be good enough to explain to us where we are supposed to live ln order to be near enough to Char- lottetown where we earn our liv- ing in order to feed and educate our-‘farrsllles. I am, Sir, etc.,

J. M. G. (Tenant)

MAKING KAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES

Sir, - O! all the forces directed inward the inuprovement. of social conditions in table Province, our Warren's Isl-nitrates stand in a unique position. ‘rheu- interests are largely centred in titre school and in the home. The success they have met with in connection wlbh Drama. Festivals is a living illus- tration of what organlmtlon in- telligently directed can achieve.

It. ls particularly interesting to note that. our Institutes are al- ready directing bhelr attention to the plebiscite which is ‘co be held on June 28 ln connection with the question of Prohibition versus Government control. No question so concerns the heme and the school as the question of total ab- stinence. No body of workers are in a better position to use their influence where it con be most effective.

Another organization that will make its influence felt tn the near future is the Sons of Temperance. That. was ‘ilqhe group of workers who played such an important pm ln matting Prohibition on the statute. books several years ago. Those people made total obstin- ence the central idea of their sys- tem. Wrhen the Prohibition Ac‘. was put; on the statute books they thought that. their work was fin- ished. That was en error in judg- ment for which the Province is Paying cleanly toduy- The re-es- UfllJliSh-ffléflt of blunt. organization ls an urgent. necessity‘ l: lost. ground is to be recovered nnd new groundccuitlvoted. The Tem- perance Federation and the Wom- en's OhrlstlenTemrperence Union would be well advised tn put. an organizer-tn each County tomor- row.

I am. Sir, etc., VERNON - CBDCKETT York, P111.

FROM THE PULFIT

I

Slr.~Scme letters to your col- umn have been written re the old Prohibition Act vs. Government Control (Temperance Act.)

Varied opinions are expressed in those letters. Ono writer says: "The forthcoming plebiscite can be a terrible farce, if thepeoplo do not. grasp. its importance and true significance. Yea. o farce that. will cost. us at least $7,500.”

On Sunday evening’ last. it was my privilege to sit; 1n one of our Charlottetown churches and listen to steer-less address on the merits of our old Prohibition Act (prior to the Cullen Amendment) in comparison with the new so-cailed Temperance Act. Since we may vote for onb of those Acts the lat- ter port. of June. the writer of this letter as well as many others won- ders why we do not hear from nrore of the pulpite; not just gen- tle hints but. some strong opinions as we heard Sunday night. ‘ For the enlightenment of those who did not hear that: address Sunday evening. I shall quote just a few of the details.

The speaker left. us in no doubt. that u return to our old Prohibit- ion‘ law, even though tt- was by no means perfect, wee to be greatly preferred. The -uewfy qproposea. eo-eslied "herpes-snap Act." odors one advantage. cod only one. an its favor.‘ namely ‘an easy way of reieiltg tnoney for the Government. tron that. is s very questionable odvsnttge aince by‘ the Govern- asent-skie of liquor qu- eues may be eveoilmmetauud thougnvre may get more paved roads, the may be ‘paved soebdo hell f the wept-minded or should I ley the stupid! - uihee tithes also throw money eweyon. poison, when the ivotldrjl full d 800d ma must be