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PAGEJTQILR i THE GUARDIAN

Morning Dolly (Founded in i881‘). Authorised as Second Cluso Mail. Poet Office Department. Ottawa.

Presldentflon A. Burnett; Vice-President. Wm. B. Burnett; Secy-Treuu, (i. M. Burnett; Editor and Manning Director. J. B. Burnett; Associate Editor. Frdnk Walker.

”The Strongest Memory is Weaker Than the Weakest Ink."

CHARLOTTETOWN, TUESDAY, MARCH l6, 194;

' in Czechoslovakia

Ar rlrst sight the seizure of Czechoslovakia —the destruction of the_last bridge between eastern Europeand the west-appears as a sign of Russian strength. The only democracy left behind the lran Curtain was abolished in a mat- ter of hours. Stalin succeeded even more easily than Hitler. But, comments a Washington corre- spondent, the U. S. State Department sees in these events elements of Russian weakness. Rus- sia seized Czechoslovakia, it is believed, because it had failed to overcome the resistance of the Czechs by peaceful moans.

For two years Russia maintained Czecho- slovakia as o kind of show piece, just as the Ger- mans maintained Denmark during he war. lt was said, and many Czechs seem to have believ- ed, that Czechoslovakia was free to follow its- own path and develop its own democratic system. But instead of turning to Russia and Communism, as ~the Politburo had hoped, tho Czechs turned in- sistently toward the west. lt became clear that the spring elections would reduce the Communist vote, already a minority. This repudiation of lRussia the Politburo could not tolerate. To mask its failure to absorb the Czechs peacefully, Rus- sia was compelled to seize the country outright. This could be called a political victory by a-n exact repetition of Hitler's method in the some pleco. lt was equally o moral defeat. In the only eastern European country whoro they could express their will the people rejected the Red revolution. ~Russia did not buy tho domination of Czechoslovakia for nothing. Tho price it is paying for tho duplication of Hitler's conquest now emerges, and it will bo high.

The first effect of Russia's putsch is to drive tho Marshall Plan through tho United States Congress and, moreover, to assure new grants of frankly military aid to Greece and Turkey. When It ls realized that the Congress hesitated for months last year to voto $400,000,000 for Grecfl and Turkey and now is voting about $9 billions rfor ‘foreign aid of various sorts, tho chango in

"United States opinion, tho hardening of a new

lU.S. foreign policy, becomes clear. The policy will be hardened futther by Russia's latest ad- ‘wonturo.

Mr. King llsnrlmanilerl

-.-- Saturday Night, usually favordslo to Prime Minister Mackenzie King, takes him smartly to task for his wrong conception of the relations between tho Government and tho Spoakership in tho House of Commons. "l am here,“ said Mr. King recently, "to see that Parliamentary rules and practices are observed, and l intend to do so." "Wo are not at all suro that it is any more the business of the leader of tho Government than of the leaders of the-doubtless too num- areas-Opposition parties to see that parliament- ary rules are observed," remarks Saturday Night. "That is tho function o-frthe Speaker, and in carrying it out he owes no more deference to the views of the Prime Minister as to what those rules mean than to those of Mr. Bracken or Mr. Cold- well or for that matter Mr. Hamel himself. lt ‘is a most unfortunate circumstance that the in- terpretation and application of these rules has become a matter of almost constant conflict be- tween tho Government and the Opposition par- ties, and that the final determination is so frequently reached by a straight party vote. lu such a vote, of course, the Prime Minister does factually exercise the power to "see that Parlia- mentary rules and practices are observed," as hc interprets them, for his followers naturally vote as he votes. But that is not the ideal way to manage the proceedings of Parliament"

Striking illustration

Nothing could be more striking than a 11o which was recently published in the New York Times showing the hours of work a Soviet subject has to put in, in comparison with a Can- adian or American, in order to obtain the corn- manost necessities of life. A pair of shoes, for example, casts a Communist 104 hours and 30 minutes work, while the citizen of this contin- ont can obtain the some for tho expenditure of only seven hours and l5 minutes. Perhaps oven more striking is the time required for the oarning of a man's suit. For a worsted article tho Russian works 5B0 hours and l3 minutes; tho North American, ZS hours and 20 minutes.

_lt ls only when wages are reckoned thus, in terms

pf tho solid articles of commerce they will buy,

‘that their real worth can be calculated.

-Without doubt the tables could be con-

qtructod showing tho difference in the rights

‘and privileges enjoyed by the citizens of free countries as compared with thoso denied the peo- plo who are forced to livo under totalitarian

yrogimes. Such tables and charts, suggests on up ‘fiharigo, could provide positive teaching of the

Canadian way of life. Thoy should be prepared A __ ority and exhibited in ovory public place, from‘ tho schools to tho railway stations, whorsvor oplo congrogatyurglng with all tho om- ospd to propagate our war aims, nu to wage tho war against sob- roving itgolfto by at our» very

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- EDIIURIAL NUItS ..

Tomorrow St. Patrick's Day. I I I I

_ Thyill-advised policy of extremists in Pal- estine is bearing fruit. Jewish refugeefnrg again on the move, out of the Holy Land.

Q I I a A Nevada Senator advocates a return to the "hard cash era" as a boost to the mining in- dustry. He should also be able to get the pocket making interests to back his proposals. i ‘I i 1r

The B. l. S. stage their St. Patrick's play so. marrow and Thursday, in the Prince Edward Theatre, their choice being a first-class comedy "Colleen's Step-Husband". Packed houses seen;

assured.

i fi ‘I I

An industry that we do not hear much about these daysfcanned clam juice. ln old Colonial days clam juice was given to fever patients in- stead of water.

i IV i i

Federal Estimates for next ear ' $7,750,000 assistance for freight dharggiovlbhi western feed grains as compared with $8,009. 000 this year, which would indicate that th'e Maritime filer will be mulctod to that u.

tent.

w w w w

Senator lan MacKenzie is to have the hon. orary degree of Doctor of Laws, and the Rey, Dr. George H. Donald, Montreal, President of the Pan-Presbyterian Alliance, will have the D.D. degree conferred upon them by their Alma Mater, Edinburgh University, on July 2.

‘ There are no fewer than 18,000 Commun. ist party members in this country, according to Superintendent J. P. Sovoie of tho Winnipeg R.C.M.P. That is on insignificant number for a political party but quite enough trouble-makers to keep the country in turmoil if not checked.

I e o o

Edward Clodd, English writer on folk-lore, myth, evolution, psychology, etc., died this date i930; was twice president of the Folk-Lore Soc- iety; was a close personal friend of George Meredith of whom he wrote an appreciation; his works include Childhood of the World, Myths and Dreams, Story of Primitive Man, Story ol-the Alphabet, and Animism.

I

lt is about time tho post of Minister of Fisheries was treated as of importance in itself and not merely used for breaking in junior cab- inet ministers or providing temporary employ- merit for others. There are certainl sufficient problems confronting the industry to fiirlly occupy a first rato administrator. I

Q I I

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A psychiatrist ls reported to have stated in Montreal recently that group treatment of emotional problems cured'a four year old child who could not bear to be separated from its parents and would speak only to its mother. "The mother, however, is still under treatment." Psychiatry would seem to be upon the right track.

1r fl i I

The London Spectator publishes an illumin- ating cable of April 24th, l94l from the German Naval Attache at Moscow to the Naval High Command: "According to the Counsellor of the Italian Embassy, the British Ambassador (Sir Stafford Cripps) predicts June'22nd as the day of the outbreak of war." How did he know? Janus supplies the answer. June 22nd was the date on which Napoleon began his march on

Moscow.

Q o n

‘ Our entry into European ulfairs is reflected m the growth of Canada's diplomatic services in a $l,000,000 increase in the appropriation for representation abroad. Estimates for the Ex- tcrnal Affairs Department show $5,083,082 set aside for diplomatic services abroad, including salaries oi high commissioners, ambassadors, sec- returies and staff, compared with $4,008,108 in the 1947-48 fiscal year, a jump of $1,074,974.

Q Ir it Nearly 400,000 beneficiaries will be affect-

ed by changes in the amendments to the Pension Act submitted to the House by Veterans’ Affairs

1v

the measure was given second reading and ro- ferred to a special committee. Before its sec- ond reading was approved, opposition members declared that because of the high cost of living the proposed increase in the basic rate of pension of l6 per cent was not enough, that the in- crease should not be less than Z5 per cent.

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Unless the democratic nations of the world take quick, united action against Communism, Europe will fall within two to five years and the western hemisphere will be presented with q grave threat from five to eight years from now, Mr. Ernest F. Harris, Sun Lilo Assurance Com- pany of Canada representative in China for 25 years, who recently returned from a visit to the European continent warned in an address in Mon- treal. Mr. Harris said that the Communists worc prepared to make their next move in ltaly. "When Italy falls Greece and Turkey will have no chance," he added.

I Q I

Councillor C. H. Spracklin told Halifax County Council he believes it is going too far to deprive a man of his voto if he turns his property over to hiswrifo. Ho said that under tho Edu- cation Act a ratopayer and the wife of a roto- payer could vato but thoro was no provision for tho husband of a ratopayor. lf a man turnod his property ovor to his wifo he had to pay poll taxto veto. Sold school inspector ti. A. Weir, "I think ‘that if a man has enough faith in his wlfo to‘ turn. hi! property ovor to hor ho might trust

unit ills voting for lilo ”

Minister Milton Gregg. After the brief debate‘

THC _ GUARDIAN,

A girl doeo not mind riding in o, car with no clutch if the driver has one. - Brandon Sun.

A philosopher declares civiliza- tlon ls a joke. We wish he would tell us what's funny about it. Kingston Whig-Stand-ard.

To ridicule the beltcfs oi others ls the common way of saying: “They aren't: as smart. as I nan‘!- Vlclarls Times.

Two lawyers and on accountant serving the Parliamentary com- mittee on prices draw $125 each a day. plus living allowances. The public will be glad to know that they at least, have found u way to beat the high cost, of llvixig. - Windsor Dally star.

A boy of nine boarded 561 slicks of bubble gum at Goshen, Indiana, over a period of several months. When the Salvation Army appeal came for self-denial in Lent, he sent in the 561 pieces, “four por boys and girls in forln lands." 1f all boys and girls boarded all the messy supply and sent, all of 1t to foreign parts. many unsympawetlr grown-ups would be very pleased —Fort, William Times-Journal.

It is o. cherished belief among women that, men have funny legs. If. for any reason. s man has to expose his legs. there are always s few women who seize the oppor- tunity for contumellous snlggcrlng. And yet we have never been able to see why men's legs are, upon the average. any funnier than women's legs. The exceptional feminine leg is o, thing of beauty. but the average article ls nothing special. The male leg has its own rugged appeal. -— Peterborough Ex- amines’.

‘Uncle Sons l: beginning to nn. dersl-ond how Pepe Dionne must have felt. His bum/per crop of young Americans since 1940, ln- creasing the national faintly to 144 million. ls more than he counted on. The 28 million babies barn in the past. seven years were l1 mil- lion more than expected. Last, year more blessed events arrl-red in this country than ever befare— 3.370.000. This year doesrri. show any prom]: of a let up. The mar- riage, rate is still running high - nearly two million in 1947. a ane- third increase over prewar. Our huge national family has, tremen- dous implications, for it, means there will be more growing chil- dren to -pro\'lde for in the next, 10 or l5 yearmlhan ever before.- Minneapolis Star.

When we dine in a cafe, the part, of inflation that Lrks us mast is not so much the increased figures on the right-hand‘ side of the menu, but, the fact that“; plateful of smelt. has shrunk from seven to five fish, half-a-dozen oystets in e. stew now total four-axid-a- fragment. hors rfoeuvres come in tries instead of quartets, and n serving of olives shows an alarm- ing drop from the census of 15141. The only bright: spot. in this shrink- age ls eggs. Bacon end eggs are still bacon and eg-gs, and as long as two remains a pair, we don't. see how eveu the most, 5151-19 restaurateur can reduce the tradi- tional quota. and still advertise his hentrult. in the plural. Unless of course, he scrambles 'em.— Wind- sat Star.

Human nature in odd. Some poo- ple who would never dream of cheating at: cards or in DLXSZDBSS thluk nothing of cheating truffle laws. They will. when they LllillK they can "get, away with ll.’ (irlvc past slap signs without slapping. step on the accelerator because they see others doing it, ignore railway warning signals. lnfmirge local traffic regulations nnr‘. iv- duLge in various other looinnrrly actions, just, because they ilu not see a police officer in the vicinity. This condition ls not pcculia, to Braubford by any means. Th; Un- Lario Department, of Highways says it. is generally observable and altogether too prevalens. Such carelessness. or "cheating" as the department, more bluntly culls it, accounts for e considerable part. of the deplorably high toll of traf- flc injuries and fatalities wees al- ter week. The way to win in tne game agehst, matming or death. the department emphasizes, is to respect all traffic laws and safety rules. "Don't get. caught. dealing from the bottom of the deck!’ rho department advises. "Accidents play for keeps!" — Brsntford Ex- posllor.

The mon who first described our industrial civilization as ‘ma- chlne-domlnoted" has my envy and contempt; he can never have tried to nursemsld on electric rc- frfgerrstor beck from a period of bad temper end ill health. Mich- lnery. I om now certain, is the weakest pillar in the structure of our society. and without constant repair it would collapse altogether. ft appears to be one of the pur- poses of modern design to make the oblect‘ unrepolroble ln the homo. The American Boy with the screwdriver who took clocks sport and couldn't get them together again will have to be replaced by o, boy with a blowtprch trylpg to break through the seamless shell. The steom iron ls a molded unit, the screws that hold together re- cent toasters ore countersunk be- yond" the reach of ‘any avonable sorewdrhlr. and the cord of the electric heater wears thin n‘. o point, where the terminal connec- tions are totally inaccessible. The man from tho vacuum oloonor compony cameo 0a.: repair coll, pronounces tho -novr floor model lost forever, and offers your o bargain role on o turn-tn against,

an we‘ newer model. - tiorpor‘:

CHARLQTTETOWR . o-ooovowwoowo-ooooo»

vuupc FORUM

This column to open I» tho discussion by corra- opunaeuio of qneotiono ol inooreot- Tho Ohorlottatovr Gnordlon doeo not n ‘ ily endoroe the op on n correspondent;

~O-O~O O-+OO4+

A RUM SHOP 0N WATER STREET

Sin-I read with much pleasure ine letter by "Teetotaler" in a, rc- ccnt issue where he brings to our notice how the ‘liquor interests are manipulating things in British Co- lumbfa.

How long wll1 it be before we will have similar conditions ln this Province? Why, even now we are to have a rum shop on Water street; in one of the busiest sec- tions of the town.

The said shop, it is rumored, ls to boast, a beautiful brick front and be more commocllous with a large enarance at front and rear. In this imposing edifice the Pow- ers plan to sell more rum to make more drunken drivers and law breakers who will pay more fines to buy more liquor to make more drunken drivers and law breakers. A vicious circle to wring blood money from ruined llvee and brok- en homes.

We are told there ls to be n vote taken on the liquor question in the near future. If this ls Lrue, why all the alterations and im- provements on this new site? It. looks very much os if our Farmer Premier has his mind made up on this question already and those of us who supported him and thought he would take a stand against more liquor being sold in the Prov- ince, are going to find ourselves "sold down the river."

I am, Sir. etc. TRAVELLER.

Summerslclo.

SCHOOL CUB-IJOULUM --Bir,—l.u connection with Mr. Malcolm MauKenalefls address on the subject of our present school curriculum, may I say that, titre need for revision of our present course of studies ha; been appar- en-t for a long time, and in recent years tins been the subject of wide discussion.

lu P.E.1. it, ls discouraging to note tihat a very arnell percentage of our pupils continua their school- lug through Grade X.

As a cure for this unsatisfactory condition, Mr. MacKenzle makes the point. that a more flexible course of studies should be adopt.- cd which would conform more to present day conditions in a com- plex aml changing order of society.

In determining such a eu.r- rlculum. he states that we must, ask ourselves. “What, slfould a. pro- graim of education do for our boys and girls?" The general answer would be. a. program vftiereby our children would be prepared not only to irfalce a living but, to take their pliice as worthy and public spirited citizens in the community.

Mr. MacKenzle presented statist- ics to show how our present cur- riculum falls far short of this high afm, miore especially in the one- roomecl coimtry schools whcre our ill adjusted program presents e well fflgnh insurmountable problem for the teacher.

It, is a recognizable fact - that e boy or girl who plans to remain on the farm or take up some trade needs s different lsigh school training than those preparing for 0m of the professions.

with this in mind, our problem on P.l:2.I. seams lo be lhul, of pra- vldlng n varied type of educational service which would be at, once efficient and wit-lain hhe limits nf reason frcm the standpoint of cost.

I am, Slra. I). P‘, L. Srrrrncrslde.

CIT!‘ SCHOOL CONDITIONS

Sir, --ln a recent, address, Mrs. Gordon MacDonald stated lihril the cost, of a. Cumposlle High School is lwilu; investigated by the Char- lottetown School Board. ls much n school necessary? Let us Judge by our present City school conditions. Two serious problems seem evident. t1) Overcrowded schools. (2) The need of an up to date high school programme.

To illustrate the one typical clty school has 17 classrooms in use with over 500 pupils when lts normal capacity is 13 classrooms and approximately 350 pupils. Pupils use improvised basement and fourth floor class- rooms, which do not always assure proper heat and ventilation. Prop- er auditorium end library facllltles are out of the question in such limited quarters.

Such overcrowding promises to be worse due to the increased birth rate following thernnnywor marriages and because family ol- lowaucc ls only payable on school attendance. '

After World War I somewhat e similar problem of overcrowding we; solved by adding annexes to the 4 city msbllc sol-fools. Today it would not seem practical to add more extensions to the present, school buildings.

Moreover we have that second serious problem to solve today the need of an up to date high school programme to servo the large number of pupils all obliged by law now to attend school un- tll ft! years of age. If the more practical minded puplll_,__l not to waste their time we mus pro- vide high school technical‘ courses as wall us the college preparatory course.