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"The strongest memory Ls weu/rer than

ink”

[/1 P weakest

_ _ fl_____~.~v_‘______________._ PAGE 6 SATURDAY DECEMBER 15. 1962.

Uncertainty At Ottawa

if the opposition parties in the House of Commons join to bring the Government down on an in- terim supply motion, as they are now threatening to do, we may be in for another federal general elec- tion very soon. But predictions on this score are as uncertain as they mar were. , The Government has survived every non-confidence test with which it has been confronted to date. Each opposition party in turn has hastened to its support to make sure that it wasn’t defeated; though. of course, that wasn’t the reason given.

' The Liberals have been calling most loudly for an election, and claim to be ready, willing and eager to face the voters at the earliest possible moment. In fact, though— as Ottawa commentators have not failed to point out—all opposition groups tipped their hands when they pressed the Government in- cessantly for an early announce- ment about the plans for a Christ- mas adjournment.

if they were making serious efforts to defeat the Government and bring on a dissolution of Parliament at any hour of the day or night, what interest would such plans hold for them? But in fact. all parties rejoiced when Mr. Dict'enbaker finally announced that “follmving consultation with the leaders of the several parties." it had been decided that Parliament would adjourn from December 20 to January 21.

That's the way it stands now, despite all the subsequent palaver. Barring some sudden flare-up, or an election-by-miscalculation, it’s likely to stay that way until the spring—if the Prime Minister him- solf doesn't pull the rug from under the lot, of them. His latest state- monl indicates that he has no in- tention of doing so, but he hasn’t Committed himself to anything.

At Long Last

A leading article in the current issue of The Legionary, official publication of the Royal Canadian Legion. reviews the tortuous prog- ross made over the past four dec- ades in preparing an official history of Canada's participation in tho

First World War. Last month—— fort y-four years after the war end- od—“The Canadian Expeditionary

Force 1914-19” was published by the Queen’s Printer, Ottawa. The author is Col. G.W.L. Nicholson, re- contly retired as director of the Army’s historical section. The Leg- ionary commends the result as "a masterly work of care and precis- ion, a monument worthy of tho brave men whose deeds it records.” But it raises the question of why this long delay should have been permitted to occur.

It seemed utterly inconceivable that a nation which had played a proud and victorious role in a world conflict should have no official his-

: tory of famous battles fought by her gallant. soldiers; that posterity should have no record in book form of their great and dramatic achieve- ments. Other victorious nations 1031: no time in getting out official war

. histories. Those of Britain and Australia, in particular, wore ex- cellent and were published with commendable dispatch.

‘ In Canada, however, for reasons which were neither mitotic not

" valid, nineteen yeom were to elapse

»‘ before the first of six volume- pleu-

_ned for the official World War I

history came out. This was in 1937, two years before the Second World War broke out, and the story only covered the period from August, 1914, to September 1915. Only one major engagement was dealt with —-the Second Battle of Ypres. Nothing of an official nature has been available in book form all these years about Vimy and Pass- chendaele and many other battles in which Canada’s fighting men gain- ed the wholesome respect .of the enemy and the deep admiration of the rest of the world.

Better results were achieved in presenting, officially, the record of Canadian activities in the Second World War. By then it had become too late to complete the projected 6-volume history of World War 1: but The Legionary kept urging that a single volume similar in scope and treatment to that of World War II he prepared.

Successive Dominion c o n v e n- tions of the Canadian Legion passed resolutions backing up The Legion- ary’s plan. and certain members of Parliament also brought the matter up; but the then Minister of Na- tional Defense. the Hon. Brooke Claxton, stated in the House of Commons that the Government had decided not to do anything further about a World War I history.

Finally, however, The Legion-\ ary’s urgings were heeded. and Colonel Nicholson’s book is the re- sult. One point brought out in this belated but admirable record is that of the 619,636 soldiers who served with Canada’s Army in World War 1, 232,494 became casualties. Of these 60,661, or 9.28 per cent, were fatal. In World War II fatal cas- ualties numbered 41,992, or 3.86 per cent. When it is recalled that in 1914-18 Canada's population was only about 8 millions, the true com- parison between the human sac- rifices made by this country in the two world wars will be plain.

DiquIeting Figures

It has been noted in business reviews that the diversification of agriculture today, combined with the cushioning effects of various government policies, has stabilized farm income to a remarkable de- gree. This was seen in the anomal- ous fact that last year in Canada the poorest grain crop for almost a generation was accompanied by the highest farm cash income on record. The biggest feature of the change has been the shift toward livestock and livestock products, which are now responsible for about two-thirds more cash income than all field crops taken together, in- cluding fruit and root crops, as well as grains.

However advantageous this change has been, it is plain from the'latest Dominion Bureau of Statistics release that it affords no ground for complacency. A de- cline in farm activity, says this re- port, helped push unemployment in Canada up by 59,000 from mid- October to 342,000 at mid-Novem- ber. This drop in farm employment was most noticeable in the Prairies and the Maritimes. The Atlantic Provinces generally had the highest jobless rate in November—8.9 per cent of the labor force compared with 6.9 per cent in October. This was almost three times Ontario’s rate, and is due, of course, to the lag in industrial as well as agri- cultural employment. But the latter factor is the one stressed in, the Bureau report, and it under- lines the need for all the attention that can be given to our farmers' problems in this area.

EDITORIAL NOTES

At least there will be no war over Canada's claim to territorial waters in the Bay of Fundy. Russia il reported to have given Canada assurance that its fishing vessels will stay ott of the bay in future.

O O O

In ,crowded streets, out in the wind and the snow, the red pots of the Salvation Army serve to remind those who pass by that this is the Christmas season, and that there are many who can stand a bit of the Christmas cheer that so many others, so much more fortunate than they, will have. Every cent of the money that goes into these pots will be used to this end. Let’s think of It before we pass them by too hurriedly. however busy we may be at this season with our own affairs.

NEW FRENCH REVOLUTION

INTERPRETING THE news Implications For Canada In OAS Report

A report prepared for the Organization of American States may turn out to have an im- portant bearing on the lingering issue of whether Canada is to join the hemispheric associa- tion.

It was produced by a four- man working group of the OAS legal committee appointed to study what rules and procedures should be established for admit- ting new members.

Canadian officials are eager to see what action is taken on the report. tabled in Washing‘ ton several weeks ago and now under study by the legal com- mittee. A special OAS confer- ence may be called to deal with the question.

No matter how the question

By Jack Best

Canadian Press Staff Writer Is disposed of, it is likely to have implications for Canada.

The OAS at present comprises the United States and 20 Latin American republics — though the government of Cuba has been excluded from its activi- es.

MEMBERSHIP CONSIDERED'

Canada and the newly-inde- pendent Caribbean states of Ja- maica and Trinidad - Tobago are the only western hemisphere states that do not belong. How- ever. the Canadian government has long had the idea of joining under consideration.

T charter. signed by representatives of the 21 repub- lics in 1948 at Bogota. Colom- bia, is vague just what would be required for member-

:3

PUBLIC

FORUM

A VOTER‘S COMPLAINT

Sir. —— If you will allow me some of your valuable space. would like to congratulate the Conservative Government on their victory and the successful Liberal candidates who will form the Opposition.

The main purpose of this letter. however. is not to con- gratulate but to complain of some of the things which I, as a voter. experienced on election day. I am not referring to any particular party because both parties were at fault. I would like to list a few of those things.

(1) After stating that I was a property holder (I was warn- ed that unless I asked for two ballots I would only get one) I was given two ballots but my wife was refused a vote. She was told that because she was on the Island for less than two months she could not vote. The average person would accept this and leave the poll. But I had checked with my lawyer be- fore the election and was told that both of us had votes. I re- fused to vote until the problem was clearcd up. I was told that If I left the poll I would not be able to go back in the poll room.

While I had waited for about half an hour I picked up a copy of the rules for voting. It stat- ed that one could vote for Coun- cillor if he has a $325 Interest In land or is married to a hus- band or wife who has. To vote for Assemblyman one must: (a) have livetl in .the Province for at least twclve months and in the electoral district where he seeks to vote for at least two months bcfore the issue of the election writ or (b) own land worth $100. or be married to someone who does. Such a clear ruling should not cause any trouble to anyone worthy of working at the polls.

After both Liberal and Con- servative headquarters said I had a vote. we h voted. The retu ng officer reached out his hand or my ballot. He held It behind the ballot box and I as- eume he was tearlng off the counterfoil: then he put it in the ballot box. I noticed in a front page story of the Patriot December 10th. Mr. Dave Ste- ward and Mr. Alex Matheaon are shown putting their own ballot in the box.

(2) Owning property In anoth- er district we went to vote again. This time I was handed a ballot without the returning officer'e Initials.

( 3) ’In another poll a friend of mine came back very disturbed. Why? The ballot that was put in the ballot box just before her turn came up, was actually op- ened and looked at by the re- turning officer.

(4) Another friend of mine did not realize that it is custo- mary to be driven by the party for whom you are going to vote if you need a drive. As It hap- pened. It was not her intention to vote for the party that was m II II over

I—u

0 fl

when the candidate she was go- ing to vote for saw her and thinking she was going to vote against him. he began question- ing her with many unnecessary questions. Needless to say she changed her vote.

(5) The whole atmosphere at the poll is very repugnant. One feels as if he is going on trial and if there is any indication as to which way you are going to vote, the opposite side seems to look for reasons why you should not be voting.

(6) My wife and I represent- ed twelve votes which I think is ridiculous. I hope the Govern- ment sees fit to revise this sys- tem of voting. If I, as one voter. experienced all these things, It Is obvious that many other peo- ple would be experiencing simi- lar incidents. It could be that the workers are not properly in- formed as to the rules and re- gulations. If thb is the case, then I strongly recommend that workers of all parties be requir- ed to study and if necessary be given instructions as a group by a committee of lawyers from all

parties. Other suggestions I would mak

are.

(1) Election Day should be declared a holiday.

(2) Free transportation. Not Liberals for Liberals or Conser- vatives for Conservatives but an overall transportation set up with expenses paid by all par- ties or sponsored by some ser- vice club.

(3) Elimination of all liquor as payment for votes. Violation should be made a criminal of- fense. Personally I would rath- er defeated than represent peo le for whom I had to pass over five dollars or a bottle of

rum. (4) Of all the service clubs we have on the Island I th ould be an excellent project If one would undertake to In- form the public through televi- sion, radio and the newspaper. Such important items as the laws of the election. the right and duty of the electors, duty of the workers. how the Island la divided into polls and the dif- ference between Councillors and the Assemle sh d be ex- plained. It would be of great help If a model poll could be set up on television and the actual procedures followed from begln- lug to end. Speaking to any first voter one finds that they are bewildered as to what the whole Set up is about.

Some of you who fire reading this article may thin that I am to y making too much of an Issue of this. I don’t think I am. Our duty to vote is very Important and a very preclom privilege that we have. If we allow it to deteriorate we will find mlvee using any meaue to justify the end. If this com- ee into our election system It will be no better than Commun- lem or dictatorship where elec-

tions are only _a formality. I am, It. etc" FRANK

Charlottetown ‘

ship by other countries in the hemisphere. Article 2 says “all American states that ratify the present charter are members 0 the organization."

The move to clarify the issue of new admissions was instl- gated some months ago by Gua- temala, and related to possible membership applications from “new states." This would not include Canada which, it has always been assumed here, could get in simply by ratifying the charter and notifying OAS.

However, in carrying out its assignment. the working group dealt in terms of “new mem- bers" generally. The expression appeared several times in its report. Apparently. it pertains to Canada as well as other prospective new members. STUDY BY FOUR

The working group was com- posed of representatives of G1!!- temala, Colombia. Brazil and the United States.

One suggestion that caught the eye of Canadian authorities was that a new member, be- sides ratifying the OAS charter. should also be required to ratify the Rio Treaty of reciprocal assistance.

Under this treaty. OAS mem- bers not jointly to deal with ag- gression against any 0 their number, whether it originates inside or outside the hemis-

here.

Canadians who advocate their country's joining OAS often ar- gue that Canada could take out membership without at the same time subscribing to the Rio pact. There Is a current of feeling in Canada that associ- ation with the pact would mean involvement In conflicts that periodically arise among Latin American countries.

QUESTION TIES

Another suggestion of the working group was that a pros- pective new member “should not have ties or obligations to- wards extra-continental powers which would be incompatible with its status as a member."

The question being asked here is whether extra-continental powers might conceivably be interpreted by some OAS mem- bers to Include the Common-

wealth.

As for OAS voting on new members. the Guatemalan rep- resentative held that applica- tions should require unanimous approval. Colombia and the US. suggested a two-thirds majority, and Brazil said admission should be by simple majority vote.

Our Yesterday’s (From the Guardian Files)

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO mber 15. 1937

Zion Presbyterian Church aes-

elon at a meeting Wednesday

night accepted the resignation

of Professor uls mp-

eon as organist and choir direc-

came to Charlottetown more than ten years ago will leave later this month for Cornwall. Ont. where he will assume du- flea at Knox United Church.

Mrs. P. Watson and afmlly who have been residing in Murray Harbor. left yesterday on re- turn to Norfolk, England. where they will join Mr. Watson who returned some time ago. They will salt from Halifax by 3.8. Newfoundland. for Liverpool.

TEN YEARS AGO December 15. 1052 The children of St. Vincent's

the 1001" at the hockey game between the Islanders and tho Glace Bay Mlnere Friday night. among; treats of too cream.

a out! were one pmld» ed by the 1001'.

The Autumn edition of It. Dimelan'l lventty "Bed 'and White" Is In keeping with the high standard of proou which has flood this periodical In the cm of "'well meataa'

Care Is Needed At Christmas

By Dr. Theodore R. Van Dellen

MAKE this a safe Christmas. Most of us are lucky, consider- ing the fire hazards at we c ate year after ylear There at; parties. festivities, gift wappings, decorations, and loads of special fun. And we ua- ually add to this scene one of the most highly flammable ob- jects in the world — the Christ- mas tree. It burns like fury un- less dipped in or sprayed with a flame proofing or flame to- tardant compound.

Most yule trees must be e ut well in advance of the s e a son and may be dry by the time they reach the retail outlet. When too dry. they shed nee- dles easily; their branches are brittle and they burn faster.

Authorities tell me that the best way to to st 8 tree is to bounce the butt hard on the ground. If the needles 3 h o w or down. it is too dry. The needles should offer some resistance when pulled out, and a slump that is sticky with resin may be messy but it means the tree is fresh and moist. and is less like- ly to burn. ‘ r

The next step Is to keep the tree outside in a bucket of wa- ter or in the snow until ready to put up. Then saw off one inch from the trunk before it is set up and keep the tree in water as long as it remains in the house. Don't put it near heat or the stairs.

0 one uses open flame can- dles but the electric lighting gadgets can cause trouble. es- pecially when the tree is dry. Check thetcord and socket: for fire and shock hazards.

Christmas wrappings tend to accumulate unless thrown out every day; don’t burn them in the firepl a co. Decorations made of noncombustible mater- ial such as metal. glass, or as- bestos are preferred.

In addition. keep plenty of ash trays handy but no match- es. Be emphatic about “no smo- king" near the tree. Several years ago two families were made homeless by a young man who had a ctgaret dangling from his mouth while trimming the tree. And don't smoke while playing Santa Claus those whiskers ignite easily and burn quickly unless flameproofed.