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THE__£lUARDiAlfl1_UHARLUl"l'E'LQWN

- THE GUARDIAN

Morning Dally utoundoil in i551) r luthurlsed no Second Chou Ml". Ptlll- 0H1" Department, Ottnvrn. The loiuml (linnnllun Publishing 0o. lclltor and Managing Dlnotor. J B. Burnett. _ Anoolnto Editor, Innis Walker. "The Sfronges‘ Memory is Weaker Than

the Weakest lnk." OHARLOTTETOWN. FRIDAY, NOV. 2s. 194s

The institute ltonventlon

A Prince Edward Islander returning today after an absence of thirty-five years Wlllllsl lllld rural conditions in this Province greatly im- proved. He would find, on inquiry, that in cer- tain districts this improvement was more marked than in others; and on further ‘inquiry he would discover that in the great majority of cases these leading centres of community progress possessed Nourishing branches of an organization whose name has become a household word throughout Canada--the Women's institutes. g

This, of course, would be no mere coincid- ence. Na movement in the history of the Pro- vince has accomplished so much in 511th fl 51W" period, or presents such possibilities of future Iccomplishment, as is represented by l'lllS de- voted organization which this week celebrated its thirty-fifth anniversary with an all-day con- ference of institute leaders and workers in our Legislative Assembly chamber.

The setting was an appropriate one, for the discussions ranged over such important topics as further improvement in farm home and com- munity conditions; temperance education as a regular part of the school curricula; instruction in home nursing, handicrafts, music and drama; scholarships for pupils in handicrafts agreeing to return to the Province to teach; space require- ments at the Provincial Exhibition for display of handicrafts and other women's work; grading regulations for other products as well as those of the farm on sale in stores; hot lunches for children in rural schools; Red Cross training in first aid, swimming and life saving; advantage of having women as school trustees and of votes for women at school meetings; public health, and prospects of obtaining more general information in dealing with subnormal children; non-partisan study of politics by institute members, with a view to keeping abreast of developments provin- cially and federally.

These are but a few of the subjects discussed at Wednesday's anniversary conference, but they indicate the wide scope of Institute interests, as well as the efficiency with which the discus- sions were handled. A good object lesson ‘here for our legislators, who sometimes talk for weeks in the some chamber without getting half as for ahead!

Auto Production Record

According to the Dominion Bureau of Sta- tistics 167,257 motor cars were turned out last year, with a value of $186,161,187. The prev- ious record was established in 1937, the statis- tics reveal, when, the plants produced 153,046 cars with a selling value of $93,368,282. The latter figure representsthe wholesale value, or the amount of money received by the manu- facturers from their dealers and distributors, ex- cluding taxes, dealers’ commissions and other charges. ln 1946, the first full year of postwar production, the plants produced 91,871 cars, with a selling value of $82,347,330.

The Bureau also reports that of the total number of passenger vehicles manufactured last year, 128,243 were produced for sale in Canada, with a selling value of $148,299,653. lt is in- teiesting to note that the favored type of car manufactured for domestic use was the four- door sedan, of which more than 71,000 were produced. Next came the two-door sedan with approximately 39,000 units, followed by the closed coupe with 15,999 units.

The high record in the production of trucks in Canada occurred-in 1924 when 216,057 units were manufactured, having a total value of $229,103,128. Last year 98,856 trucks and 902 buses were turned out, having a selling value of $116,357,486, including 27,573 trucks produced for export. The output of all automotive vehicles last year, excluding universal carriers and scout cars, totalled 258,015 units, an increase of 51 per cent aver the number produced the year before. The increase in the total selling value amounted to 82 per cent. But although the manufacturers set new records, they are still a considerable-distance from meeting all the demands for new vehicles.

Taxation lind Defence

The Globe and Mail notes that for the seven months which ended October 31 the Federal Government's revenue surplus exceeded $533 million; the total for the current fiscal year ending next’ March 31 may run to $667 million. This is a sum for greater than Canada's total prewar national Budget. The figure‘ means that the Government will this year collect in faxes

‘about $200 per Canadian family more than was needed to operate all Federal services.

The public, with good reason, is confidently Ixpecting that the next Budget, due in less than six months, will give tax relief. If only because 1949 is fairly sure to be on election year and tax cuts makrfirst-clbss campaign- lng material, it has been generally believed that Mr. Abbott will have good news for the taxpayers next- April. But now we are told that public hopes in this matter will be disappointed

' because defense expenditures are to be increas- ed. '

National defense outlay this Year will run to about $240 million. Proposals being discussed in Ottawa are expected to hoist this total to perhaps $350 million. it is a matter of simple arithmetic that such an increase would use up aniy l6 or 17 per cont of Mi’. Abbott's surplus for the year. He could reduce taxes by $200 mil- lion, increase datum expanse! by $100 million and still have $350 million for reduction of debt

‘ the proposed North Atlantic alliance

—-assuming that the country remains prosper- ous and revenues correspondingly buoyant. And, ccording to Government statistics, this is a reasonable assumption.

The whole question of defense policy is, of course, still wrapped in some obscurity. Prime Minister St. Laurent’: policy of adherence to implies tic-t we must strengthen our armed services. And Defence Minister Cloxton has intimated, in a general way, that such a program is being pre- pared; but whether an extra $100 million will he sufficient to support these plans is a ques- tion about which the public has at present no way of forming an opinion. Obviously the new defense program must have high priority in the Government's planning; and certainly it will rule out such steep tax reductions as would be possible if the worlds peace were safe and certain. But that substantial tax relief is pos- sible, despite defense requirements, is manifest from the figures. lt is equally clear, argues our Toronto contemporary, that economics in other Federal departments could go a long way to- ward supplying the extra funds needed for de- fense.

EDITORIAL NUIES

The certified seed potato movement to the United States to date, as suppliedby the Plant Protection Division of the Federal Department of Agriculture, is 1,654,673 bushels.

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Among the many valuable recommendations cf the P. E. l. Innkeepers Association is the. timely suggestion that when new quarters are found for the Travel Bureau provision should be made for a Provincial museum. i i fi I

The Montreal Star reports that teachers who wish to exchange positions with their op- posite numbers in other provinces or Newfound- lond next year will receive bursaries of $100 each to assist in meeting travelling expenses. A grant of $5,000 has been made available by Imperial Oil Limited to fingnce the proigct.

ln Toronto recently four members of Par- liament, of assorted parties- took part in a youth conference on Parliament sponsored by the Han- sard Society of Canada. It was rough ontho politicians but the youngsters had a field day. What is more important, they got an insight into how parliamentary government works in practice.

can: r

Borden and Charlottetown are not the only landing ports deficient in sanitary arrange- ments-Montreal is in the some category, ac- cording to Mr. T. C. Lockwood, C. B. E., Presi- dent of the Cunard Donaldson Ltd. Although Montreal often is described as "the greatest in- land seaport in the world," throughout its ten- mile frontage there is not a single waiting room or toilet for the thousands of ocean pass- engers who pass through its dusty, draugihty

sheds each season. W

Word has been received from Ottawa of the approval by the Minister of National Health and Welfare of the plan of mental treatment here by the local Department of Health. The details have already been outlined in our col- umns. They include the appointment of a psy- chiatrist at Falconwood to assist the medical superintendent, Dr. Murchison, and development of an active treatment centre and field branch. The cost will be defrayed out of the allotment for the mental health project for this Province.

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Sir Leander Starr .lamieson, South African politician and soldier, died this date 1917. He was associated with Cecil Rhodes in the develop- ment of South Africa, being appointed adminis- trator of Rhodesia. His famous raid into the Transvaal and defeat at Krugersdorf was the prelude to the South African war. He headed the Progressive P_arty in the Cope Legislature in succession to Rhodes, and subsequently of the Unionist Party till 1912 when he retired and rc- turned to England. His remains were carried to the Matappo Hills whore they were buried beside those of Rhodes.

Four Federal by-elections are due next month. The first will be in the Nova Scotia riding of Digby-Annapolis-Kings Dec. 13, the other three, all Dec. 20, will be in the Ottawa district riding of Carleton, the Quebec riding of Laval-Two Mountains and the Manitoba seat of Marquette. There is a fifth vacancy in Que- bec's Nicolet-Yomasko, created recently by the death of the sitting Liberal member. However the by-election date has not yet been decided, though it is expected to came before the next session fo Parliament. The present standinq in the 245-member House follows: Liberals 122; Progressive Conservatives 65; C. C. F. 32; Soc- ial Credit I3; others eight; vacant five; total 245. .

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Toronto and Hamilton are everlastingly at verbal war with one another. The latest out- break is in connection with the electric short- age. While Toronto has three power cut-offs daily —- morning, afternoon and evening—Ham- ilton has escaped the blackouts so far. And Hamilton residents make a point of letting Toronto know about it. Mayor McCallum, To- ronto, says: "l have no intention of getting into any argument or discussion with any other municipality because I realize that the situa- tion is serious, and it is a question of co-opera- tion all down the line. But 1 do not intend to stand idly by and see the City of Toronto criti- cized by individuals who point out the wonder- ful record of Hamilton, and state that they are doing o better job in power conservation." Mayor McCallurx added: "l realize that the explanation of this is the fact that roughly 76 per cent of Hamilton is industrial power con- sumption and that of Toronto roughly 50 per cent. But the poiht arises as to whether the in- dividual cltizeii in one municipality is entitled to roughly twice the power that is allowed to a

citizen in another."

PUBLIC FORUM

Thin column lo open to the discussion by correspondents l of questions of interest. The Guardian does not necessar- . lly endo the opinion of correspondents.

mo-Q-co-Q-oo-Q-oo-Q-ooa f BONUS FOR MHTISTERS

Sup-Many employees received wage increases or cosl-of-llvlng bonuses last. summer because of the steep rlse in llvlng costs. Large increases were given voluntarily so that. the Canadian standard of llvlng might be maintained, and many white collar workers were so favored. but I think one group was omitted-the ministers of the gospel.

Wages generally lag behind o. rising cost of llvlng and minis- ters’ salaries seem to have lagged several laps. Certainly few of them received increases in recent. years equal to industrial workers, the other professions or Llie self- employed.

Should not. the arlnfntere of our churches also be compensated for this years unprecedented cost of living rise? Rising prices are Just. as distressing to his family as they are to the rest. of us.

Unfortunately some church mem- bers ere burdened virith higher costs and no change 1n income. Consideration for these is prob- ably the reason for the minister? plight. It. should be possible to find a solution that. is fair to both. Supposing‘ all contributors con- tinued ClOlng their part, towards meeting the present budgets and a special offering were taken to increase the minister's remuner- ation. This would give each mem- her the opportunity to deal with the matter in the manner most satisfactory to lilm or her self.

I'd like to suggest the first or second Sunday ln December for us to make amends. and that the contribution be put. 1n on envelope marked "Ministers cost-of-llvliig bonus" including the contrlbutoi-‘s name or number as ls customary. And. of course. your readers uflll mention it to their friends who might be m-rlincd to do likewise.

l 1m. Sir. elc.. JOHN W. GILBERT. Hanover, Ont.

The World's Food

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(Royal Bank Monthly Letter.)

The Soviet Union, according to u calculation made in 1941, had 383 million acres under cultivation. giving on average of 2.3 acres per person, compared with Canada's 5 acres per person.

1n bflilfilllV-‘SWWWI Asia ls lielng demonstrate-ii, iiiough amid scenaii of regrettable upheaval. what can be rlone in restoration of unproduc- live land. Palestine ls, as repart- ed in Road to Survival, showing that "arable lurid" is as much n function of the farmer as of the farm.

So there is the story of’ the world's present, situation in fegnrd to food. and of some of the factors causing it. The causes include lock of attention to land usage and lack of expenditure on lend cure; erosion; depletion of needed chem- icals; faulty cropping; pests and waste. And there ls one inescap- able fact: there is no more land on earth than ls known to us to- day.

There are other frontiers. of course. Science can. perhaps, come to our rescue, lf it turns out to be as successful with plant and unl- ma! diseases as with human dil- eases. It may develop cold-reall- tant grains with which we may push our grain fleldl nearer the poles; and drought-rellotnnt grains which will open up forming in dry regions. 1t he! even been euggelt» ed that food plants of some kind may be grown on the ocean floor. But. luppole by all this we in- creue production 2) per cent, we still ore faced with n , dictod 100 per cont growth in population in the next century.

And even 20 per cent lncrouo ln production would fall short. Al-

lumlng n rise in population of only

no Lonocn EARTH BOUND THE ISLAND FARMER KEEPS up WITH Tl-iE

25 per cent by 1960, the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations estimates that the following increases over pro-war production would be the minimum needed to meet its target: Commodity Per cent Increase Cereals 21 Roots and tubers 27 Sugar 12 Fats 34 Pulses 30 Fruits and vegetables . 163 Meet 45 Milk 100

What la the truth about popula- tion’! In it growing foster than the earth's ability to sustain it? All the laymen can do lo to take the best opinions of the beet-experien- ced students.

It is significant that at the re- cent centenary meeting of the Am- erican Association for the Advance- ment of Science views were ex- pressed very much ln llne with those of Malthus. Thomas Malthus was en English curate who pub- lished An Essay on the Principle of Population ln 1798. It raised n storm of argument, and ln addition it suggested to Charles Darwin the principle of nulural selection in the struggle for existence. Upon rend- lng Melthus, uye Darwin in his autobiography, “it at once struck me that under these circumstances favourable variations would tend to be preserved and unfavorable ones to be destroyed."

People llvlng in the expansive days of the 19th Century found it fashionable to laugh at. the proph- esies of Maltlrus: today no one lo so sure. He is, of course, widely misquoteci, so let‘: go right to his own writings for what he did say:

“Of the other great scourge of mankind, famine, it may be observ- ed that lt la not in the aeture of things that the increase of popu- lation should absolutely produce one. This increase though rapid, le necessarily gradual; end as the hu- man frame cannot be supported. even for a very short time. wlfh- out food, ‘it is evident that no more human beings can grow up than there ls provision to maintain. But. though phe principle of population cannot absolutely produce a fam- ine. it prepares the way for one; and by frequently obllging the low- er classes of people to subsist near- ly an the smallest quantity of food that will support life, turns oven n slight deficiency from the failure of the seasons lnlo a never dearth and may be fairly eeld, therefore, to be one of the principal cnusou of famine."

Seasonal crop failures continue today, as in Malthus‘ (lay, and lll addition there are worn-out lands which we must. rehabilitate if they are to produce crops as iuxuriaritly and as readily as ln Malfhus‘ time.

Sir Henry Tiziird, president of the Brltis Association for the Arl- vancemen of Science. commented two months ago on the other side of the picture: increasing popula- tion. Selence has lengthened man's’ life. he said, to the extent that llllfliter ls apparently about to shor- lf-"l l! 511111112 l">l7i'lx-'.l.'ll'l curbs an no longer effective; war ls less deadly than it was. and disease ls being brought under control; there is no dramatic new discovery in sight by which the world can sud- denly increase production as it. dlrl with chemical fertilizers; in fact, the world alreaihr has too many people for the food supply, and population continues to Increase.

(To be continued)

CONSCIENTIOUS flour

wmrronmsr. n. Z.-—(OP>—!Ihe county council gasped in amaze. ment when it received n mm- from a Maori stating: "I um anx- lwe l0 bolln paying robes and am enssrlv awaiting my first rate demand." In startled admiration the council sent hkn n latte;- of congratulation.

PRODUCTION INCREASE

The flrltlsh foundry industry, which produced 2,500,000 tone or cut-iron before the second World We: ls now pl ‘uctng 3,. 000,000 tom o year with n saving of fuel.

.____..__,___._ ‘IIIAT CHRISTMAS LOOK EDMONTON - (OP) — Edmonton business men are planning, to have the elty all "lit. up" for the Christmas mhori. ‘may have re- commended that city otflololo turn on overhead llehtson city streets

during December

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TIM/ES! _ .

Old Charlottetown (And P. I. L)

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FIREMEN IN TIPPETB

In l827—t.wenty-elght years bo- fore the city's incorporation-ea Act. "to authorize the formation of u Flue Engine Company for the Town. of Charlotte-Town" was duly passed by the Legislature. From the preamble we loam that u flru engine had recently been procured "at a considerable ex- pense to the inhabitants of the said Town, but. the some will be of lltlle or no avail ln case of fire unless it be worked by per- sons properly practised 1n the use thereof."

Accordingly the Act. provided for the appointment of o. Captain. 1st. and 2nd. Lleutenante, and thirty- two other "flt and proper persons, residents of the town." to consti- tute a fire engine company, which was vested with the “care and custody" of the engine, hose and buckets, and was obliged “to keep the some in good order. and fit for service on all occasions.” Days of training in each year-sh: dur- ing the summer seeoaxr. two dur- lug winter-were provided for. and members neglecting their duty in lltls respect were liable tot a. tlne of five shillings. They were exempted. however, from certain other public duties, such as serv- lng as constables and working on the highways.

Every member of the company was obliged "to provide himself with n. strong leather-n cop of such shape and form us the ma.- jorlty of the persons composing the sold company shell appoint. on which shall be painted or marked. in Roman letters, the words ‘Fire Engine‘, and to which cup shall be attached a cope or tlppet of leather of not less than eighteen inches in breadth which sold cap and tlppel: shall be worn at all fires and times of training. under a penalty of five shillings."

The Captain or other officer commending was obliged. once a year. to publish the names of all poi-sons belonging to the oom- pany; also. an request of the Com- mlssloner or any overseer of roads for the Charlottetown district, to furnish “is true and correct llst. of the said company. with the date nf the admission of each membe thereof, without. being entitled to nriv fee therefor." For neglect or refusal in comply with this regu- lotion, or for delivering an erron- eous list. the officer could be fin- ed twenty shillings.